Dublin dining is almost always vibrant with a mix of old-school style and modern flair, but sometimes you simply crave a great meal without the fuss. Whether you’re a local looking for a new favorite spot or a visitor who wants to eat like a Dubliner, finding the best casual restaurants in Dublin is a must-have for me. I can bet it’s to you, too!
From cozy pubs serving traditional fare to lesser-known restaurants with international cuisine, this city has an incredible array of casual eating establishments bringing bold flavor without the hefty price tag. I’ve lost track of the hours. and calories!. roaming some of the city’s top-rated, most chill restaurants to share with you here.
This guide is not about Michelin stars or tablecloths; it’s about really good food, friendly service, and a chill atmosphere where you can just unwind and enjoy the vibe. So pick up your fork, and let’s dive into some of Dublin’s yummiest, no-frills dining, ya!
Dublin’s best casual restaurants serve comfort with style
The Vintage Kitchen
I was looking for something that was relaxing and homely, somewhere you could simply relax. And that’s where The Vintage Kitchen, a true find at 7 Poolbeg Street, fits the bill. It’s highly recommended with a 4.7 rating on both TripAdvisor and Google, so it’s one of Dublin’s top casual dining restaurants in the city centre.
The place itself is nice, with a lovely warm ambiance and cool, retro decor, and some nice artwork. It’s the kind of place that’s great for an evening out on a date or just a good dinner with a friend. All the staff were excellent and the service was first-rate.
The menu is short and uncomplicated, and I love that. For starters, I had this incredible risotto that I couldn’t stop thinking about for days. It was just full of flavour. For my main course, I had the seabass, and it was delicious. The fish dishes here are incredible.
For dessert, I had a lemon something that was so nice and refreshing. All of them tasted fresh and presented beautifully. Honestly, the food is genuinely delicious, given the cost. It’s a great value in Dublin. Vintage Kitchen is an absolute must-see.
We booked to go back again before we left. A quick pint in Mulligan’s afterwards rounded out a top Saturday. It’s a real gem. Just a hint, you must book a table well in advance by calling them on 016798705, since it’s always busy.
Cornucopia Wholefoods Restaurant
I’d heard great things about Cornucopia, the ever-popular veggie restaurant at 19-20 Wicklow Street, right in the middle of Dublin city centre. And you know me. Being the laid-back foodie that I am, naturally, I had to go and have a look. It’s a proper favorite of students and tourists both, with a whopping 4.6 on Google and a 4.4 on TripAdvisor. For a good meal, it’s one of the best casual restaurants in the city centre of Dublin.
It is a self-service, which is not exactly the same, but it works. The atmosphere is lovely and cozy, and all the staff members I’ve met working there are very nice. They make an excellent variety of dishes, from hearty casseroles and curries to salads of all kinds. The potato cake that I had was heaven, and they have a good variety of things for vegans and vegetarians as well.
I indulged myself slightly and spent about €19 for a main course, two sides, and a glass of wine, but fair play to them, the portions are huge and the quality is exceptional. They also produce excellent cakes and coffee with brilliant oat milk. The only downside is the queuing system; if you just want a coffee, you might be queuing for hours in a massive queue behind people getting full meals.
The upper floors are beautiful and actually have a great buzz about them, but aren’t wheelchair friendly, something to be aware of. Overall, Cornucopia is a quirky restaurant with a great buzz. It’s worth trying for healthy, tasty food that’s just a little bit different. You can contact them on 016777583 if you want more information.
Gallaghers Boxty House
Not too long after our meal at Cornucopia, I found myself with a group of friends and their kids, all looking for a good feed. And as you’ve already guessed, I knew just the place to enjoy our time. So, we went to Gallagher’s Boxty House at 20-21 Temple Bar.
It’s an authentic Dublin Irish restaurant and one of Dublin city centre’s best casual restaurants. It has an excellent reputation with a 4.4rating both on Google and TripAdvisor, so I ensured we had booked. Thank God we had booked, as the restaurant was absolutely packed when we arrived.
The service was excellent, really friendly and welcoming, and they were just wonderful with the kids. The atmosphere is lovely; it is trendy but remains very family-friendly, and it wasn’t too noisy, so we were all able to have a good old chinwag.
