Our fair city of Dublin is a mishmash of different cultures, cuisines and people, which gives us the privilege of being in the presence of some pretty amazing restaurants. This article will be updated regularly, so come back every once in a while if you’d like to add more spots to your ever-growing lists. Here are some of the most recent new restaurants in Dublin that have opened in 2024, and continuing into to 2025.
2025
Variety Jones (new space)
The Michelin-starred restaurant had initially opened Variety Jones 2.0 in the space next door to the original restaurant in July 2023 (the OG restaurant was to become a more casual spot, Mongoose), however a fire tragically burnt through the building just eight days after it opened, causing monumental damage.
Not to be deterred, the team have been hard at work rebuilding and pushing on with their plans, and now Variety Jones owner and head chef Keelin Higgs has announced the new space will open by the end of January.
China Tang – Monkstown, D4
From the team behind Little Dumpling, Hakkahan and Nan Chinese (one of our favourite restaurants of 2024), China Tang opens in February 2025 in Monkstown, Dublin.
While the other restaurants offer a more casual (yet deliciously authentic) food menu, China Tang will be a fine-dining restaurant, so expect elevated Chinese dishes, unique cocktails and a suave, date night mood.
Lena – Portobello, D8
The beloved Locks restaurant announced at the end of 2024 that it would temporarily close and reopen as a ‘neighbourhood Italian’ in February 2025.
Simon Barrett and Liz Matthews (Uno Mas and Etto) will join Locks’ Chef and co-owner Paul McNamara in the restaurant’s ownership. Paul, Simon and Liz are close friends and worked together for many years before opening Uno Mas in 2018. In Lena, they “hope to bring Uno Mas’ casual but refined approach to Lock’s beautiful canal-side setting.”
Considering the exemplary cooking that has been going on at both Locks and Uno Mas in recent years, we’re confident that this is one 2025 new opener that won’t disappoint. Expect homemade fresh pasta, a well-curated wine list and much more.
2024
Hong Kong Wonton – Fade Street, D2
Asia Market – Dublin’s one-stop shop for all sorts of Asian produce – opened a 16-seater Fade Street eatery in December 2024, Hong Kong Wonton.
The menu showcases three signature wonton flavours, including the classic pork and prawn wonton – a staple in Hong Kong. These wontons, freshly handmade every day, focus on prawn fillings that are bouncy and perfectly textured.
Beyond wontons, the all-day breakfast menu offers quintessential Hong Kong favourites like satay beef noodles, chicken congee, and Hong Kong-style French toast. Each dish is designed to provide a taste of Hong Kong’s rich culinary tradition.
Hera – Dorset Street, D1
Juno bar on Dorset Street got a brand new sister gastropub in December 2024, offering a new concept of classic comfort food reimagined, with Mediterranean flavours and a welcome focus on Irish ingredients.
You can tuck into Grilled Delmonico ribeye, Lobster Fish pie and a chorizo scotch egg, washed down with an intriguing rendition of a Manhattan containing black tea, Valencia Island Vermouth and Connemara Peated whiskey.
Suertado – Ranelagh, D6
The shock closure of Dillingers in Ranelagh was soon smoothed over by the news that a new kid on the block (and within the same restaurant group, which includes 777) Suertado would take over the space.
Dublin doesn’t have any other Mexican restaurants like this (although recently opened Ranelagh neighbour Parilla is sure to be competition); Suertado focuses on dishes from Jalisco and Oaxaca, with a menu of small plates best shared for full flavour impact.
The tortilla chips and soft corn tortillas are made in-house here, with seafood, tacos and snacks all on the menu. There’s also a Mezcal tasting menu available
Forêt – Sussex Terrace, D4
Dublin had been severely lacking in excellent French cuisine, so when the team behind Forest Avenue and Una Bakery announced it was opening a new French bistro in the cosy space above M O’Briens pub on Sussex Terrace, we were thrilled.
It serves up perfectly executed French bistro classics, such as a plate of Bayonne ham; trout rillettes; halibut grenobloise with artichoke purée and rump of beef au poivre.
A wine menu showcasing the best of France – including lesser-known regions – is the perfect accompaniment to the food here.
Forêt has been consistently booked out since opening at the end of 2024, so plan ahead – you won’t want to let this one pass you by.
Reggie’s Pizza – Rathmines
Reggie’s in Rathmines had the entire pizza-loving community of Dublin drooling in anticipation of its opening. Owner Reggie White (formerly of PI Pizza), is known as a pizza maestro in Ireland, collaborating with some of the country’s best pizza joints.
He finally has a new place to call home, and Reggie’s menu of organic sourdough pies ranges from the traditional to the unique. They use Toons Bridge Dairy fior di latte, with innovative toppings such as creamed corn with Ndjua or a chicken fat crust pizza.
The cacio e pepe arancini and ricotta meatballs are irresistible, while desserts are a sweet hug: a homely ice cream sundae or milk chocolate custard with chocolate crumb and sea salt.
