Spanish food in Dublin: a guide by occasion
Not every Spanish restaurant fits every plan. Using the Google ratings, review counts and the dishes we have confirmed on each menu, here is how we would play Dublin depending on the occasion.
For a date
Las Tapas De Lola (12 Wexford St, Dublin 2, D02 FK71, Ireland) — the strongest all-round rating in the city (★ 4.6 from 2,508 reviews; the menu confirms garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega) and fried calamari; around €20-€60 per person). Book ahead at weekends.
Tapas with friends
Las Tapas Greystones (3 Church Rd, Rathdown Lower, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, A63 X880, Ireland) — the widest confirmed Spanish spread in Dublin: Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), fried calamari, pan con tomate, paella, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs) and chorizo (★ 4.2 from 984 reviews; the menu confirms Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), fried calamari, pan con tomate, paella, Padrón peppers, albóndigas (meatballs) and chorizo; around €9-€21 per person). Order several plates to share and ask what is on special.
A special occasion
Salamanca (1 St Andrew's St, Dublin 2, D02 R856, Ireland) — ★ 4.2 from 2,780 reviews; the menu confirms Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), fried calamari, pan con tomate, paella, Padrón peppers, chorizo and churros; around €20-€60 per person. Tell them you are celebrating when you book; Spanish restaurants are usually generous with a celebration table.
A quick, casual bite
The Port House (64 William St S, Dublin, D02 XW99, Ireland) — ★ 4.4 from 1,908 reviews; the menu confirms patatas bravas, croquetas, paella, Padrón peppers, chorizo and churros; around €20-€60 per person. Bar seating and a couple of tapas is the fastest way to eat well here.
Something sweet to finish
Salamanca (1 St Andrew's St, Dublin 2, D02 R856, Ireland) — one of the few places in Dublin whose menu confirms churros.
What to order in Dublin
These are the classic dishes most often confirmed on the menus we checked, each linked to our recipe so you know exactly what should arrive at the table:
- croquetas — confirmed on 6 menus in Dublin
- garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo) — confirmed on 6 menus in Dublin
- paella — confirmed on 6 menus in Dublin
- fried calamari — confirmed on 5 menus in Dublin
- chorizo — confirmed on 5 menus in Dublin
- patatas bravas — confirmed on 4 menus in Dublin