The meal, of course, was incredible. I had three of the starters as my main course, and the Irish seafood chowder was divine. The calamari were perfect, but the seared scallops were slightly colder than I would have liked them to be. My friends had the Shepherd’s pie and the Irish stew, and their choices were incredible. The fries, though, were a different league altogether… golden, crispy perfection. We ended the meal with the cheesecake and sticky toffee pudding, and both were great.
Our server, Mike L, was a legend, and his service was a ten. He made the whole evening pleasant. Gallaghers Boxty House is a restaurant I would strongly recommend to everyone. It’s a great place to have a casual meal that still feels pleasant.
Tang (Dawson Street)
A friend recommended Tang, Dawson Street, to me for whenever I am in a rush to get to classes, and believe me, it’s great and one of Dublin city centre’s best casual restaurants. It’s always full for a reason, with a great 4.8 on Google and 4.3 on TripAdvisor.
The staff are an absolute dream; they’re such lovely and happy people, and they move so quickly. Even if you see a massive queue, don’t worry, as it flies by pretty swiftly. The site itself is lovely and cozy, right on a sunny corner, and perfect for a quick meal or takeaway.
The food is out of this world. The value for money cannot be matched. I had chorizo shakshuka, and it was fantastic! It had a really nice chilli flavour with a dollop of tzatziki on top that added to every mouthful. I also had the famous wrap with lamb and hummus, and it was delicious. Coffee and dates were also out of this world.
I adore Tang so much because it’s so well planned out. You need to know that the owners cared about it. The food is healthy and delicious, and the ambiance is great. It’s a must-visit if you’re looking for a unique, delicious meal in the city.
The Winding Stair
See, after enjoying such a great meal at Tang, I was in the mood for a view meal. I had found The Winding Stair, a restaurant in the city center with a bookshop on the ground floor. It’s located at 40 Ormond Quay Lower, and it has a lovely atmosphere to it, with a decent, solid 4.4 on Google and a 4.3 on TripAdvisor.
My friends and I were lucky enough to find a night when they had four of us available, even without a reservation. We were given a window table with a lovely view of the river and the Ha’penny Bridge. The restaurant itself is intimate, with a warm and aged ambiance.
It has a spiral staircase that makes you feel like you’re on your way somewhere wonderful. The dinner was a great treat, and everything was done to perfection. We had courgette salad and a tomato tart for appetizers, and both were great.
I had the gnudi with spinach, peas, and pesto, and it was great. The gnudi were cooked to perfection, and all the veggies were so fresh and ripe. My companions had the haddock and the pork chop, and they were all delighted. The starter scotch egg was also ideal. The service was lovely and so welcoming.
It’s one of the best casual restaurants in Dublin for a date night or catching up with friends. We finished off with a bread and butter pudding that was just amazing. It’s a must-visit restaurant for a great meal with a view. Just a warning, they tend to require reservations, so call them on +35318727320 or email restaurant@winding-stair.com just to make sure.
Red Torch Ginger
Now for the last spot in my bucket list of the best casual restaurants in Dublin… my friends and I were out for a pre-theatre meal. We were looking for something with a bit of a vibe but kept things relaxed, and that’s when we popped into Red Torch Ginger at 14/15 St Andrew’s Street. It’s a light, modern-looking establishment and has a great rating with a 4.5 Google review and a 4.6 on TripAdvisor.
We got there just in time for their early-bird special, which is a fantastic deal. For €29.99, you get a starter, a main course, and coffee or tea. It’s a wonderful way to try a few of their dishes without breaking the bank. The staff were complete stars and presented us with the early-bird special straight away without our having to ask.
We had the Dim-Sum option and the Tom Kha Kai soup to start, and they were both excellent. For our main courses, we had the Prawn Cashew Nuts and the Duck Tamarind. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.
It’s a great, trendy kind of restaurant to dine at, and the food is a whimsical take on Southeast Asian classics. Red Torch Ginger is perfect for a night in or just a casual advance-on-theatre bite to eat. The atmosphere is great, the food is great, and the early-bird meal is a steal.
You’d be crazy not to avail yourself of a great meal at a great price. It’s worth booking in advance, especially for dinner before a show. You can call them on +35316773363 or email them at dublin2@redtorchginger.ie.
Last Nibble on Dublin’s Casual Restaurants
I enjoyed my laid-back hunt for the best casual restaurants in Dublin with lots of comfort food, blast, and great experiences. And I hope you’d do the same, too. But who knows, maybe they’ve become even more enjoyable while I’m busy telling you all these… let’s connect and next time you visit somewhere.. make sure to let me know too!