Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Dublin 8

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Dublin 8? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Fayrouz Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (191)

€30 and under

Lebanese

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Dublin's newest Lebanese restaurant, serving fresh modern food located on 117 Cork Street.
100% halal food

Top review

Sandra

Dined 7 days ago

One of my favourite spots. Yummy food and great value

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Experience

2 Course Early Bird Menu-BYOB FREE of charge!

Bastible

4.8

4.8 (102)

€51 and over

Contemporary European

Portobello

About the restaurant

Bastible is located just a short stroll from the landmark St Patricks Cathedral in the vibrant postcode of Dublin 8.
The restaurant overlooks the junction of Clanbrassil Street and South Circular Road in what was once the old Jewish quarter of Portobello.

Chef Killian Walsh leads the kitchen team and creates seasonal tasting menus using his varied and considerable industry experience. Bastible was awarded a coveted Michelin Star in 2022 and proudly retains it today.

Bastible's atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive. There is no required dress code and we pride ourselves on friendly and knowledgable service.

We look forward to seeing you at Bastible soon.

Top review

Anna

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent and thoughtful experience. Highly recommend!!

Arthur's Pub

4.7

4.7 (91)

€30 and under

Irish

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Arthur's is the nearest pub on the route to The Guinness Storehouse, one of the city's foremost tourist attractions. It is popular both with locals and tourists. Naturally it has the freshest pint of Guinness in all of Ireland.

Arthurs is a classic Dublin pub, old style but well appointed. It has been a pub for over 200 years, and has many historical connections, being beside St. Catherines Church, outside of which the patriot, Robert Emmet, was hung, drawn and quartered in 1803.

We light a real turf fire everyday, play an eclectic mix of Irish music and have live music sessions in the evenings.

Upstairs at Arthur’s, we have a room that operates as a restaurant in the day, but at night becomes Arthur’s Blues and Jazz Club, where we host top national and international blues and jazz acts 5 nights a week. On stage we have a concert grand piano, and we also have an excellent lighting rig, and a top professional PA and sound system.

Top review

Mary

Dined 1 day ago

Great service, lovely food and great atmosphere and of course ……….. gorgeous Guinness We even got an umbrella to take with us into the rain Thank you - we pays it forward and gave it back k to reception at St James

Tenters Gastropub

4.6

4.6 (231)

€31 to €50

Pub

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Welcome to Dublin's newest bar, located in one of its most historic areas. 🍀 Enjoy the best of Dublin pub fare while nursing a pint of the black stuff, or perhaps a more sophisticated cocktail. 🍺🍸 Whatever takes your fancy, here at Tenters we were born to serve.

The original Tenters bar has stood on this same corner of Mill Street and Blackpitts since the 1920s, right amongst the local linen-makers and distillers for which the area was known. 🏭✨ Come experience a piece of Dublin's rich history with us!

Top review

IngaVIP

Dined on May 20, 2025

Best steak ever!!! The chocolate brownie and whiskey ice cream were amazing!

1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse

4.6

4.6 (923)

€30 and under

Dining Bar

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Located within the historic grounds of the Guinness Storehouse, 1837 Bar & Brasserie celebrates the best of Ireland. Named after the year Guinness and oysters were named as the perfect match.

With great views of Dublin city and a menu of classics - smoked salmon, oysters and a rather famous Guinness burger - along with likes of flatbreads, sharing plates and a Guinness chocolate mousse that playfully resembles a glass of the black stuff.

All dishes are designed by our award winning chef Sean Hunter, to be enjoyed with the range of Guinness beers on offer along with a full drinks list.

The Guinness Storehouse restaurants are open to the public without an experience ticket. We ask that restaurant visitors pre-book their table whenever possible. Walk up visitors to our restaurant will be admitted subject to availability. Please be aware restaurant access does not give you Guinness Storehouse Visitor Experience, but you can buy a ticket on arrival at admissions.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 4 days ago

The restaurant is located inside the marketing madness that is Guinness Storehouse. However, the food was very good. In fact the only place we have encountered lettuce during our week in Ireland. The Chicken Cesar Salad was excellent. But so was everything else we ordered. Hard to see dining here if not taking the Guinness tour, but if you are, it was very good.

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Popular dish

Signature Beef & Guinness Stew

Popular dish

1837 Seafood Pie

Guinness Open Gate Brewery

4.6

4.6 (531)

€30 and under

Brewery

The Liberties

About the restaurant

As we are a working brewery, you must be aged 18 years or over to visit.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery (GOGB) is located in the heart of The Liberties, Dublin 8 and has been the Home of Experimentation at Guinness. At GOGB, we dream and live all things beer. It’s where our brewers creatively brew every pint with passion.

