Laurel Restaurant — Restaurant in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

Although "Laurel" has been open for nearly two years, this was our first visit. Located just above "Kelly & Cooper" in Blackrock Village, we went based on a trusted friend's recommendation, and once again, he steered us right.

The special three-course menu for €45 was an absolute delight. From the tempting selection of four starters, we both opted for the seared scallops with pea arancini, pea butter, and pancetta—simply delicious. For mains, I had the pan-fried halibut, while my wife enjoyed the slow-roasted beef. Both dishes were cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. To finish, we chose petit fours with coffee from the five available dessert options—a perfect ending to a fantastic meal.

This special menu is available on Wednesday and Thursday nights, making it an excellent midweek treat. While the restaurant was relatively quiet (seating around 30, with 15 diners that evening), the atmosphere remained warm and inviting. The sole staff member attending to us was incredibly attentive, offering excellent service with a smile throughout the evening.

The two chefs working in the open kitchen showcased impressive skill, creativity, and attention to detail in every dish. We highly recommend "Laurel" and will definitely be...

Heard about this new place opening up and wanted to try it out. The warm, high-end feeling hits you as soon as you walk in. Professional, well dressed staff with a big smile on their face, excellent customer service. The food was absolutely stunning. We tried a few meals such as salmon, venison, scallops, goats cheese and chocolate desert to name a few. Scallops and venison were one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The taste buds welcomed these two dishes with open arms as they were greatly balanced and well designed, cooked to perfection. Wine list is excellent as well; we asked the waiter for a recommendation on the white wine and they’ve paired a Portugese one with our meal which was simply marvellous, it carried the whole experience beyond the wildest expectation. Could not recommend the place more. I’m confident that as soon as the word gets out about it it’ll be booked...

Laurel in Blackrock is a fantastic restaurant tucked away above the pub—a real hidden gem. The food is absolutely amazing, beautifully presented on elegant plates that make the whole experience feel special. Every dish was full of flavor and clearly made with care.

The atmosphere upstairs is stylish and relaxed, perfect for a nice evening out. The only downside is the music, which comes from the pub below and doesn’t quite match the refined setting of the restaurant. Still, the quality of the food more than makes up for it. Definitely...