The best places for tapas in Dublin

A new queer-owned tapas bar that only opened earlier this year, Table 45 is one of the most exciting new additions to the ever-expanding Dublin dining scene. Fusing their love of friends, family, and neighbourhood, husband duo Dan Kavanagh and Dan Rivera have combined to open a new tapas bar that welcomes all the community. Boasting vibrant Latino-American vibes in the heart of Dublin 2, Table 45 is open from Tuesday to Sunday and offers the perfect place to relax and catch up with pals over great food and drinks. The epic tapas menu features a delightful array of Latin American inspired flavours, with everything from homemade T45 Hummus, which is combined with slow-braised beetroot and served with flatbread, to spicy and flavourful Empanadas de Pino, which features a fresh-baked pastry filled with seasoned minced beef and a black olive and boiled egg mixture. The menu is extensive and creative with dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, so no one needs to worry about going hungry here.

Serving up epic Mediterranean tapas, Little Lemon is a contemporary Mediterranean-inspired bar and small plates restaurant focusing on fresh produce and big flavours, offering bespoke cocktails, and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. A Dublin favourite, it prides itself on offering an indulgent symphony of flavours that will leave you craving more. To add to the experience, the knowledgeable bar team have curated an impressive selection of wines from renowned vineyards across the Mediterranean that perfectly complement the flavours of the delicious tapas dishes. The tantalising menu is centred around fresh seafood, succulent meats, and flavourful charcuterie that showcases the very best of locally sourced Irish ingredients, highlighting the quality of produce available across our wee island. Expect everything from Pil Pil Gambas to Halloumi Saganaki, Croquetas de Jamón to Patatas Bravas. A real all-round flavour experience! 

Known as ‘Dublin’s hottest bar and nightclub in the city centre with live music every night’, Bad Bobs Temple Bar is a must-visit in the city centre. Full of vintage ephemera and a unique and cosy atmosphere, this newly renovated bar truly captures what a night out in the Irish capital is meant to be. Whether you’re booking a table for after work beers, date night cocktails, or celebrating a special event, Bad Bobs is perfect for all occasions, bringing a lively atmosphere and a unique vibe that you won’t find anywhere else in Dublin. When you get peckish, you’ll also get to enjoy a tasty selection of brilliant dishes with a unique twist that are made from locally sourced produce from the very best Irish suppliers. From chicken wings doused in various sauces to buffalo cauliflower, Guinness tacos to loaded vegetarian potato skins, the light bites here are the perfect combination to go with your drinks. So, what are you waiting for? Gather the gang and book a table at Bad Bobs for an experience you won’t forget.

Located on Exchequer Street in the heart of Dublin 2, Olesya’s Wine Bar is known for its amazing wine, tapas, and music. Serving up Mediterranean dishes with thoughtfully sourced ingredients in a stylish bistro, you can expect nothing short of fantastic flavours here. The street-front setting makes for a truly relaxed vibe where guests can enjoy lazy hours, sipping and sampling the wide variety of wines and catching up over flavourful tapas and small plates. All ingredients are sourced from very best Irish and continental suppliers to ensure the very finest quality flavours come through in each and every dish, with something to suit every budget. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the epic selection of flavours available, including warm chorizo bites, homemade blinis with Irish smoked salmon, Gorbuscha pink salmon caviar, and creme fraiche, and three varieties of indulgently-topped charcoal dough flatbread.

A Dublin institution located in the heart of the city on the bustling Duke Street, The Bailey Bar & Cafe is an absolute must-visit for incredible food and drinks as you sit outside and people watch as life in the city goes by. Relaxed yet refined, you’ll often find young professionals hanging out here after they’ve finished their day at the office enjoying delicious nibbles and a glass – or two if it’s a Friday – of wine. Formerly known as The Maltings, The Bailey Bar & Cafe is one of the most historic pubs in the city, boasting a varied history of literary and political activity throughout its almost 250 years of operation. The light bites and sharing boards menu are ideal for communal dining, with everything from panko prawns to Irish halloumi cheese. The sharing boards are also not to be missed: choose from a tasty Combo Sharing Board with charcuterie meats and Irish cheeses, sun dried tomatoes, chutney biscuits, and breads or a solely Charcuterie or Cheese sharing board, which feature much of what is listed before.

