Mulberry Garden
Ask me what the best fine dining restaurant in Dublin is and I would lean heavily towards Mulberry Garden. Ask me what my favourite restaurant in Dublin is and my response, without any hesitation or pause for thought is, resoundingly; Mulberry Garden.
The first selling point is location. Set in a little brick former house down a quiet lane in leafy Donnybrook, the L-shaped restaurant is set around a gorgeous outdoor courtyard and garden. I’d recommend arriving for your dinner reservation early, so you can enjoy the verdant surroundings of this perfect pre-dinner cocktail location.
Food-wise the menu changes every fortnight, offering a choice of fish, meat and vegetarian selections for starter and mains, cheese or dessert to finish with and amuse bouche to go between. The menu is based very much on local produce and what is fresh and available, presented and served in a creative, modern way and served to guests under the watchful eye of friendly restaurant manager Claudiu and his wonderfully hospitable team.
Mr Fox
Set in the basement of a grandiose Georgian mansion on Parnell Square, it is fitting then that Mr Fox, as one of the best places to eat in Dublin, occupies the space that was the former kitchen of this dignified building.
In this fine dining restaurant in Dublin, the atmosphere is cosy and relaxed, with a small bar and seating area on entry where you can indulge in a pre or post-dinner tipple. Food is modern-international, with a focus on local and seasonal produce. There is a lovely air of unpretentiousness in Mr Fox. While the food and service conform to extremely high standards, the focus is primarily on good, simple cooking without any airs or pretences.
The set menu of 5 courses is also extremely reasonably priced, making Mr Fox a superb option for those seeking a high quality, Dublin city centre restaurant that won’t break the bank.
The Greenhouse
Offering an oasis of calm, chic interiors on Dublin’s bustling Dawson Street and the best fine dining experience in Dublin’s city centre, sits The Greenhouse, one of two Michelin star restaurants in Dublin. Head chef Mickael Viljanen hails from Finland and brings with him that wonderful difference in approach that chefs bring to kitchens when they are outside their home countries, offering a fresh twist and new lease of life to local ingredients.
Viljanen plays with flavours in a creative way, coaxing the best from his ingredients and presenting mouthfuls of flavour that force you to slow down and savour. Service is understated and to the high levels that you would expect of an establishment of this ilk.
Prices, as would probably be anticipated, fall on the higher side (you’ll spend a couple of hundred Euros on a tasting menu for two with wine), but what you receive in return is an unforgettable dining experience where dishes are inventive, your taste buds are set alight and where you are sent on a journey of culinary artistry at one of the top restaurants in Dublin and, indeed, Ireland.
Glover’s Alley
I’ll have to admit – the reason that first made me want to visit Glover’s Alley were the fantastic pink interiors – a bit basic, I know! The swish, stylish interiors are only one part of the compelling reasons to visit this Dublin fine dining restaurant, however, with Glover’s Alley also excelling where it matters the most – its food!
Dishes at Glover’s Alley match the bold interiors – think big flavours and statements presented with flourish. As with all great restaurants in Ireland, Glover’s Alley works with local food producers, ensuring that the best of Irish ingredients are incorporated in contemporary, unique dishes.
The above, coupled with its exquisite interiors and delightful cocktail menu (alongside its magnificent location overlooking St.Stephen’s Green), makes Glover’s Alley the perfect pick if you are looking for a unique, trendy restaurant in Dublin for a special occasion or date!
Source: Cultured Voyages
