Dublin has been named one of the best cities in Europe for foodies, with a vibrant dining scene packed with delights from around the world. When you also consider that Italian food is often rated as one of the best cuisines in the world, it stands to reason that some of the best Italian restaurants Dublin has to offer are well worth a visit.
Fresh ingredients lovingly prepared in exquisite surroundings await you when you visit these Dublin restaurants. Whether you’re looking for an intimate venue for date night, somewhere to kick back and relax in the open air after a hard day at the office, or simply a place to catch up with friends in a warm and welcoming environment, Dublin has it all. From rooftop terraces to indoor foliage, top-notch pizza spreads to the best homemade pasta, there’s something for everyone at the best Italian restaurants in Dublin.
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The best Italian restaurants in Dublin – read on for a guide
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Dublin city centre – head to Aperitivo Cicchetti on Nassau Street
Aperitivo Cicchetti brings you the flavours of Italy in small plates, letting you taste more. The rotating menus of small plates and Italian wines mean you can keep coming back and try something new every time. The dishes aim to represent the whole of Italy, with classics from each region served in an intimate setting reminiscent of the Italian swing joints of the 1950s. This little hotspot only seats 20 people at a time, so book your table now to avoid disappointment. The cocktail menu is well worth checking out at Aperitivo Cicchetti – start with an Amaretto sour and finish with an espresso martini. In between, you’ll want to try the panzerotti – mini calzone pizzas with a variety of fillings, including spicy Calabrian sausage and creamy taleggio cheese. Alternatively, tuck into tender chicken breast rolled in crispy pancetta and stuffed with scamorza cheese
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Dublin for bottomless brunch – visit NoLIta on George’s Street
Classic Italian food with a New York bar vibe, NoLIta is all about the pursuit of good times, with great food and drinks thrown in for good measure. The surroundings bring the outdoors indoors, with trees, leafy plants and flowers surrounding warm wooden tones. Alternatively, head outdoors yourself and dine in the gorgeous garden. The brunch menu is a weekend highlight, offering a mixture of classic English brunch dishes and traditional Italian fare. Choose a cocktail to go alongside your eggs royale or chicken parmigiano or opt for the bottomless brunch – 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco or mimosas alongside your food. The dinner menu focuses on the best Irish produce served Italian style. Try the seafood linguine with Killary Fjord mussels and Atlantic prawns, or the free-range pork meatballs with fennel and spicy chilli.
For one of the best pizza restaurants in Dublin – pull up a chair at Little Pyg on Dame Street
Dine in one of the most uniquely designed restaurants in Dublin at Little Pyg, where you’ll be surrounded by stunning foliage and greenery within the historic building Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. Voted Best Pizzeria in Ireland and one of the Top 10 Cocktail Bars in Ireland in 2023, Little Pyg brings you MICHELIN guide pizzas cooked to perfection. And, with 50% less calories than traditional pizzas, you can go back for seconds. The pizza-making process at Little Pyg draws on 300 years of Italian technique so you won’t want to miss out. Toppings range from spicy nduja to grilled peppers, jalapenos, caramelised onions and house-made roast ham. Finish with a “Pygtail” – award-winning cocktails including pornstar martinis with vanilla vodka and fresh passionfruit. Little Pyg Terrace brings you the same great food alfresco style, with a custom-built sound system for listening to and playing vinyl.
For Italian spirit with good old Irish hospitality – take a seat at Osteria Lucio at Grand Canal Dock
Osteria Lucio was established by two chefs who have been friends and colleagues for many years – Ross Lewis and Luciana Tona. Combining their two heritages, Lewis and Tona deliver one of the best new Italian restaurants in Dublin, with traditional Irish conviviality at the heart of the philosophy. Add in a dash of Italian spirit and you have Osteria Lucio. Only the very best produce makes it onto the menu, with everything served in a warm and welcoming environment. For lunch, try the cured scallop blood orange with pickled red meat radish or the paccheri and duck ragu with fresh parmesan and parsley. In the evening, treat yourself to Irish wagyu carpaccio to start, then move on to yellowfin tuna with smoked olive oil and a green olive and ca
For an Italian aperitivo alfresco – book a table at Carluccio’s on Dawson Street
Carluccio’s – Dublin Dawson’s Street on Dawson Street, in the heart of a fashionable shopping district, is one of the best Italian restaurants in Dublin. Serving only the highest quality ingredients, hand-picked from the best regions of Italy and prepared with love, Carluccio’s brings a true taste of Italy to Ireland. Sit back and relax after a long day’s shopping on one of the two exquisitely designed floors. If the weather’s nice, enjoy dining alfresco in real Italian style. Kick off with some nibbles such as herby pasta crisps served with pesto mayonnaise or marinated mixed olives. Move on to small plates for sharing, including an antipasti board with freshly prepared charcuterie. For the main event, try the juicy grilled tuna steak with charred tenderstem broccoli and tangy caper salsa, or fill up on a classic creamy spaghetti carbonara.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in Dublin loved by locals– head on over to Crudo Restaurant in Sandymount
A cosy neighbourhood café with a strong reputation for being one of the best Italian restaurants in Dublin, Crudo Restaurant brings the freshest local Irish ingredients and crafts them into Italian-inspired dishes that you will love. It’s pen for lunch and dinner daily and boasts an impressive wine list. As expected, the wine list focuses mainly on Italian grapes, but you’ll also find delicious wines from France, Spain, Austria and Portugal on the menu. When it comes to food, Crudo focuses on local ingredients that are reminiscent of Italian flavours. The 35-day aged chargrilled rib-eye steak is 100% Irish beef from Kate and Pat McLoughlin and fresh Dublin Bay prawns come from Niall from SSI. Remus of Oaksmoke Bakery provides the warm and fluffy freshly baked breads, while those essential Italian products come from Bettina of Little Italy.
