We’ve all been there. You have a day lined up for a date night, but you just aren’t sure what to do. Well, don’t worry because this guide will be perfect for you and your partner, no matter how long you have been going out. Whether it’s a first date or a 20th anniversary, there’s something in this guide for everyone!
Dinner dates:
The old reliable dinner date is hard to go wrong, but if you want a helping hand, that’s no bother. Here are our suggestions for the perfect dinner date in Dublin, no matter what the occasion may be!
Saba:
Saba in Thai translates to “Happy meeting place”, hello? Problem solved, where better to go on a date than “Happy meeting place”? Dishes for every preference, drinks for every occasion, vibes for every person, Saba has open doors for everyone with an open heart.
The Saddle Room at The Shelbourne:
The Saddle Room is a more sumptuous and elegant option for your romantic meal. We think you should probably save this spot for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, but hey, the option is yours.
Masa:
While finding a fantastic Mexican restaurant in Dublin is no challenge, finding one that rivals Masa in terms of date-night ability is almost impossible. The incredible atmosphere, scrumptious food and fantastic drinks are waiting for you, now all you need is a special person to share it with!
Dunne and Crescenzi:
Dunne and Crescenzi is the perfect Italian restaurant for you and your date this summer. The restaurant itself was founded and has been run by a married couple since 1999; if that’s not a good sign of things to come, then I don’t know what is.
Coppinger:
Coppinger is one of the few businesses that fires on all cylinders. Their bar has an incredible selection along with a master mixologist, the kitchen makes some of the best food you can find in all of town, but my personal favourite aspect of this restaurant is the atmosphere when you sit down, something about Coppingers just feels welcoming and relaxing, which I would argue are some of the best feelings to have on a date.
Dax Restaurant:
If it’s fine dining you are looking for, then we suggest you check out Dax on Pembroke Street. The food is prepared by a world-class chef, and the sommelier will make sure you don’t go wrong with your choice of wine.
Reyna:
I know that sometimes it is nicer to simply stay at home with a meal and a movie, and we think that Reyna can help you out if that resonates with you. Reyna offers delivery on all their incredible, authentic Turkish dishes.
The Woollen Mills:
The Woollen Mills is a calm and more serene setting for a date night in Dublin, that doesn’t mean to say that its uneventful, but rather, peaceful.
Kimchi Hophouse:
Kimchi Hophouse, for those who don’t know, is a Korean and Japanese fusion restaurant on Parnell Street. They have authentic Korean/Japanese dishes, ingredients and drinks and their very own beer garden. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian a picky eater, Kimchi Hophouse has you covered.
Daytime Dates:
If you’d rather have a date during the day, then here are our suggestions for everything from cafés to bakeries to ice cream parlours, whichever your preference, we have the spots.
Lisboa Pastelaria:
Pasteis De Natas, breakfast sandwiches, sausage rolls… If that doesn’t sound like the perfect menu for a date, then I don’t know what does.
First Chapter:
First Chapter is a café on Fade Street, which is an incredibly unique café. The entire inside is made to appear as if it were coming from a sheet of paper, awesome! And if it’s a first date, then it would be your first chapter.
Spilt Milk:
It’s hard to go wrong with an ice cream date, because who doesn’t love ice cream? If you aren’t sure where to go for ice cream, however, then we suggest you check out Spilt on Drury Street.
Fable Bakery:
Fable Bakery is a bakery that works out of Sprout on Dawson Street. They bake all their produce fresh each day, and if you aren’t a huge pastry fan, then we suggest you check out their website; we think it might change your mind.
Maneki Tea Talk:
Maneki Tea Talk is a bubble tea shop on Anne Street, and it is the perfect place to go for a walk and talk date, I mean, hey, they do already have talk in the name! Coincidence? I think not.
Wall and Keogh’s:
Very rarely do cafés have a selection of staff who are as into tea as they are in Wall & Keogh. They have over 150 different varieties of tea for you and your date to enjoy, and if you want a specific vibe, Wall & Keogh will spin your vinyl if you bring it in for you.
