From the River Liffey to the charming city centre, Dublin is home to some pretty spectacular views. Luckily, with rooftop restaurants spread across the city, you can take in these beautiful vistas with a delicious meal and a drink in hand. In the summer months, these restaurants and bars are perfect for soaking up the sunshine with a refreshing cocktail – though many of the best rooftop bars in Dublin also offer some form of shelter and heating, meaning they can be enjoyed all year long.
Feast on an array of Italian classics, fine Irish produce and fragrant Pakistani flavours. Share your rooftop with a collection of beehives, or watch flights take off and land on a busy runway. From the bustling South City Centre to the tranquil and trendy Ranelagh Village, Dublin has a rooftop view for everyone.
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Read on for the 10 best rooftop bars in Dublin
For one of the best rooftop restaurants in Dublin – visit Sophie’s @ The Dean Dublin in South City Centre
With a windowed indoor dining room and a spacious rooftop terrace, you’re guaranteed a phenomenal view of Dublin wherever you sit at Sophie’s @ The Dean Dublin. Serving up New York-style Italian favourites, the restaurant gets its ingredients delivered daily by local suppliers, meaning they’re always fresher than fresh. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (plus brunch on weekends), start your day off with a hearty full Irish breakfast, or finish a long week with a smooth chocolate fondant served with tangy morello cherries. Don’t forget to order some house-made bread for the table and try a signature cocktail, like the gin and camomile Allora Vera concoction. Whether you head here to soak up the summer sun or wrap up in blankets to watch a wintry sunset, this restaurant’s no-fuss approach is perfect for every occasion.
For one of the best rooftop bars in Dublin – head to Layla’s Rooftop Restaurant in Ranelagh
Layla’s Rooftop Restaurant has a sheltered, glass-walled terrace that’s ideal for rooftop views all year round. Come here to gaze out over the rooftops of the charming red-bricked houses in the heart of Ranelagh Village while enjoying Italian classics made with local produce. You might even catch a glimpse of your buzzy rooftop companions: hives of Irish Black Honeybees, a crucial part of Ireland’s ecosystem and a delicious source of fresh honey for some of Layla’s most inventive cocktails. Head here for dinner throughout the week and try popular dishes like flavourful lobster and chilli linguine with a lemon crumb or flaky hake served with smoked bacon. Breakfast includes fluffy pancakes (in adult and kid-sized servings) and weekend brunch offers a variety of eggs alongside hearty sandwiches, pizzas and burgers.
For a unique experience at a rooftop restaurant at Dublin Airport – book at Runway 28 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant in Cloghran
Watch flights take off from this perch on Old Airport Road that offers spectacular views of Dublin Airport’s busiest runway. Runway 28 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant has a refined and relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for a romantic evening or a family get-together. (Plus, with an easy 15-minute bus connection to the airport, you won’t need lounge access to enjoy a fancy meal before your next flight.) As is so often the case in Dublin’s best restaurants, Runway 28 doesn’t settle for anything less than high-quality, local ingredients. While you enjoy some plane-spotting, the chefs in the kitchen whip these ingredients up into delicious dishes like creamy goat’s cheese panna cotta with fig and honey, or McLoughlin butchers’ beef, grilled to juicy perfection.
For pan-Asian cuisine at one of the best rooftop bars in Dublin – try Opium Restaurant in the South City Centre
Opium Restaurant’s pan-Asian cuisine and creative cocktails are best enjoyed under a sunny sky at the rooftop bar, The Botanical Garden. Take a seat under the retractable roof and soak up the tranquil atmosphere, draped in lush greenery and twinkling string lights. Drawing inspiration from Vietnam, Thailand and Japan, The Botanical Garden serves drinks throughout the week, dinner on Fridays and Saturdays and brunch during the summer. Nibble on crispy Thai prawn crackers before moving on to fluffy steamed pork and scallop dumplings. Try a bowl of pho bo made with house broth or dig into a plate of crispy pork belly. Be sure to leave room for some sweet mango sticky rice or creamy black sesame and yuzu mousse for dessert. The drinks are also a major draw at Opium, in particular the unique cocktails like the coffee and cherry Monto Rouge and the Campari and pineapple Jungle Bird. It’s well worth asking your server about the rotating craft beer and the non-alcoholic cocktail options too.
For a pint in one of Dublin’s most iconic buildings – book at 1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse in The Liberties
Grab a table by one of the arched windows and enjoy stellar views of Dublin at 1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse, located in the iconic Guinness Storehouse. While the Storehouse’s Gravity Bar offers 360-degree views of the city from the rooftop, downstairs at 1837 you get all the benefits of a full-service brasserie along with your pint. Start things off with a trio of oysters from Carlingford or share a plate of Guinness-cured smoked salmon tartar. The Guinness flavours continue with the signature beef and Guinness stew (served with soft Guinness soda bread) all the way to dessert, with a rich Guinness chocolate mousse. On the drinks menu you’ll find a range of beers, from the bitter-sweet extra stout to the light and citrussy Rockshore lager. Non-alcoholic beers are also available, alongside soft drinks and coffee.