For an intimate Italian experience at a family-run restaurant – book a table at GiGi in Ranelagh
GiGi is a family-run dining experience designed to emulate the home of the owners in Vigevano, Pavia. The dining room is decorated with paintings by grandma – once hung in her Vigevano art gallery – depicting spectacular Italian landscapes along with wines, fresh fruits and meats. An uncle made the shelving, bar counter and Tagliere antipasti boards from a single beech tree, and the salami is imported monthly from a local Vigevano butcher. Take a seat in the Piccolo dining room and peruse the menu which brings you a true taste of modern Italy. Nibble on polenta fries with truffle mayo, followed by the house signature antipasti board designed for sharing. Next, savour the linguine lobster or the slow-cooked, melt-in-the-mouth beef and pork ragu. To finish, enjoy a creamy tiramisu made with coffee imported from a family-run Portmoka roaster.
For Italian fine dining overlooking the River Liffey – don’t miss Wallace’s Taverna in the North City Centre
Wallace’s Taverna is a true Italian gem in the heart of Dublin, bringing Italian fine dining to the Irish market for 20 years. The mainly Italian staff are on hand to ensure your experience is the best possible, with all the knowledge and expertise required to guide you through the extensive menu. With dishes created by head chef Domenico Santo, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Not only is the food excellent, but you can also enjoy panoramic views of the River Liffey while you dine. To start, tuck into grilled polenta and beef ragu with taleggio cream and porcini mushrooms or try the slow-cooked octopus potatoes, with just a hint of chilli to give them a kick. Enjoy a stone-baked pizza or calzone, or homemade pasta dishes ranging from classics such as creamy and rich spaghetti alla carbonara to daily special ravioli and seafood of the day with fresh tagliolini.
For one of the best Italian restaurants with a view in Dublin – visit Layla’s Rooftop Restaurant in Ranelagh
Layla’s Rooftop Restaurant brings you some of the best views in the city at one of the best Italian restaurants in Dublin. At the very top of The Devlin in the heart of Ranelagh Village, Layla’s offers unbeatable panoramic views both the rooftops of the village and the Dublin Mountains. Heaters and cosy blankets mean you can dine al fresco and enjoy the views even in the winter months. The views are not the only attraction, however. The menu has been carefully curated to bring the very best of Italy to Ireland. Start with a selection of small plates, including salt cod croquettes with stracciatella and Angus beef carpaccio, thinly sliced and served with a perfect poached egg. The pappardelle come with Irish venison ragu that will fall apart on the tongue, while the duck breast is served with limoncello for a distinct Italian flavour.
For one of the best pasta restaurants in Dublin – head to Bar Italia – Dublin in North City Centre
Bar Italia – Dublin has built a well-deserved reputation as one of the best pasta restaurants in Dublin, serving freshly rolled pasta with your choice of delectable sauces. If you’re not in the mood for pasta, you could try the pinsa – long-fermentation pizzas crafted to a special recipe that you won’t find anywhere else in Ireland. The pinseria menu starts with house tomato sauce and fior di latte mozzarella, with toppings including Mediterranean anchovies and black Taggiasche olives or spicy Tuscan salami. Whether you opt for flour and water or egg pasta, you can be assured it will be freshly prepared and delicious. Try the egg ravioli with wild and champignon mushrooms, or dive into a plate of short pasta with monkfish, smoked coley and organic black garlic. Ask about the daily specials made from the finest seasonal ingredients, or opt for a classic pomodoro available on request.
While it may seem that Ireland and Italy share little in common apart from a first initial, when you visit the best Italian restaurants in Dublin, you’ll quickly realise that Irish hospitality and Italian cuisine go hand in hand. From al fresco dining to cosy, intimate hotspots, you’ll find something you love in the heart of Dublin for great Italian food.
