These restaurants serve up a delicious meal, great ambiance and a potential celeb sighting …

ROSA MADRE

THE ROOM Step inside from Dublin’s Crow Street and you’ll find the dining room suffused with pretty ambient light. This restaurant is as appealing as a Roman trattoria thanks in part to its effusive host, Roman native, Luca Di Marzio. Those in the know request Table One with its views of the kitchen and the entire restaurant.

ON THE PLATE Regulars go for the lavish seafood platter of caviar, oysters, squid and baked scallops – and that’s just for starters. A speciality is fresh calamari and prawns served with spicy spinach. Pasta lovers should try the Lobster Tonnarelli or Ravioli al Tartufo.

THE STORY Michael Fassbender and wife Alicia Vikander, Will Farrell and Metallica have all dined here. Dave Grohl and Nate Mendel of the Foo Fighters have sampled the wines from Luca’s famous cellar. A prerequisite for those ordering champagne is to “sabre” it at the table. You have been warned!

PEPLOE’S

THE ROOM This basement restaurant in a former bank vault (dating from the 1760s) has a jazz club feel with red leather banquettes, dim lighting and striking murals, channelling Brasserie Lipp in Paris.

ON THE PLATE Classic Mediterranean brasserie fare with some interesting twists. Dublin Bay Prawn scampi is a staple; Chicken Milanese with garlic and herb butter, rocket and parmesan salad and fried capers, served with duck fat roasted potatoes, is my go-to comfort food dish of dreams. Leave room for a chocolate fondant.

THE STORY When it first opened its doors in 2003 (named after the post-Impressionist artist Samuel Peploe), owner Barry Canny was determined to give jaded Dublin diners a restaurant in the grand brasserie tradition. Since then, it’s been THE place for a sneaky midweek lunch, a family celebration or a raucous Saturday night get-together. Golfing greats Jordan Speith and Padraig Harrington, footballer Robbie Keane and local hero Larry Mullen have all dined there, but there’s almost always someone at a table nearby. That’s the fun thing about Peploe’s. Do be discreet when rubbernecking!

RESTAURANT PATRICK GUILBAUD

THE ROOM In the elegant surroundings of The Merrion Hotel, this two Michelin-star restaurant is a tranquil space, with beautiful Irish art, pristine table linens and acres of space between tables.

ON THE PLATE Sophisticated classic French cuisine, immaculately presented. The lunch menu changes daily. Expect dishes such as Ravioli of Blue Lobster, or Comté soufflé with champagne, quince and hazelnuts. Dinner guests can choose from an à la carte or a tasting menu.

THE STORY The restaurant’s impeccable credentials as one of Ireland’s best dining experiences mean that celebrities, local and international, make a beeline for RPG. Bono is a regular. Dining at a long table in the candlelit private room on a winter’s afternoon is an enchanting experience.

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