The best restaurants for special occasions in Dublin

The Lord Mayor’s Lounge delivers a civilised and sophisticated afternoon tea in South City Centre. Gaze out over the grand gardens of St. Stephen’s Green from one of the most iconic drawing rooms in Ireland. The light-filled dining room sparkles like magic, making it the perfect backdrop for a special day out. The lounge offers three sittings every day for afternoon tea: noon, 2:30 pm, and 5 pm. The experience starts with a selection of dainty finger sandwiches and moves on to sweet treats, including a Shelbourne buttermilk scone with all the trimmings. Guests can sip tea or add a glass of champagne for a truly special occasion.

Glas is revolutionising Vegetarian dining in South City Centre. The dining room features stunning floral arrangements and living plants, creating a serene, back-to-nature experience. This acclaimed restaurant, featured in the MICHELIN Guide, is renowned for its artistry and creative plant-based menu. The menu is adventurous, showcasing the depth of flavour and texture that can be created with local Irish produce. Showstoppers include marinated kale with flamed radishes, miso roast parsnips with carrot risotto, and the adventurous Jerusalem artichoke granola. This spot is perfect for a team lunch or corporate private dinner that aims to delight everyone in the group, regardless of dietary preference.

Mama Yo offers a feast of Chinese favourites with innovative twists in Camden Street. Step through the subtly designed cast-iron gate and enter a magical world where bespoke silk lanterns and full-sized indoor trees enchant the senses, making for a transportive special occasion. The menu brings innovative twists to classic Chinese recipes and is mainly designed for sharing, making it perfect for larger group bookings. For the ultimate decadence, guests must pre-order the whole roast duck (48 hours in advance), served with pancakes, spring onions, and house pickles. The covered and heated terrace is also available for private hire, making this an exquisite choice for an Asian feast.

Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill is one of the best date night restaurants in Dublin, raising the bar for stylish dining in Donnybrook. On Saturday nights, an in-house live piano player entertains you while you dine, providing the perfect ambiance for romantic date nights and an anniversary. Signature features include the option to share a Cote de Boeuf bone-in ribeye, or indulge in individual plates like Barbary duck breast with orange-red wine jus and seared scallops in a nduja crumb.

Treat your loved ones to a steak and seafood fuelled evening at Hawksmoor Dublin on Dame Street. The dining room features soaring columned ceilings and beautiful vintage-inspired decor, making it one of the most beautiful spots for a private business dinner. The kitchen focuses on perfectly grilled prime Irish beef and fresh seafood. Guests can start with aphrodisiacal oysters or half a native lobster, followed by a sharing chateaubriand with their choice of sauce and the house’s signature beef dripping chips. For larger events, two private dining options are available: the Croom-a-Boo room (seating up to 14) and the None the Wiser room (seating up to 18), which can host bespoke corporate events.

Jean-Georges at The Leinster showcases the culinary vision of world-famous chef and entrepreneur Jean-Georges Vongerichten in Merrion Square. This is a rooftop restaurant experience with panoramic views across the cityscape and elegant surroundings, making it an opportunity not to be missed. The breakfast menu is a particular highlight, featuring dishes such as eggs royale with smoked salmon and almond pancakes with banana whipped cream. The curated à la carte menu is also available for evening dinner and Sunday lunch, with choices including wild turbot crusted with nuts and seeds, prosciutto-wrapped pork fillet and mushroom and walnut bolognese pasta.

Consistently voted one of the best restaurants for special occasions in Dublin, FIRE Steakhouse & Bar is an unforgettable dining experience in South City Centre. The main dining room, featuring soaring ceilings, bronze sculptures, and stained-glass windows, and the fully enclosed, heated terrace overlooking the Lord Mayor’s Gardens can both be reserved for large dinner parties. Smaller parties can enjoy the VIP treatment in one of the two intimate private dining rooms. The table d’hote menu offers three courses, featuring their signature 35-day dry-aged ribeye and seared scallops with smoked black pudding.

SOLE Seafood & Grill is one of the best restaurants in Dublin for private dining events on South William Street. The sophisticated urban interior, designed by Graham Barrow, features an impressive sweeping colonnade over the bar. Providing a direct contrast is the menu, which focuses on shore-to-soil, all-Irish sustainable provenance for every ingredient. Whether dining in the chic main restaurant or booking a VIP experience at the private Captain’s Table for 12 to 18 guests, the wow factor remains. Show stopping dishes include Irish seafood chowder, chargrilled monkfish with spicy chorizo, and pan seared fillet of seabass with truffle and parmesan polenta.

Rosa Madre is one of the best special occasion restaurants in Dublin for an anniversary or romantic milestone in Temple Bar. Specialising in fresh Irish fish and seafood, crafted into Italian-style dishes, the restaurant is as vibrant as its location in the cultural quarter. The philosophy focuses on the quality of every ingredient. Guests can start with nibbles like fresh caviar and oysters or sea bass croquettes with wasabi mayonnaise. Mains include gnocchetti crab in a lobster bisque with Amalfi lemon zest, or grilled Irish blue lobster. Finish with a classic Italian tiramisu for a memorable and extra-celebratory evening.