We at Connect the Dots Tours love Stauntons on the Green. Love, love, love it.
Although it carries a modest 3-star rating, we’ve stayed in plenty of so-called 4-stars in the exact same area that can’t hold a candle to Stauntons’ comfort, style, personality, and—most of all—its location. Nestled on the beautiful, leafy St. Stephen’s Green, the hotel is a quiet escape in the middle of everything you could possibly want to explore. You’re a two-minute stroll to the Green, five minutes to Grafton Street, and surrounded by Dublin’s coziest cafés, best pubs, and many of its top restaurants.
So why only 3 stars?
Mostly because Stauntons doesn’t have a restaurant, or conference rooms, or a pool. But be honest with yourself: were you planning on doing laps before breakfast? Did you truly have urgent business meetings requiring mahogany boardrooms and swivel chairs? Probably not! What most visitors really want is:
- A clean, comfy room
- A quiet location
- A central base
- Great staff
- And excellent food options nearby
On those points, Stauntons scores far above its official rating.
The hotel is beautifully maintained, its Georgian charm intact, with a friendly team who are fantastic about helping with luggage—especially important because (deep breath)… there is no lift. If mobility is a concern, simply advise the hotel at booking time so they can reserve a ground-floor room for you. They’re extremely accommodating.
One more tip: the “cosy doubles” are exactly what they say on the tin—cosy! Lovely for solo travelers, but a bit snug for two adults. If you’re travelling as a pair, spring for a standard or larger room. You’ll thank us later.
Now—onto the best part: food.
This area of Dublin is a treasure chest of restaurants, cafés, pubs, bakeries, and fine-dining spots. And because Stauntons sits between the bustle of Grafton Street and the serenity of St. Stephen’s Green, you can walk to everything without ever feeling overwhelmed.
To make life easier, we’ve divided our recommendations into two categories:
Category 1: Restaurants Within 20 Minutes of Stauntons on the Green Where You Don’t Need a Booking
These are places where you can stroll in, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy a delicious meal without planning days in advance. (That said, Friday and Saturday evenings everywhere in Dublin are lively—so earlier is always easier.)
1. The Hairy Lemon (12–15 min walk)
Best for: Irish charm, hearty meals, Guinness-fuelled fun
The Hairy Lemon is the kind of place that feels like it was designed by storytellers. Every inch of the pub is brimming with memorabilia, hurling sticks, quirky decor, framed photos, and every shade of green you can imagine. The atmosphere is warm, slightly chaotic (in the best possible way), and unmistakably Irish.
Settle in for:
- Beef and Guinness stew
- Fish and chips
- Shepherd’s pie
- A properly poured pint
It’s the quintessential Dublin pub—no booking necessary, just bring your appetite and sense of fun.
2. Powerscourt Townhouse – Pizzas & Beautiful Architecture (10–12 min walk)
Best for: Relaxed dining in a historic setting
Powerscourt Townhouse is a Georgian gem with sweeping staircases, elegant balconies, and sunlight streaming into its central atrium. It’s worth visiting for the architecture alone, but its pizza spots and casual eateries make it a great option for a no-stress meal.
We particularly recommend:
- A sit-down pizza in the main hall
- A pre- or post-meal wander through the boutique shops
- A sneaky treat from one of the dessert counters
It’s effortless, fun, and perfect for an easy lunch or early dinner.
3. Dunne & Crescenzi (10–12 min walk)
Best for: Casual Italian done beautifully
For warming bowls of pasta, rich ragu, silky carbonara, fresh bruschetta, and wonderfully friendly service, Dunne & Crescenzi hits the spot. It’s simple, satisfying Italian food prepared with confidence.
You rarely need to book at lunchtime, especially on weekdays, and even evenings are often manageable without a reservation.
Try the:
- Tagliatelle with slow-cooked ragu
- Burrata
- Espresso and tiramisu to finish
4. Fade Street / Drury Street Food Spots (12–18 min walk)
Best for: Trendy casual dining, tapas, walk-in eateries
This whole neighbourhood is a foodie playground. You can wander around and pick whatever smells or looks tempting. While some of the more famous places require bookings (we’ll list those in the next section), the area also has excellent walk-in options:
- Hip cafés
- Cocktail bars
- Casual bites
- Bar-food menus with flair
If you enjoy letting your nose (or stomach) guide you, this is your hunting ground.
