Taking someone out for a romantic dinner in Dublin means navigating overpriced tourist traps, places so loud you’ll need sign language, and restaurants that look intimate online but seat you three inches from the couple next to you having their breakup conversation.
I’ve survived enough awkward dates and heard enough disaster stories from friends to know what actually works. Some restaurants rescue uncomfortable silences with just the right amount of background noise, while others quietly fall into the category of truly fancy restaurants in Dublin without tipping into stiff or pretentious.
Others give you escape routes when your date starts explaining cryptocurrency in disturbing detail, which is why knowing a few reliable cheap restaurants in Dublin that don’t feel “cheap” can be a lifesaver. A few manage to feel impressive without requiring you to Google “what fork do I use” under the table.
These eight spots work for different situations because not everyone’s meeting their future spouse at a Michelin-starred restaurant after matching on Tinder three days ago. It doesn’t matter if you need affordable date restaurants or somewhere to signal you’re serious, Dublin’s dining scene has options that won’t leave you broke or bored!
First Date Restaurants in Dublin for Best Impression!
Market Bar (4.1/5) | €25-35
Market Bar on Fade Street saved me during one of those dates that started promising and deflated somewhere between appetisers and mains. It turned out we had nothing in common beyond both liking food, but the lively energy meant our desperate small talk didn’t echo around an empty room.
Spanish tapas work perfectly because you’re ordering multiple small plates instead of committing to one massive entree. Did you discover you hate olives? Your date orders something else. They’re vegetarian, and you ordered chorizo? The patatas bravas are right there.
Sharing takes pressure off without being one of those forced “we must share everything” situations that feel awkward when you don’t know someone’s eating habits yet. The collaborative ordering gives you natural conversation starters when topics run dry.
The old warehouse building carries high ceilings and exposed bric,k creating enough character that awkward silences feel less painful. My friend met her boyfriend here three years ago. Their conversation kept getting interrupted by the waiter explaining dishes, giving them natural breaks to regroup when the initial nervousness wore off.
Book a few days ahead for Friday or Saturday. Weeknights stay easier for walk-ins.
Pablo Picante (4.4/5) | €15-20
Casual date spots don’t require three figures on the bill. Pablo Picante proved that during what turned into one of my better Tinder first date ideas last year. We grabbed burritos at Clarendon Market for under €15 each and sat outside talking for two hours.
California-style Mexican food hits that perfect casual level where nobody’s stressed about etiquette or dress codes. You point at what you want, they build your burrito, and you eat. Simple eliminates date anxiety.
The Cali Carnitas gets mentioned by regulars as the one to order. Slow-cooked pork with seasoned rice and black beans that remind you that someone in the kitchen actually cares about details. Student deals drop prices to €7.50 with ID.
Lines wrap around corners during lunch rushes, but evening service moves quickly. The location gives you options if the dinner date goes well: grab drinks nearby, or walk through the surrounding streets. Easy exits exist if the conversation dies completely, which matters more than people admit when meeting someone from an app.
Three locations across Dublin mean picking one close to both of you without anyone traveling across the entire city. Cards are only everywhere.
Bunsen (4.6/5) | Under €20
Sometimes the best date isn’t trying to impress someone with elaborate tasting menus. Sometimes it’s admitting you both want a solid burger and going somewhere that does burgers properly without the truffle oil nonsense.
Bunsen strips everything unnecessary from the equation. Four burger options, three types of fries, and milkshakes. If you want full details about Bunsen Burger Dublin, including locations and what to order, then go to this blog. Aberdeen Angus beef cooked to order, cheese melted properly, buns toasted, fresh toppings served within minutes.
My most relaxed date happened at their Temple Bar location on a Sunday afternoon. We both ordered cheeseburgers, split fries, and talked easily without fancy restaurant pressure, making everything feel like a performance. The bill came to under €20 each. We ended up dating for six months.
The simplicity removes decision paralysis that happens with twelve-page menus. You’re getting a burger, pick your toppings, done. Conversation starts naturally when you’re not spending twenty minutes debating between dishes you’ve never heard of.
Multiple locations exist, including Temple Bar, Dame Street, and Ranelagh. Expect queues during peak hours, but service moves quickly since they’re not making complicated dishes. Walk-ins only, no reservations.
When you’re ready to signal something beyond casual dining Dublin, these next spots raise the stakes without requiring a mortgage payment.
Etto (4.8/5) | €35-45
My sister made the rookie mistake of trying to book Etto two days before her romantic evening out. Earliest table? Three weeks. She ended up somewhere else entirely, spending half the night explaining why they weren’t at the place she’d mentioned.
Etto only seats 35 people in this tiny Merrion Row space. Dublin figured out years ago it’s one of the best casual fine dining spots in the city centre. Small Italian plates with Irish ingredients let you try three or four things rather than committing to one dish and secretly wishing you’d ordered what your date got.
The gnocchi appears regularly, and locals swear by it for good reason. Pillowy soft with whatever seasonal sauce the kitchen’s running that week. Fresh pastas arrive in generous portions that justify the price point.
The wine list carries serious options without requiring sommelier certification to navigate. The budget includes wine at €35-45 per person, landing in that “I’m making an effort” range without financial panic.
Here’s the booking trick my sister learned after her disaster: call Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon for tables that same evening after 8 pm. Cancellations happen constantly with a restaurant this size and this popular. You might snag a spot someone else gave up.
