Dublin City and the wider county is home to its fair share of fine eats but we've always had a weak spot for Italian food.
So thankfully, there’s an almost endless number of incredible Italian restaurants in the capital, from family-owned trattorias to upscale places where you can try everything from a rich ragu and tagliatelle to Osso buco alla Milanese and pizza.
So if you’re a fan of Italian food, one of these fab food spots would be worth checking out on your next night out.
Bottega Toffoli
Tucked away behind Dublin Castle on a cobblestone street is a tiny restaurant that serves marvellous Italian food.
It’s a very chill spot for casual dining and an ideal spot to hang out with friends over some mouth-watering good food. And the pizzas are all roughly around €16-€18, which isn’t too bad at all.
Da Mimmo
A family-run restaurant located outside of tourist/office hotspots. You will be treated to a fix of high-quality Italian food. Their wood-fired pizza with classic options like basil and mozzarella is delicious.
The Sicilian pasta alla Norma with ricotta cheese is also a big crowd-pleaser. With a daily two-course lunch menu special for €8.50, the food at Da Mimmo is not only delicious, but it’s also reasonably priced.
An informal setting on North Stand with amazing Italian dishes makes Da Mimmo one of the most popular dining experiences in town. Tasty pizza, gorge pasta at cheerful prices - sure you can't go wrong.
Pinocchio
Pinocchio Restaurant in Temple Bar and Ranelagh serves the full whirl of Italian dishes for dinner. You're guaranteed to leave with a belly full of wholesome food.
This place is special. Early dinner specials cost about €20 and include everything from tasty pizza to pasta dishes. Expect everything from old-school favourites to more traditional dishes in this lovely wee spot.
Rosa Madre
This Temple Bar restaurant has some of the tastiest seafood pasta and as soon as you step in the door you're met by a huge cabinet which is iced and packed full of fish and shellfish.
It's a stunning venue with a lot of character. Back in 2018, Rosa Madre won an award for the "Best Authentic Italian Restaurant in Dublin". Well worth dropping into!
They also specialise in fresh fish with options like gamberi in spicy spinach, calamari, and the mighty lobster tonnarelli, perfect place for a pescatarian.
Terra Madre
Terra Madre on Bachelors Walk is a class spot for an intimate meal. You'd walk right by this tiny restaurant without even noticing it.
Inside there's only a handful of tables, it's dimly lit and it feels like you've walked out of Dublin and into the streets of Rome.
The homemade grub is fresh and the wine is amazing, and on top of that it’s not too expensive.
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