We offer limited-edition small-batch beers exclusively in our vibrant taproom. Not too sure what beers to try? Don’t worry, our beer specialists are at hand to help you choose a beer paddle suited to you. We also offer a selection of delicious small plates - from wings to fries to sharing platters, especially when coupled with our exciting seasonal brews.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery is proud to be an official AsIAm Autism Friendly Accredited venue with the help of Ireland’s Autism Charity, AsIAm. We offer Sensory Friendly hours on the first Sunday of each month from 1pm - 3pm, starting Nov 3rd '24, where lighting and sounds will be reduced (subject to change).

Top review

Patricia

Dined on May 2, 2025

Loved it. Great atmosphere, food was fantastic and the beer flights were fun to compare. Went as a family after our Guinness Storehouse tour. Perfect ending to our Guinness experience!

La Cosa Nostra

4.6

4.6 (43)

€30 and under

Italian

The Liberties

About the restaurant

La Cosa Nostra, situated in the heart of Dublin, is a family-run restaurant offering a true taste of Italy. Led by Chef Oscar Bertone, who hails from Naples, our menu features authentic Italian dishes made with traditional recipes passed down through generations. Our commitment to quality is evident in every dish, from our handmade pasta to our wood-fired pizzas. We pride ourselves on using only the finest ingredients sourced from Italy and local producers. Whether you're dining with us for a casual meal or a special occasion, our welcoming atmosphere and attentive service ensure a memorable experience. At La Cosa Nostra, we believe in the power of food to bring people together, and we strive to create a dining experience that transports you to Italy with every bite.

Top review

Anne Marie

Dined on May 22, 2025

Had an amazing time at this restaurant. Excellent food and staff. Very accommodating to all!

The Port House Dublin

4.5

4.5 (438)

€30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Portobello

About the restaurant

The Port House is located in Dublin's city centre. The restaurant and bar is one in a family of five. The offering is tapas style dishes such as Piquillo con Pollo and Tosta de Salmon. The bar is open late over the weekend evenings and offers a wide selection of drinks at the bar.

Top review

Johanna

Dined 2 days ago

For those with Coeliac disease or gluten intolerance this restaurant has fantastic options. They even have a gluten free alcohol free beer! Everything we ordered came as gluten free and taste was not compromised so also suited the no GF guest. Not often Coeliacs can share food with non GF people so this was an extra special treat to comfortably share food. Huge kudos to the chef!

FAWN

4.5

4.5 (22)

€31 to €50

Contemporary European

Golden Lane

About the restaurant

Located in the city centre on the ground floor of Dublin’s 8 newest hotel, The Chancery, Fawn is a modern European restaurant serving vibrant ingredient-driven food. Showcasing Irish produce with references to the neighbourhood’s Italian-quarter history, the cocktails and sharing plates put the emphasis on stylish informality. The restaurant occupies a bright, light-filled space overlooking a lush, stepped terrace verdant with ferns, mosses and heathers. Fawn is a restaurant designed for Dublin.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

If you're looking for one of the most delicious dining experiences in Dublin, this restaurant is a must-visit! It stands out for offering flavorful dishes without the heavy, greasy feel that many places tend to have. From the amazing starters to the mouthwatering mains and delightful desserts, every dish is crafted to perfection. The service here deserves a special mention—it's a solid 6 out of 5! The staff are friendly, attentive, and go above and beyond to make your meal memorable. The atmosphere is calm and inviting, with a relaxing outdoor view that adds to the overall experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this spot is guaranteed to impress. Highly recommended!

URBAN8

4.4

4.4 (36)

€30 and under

Contemporary European

Kilmainham

About the restaurant

URBAN8 is conveniently located within easy walking distance of Kilmainham Gaol, IMMA, St James’s Hospital, Guinness Storehouse and the Hilton Hotel Kilmainham.

We see ourselves as a focal point of our community and for visitors from further afield! and you can always expect a warm welcome from our friendly and professional team. So whether you are looking for an enjoyable casual dining experience or just dropping in for a glass of wine, beer or coffee – URBAN8 is the perfect fit.

We look forward to seeing you very soon.

Top review

Rhona

Dined 7 days ago

My partner and I visited Urban 8 this evening and we were so happy with the food, the service, the atmosphere and the value for money we received. Every dish was as good as the last and the staff made sure we were well looked after. It is so good to know that there is a great quality restaurant in the locality. Thank you.

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