For a colourful meal at one of Dublin’s best rooftop bars – head to Fitzsimons, Temple Bar on Dame Street
With the main restaurant spread across five floors, Fitzsimons, Temple Bar Roof Garden, perched right at the top, is one of Dublin’s best spots to soak up the sunshine. With relaxed, picnic bench seating, vibrant flowers and a retractable roof, it’s the perfect place to enjoy gorgeous views all year long. Serving food from 12pm to 10pm, Fitzsimons’ rooftop is the ideal spot to gather with friends. Split platters of juicy buttermilk tenders and crispy onion rings or share spicy BBQ pork tacos with a side of patatas bravas. Still hungry? The restaurant’s stone-baked pizzas, topped with pepperoni and hot honey or soft cheeses, are always a popular option.
For cocktails and nibbles at one of Dublin’s best rooftop terraces – try Fade Street Social – The Cocktail Bar & Rooftop Terrace in South City Centre
Fade Street Social – The Cocktail Bar & Rooftop Terrace’s heated outdoor terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a fun cocktail or two with a killer view. While you can enjoy a full meal in the main restaurant or a range of wood-fired delights, the rooftop terrace serves up an extensive cocktail menu alongside light bites. The focus of the food menu up here is the baked sourdough flatbreads. Made from three-day fermented dough, they’re topped with truffle, melted cheeses, pork rillette and more. Alternatively, share some smoky roasted peppers or crispy, pickled red onion rings. When it comes to cocktails, don’t miss the chance to try signature creations like the elderflower and prosecco Dolly’s Fizz or the raspberry and pink gin Raspberry Bon Bon. Of course, you can also order all your favourite classics, from amaretto sours to strawberry daiquiris.
For delicious Pakistani dishes with a view – book at Kinara Kitchen Ranelagh in Ranelagh
Kinara Kitchen Ranelagh’s sheltered rooftop terrace is an ideal summer hot spot to enjoy elegant Pakistani and Eastern cuisine. Dine à la carte or head here on Sundays for the weekend lunch set menu. While it’s always changing, you can expect tasty dishes like juicy grilled prawns or crispy samosas served with homemade mango chutney to start. Mains include a seasonal vegetable jalfrezi and a flavour-packed Goan fish curry made with Irish hake. When you’re dining à la carte, consider splitting a seafood sumandari sharing plate as a starter before moving onto the tandoor oven for lobster tail and monkfish. Don’t forget to order a plate of flaky, buttery nan on the side. The cocktails at Kinara help keep diners coming back for more, with fun twists on old classics like a rum-based old fashioned or a strawberry-infused negroni.
For one of the best rooftop brunches in Dublin – book at The Woollen Mills in North City Centre
The Woollen Mills stretches over four floors all the way up to its rooftop terrace, which offers great views of the River Liffey. The vibe here is always laidback and relaxed, and whether you’re grabbing a quick bite, enjoying a relaxing drink or sitting down to a three-course meal, the friendly staff are ready to welcome you. Try a sandwich filled with crispy hash browns and refried beans, topped with spicy chilli jam and chipotle mayo, dig into cheesy nachos or take a bite of a juicy Irish beef burger served with homemade chips. On weekends, The Woollen Mills offers a brunch menu from 11am to 3:30pm, which includes a selection of signature and classic cocktails served alongside fluffy waffles with eggs benedict, buttermilk-fried chicken or berries and nuts. Alternatively, go for the Woollen Mills fry (a full Irish breakfast) or the breakfast bowl filled with grilled halloumi, couscous and a poached egg. Afterwards, pop next door to The Woollen Mills’ sister restaurant, The Winding Stair, and peruse the shelves of its downstairs bookshop.
For one of the best rooftop bars in Dublin for snacks and cocktails – visit W XYZ @ The Aloft in The Coombe
Shades of fuchsia, orange and teal come together in surprising harmony at this colourful hot spot located on the seventh floor of the Aloft Hotel. At W XYZ @ The Aloft large windows offer excellent views from the indoor seating area, or you can head out onto the terrace to soak up the sunshine and fresh air. Start off by ordering a bowl of cheesy loaded fries and a curated charcuterie board to share. Follow these up with a chicken burger in a soft brioche bun or beer-battered haddock served with hand-cut fries. Pair it all with a range of signature cocktails or a smooth glass of pinot noir.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to soak up the sunshine or you’re on the hunt for a romantic spot to take in some spellbinding views, the best rooftop bars in Dublin have all the bases covered. Serving up a wide range of cuisines alongside creative cocktails and classic beers, everyone can find something to love at these bustling hot spots. So, gather some friends, grab a pint and make the most of this city’s beautiful skyline.
