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The French Paradox, Dublin, Dublin 4

The French Paradox

4.6 (24)
€31 to €50
Wine Bar
53 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, Dublin 4 D04 XC66

About this restaurant

  • Great for fine wines
  • Romantic
  • Neighborhood gem
Since 2002, The French Paradox, an Irish institution, is a unique wine-themed place in the heart of Ballsbridge. Our ground floor Wine Shop has a fine selection of directly imported artisan wines. Our first-floor kitchen uses locally sourced and directly imported produce from suppliers we personally know. We use traditional recipes to make quality French tapas, sharing plates and three-course set menus. The French Paradox customers find everything they need on two bright and welcoming levels.
Wine is the leitmotiv in the French Paradox Experimental Hall of taste, sense, texture and food pairing experiences. In a combination of the traditional and contemporary, we use the romance of candles to light our oak, terracotta, glass and zinc designed bars. Our modern temperature-controlled wine keeping equipment preserves 50 different wines for the service of wine by the glass. We have 160 different wines available.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    €31 to €50
  • Cuisines
    Wine Bar, French, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Julien
  • Private party facilities
    For Team building, Social networking, friendly gatherings, common interest in the Wine Culture, our Tasting room accommodates groups up to 35 people for casual Canapés functions, wine tastings or formal dining receptions. It is our pleasure to make our wine knowledge and experience available to all customers, whether enthusiastic, uncertain or informed.
  • Neighborhood
    Ballsbridge
  • Cross street
    Pembroke Road
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    DART (Lansdowne road station), Dublin Bus (American Embassy stop)
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Private Room, Wine

What 24 people are saying

The French Paradox reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6
4.6 based on all time ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

24 Reviews
  1. AndrewV

    Dublin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on December 21, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Thanks for a great evening - so sad you had so many canx. that evening but fair play to the team for opening up to remind us what it is like to feel normal again!! And the wine tasting was fantastic

    Is this helpful?

  2. MarkA

    Dublin5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on December 14, 2020

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Perfect service, kept simply and noninvasive. Our server advised us on wines and his recommendations were perfect. We felt very comfortable and safe with COVID restrictions and enjoyed cheese and smoked salmon. Next time will try something more substantial.

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  3. Annanore

    Dublin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on September 18, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A wonderful experience - marvellous food, charming ambiance and delightful wait staff. We will definitely be eating here again!

    Is this helpful?

  4. EnriqueG

    Dublin5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 18, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The waitress was very nice the food was incredible and the wine was also perfect I had to bring a bottle with me to enjoy another evening. It’s great that they have the wines downstairs you can always go home with a few bottles

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  5. Michelle

    Dublin2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 12, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely staff, tasty food, sat at high table on the second floor - most enjoyable

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  6. Daniel

    Dublin19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 1, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful food. Beautiful simple menu very well presented. Wine is incredible. Extremely well priced and seemingly from smaller producing chateaus. Service was exquisite. We will be back. A lot.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    Dublin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on August 29, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Super healthy food, good service and a great variety of wines

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  8. MargaretM VIP

    Northern Ireland1 review

    5.0

    Dined on August 5, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely evening. Lovely French food and welcoming knowledgeable staff.

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  9. LisaR

    Dublin1 review

    5.0

    Dined on July 18, 2020

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic evening- great staff. Can’t wait to go again.

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  10. LMM4

    Berlin2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 19, 2019

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a gorgeous evening. The waiter made a very thoughtful recommendation for our food and wine choice, which was perfect. Table was intimate, and even though there were several parties in the restaurant, it didn't impose on our evening. Exceptional wine, delicious food, great service.

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FAQs

The French Paradox is rated 4.6 stars by 24 OpenTable diners.

  1. Home
  2. Ireland, Republic of
  3. Dublin
  4. Dublin 4
  5. Ballsbridge

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for The French Paradox

53 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, Dublin 4 D04 XC66

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Pembroke Road
  • Neighborhood
    Ballsbridge
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    €31 to €50
  • Cuisines
    Wine Bar, French, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    DART (Lansdowne road station), Dublin Bus (American Embassy stop)
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Julien
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, Private Room, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Private party facilities
    For Team building, Social networking, friendly gatherings, common interest in the Wine Culture, our Tasting room accommodates groups up to 35 people for casual Canapés functions, wine tastings or formal dining receptions. It is our pleasure to make our wine knowledge and experience available to all customers, whether enthusiastic, uncertain or informed.
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