traveldk.com

Guilbaud’s philosophy is “modern classic cuisine using Irish produce in season”, but he does more than just dress up potatoes. He uses Ireland’s bountiful fresh fish, meat and game to create savoury Gallic dishes. The restaurant is set in one of the brick townhouses that make up the Merrion Hotel (see The Merrion). Furnished in 18th-century style, it makes a great setting for this timeless cuisine.

“Rajdoot” translates as “ambassador”, and this multi-award-winning restaurant near Grafton Street has been a fine ambassador for tandoori cuisine since its establishment in 1966 as the first such restaurant in Europe. With chefs regularly sent back to India to train, the food is authentic north Indian, with a variety of inspired Moghlai presentations.

A “modern Irish” restaurant with a Spanish name intrigues celebrities and local movers and shakers alike. The candlelit tables, modern art and mirrored dining room help too. The food, a combination of European dishes with a subtle dash of exotic Eastern flavours, keeps them coming back. Book ahead – the restaurant serves more than 1,800 meals a week and it may be difficult to get your hands on one.

Slightly out of the city centre, this lovely bistro serves dishes such as venison pie, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

A seafood restaurant set in a redbrick terrace house, the service and the cuisine are delightfully old-fashioned. As the name suggests, the chef uses as much fresh Irish sea catch as possible to produce favourites such as Kilmore crab and prawn bisque.

A short walk from Temple Bar, Grafton Street and Dublin Castle, this sophisticated restaurant is part of the Brooks designer-boutique hotel (see Brooks Hotel). The food is a wonderfully creative take on traditional Irish ingredients, such as Dublin Bay prawns and wild Irish smoked salmon.

Five minutes’ walk from St Stephen’s Green, this extremely popular award-winning restaurant creates original masterpieces from French-inspired dishes, accompanied by wines worthy of the food. Chef Derry Clarke and his team use fresh Irish ingredients to work the magic. Worth the price. Book ahead.

This beautiful hotel on the banks of the Liffey, owned by the rock band U2 is, not surprisingly, a celebrity and gossip-columnist magnet (see The Clarence). If you come to celebrity-spot, you won’t be disappointed by the food either, which is innovative in an interesting rather than pretentious way, as is the ambience and the dramatic decor – the windows are two stories high. Winner of the Becks Taste of Temple Bar Award.

Within sight of Dublin Castle, this popular restaurant has all the elegance of an up-market establishment without any of the pretension. Simplicity is the keynote of the bright space and wooden decor, but not the cuisine. Enjoy the likes of confit of duck or pan-roasted Wicklow venison, or try a special from the chalkboard.

This warm, atmospheric restaurant is in the chic new Morrison Hotel, on the north side of the Liffey (see Morrison). The trendy minimalist style and dramatic atrium setting is mirrored in the elegant Oriental fusion menu, which includes delicious coconut sauce dishes, seafood, and sauces as spicy as you dare. Dress is casual. Reservations recommended for dinner.