5. The Bank on College Green (10–15 min walk)
Best for: Incredible interior, relaxed dining
Walk into The Bank and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a 19th-century opera house. Mosaic floors, soaring ceilings, marble pillars—this is one of the most visually stunning restaurants in Dublin.
And the best part? You can usually walk in without a reservation outside peak dinner hours.
What to get:
- Seafood chowder
- Roast dinners
- Steak sandwiches
- An Irish coffee with a view of the chandeliers
Atmosphere-wise, it’s a showstopper.
6. Murphys Ice Cream – Wicklow Street (12–15 min walk)
Best for: The best ice cream in Dublin
Not a restaurant—but absolutely essential. Murphys is heaven in a cone.
Their flavours include:
- Dingle Sea Salt
- Irish Brown Bread
- Kieran’s Cookies
- Caramelised Honeycomb
- Raspberry Sorbet
The staff are generous with samples and wonderful with kids.And here’s the fun part: if you join one of our tours to Dingle or Galway, you can visit Murphys at its origins, where the magic really happens.
7. Butlers – Hot Chocolate Heaven
On a cold day (and let’s be honest, Dublin gives us many), head to Butlers for what we consider the best hot chocolate in the city. It’s thick, rich, velvety, and comes with a free chocolate of your choosing.
Perfect for warming your hands after a walk through Grafton Street.
8. The Shelbourne Bar (Lobby Bar) – Light Bites Without Booking
If you want a luxurious atmosphere without committing to a full meal, stop into the Shelbourne’s lobby bar. Even without bookings, you can often grab a seat during off-peak hours.
Think:
- Afternoon cocktails
- Small plates
- People-watching at its finest
The hotel itself is 5-star elegance; the bar is a lovely way to sample the atmosphere.
Category 2: Restaurants Within 20 Minutes Where Advance Booking Is Recommended
Now we’re talking about the big names—the places where Dublin locals bring visiting friends, couples go for special nights out, and food lovers flock for memorable meals. Whatever your taste, Stauntons puts them all within a short walk.
1. The Shelbourne – The Saddle Room (6–8 min walk)
Best for: Fancy (but surprisingly affordable) lunches
Dining at The Shelbourne carries a certain old-world magic—polished wood, muted lighting, crisp linens, impeccable service.
At lunch, you can enjoy:
- Delicious seafood
- Elegant salads
- Classics like steak frites
- Their famous seafood platters
Price-wise, lunch here is much more approachable than dinner, so it’s a fantastic “treat yourself” option that won’t break the bank.
2. Glas (10–12 min walk)
Best for: High-end vegetarian & vegan dining
Glas is the restaurant we recommend to vegetarians, vegans, and even carnivores who think they won’t like vegetarian food. It’s creative, stylish, beautifully plated, and absolutely delicious.
Their menus change with the seasons, but expect:
- Inventive small plates
- Stunning vegetable mains
- Desserts that feel like artwork
Book ahead—Glas is deservedly popular.
3. L’Gueuleton (12–15 min walk)
Best for: French brasserie vibes and some of the best steaks in Dublin
L’Gueuleton is consistently excellent. It has a cosy, candlelit French atmosphere with food that’s comforting, unfussy, and perfectly cooked.
Specialties include:
- Steaks with immaculate sauces
- Duck confit
- French onion soup
- Beautiful desserts
It fills up fast—reservations essential, especially on weekends.
4. Fade Street Social (12–15 min walk)
Best for: Tapas, cocktails, and lively dining
Fade Street Social is energetic, creative, and fun—exactly the kind of place for a night out with friends. The tapas-style menu lets you try lots of bites, and the cocktails are excellent.
The space is stylish but relaxed, and it’s always buzzing.
Booking ahead is highly recommended—this place is no secret!
5. The Cellar Restaurant – The Merrion Hotel (6–8 min walk)
Best for: Fine dining in one of Ireland’s most beautiful hotels
The Merrion Hotel is a 5-star masterpiece—quiet gardens, period architecture, meticulous service—and The Cellar Restaurant is a gem tucked inside it.
