Dublin

May 2026

I had an overnight stay in Dublin a few weeks ago, so naturally I took the opportunity to eat out! After researching my options, I decided to try ‘D’Olier Street’. A few years ago, chef James Moore, having worked at a New York Michelin two-star restaurant, crossed the Atlantic to co-own D’Olier Street. I figured there aren’t many chefs in Dublin with that pedigree, so surely I couldn’t go wrong?

In addition to this impressive pedigree, D’Olier Street is in a great position, not far from Temple Bar, which is pretty much the centre of Dublin. En route to dinner, it’s easy to pop into a traditional Irish pub for a Guinness (a must for Nick!); we stopped by ‘Palace Bar’, which, like most of the pubs in this area, is touristy, but it’s less so than some and had a lovely traditional feel. D’Oliers is a five-minute walk down the road, and after the lively atmosphere of Temple Bar, it was a welcoming oasis of calm. Admittedly, when I first entered, I did wonder whether the atmosphere was a little too sterile; the ceilings are beautifully high, but this does make the room a tad too airy. However, this initial doubt was soon erased when one of the friendly waitresses welcomed us to our table – her enthusiasm was contagious! There are two seating options, either tables or seating around the chef’s counter. When I booked, I hadn’t realised that there was this configuration; if I had, I would have probably opted for the chef’s counter, as I love to watch the action. However, being seated at a table did give us more privacy, and I have to say that the service was fantastic. They serve a thirteen-course tasting menu for both dinner and lunch, each course was introduced with pride by either one of the chefs or a passionate waiter. We soon discovered that they had good reason to be proud as each course was a show-stopper!..

One thing we noticed about the friendly staff was that they originate from all corners of the world, Japan, Australia, Brazil and of course the Emerald Isle… so it’s no surprise that the kitchen seems to be inspired by these ‘flavours’, and combines them with elegance. The ‘show’ started with a collection of canapes, including ‘Bluefin Tuna, Caviar, Leek’, which definitely had a Japanese edge, as did the ‘Prawn Toast, Langoustine, Garlic Rayu’. Next, one of their signature dishes, a ‘Foie Gras Custard’, was unusually paired with pineapple jelly; the sweetness of this jelly complemented the creamy Foie Gras beautifully. Moving on, there was ‘White Asparagus, Smoked Mussel, Pea, Lemon’ which was fresh tasting yet had a wonderful ‘jolt’ of chilli. Next, ’Seeded Pretzel’ (perhaps Moore’s memory of New York?) with the wonderful ‘Obatzda’ – a smoky, cheesy spread. We then moved on to the main events. There was a fish dish; the smoky flavours of Halibut & Smoked Eel were elegantly cut with wild garlic. And then there was ‘Dry Aged Duck, Plum, Kale, Marjoram’. This was a beautifully balanced dish; the duck was served alongside a slice of sweet plum and a rich, meaty jus that had a subtle peppery flavour – it was fantastic. Finally, a couple of pre-desserts, before a ‘ Strawberry & Basil Victoria Sponge’. This wasn’t your average cake. It was lightly fried, and under the crisp crust was a deliciously moist sponge. In addition to Chantilly cream, it was served with a ‘Yoghurt Macaron’ and a ‘Black Forest Gateau Bonbon’ – this dessert ticked every box.

It’s perhaps no surprise that D’Olier Street has a Michelin star – it didn’t disappoint. So if you need an excuse to visit Dublin, look no further than D’Olier Street!..