Named after a historic municipality in the northwest of Spain, Salamanca brings to the table a fantastic selection of classic Irish flavours and unique tapas dishes. Located near the new Home of Molly Malone on St Andrew Street in Dublin city centre, this effervescent dining room with colourful red and orange walls delights guests with its friendly hospitality, relaxed atmosphere, and delicious menu. First opened in 2001, Salamanca has since become a firm local favourite among those looking for a unique and fun dining experience in the Irish capital. The team here pride themselves on using only good quality fresh ingredients in their cooking by working closely with reputable suppliers to ensure only top quality dishes and taste are brought to your table – something that shines through in the number of awards and accolades they’ve achieved. The tapas menu is large and varied, with everything from a huge array of fish and shellfish to succulent meats and grills, hearty vegetarian options to flavourful light bites and cold tapas options.

Inspired by the restaurants and wine bars of Barcelona, EL CELLER is a Blackrock favourite serving up a delicious selection of Spanish flavours, fine wines, and good vibes. Offering a menu of slow cooked traditional Catalan and Spanish tapas in an exposed brick dining room that’s reminiscent of an underground wine cellar, you can enjoy a truly intimate and memorable dining experience here. Unpretentious and welcoming, this restaurant keeps the focus on flavour through a delightful variety of authentic Spanish tapas with everything from classic Patatas Bravas with smoked roasted garlic aioli and EL CELLER spicy bravas sauce, Calamares AmbTempura, which features deep fried squid in a homemade spicy tempura with saffron aioli, and Garbanzo or Chorizo with Tempranillo. Exquisite and unforgettable, EL CELLER is a truly unique and authentic dining experience that is not to be missed when you’re looking for somewhere to dine out in the city!

A Spanish tapas and wine bar, Apetito is a Terenure favourite that should not be missed. Worth venturing outside of the city centre, this unique and humble restaurant offers a delightful array of flavoursome dishes that are truly sure to impress. With hungry locals dining here from Wednesday to Sunday, you can always expect a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Plus, with a focus on true Irish hospitality, you and your gang will always be made to feel right at home as the staff work to ensure your each and every need and desire is met with a smile! With exposed brick interiors, low lighting, an open bar, and plush leather seating, Apetito creates an intimate and memorable dining experience, which allows for the perfect surroundings for catching up with friends or enjoying a romantic date night over delicious food and wine. The menu is also just as high-standard, with delicious options such as queso manchego, gambas al ajillo, and crispy patatas bravas.

The aptly-named TAPA Restaurant and Wine Bar in Stepaside is just a short drive outside of Dublin city centre. An eclectic and lively restaurant serving classic tapas dishes and market driven seasonal specials that are inspired by the regional cuisines and traditions of Spain, this is an eatery that you certainly won’t want to miss. To complement the fantastic food menu, this place also serves up a delicious selection of Spanish wines that emphasise small producers and growers to provide unique and satisfying accents in each and every glass. Besides the tapas and wine, the dining room here is also perfectly warm and cosy, making for the ideal venue for friends and family to share small plates and great memories. Ranked among Dublin’s best restaurants in the 2024 Irish Restaurant Awards, there’s no denying the quality of this establishment, making it an obvious choice on our list of best places for tapas in Dublin!

A beautiful Modern European restaurant located on Aungier Street, Uno Mas is an unmissable destination for delicious food and wines. The sumptuous á la carte menu is available at both lunch and dinner, and what is on offer changes every day based on the availability of produce to ensure the very freshest, highest-quality flavours in each dish. The ‘para picar’ menu is perfect for sharing, with everything from fresh-baked sourdough with Hojiblanca olive oil to Chorizo Ibérico and padrón peppers to squid à la plancha. Highlighting unique and authentic Mediterranean flavours, you can enjoy something truly unforgettable when you dine here. With minimalist interiors, an intimate atmosphere, and a huge selection of wines lining the walls, you’ll enjoy a stellar dining experience that keeps the focus on the flavour without too much fuss and fancy to distract.