Not ideal for super casual dates or meeting someone you matched with yesterday. Better suited for second or third dates when you’re signalling this matters.
Uno Mas (4.8/5) | €35-40
Uno Mas brings Barcelona-style wine bar energy to Aungier Street with small plates designed for sharing and wine selections that go beyond house red and white. The name translates to “one more” in Spanish, referring to how you’ll keep ordering because everything arriving at nearby tables looks better than what you got.
Tapas naturally suit date night spots because you’re ordering multiple dishes together, having that collaborative “should we get this or that” conversation that breaks ice faster than formal ordering.
The jamon croquetas get mentioned by nearly everyone who eats here, crispy outside with creamy bechamel inside that actually tastes like ham. Padron peppers arrive blistered and salted perfectly. Beef tartare and scallop aguachile work when you want something more substantial.
Dim lighting and wine-focused vibe create intimacy without feeling cramped. Staff actually care about what they’re serving instead of just running through specials robotically.
The wine list focuses heavily on Spanish regions, with knowledgeable servers guiding you toward something you’ll enjoy rather than upselling expensive bottles you’ll pretend to appreciate. Budget around €35-40 per person with wine.
Weekends book solid, so plan ahead for Friday or Saturday tables. Weeknights stay more relaxed with better walk-in chances.
Las Tapas de Lola (4.6/5) | €25-35
My friend meant to go somewhere completely different last summer but got the name confused and ended up here on Wexford Street. Turned out better than her original plan because the relaxed Catalan setup and sharing plates gave them natural conversation starters when initial nervousness wore off.
Traditional Spanish tapas rotate based on what’s fresh and what the kitchen feels like making that week. Croquetas appear consistently, and locals order them on every visit. Catalan-style tomato bread works as a simple starter that doesn’t try too hard. Larger plates like grilled octopus or braised lamb exist when small bites aren’t filling enough.
Service runs late into the evening, making it perfect for dates starting at 8 pm or 9 pm after work when nobody wants to rush through dinner. The Wexford Street location puts you near multiple bars if things go well and you want to continue elsewhere.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan accordingly. Wednesday through Sunday runs from early evening through late night. Book ahead for weekends; weeknight walk-ins usually work fine.
Pichet (4.7/5) | €40-50
Pichet earned its Michelin Bib Gourmand by making French-Irish bistro food at prices that don’t require selling organs. The restaurant sits just off Dawson Street with sophisticated energy that impresses dates without requiring a jacket and tie.
Their soy-glazed salmon appears regularly and gets consistent praise from diners who actually know their food. Rich, sweet glaze balanced with perfectly cooked fish that doesn’t taste like it came from the freezer. Venison dishes rotate seasonally when available. Sticky toffee pudding finishes meals properly, sweet without being dessert-pretentious.
The wine list focuses on interesting selections from smaller producers rather than standard options that every restaurant carries. Servers actually know what they’re recommending instead of just reading descriptions off a card.
Natural light during the day, warm lighting at night, enough noise from other diners that conversation flows but you can still hear each other clearly. Tables space properly apart unlike some cozy restaurants Dublin offers that pack people in like they’re charging by the square inch.
Book ahead for weekend evenings, especially Friday and Saturday. Weekday lunches stay easier to grab but the evening menu carries more interesting options worth the higher price.
Piglet Wine Bar (4.4/5) | €30-40
Piglet Wine Bar exists as one of those Temple Bar places tourists walk past constantly but locals actually use for intimate restaurants Dublin experiences and is often mentioned when people search for the best restaurant in Temple Bar Dublin. Small, candlelit, rustic sharing plates, natural wine focus, creating closeness without forcing you into someone’s personal space.
The wine list focuses on natural and organic producers with servers who know selections well enough to guide you without being wine-snob pretentious about it. Small plates arrive designed for sharing between two people. Expect charcuterie selections, cheese boards, vegetable dishes changing with seasons, occasional pasta options like cacio e pepe when they’re running it.
The Temple Bar location surprisingly doesn’t get overrun by stag parties the way other spots in the area do. The intimate setup and wine bar focus naturally filter toward people actually wanting dinner rather than groups looking to get drunk fast and move on.
Cozy corners work perfectly for couples dining when you want something intimate but not awkwardly so. Tables book up for weekends, so reserve ahead. Weeknights stay easier without advanced planning.
Making It Actually Work
The restaurant matters less than matching it to your actual situation. Meeting someone from a dating app you’ve never seen in person? Keep it casual with Pablo Picante or Bunsen, where escape routes exist, and bills stay reasonable. Third date with someone you’ve been texting constantly? Etto or Pichet signal you’re taking this seriously without overdoing it.
Budget matters more than pride admits. A €15 date that leads to two hours of conversation beats a €50 meal where you’re both stressed about the bill. Save the expensive date spot recommendations for when you know this person is worth the investment.
Book tables a few days ahead for weekend evenings at popular spots. Have backup plans nearby in case your first choice falls through. Show up on time. Split the bill unless someone specifically offered to pay beforehand.
Most importantly, pick somewhere you’d actually want to eat, even if the date goes sideways. At least you’ll get a good meal out of it. Follow Dublinz Facebook and Dublinz Instagram for more culinary news and Dublin updates now!
Important: Prices and opening hours reflect December 2025 conditions. Restaurants change details periodically, so verify current information before booking. Don’t be that person showing up to a closed restaurant.