What to expect:
- Irish ingredients cooked with refinement
- Beautiful interiors
- A sense of calm luxury
Prices are not as high as many guests expect, making it an excellent-value fine-dining choice.
6. SOLE Seafood & Grill (12–15 min walk)
Best for: High-quality seafood
SOLE is one of Dublin’s absolute stars for seafood. If you love:
- Oysters
- Scallops
- Fresh fish
- Seafood towers
…this is your place.
The restaurant is elegant, the service polished, and the dishes consistently top-tier.
Booking is essential, especially for weekends.
7. Bang Restaurant (10–12 min walk)
Best for: Contemporary fine dining
Bang is modern, stylish, and ingredient-focused. The tasting menus are excellent, and the wine pairings are thoughtfully curated.
It’s a perfect choice for a special evening or celebration.
Reservations are strongly advised.
8. Fallon & Byrne – Dining Room (10–12 min walk)
Best for: Classic dishes in a chic setting
The Dining Room at Fallon & Byrne feels like a Parisian brasserie—white tablecloths, glowing chandeliers, perfect service.
Try the:
- Steak
- Mussels
- Selection of wines upstairs in their wine bar
It’s elegant but unpretentious, and ideal for lingering over a long dinner.
9. The Dining Room at The Clarence (15–18 min walk)
A great option if you’re exploring the Temple Bar area. The Clarence is owned by Bono and The Edge, and while the hotel itself is understated, the food is reliably excellent. Expect modern Irish dishes cooked with flair.
Booking recommended for evenings.
Other Great Restaurants Within 20 Minutes
Here are even more options—because when it comes to food, more is more.
Etto (15–18 min walk)
Small but sensational. European small plates, fresh flavours, superb wine list. Booking required.
Hugo’s (8–10 min walk)
Classic European dishes with Dublin charm. Excellent for a romantic evening.
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse (15–18 min walk)
For classic steakhouse indulgence.
Balfes (10 min walk)
Trendy, stylish, great for brunch or dinner.
Bear (10–12 min walk)
Steak-focused spot with great cocktails.
WILDE at The Westbury (10–12 min walk)
Luxury dining with floor-to-ceiling windows and a botanical theme. Wonderful for celebrations.
Putting It All Together: A Perfect Dining Day While Staying at Stauntons
Here’s a sample “Connect the Dots” dining day that hits all the highlights:
Morning:
Stroll through St. Stephen’s Green → coffee and pastry → quick walk around Grafton Street.
Lunch:
- The Saddle Room (for the fancy option)
or - Powerscourt pizza (for the relaxed option)
Afternoon Sweet Treat:
Murphys Ice Cream or Butlers Hot Chocolate (why not both?)
Evening:
Choose from:
- Fade Street Social (for vibes)
- SOLE (for seafood)
- L’Gueuleton (for steak)
- Glas (for plant-based magic)
- Fallon & Byrne (for classic elegance)
Then wander back to your peaceful room at Stauntons, full and happy, ready to start the next day of exploring.
Final Thoughts from Connect the Dots Tours
Stauntons on the Green may not have its own restaurant, pool, or conference rooms—but that’s exactly what makes it great. Instead of paying for amenities you might not need, you get:
- A premium, quiet location
- Beautiful Georgian charm
- Short walks to the best restaurants in the city
- Warm, helpful staff
- A serene, central base for exploring Dublin
- Great value for money
- A hotel that feels like a peaceful retreat rather than a chaotic tourist hub
Whether you want Irish comfort food, French elegance, seafood feasts, vegetarian brilliance, pizza under Georgian chandeliers, or ice cream adventures—Stauntons puts it all within reach.
When you stay with Stauntons and explore Dublin’s restaurant scene, you’re not just eating out—you’re experiencing the city the way locals do, step by delicious step.
If you’d like a customized food itinerary, a guided walking tour, or restaurant suggestions tailored to your tastes, Connect the Dots Tours is always here to help you make the most of your Dublin stay.
Bon appétit—and happy exploring!