3 Best Restaurants in Merrion Square and Around, Dublin

When is a wine bar not just a wine bar? When it's also one of the city's most talked-about restaurants where you can drink or dine (tapas-style) at the bar, in the lush armchairs of the open-plan lounge, or in the more formal, restrained-modern dining room. The Roscoff onion tart is an adventurous starter, while the cold meat platter is a finger-lickin' little bar dish. The wine list is the envy of many a more expensive eatery, and with a couple of dozen wines poured by the glass you can dare to try something really special. There's a sister café in the same building with equally scrumptious offerings at a lower price point.

It's all about the seafood at this small family restaurant a little way outside the Southside city center. The atmosphere is warm and übercasual, and the fish is fresh off the boat from nearby Dublin Bay. Try the John Dory fritti with garlic and chili dressing, followed by lemon sole with lobster fish cakes, tender stem broccoli and garlic butter. The homemade chips are a delight.

While the bistro food at this Ballsbridge stalwart is always top-class, it's the jovial atmosphere and superb service that keep locals coming back. It's famed for the wine list, with great options by the glass, and that certainly helps to explain the wonderful buzz that always seems to be about this popular neighborhood place. For a starter try the Dublin Bay prawn bisque. The grilled hake with linguine, wild mushrooms, artichokes, and tarragon cream is a standout main course.