Metro Café:
The Metro Café is a Parisian-style café located on South Williams Street. They sell everything from salads to teas to coffees to pancakes, and each of them is as good as the last, which makes Metro the perfect place to go with your date.
Gino’s Gelato:
Chances are, if you live in Dublin, you have seen a Gino’s Gelato shop, and there’s a reason why Gino’s can be so successful even in Ireland’s cold climate; they know what they’re doing. You have to give it to Gino’s, no one does gelato quite like them. So if you’re looking for a cone, then check out one of Gino’s many locations in town.
The Coffee Bean:
Cafés are a day-to-day thing in Dublin, but we think that The Coffee Bean is one of the best places to order your classic full Irish breakfast or a tasty breakfast bagel, or to bring a date.
Dolce Sicily:
Dolce Sicily make fantastic cakes and pastries along with delicious lunches and brunches, but don’t take our word for it, just look at the happy couple in that photo! That could be you if you decide to go to Dolce Sicily.
The Hot Donut:
I know, you’re reading The Hot Donut and thinking “Oh man, I was looking for something more savoury.” Well, fear not, because the Hot Donut is not just for all the sugary fans out there, but also all the savoury fans with their very own mini pizzas, along with savoury donuts like the bacon and cheese. What I’m trying to say is that no matter the palate, the Hot Donut has something perfect for a cheeky date in town.
Murphy’s Ice Cream:
Murphy’s is one of the best spots to get a cone (or tub) of ice cream. All their ingredients are fresh, and they know how to use them fully. Unless you’re lactose intolerant, we couldn’t recommend Murphy’s enough.
Pub & Club Dates:
As we all know, dates can be nerve-racking and awkward, but thankfully for us, there is an ultimate cure: alcohol! If you’re worried about your date, then why not go to a pub or club? There’s no shortage of them in Dublin! Whether it’s a fancy cocktail bar or your average gastro pub that you want for your date, Dublin has the perfect places for you!
The Rag Trader:
This bar gets its name from the booming textile business of the Drury Street past. The Rag Trader does everything your favourite bar does but better, fantastic drinks, fantastic ambience, and they even have whiskey parties. If I need to keep talking you into why this spot would be a perfect place for a date, then it just might not be for you.
Capitol lounge:
Capitol Lounge is yet another cocktail bar that would be perfect for a night out with someone special. Not only is it a hub for new and creative cocktails, but they also host frequent events with live music and 2 cocktails for only €15, what a steal!
Dingle Whiskey Bar:
Dingle Whiskey Bar is a haven for all things whiskey; they have whiskeys from all over the globe, and they somehow always know which ones you’ll prefer, if you or your date likes whiskey, what’s stopping you?
J.T. Pim’s Bar:
J.T. Pim’s has the feel of a traditional Irish bar but has the cocktails and brews of a modern, more sophisticated bar, which gives it a very unique feel.
Brannigan’s:
Brannigan’s has been a staple of Irish drinking culture for many years, so they know how to provide a great drink with great service, all at a reasonable price.
Peruke & Periwig:
Peruke and Periwig is a cocktail bar located on Dawson Street. The dim lighting and downright unbelievable cocktails make this spot an unbelievable place for a romantic date night.
The Celt:
Have you ever heard live Irish music while enjoying your meal? Whether your answer is yes or no, we still recommend The Celt. They have live Irish music every day of the week as well as a fantastic kitchen staff and bar. If that doesn’t sound like an awesome date, then I don’t know what does.
Pygmalion:
Whether it’s a pub or a club you’re looking for, Pygmalion on William Street South has you covered, because it does both flawlessly. Fantastic music and fantastic drinks are what brought Pygmalion its fame. Never heard of Pygmalion? Congratulations, you just struck gold.
The Porterhouse Temple Bar:
The Porterhouse is THE place to go for beer; it’s hard to find people more interested in beer than those at Porterhouse Temple Bar, and in Ireland, that is no easy feat. The owners of Porterhouse attempted to create the most unique and spectacular collection and array of beers from all over the world, and we think they have done just that.
