Neighbourhood spotlight: our favourite restaurants in Dublin 15

Dublin 15 does not get a fraction of the praise that it deserves. Tucked away in the northwest of Dublin, it’s a large parameter that includes Castleknock and Blanchardstown and is easily accessible via the m50.

Known for having pockets of close-knit communities and impressive facilities, the reputation for food and drink offerings in Dublin 15 has not gathered much momentum. That was, at least, until now.

We’ve hand-picked eight of our favourite places to go when in need of a quality feed in the locale, including quaint cafes, sleek steakhouses, authentic oriental cuisine and hearty pub grub. Quality produce, pleasing decor and exemplary customer service were top priority when compiling this list, so rest assured we’ve included only the best of the best that Dublin 15 has to offer.

The Lo-Cal Kitchen

The Phoenix Park Racecourse

Health-enthusiasts flock here in their droves, and it’s not hard to see why. The Lo-Cal Kitchen (located next to the Phoenix Park) was founded by local husband and wife Stephen and Jenny Connolly, who had a dream to open a café that makes great tasting food using only unrefined, natural, whole food ingredients. Highlights on the menu include their “Healthy Hangover Breakfast”, wholemeal buttermilk pancakes and “Lo-Cal Lasagna”.

Browne’s Steakhouse

The Plaza, Main St, Blanchardstown

You won’t find a better, juicier steak in this area, and getting it on the hot stone is a must. Browne’s is renowned for the hefty portion sizes which ensure you will not go home hungry, and the €20 deal is brilliant (it includes steak on a stone alongside a good quality glass of wine). The setting is very cosy and the service is second to none. Another note: it’s very child-friendly, so no need to worry about bringing little junior along.

Castello Bruno

Main Street, Castleknock Village

Image via lovecastleknock.com

Castello Bruno offers a predominantly Italian assortment of dishes, accompanied by popular bistro classics as well as a number of family favourites. Fresh food, friendly service, and a distinctive value placed on clean, relaxing and comfortable surroundings are what makes this eatery a winner. What’s more, the char-grilled lamb cutlets are truly to die for.

Earth and Vine Restaurant

Castleknock Hotel, Porterstown Road

Earth and Vine Restaurant is committed to sourcing traditional Irish ingredients from local pastures (mainly around Wexford and Wicklow), and cooking them in a contemporary style. The artisan dishes are undeniably impressive, but for us the stand-out feature had to be the foie gras starter. The decor within this light-filled room sets the tone for a gorgeous dining experience, no matter what time you choose to go. 

The Boathouse

Farmleigh, Castleknock

Image via tasteofireland.com

This is lovely little tea shop located just on the edge of a lake on the grounds of Farmleigh House. The lunch menu has a good variety of snacks, sandwiches soups and a very tasty beef & Guinness pie. The baked treats are also particularly good and are renowned for their freshness. Another plus is that you can sit outside on the balcony and savour the sight of ducks gliding past on the lake right beside you, making it a lovely place to bring children.

Myos

Castleknock Road

Myos pub is a great place to go on a match day where you can get amongst the buzzy atmosphere with the friendly locals of all ages. It’s also THE Sunday hotspot for a traditional carvery, which comes reasonably priced and includes fresh turkey, classic stuffing, and veg that thankfully has not turned to overcooked mush.

Rudys Restaurant

17 Main St, Blanchardstown

Another Dublin 15 restaurant that’s owned by a husband and wife team (Rudi and Sharon Gerhardt), Rudys specialises in mouth-watering grilled dishes cooked to perfection, alongside fantastic wines and impeccable hospitality. A perfect place to go for a romantic night out, or to celebrate a special occasion, just be sure to order one of their incredible cocktails (which they’re happy to tailor make to suit your meal).

Thai Garden

Church Avenue, Blanchardstown

Thai Garden is slightly off the beaten track but the high quality of its dishes makes it a real hidden gem. Adored by locals and first-timers alike, the general consensus of diners is that you won’t get better thai food this side of the Liffey. Thai Garden is a great “date night” destination too, thanks to the dimly lit lighting and extensive wine list. The prawn green curry is a winner, and the asian beers are worth trying too.