Reggie’s is set to become a frontrunner for the highly contested Best Pizza in Dublin title – when it’s this good, it’s no contest.
Kaldero – King Street, D2
Kaldero is the latest launch from Press Up group, which is “inspired by the bold and vibrant culinary traditions of the Philippines, China and India’, with a menu that has been crafted by three acclaimed chefs: Richie Castillo (from much-loved Filipino pop-up Bahay), Daren Liew, & Alfred Prasad, India’s youngest chef awarded a Michelin star.
The menu consists of small plates, sharing-sized mains and sides, with sample dishes to enjoy including grilled scallops in the shell with fermented black bean chilli butter; Laksa beef rib, crispy sushi rice with tuna and jalapeno and masala-spiced fries.
For drinks, the menu features a selection of cocktails designed to “complement the flavours” of the food, with Asian twists on classics such as the Masala Mango Sour, Tamarind Old Fashioned and Ube Colada.
Caribou – Stephen Street Lower, D2
We love the trend of established small restaurant groups expanding their offerings in Dublin, and Caribou from the guys behind Kodiak and Bonobo is the perfect example.
In the former space of P Mac’s, Caribou has the same cosy and inviting atmosphere but with a stellar food menu to boot. There’s a weekday menu plus their special weekend lunch, which features a beef roast that puts many other Dublin roast hotspots to shame.
Snacks and smaller plates/sandwiches include oysters, juicy olives, gildas, Caesar salad or fried chicken sandwiches, with big plates such as the aforementioned beef roast (which comes with all the trimmings, including a Guinness gravy and Yorkshire pudding), as well as a bacon and cabbage dish that is lightyears ahead of any you’ve tried before.
Parilla – Ranelagh, D6
Old school Ranelagh folk might remember this restaurant space from the 2010s as Wong’s – Parilla opened in September 2024 with a slick fit out and intriguing menu from Jules Mak (from MAK D6).
Parilla focuses on snacks, tacos and mains cooked over a woodfired grill, while drinks include a range of margaritas plus a Michelada (the beloved Mexican hangover drink of spicy tomato mix with a Sol beer). Must-order dishes include the carmelised pineapple chunks, which are charred and rubbed with Tajin; the fish taco with turmeric-battered cod, and the slow cooked pork birria ribs.
Pop in for a marg and a few snacks or come with friends to order as many dishes as you can.
Coppinger – Coppinger Row, D2
Dublin’s beloved Coppinger reopened in the summer of 2024 after hiatus of being closed from the end of 2021, bringing a lot of joy to fans of small plates and wine.
The space has been revamped as has the menu, yet some eternal favourites remain (we’re looking at you, gambas alla plancha with chilli and garlic!). The vibe here is always buzzing, making it the perfect lunch spot or date night dinner.
The menu changes regularly depending on what’s in from their seasonal suppliers, but expect fresh, vibrant flavours showcasing local Irish produce and dish plating so pretty that you simply have to take a picture.
Floritz – St Stephen’s Green, D2
Located in the building that formerly housed Cliff Townhouse, Floritz opened with a bang, bringing opulent gold, floral and velvet interiors alongside a lengthy-but-tempting menu of Japanese cuisine.
There’s various options to choose from each section of the menu, which is sectioned into crudo dishes, sushi, baos, bowls & soups, yakitori grilled skewers, tempura and Wagyu steaks. Highlight dishes include the crispy leek skewer with leek ash; the sweetcorn fritters with coriander jalapeño dip; yellowtail tuna tataki and the lobster bao.
Can’t decide what to order? We feel you. Try one of the two tasting menus (priced at €65 or €85 pp) to sample more of the menu.
Achara – Aston Quay, D2
We were VERY happy to see Achara bring a new vibe of Thai food to Dublin in 2024. From the crew behind Crudo, Juno and recently opened Hera, Achara serves up authentic Thai flavours cooked over a charcoal grill with a cocktail menu inspired by the team’s travels in SE Asia.
They cook a variety of regional dishes from across Thailand, from Northern Thai grilled meats to spicy Southern curries. All their dishes are served family style (our favourite way to eat and taste all the flavours), plus there’s also an excellent value €15 lunch dish menu as well as an Early Bird for €25 – it’s not often you find food at this quality for those prices in Dublin.
Their Killary fjord Mussel Skewer snack has gained cult status already. Dishes change often, but expect whole chargrilled seabass with nam prik seafood, or BBQ gambas with peanut & lemongrass satay.
Lotus Eaters – Nassau St, D2
After 16 years as the longstanding restaurant the Pig’s Ear, the team announced a surprise new concept in 2024 – Lotus Eaters, an Asian-fusion focus using only the best ingredients from Ireland and around the world.
Think: folded crab omelettes (caviar add-on optional but highly recommended, similar to the style of Locust in Nashville, one of our favourite restaurants in the US). There’s grilled scallops with pig’s head; hamahi with yuzu; plus soba salads and oysters with a nam jim dressing.
For a proper feed, order the Wagyu beef burger, which comes on a bed of sticky rice and is topped with a soy cured egg yolk.