The Blind Pig Speakeasy:
The Blind Pig is a bar styled after a 1920s prohibition speakeasy, with secret passwords and fake storefronts. The Blind Pig is an experience you can’t find anywhere else.
The Old Stand
The Old Stand has been in the same spot for 350 years, so they have seen everything from first dates to anniversaries galore. They have stood the test of time and learned all the secrets of the business to help give you the best date night you can get.
La Cave Wine And Bar:
You won’t be able to find a more extensive and impressive collection of wines in Dublin than in La Cave. With over 40 different exceptional wines by glass, whatever the mood or setting of the date, La Cave has the perfect white or red for the evening.
Unique Dates:
Are you looking for a more interactive or challenging kind of date night? Don’t worry, we have some suggestions for what to do if you’re looking for a more competitive date.
Flight Club:
Flight Club is the best place for darts in Dublin, but don’t worry, they do much more than just regular old games of darts; they have their own specialised darts games for you to play while you have your drinks and food.
Hideout Bar:
8 Ball Pool and alcohol is a tale as old as time, the two go hand in hand, and The Hideout knows it. As long as you provide the drinks, they will provide the pool, because the Hideout is a BYOB venue, so no worrying about what’s on tap, you only need to worry about your pool skills!
Pitch:
Pitch is a state-of-the-art golf simulator on Dawson Street made for pros and first-timers alike. Maybe you’re starting to feel snackish or thirsty? No bother, you can order any and all of the food and drink you could ever want.
Wax Museum:
The National Wax Museum simply never gets old, no matter if it’s your first time going or your 100th time going. The National Wax Museum is the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re still not convinced, then think about this: you and your date walking through the self-guided murder mystery tour, slowly figuring out who dunnit before heading out to a restaurant( maybe one we mentioned in this post). Sounds pretty fun, huh?
Dr. Quirkeys:
It might be unconventional, and you can call me crazy, but a date night in a casino sounds pretty fun to me. Get a couple of drinks and some chips (the tokens, not the food) and have a good time. Just make sure to always gamble responsibly.
Entertainment Dates:
Dinner and entertainment, a tale as old as time itself. ‘But I’m not sure where to go to see the entertainment, ‘ I hear you asking. Don’t worry, here are our picks for entertainment on date night.
The International Bar:
Who doesn’t love comedy? I know I sure do, and I also know that there’s nowhere better to go for comedy than the International Bar on Wicklow Street. So if you want to laugh with your loved then the International Bar is for you.
Savoy Cinema:
Dinner and a movie is a timeless classic, and rightfully so, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Whether you and your date are cinephiles or just casual viewers, The Savoy will always be one of the best cinemas to watch a movie in Dublin.
3Olympia:
The 3Olympia has been in business since 1878, so they very much know their way around a production. If you have eyes and ears, then the Olympia has a show for you.
Gaiety Theatre:
The Gaiety Theatre is a staple of Irish theatre and a perfect place to bring your date after a nice meal or a snack, just make sure you get tickets beforehand!
EPIC Museum:
While the EPIC museum might not be the first place to pop into your head when you think date night, we know that there is no way you won’t have something to talk about, and hey, no one ever said you can’t learn something on a date.
Viking Splash tour:
Think Dublin, think tour, if you don’t think of the Viking Splash Tour, then what are you doing? It’s fun, it’s the perfect length of time, and when you get into the Grand Canal Docks, it can be pretty romantic.
Jameson Distillery:
If it’s a tour you’re looking for, don’t worry. If it’s a cocktail-making class you’re looking for, don’t worry. Or a whiskey tasting you’re looking for, don’t worry. What I’m trying to say is that no matter what kind of event/night you might want, Jameson has something to appease you.
The Abbey Theatre:
If you and your partner are looking for some more serious entertainment, then you can’t go wrong with the Abbey Theatre, which puts on incredible performances with incredibly high-quality sets and costumes, along with some fantastic acting.
From fine dining to gambling, we really hope we helped you pick out the perfect date for you and that special someone. And know that we at Dublin Town are rooting for you on your date night. Good luck and have fun!
