Restaurants in Temple Bar and environs (Dublin)

Oliver St John Gogarty

Oliver St John Gogarty was born in 1878 and was a man of many talents: a poet, writer, pilot, politician, sportsman and surgeon. He became known among Dubliners for his kindness and alms-giving to the poor of the city. Located in Temple Bar, this bar is popular for its traditional Irish music sessions, while the restaurant specialises in seafood. Be warned however: the Oliver St. John Gogarty can get very busy indeed during the summer months.

Eden

A stylish brasserie style restaurant, Eden serves delicious food smack in the heart of Temple Bar. There's an open kitchen and glass walls that allow for people-watching in Meeting House Square. There is also an outdoor eating area for those rare days of pleasant weather in Ireland, so expect a capacity crowd when it happens. Dishes available include corn-fed chicken with mash, vegetarian buckwheat pancake filled with garlic, spinach and cheddar or black pudding salad. There is also a good but reasonable wine list. It can get noisy and crowded, but it is well worth it.

Elephant and Castle

Located in Temple Bar, this is one of Dublin's most popular, casual restaurants. The Elephant & Castle serves a variety of American-style menu choices, including burgers, salads, omelettes and their famous chicken wings. They also serve an American style brunch on Sundays that is very popular. There is almost always a wait for the tables here, but since the restaurant is located in Temple Bar, there's always plenty to look at just outside the door if you need to kill time. However, reservations are not accepted.

Tante Zoe's

Tante Zoe is a Cajun/Creole restaurant set in Temple Bar, Dublin's answer to New Orlean's French Quarter. It caters to Irish tastes and is extremely popular amongst the locals. There is good ambiance here and great Caribbean food. The Sunday brunch is a special feature: complete with jazz trio and addictive eggs-benedict, it should make a Sunday afternoon last the whole day.

La Paloma

La Paloma is now firmly established as Dublin's favourite Spanish restaurant. Why? Perhaps it's because of the bright pink and yellow décor that hits you as you walk through those doors, or maybe it's the waft of the delicious tapas, paellas and tortillas, or it could be the flamenco music that makes you feel like letting down your hair and shaking a leg. Come and find out for yourself!

Botticelli Italian Restaurant

Botticelli offers authentic and very affordable Italian food amidst the throng that is Temple Bar. Great food is served in reasonable-sized portions, so you could go ahead and feasibly have all three courses. The service is warm and attentive and there is even low-key live music. The gnocchi is a firm favourite and there are also several choices for vegetarians.

Bad Ass Cafe

A big warehouse space, this informal restaurant attracts a diverse crowd due to its location in Temple Bar. Watch out for the overhead wires that are used to send orders to the kitchen - apparently this is how department stores in the 1950s originally operated! The food at the Bad Ass is filling and simple, with a huge variety on the menu, including pizzas, burgers, chicken salad and nachos. The restaurant also does special menus for students, vegetarians, kids and tourists. All in all, the Bad Ass is good, cheap and cheerful.

Il Baccaro

Dining in Il Baccaro feels just like being in an Italian wine cellar. The décor is simple and unpretentious, with wooden tables and chairs and a small bar area. There is also an outdoor seating area located right in Meeting House Square. The food is authentic Italian fare. You won't find spaghetti and lasagne here, but grilled-sausages with cannelini beans, risotto with wild mushrooms, or stuffed chicken breast. It's delicious and filling, and a great place to sit and share a carafe of house wine with a friend.

Auriga

Located in the heart of Temple Bar, Auriga features a varied and often very creative menu with the best in international cuisine in a totally modern style. Auriga has two dinning spaces on offer with full bar facilities: one overlooking Temple Bar Square and the other overlooking Crown Alley. While Auriga is rather narrow, its high ceiling with tiny lights creates a pleasant sense of space. In case you're interested, the name derives from a prominent stellar constellation, which explains the cosmic theme running throughout the restaurant.

Cooke's

You will be greeted warmly and presented with a comprehensive menu of contemporary cuisine. The restaurant is renowned for its breads and dips, so feel free to nibble away while waiting for your meal. The décor is restrained and elegant with deep red walls and classical friezes, creating a timeless backdrop for your evening out. Cooke's has been a fixture on the Dublin scene for many years now and remains one of the city's best and most stylish restaurants.

Les Frèrés Jacques

No funky, fashionable, fusion cuisine here, instead, Les Frèrés Jacques offers straightforward French cooking in an unpretentious surrounding. This is mellow, delicious and approachable food. You won't need a dictionary to read the menu, items on offer include Pheasant Soup, Snails in Garlic Butter, Sole on the Bone and Crème Caramel.

Yamamori Noodles

Yamamori is a popular Japanese restaurant located a stone's throw from some of Dublin's trendier pubs such as the Globe and Hogan's. It's a bright, airy and well-decorated affair, with large windows looking out onto South Great Georges Street. The food is hardly adventurous given Japanese standards, but always reliable, and with sushi, teriyaki and a variety of Japanese beers on the menu, it's an ideal spot for an early dinner. Yammamori also has a lunch menu with a range of noodle dishes that are certainly good value for money.