Dublin 🇮🇪 Might Have the Best Pasta in Town

I recently celebrated 520 at Bar Italia Ristorante in Dublin's District 1, right by the River Liffey, and let me tell you—this place is amazing! The food is absolutely delicious, and out of the six dishes we ordered, the only difference was between "very yummy" and "just plain yummy." Right now, it's hands down the best pasta restaurant in Dublin as far as we're concerned. 🍝 For starters, we had the Piatto Di Prosciutto Di Amatrice and Crostine Di Mare (the two dishes on Plate 2). The Prosciutto was perfectly seasoned—just the right amount of saltiness without being overpowering, which is perfect for those who prefer a milder taste. The accompanying bread was soft and delightful. The other starter was garlic and tomato squid rings with bread, which was incredibly tasty!! And all for just €10!! 🍳 For the main course, we had two pasta dishes. One was the today's special Spaghetti Ragu Pesce, a seafood and squid ink pasta. It was perfect for someone like me who prefers seafood over beef in local restaurants. Seafood is always a safe bet! The squid ink pasta was paired with scallops, octopus, squid slices, and a hint of saffron. It had a rich seafood flavor without being too bland. If I had to nitpick, the pasta was a bit firmer than I like it. 🦑 The other pasta was their signature Strozzap Brasato Bur, a cheeky beef cheek pasta. It was surprisingly delicious. The beef was tender enough to easily cut with a fork and knife but not so mushy that it fell apart. The seasoning was similar to tomato braised beef, with a rich tomato aroma and a touch of spiciness. It was absolutely perfect for those who enjoy a hearty, flavorful dish. Overall, the flavors at this restaurant are quite rich compared to other lighter Western restaurants, and I personally find these rich flavors more appealing. 🍖 For dessert, we had Tiramisu and Pistachio Gelato. The Tiramisu was delicious—just the right amount of coffee and cocoa flavor without being overly sweet. The Pistachio Gelato was fantastic! This year, it had a slight bitter almond filling, which perfectly balanced the sweetness of the gelato and added an extra layer of nutty aroma beyond just pistachio. 🍨 The overall ambiance of the restaurant was great. The tables were close together, but it wasn't noisy. The waitstaff, who seemed to be Italian uncles, frequently checked in to see if we were enjoying our meal and promptly cleared the dishes. It felt like the perfect spot for a date. The restaurant requires each person to order at least two courses for dinner, but there's no such restriction for lunch. We each had an aperitif, starter, main course, and dessert, and the average cost per person was €60. I think it was absolutely worth it for such a fine dining experience. 🍷 #food #Dublin #Ireland #ItalianCuisine #PastaLovers