Are you craving bouillabaisse or perhaps some French onion soup? Looking to reminisce about that magical trip to Paris when you had the best Croque Monsieur for lunch on the steps of Montmartre? We’ve listed 18 of the best French restaurants in Dublin to get help you get your crème brulée and escargot fix. Why not sip a glass of Chateauneuf du Pape while you read, because la vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin – life is too short to drink bad wine.
Nestled away off Dawson street on Joshua Lane (hence the name which translates as “the small street”) you will find this charming & intimate French wine bar and restaurant. The menu at La Ruelle boasts over 80 wines and you can find some delectable classic French dishes on the menu like camembert chaud, tartiflette and of course a crème brulée to top it all off.
La Cave is another hidden gem just on South Anne Street. A simple small crimson canopy over the door and you are walking down the stairs with rouge painted walls heavily adorned with art and prints of French nostalgia. The atmosphere alone is a reason to spend an evening with La Cave, but the menus will not disappoint either. La Cave’s pre-theatre menu is offered for just €20 and hosts duck liver paté and salade Nicoise to start, and hearty French classics like Venison Bourguignon or Kidneys à la Bordelaise for mains.
Bresson first opened its doors back in 2018 to bring a French inspired and relaxed fine dining to the coastal suburb of Monkstown, and the menu designed by chef Patron Temple Garner revolves around ‘classic French repertoire with local ingredients and a modern Irish technique.’ Expect elegant takes on staples like Coquilles St Jacques, steak frites and crème brûlée.
Operating for 10 years now, DeVille’s is a cosy neighbourhood Dalkey spot offering rich and comforting food with a little Gallic flair. Their wine list is predominantly French and bistro style cuisine from French onion soup to steak frites is sure to hit the spot.
The Green Hen serves up Franco-Irish cuisine in the heart of the city, one of the most central French restaurants in Dublin. The ambiance is relaxed with rustic, brasserie influenced décor. If you manage to visit while they are serving their Coq Au Vin special, you are in for a treat.
La Maison offers classic French cuisine and has a fantastic outdoor dining area for watching the hustle and bustle of foot fall between South William and Drury Street. The art is authentic, sourced directly from Puces Market in Paris. The menu has been crafted with attention to detail to bring a sense of Paris to the streets of Dublin, with dishes like confit duck leg croquettes and coq au vin.
Hugo’s is a lively and classy French inspired bistro just off Stephens Green. 15 years in operation now, Hugo’s have firmly placed themselves in the restaurant scene in Dublin. The ambiance in relaxed, warm and inviting and the menu boasts well executed classics like chicken ballotine.
Pichet is a contemporary French bistro which has received numerous accolades for its exceptional cuisine since opening in 2009, such as the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Expect polished dishes combining French influence and modern Irish cuisine with head chef Harry Quinn at the helm. The plush interiors are inviting and relaxing and the buzzy cocktail bar offers great window frontage to people-watching too.
One Pico is proudly a Michelin guide listed restaurant located just off Stephen’s Green. Here you can indulge in contemporary cuisine with innovative touches, with menus changing monthly. The team here has been delivering French classic cuisine and an elegant dining experience in this 18th century coach house since 1997, and head chef Zhan Sergejev’s dishes have been impressing diners since his arrival.
Voici is a charming and intimate wine bar and creperie based in Rathmines. Nibbles, charcuterie boards and both sweet and savoury crepes are this venue’s speciality with an abundance of variations available to enjoy while you explore the extensive wine list. A fantastic spot to share great food and wine with French flair.
L’Gueuleton is located right in the heart of the Creative Quarter on Fade Street with a fantastic, stripe canopied outdoor dining area which is perfect for lunching on plats like steak tartare and chicken liver & foie gras paté. Expect a stylish, French bistro style menu using Irish produce and dark and cozy interiors with a buzzing atmosphere, great for weekend vibes.
Dax is set within Georgian rooms on Pembroke Street and still boasts some original design features. They offer elegant dining and some of Dublin’s finest French cuisine. 18 years now and still going strong, Maitre D’Olivier Meisonnave makes sure the team offers warm and inviting service, with exceptional dishes from the kitchen of chef Graham Neville. Perfect for special occasions.
Nestled away off Dame Street at the gates of Dublin Castle lies this cute and authentic style French restaurant. Chez Max has some outdoor seating available but the Parisian decor and charming ambiance make booking an indoor table tempting. Chez Max offers a truly French experience, with music, food and French staff happy to make recommendations from their traditional menu. With their recent award of ‘World’s French Restaurant’ by the the AFMR (Association Française des Maîtres Restaurateurs), you can guarantee an authentic experience at Chez Max.
Pearl Brasserie does one thing for sure and that is attention to detail in everything that they do. If private dining is also your thing, there are many intimate, hidden away tables so you can just stay focused on the the food and wine without distraction. Culinary ingenuity from the kitchen combines with warm, welcoming, professional service delivering one of Dublin’s long-standing fine dining experiences.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud is cemented on the list of the finest restaurants in the country, synonymous with exquisite, contemporary Irish cuisine with French classical roots under chef Kieran Glennon’s expert direction. Located beside the Merrion Hotel, two Michelin starred Guilbaud’s is internationally acclaimed with good reason, a must-visit Dublin restaurant.
Ladurée is a classic Parisian tearoom which offers french fancies from luscious chocolat chaud to their iconic macarons, as well as a very tempting afternoon tea tower. You will also find delicious sweets and treats like nougat pistache, candied chocolate lemon sticks and of course, stunning choux pastry creations. A gorgeous venue for living la vie en rose.
If you are looking for opulent Parisian style decor, then Cafe En Seine is the place, especially their secret garden which is bathed in natural light and adorned with faux French shopfronts. Their menu also boasts some Gallic dishes like chicken and smoked ham terrine and duck breast with peas a la Francaise. Café en Seine is always buzzing, a perfect venue to meet up with the girls and enjoy a glass of Cotes de Provence, or splurge on a bottle of Champagne.
Article by: Anthony Nolan
I have been working in hospitality, media and digital marketing for over 15 years. I was the general manager of Brasserie Sixty6 for numerous years until I moved to take over digital marketing for the Primesteak / Dylan McGrath restaurant group. I was also a monthly columnist for ‘Service’ Magazine which was run by Menupages.ie. My articles helped restaurants to grow their online presence in an ever changing digital landscape.
I have always loved working in the food and beverage scene since living in Rome and since then, I have had a passion for food, hospitality and digital marketing. Working with TheTaste.ie allows me to combine all my passions and also my experience from studying digital marketing, web development, advertising and public relations through college. Dublin born and still living in the city, you can find me exploring Dublin on a daily basis and also sourcing the newest places to eat and drink with my personal Instagram below.
Instagram: AnthonyInDublin
