As One — Restaurant in Dublin

Stopped in here for Brunch today and considering the high reviews was quite excited for what ended up being a lackluster experience.

I'll quickly cover the visit and then break it down into respective categories for ease.

Overall:

When we arrived it wasn't very clear if we should queue up , take a seat or wait to be seated. Luckily a member of staff quickly came over to us and helped us to a table (pro). While going to our table we noted it was quite busy already and potentially at 70% capacity.

Once at the table we got explained how to use the QR code for the menus and were given the time to decide our order (pro) . A reasonable time went by (5 Mins) , before the waitress came back up asking if we wanted a drink and if we were ready to order (all very polite and nice).

When we ordered the food (Breakfast Muffin & Hash Up) , my partner asked for a minor substitution (Fried Eggs instead of Poached eggs) . The waitress said she didn't know if it was possible and needed to check with the kitchen (con), which she did and very disappointingly the ask could not be accommodated due to "it being too busy to make menu changes." (con)

A little while later (5 mins or so) and our drinks were brought out (pro). After this we waited for our food and that took quite a long time (40 mins+). While we waited it was very apparent how loud the place gets with everyone talking and due to the layout the acoustics carry, making it difficult to have a conversation without starting to add to the noise levels. Unfortunately this makes the slow time pass even slower. When the food did arrive it was good, it wasn't anything special but there wasn't anything bad about it either. While we were having our meal , the table next to us asked around what was put on their food (seasoning wise), the waitress mentioned she would have to check with the kitchen (con).

We finished up our food asked for the bill swiftly after as the constant loudness off the space was too much to linger.

I'll aim to break down the experience into respective categories below after which some consideration I think might be worth reviewing:

Atmosphere: Pro : The decor and feel of the place is pleasant Con : The layout and design allows for a lot of noise pollution.

Service : Pro : The waiting staff is quite friendly Con : The waiting staff did not seem very informed around the menu (substitutions / what's in the dish) . The Kitchen struggles significantly during busier periods

Food: Pro: The food was nice overall and reasonably priced for the area and quality. Cons: The time pressure of the kitchen showed as the poached eggs were very overdone.

Considerations:

Aim for the waiting staff to be more familiar with the menu, it would make for more efficient conversations and leaves a better impression. If the kitchen cannot process the volume of orders to the extent of not making basic substitutions, either efficiencies in the kitchen need to be looked at or a way to stagger the flow of orders. If a busy period does hit , having the waiting staff come up half way through the wait to offer another drink order and a potential update on the timing as this will make the wait feel shorter and enhance the overall experience. (For reference my drink was empty for about 15 mins before food arrived) Not sure what is possible around the noise level in the space but something to potentially look at .

Final thoughts :

I think overall the place has a lot of potential to be a nice spot when it is a quieter time and that a lot of the negative impression left was due to the kitchen not being able to cope with the volume while being in a...

As One do not pay their bills, and Mark threatens people who leave negative reviews. If Mark didn't want to pay for the service they used for months, that already reflects badly enough on his character. But what I really take exception to is the way Mark humiliated and then threatened the girl who works for us, who was only doing her job to ask for payment for a service As One used for months. Mark played with her by first asking for a discount and being reasonable and pretending he would pay, then like a cat with a mouse he literally laughed at her over the phone and said he wouldn’t pay anything. That kind of humiliation of a young woman is disgraceful and a far cry from this image he tries to portray of himself, sadly all too common in the restaurant business where restauranteurs have one face for the public, and another for suppliers or their staff. Incredibly Mark threatened her with legal action when she left a review stating that As One did not pay their bills. Mark is just a nasty bully, and I am not scared of his tactics or his “lawyers” because every word written here is true. Being a skinflint and not paying for a service is one thing, but don’t threaten and humiliate my team. For the record we don’t want any money, we just want people to know how Mark treats his suppliers. We work with over 5,000 restaurant and Mark was the most obnoxious owner we dealt...

As One in Dublin’s City Quay is more than just a café—it feels like a place that’s been crafted with heart and purpose. The moment we stepped in, we were welcomed by warm, smiling staff who genuinely seemed to enjoy helping us have a great experience. Their positivity and friendliness created an atmosphere that instantly put us at ease. Throughout our meal, they checked in on us, making sure everything was just right, and their attention really made us feel like valued guests.

The menu is impressive, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients that are prepared with care and creativity. Each dish was both delicious and beautifully presented. The quality of their ingredients shines through, and you can taste the love and passion that goes into every bite. As One’s commitment to high-quality, sustainable ingredients results in food that’s not only tasty but feels wholesome and thoughtful.

The setting itself is bright, clean, and stylish, a perfect spot for enjoying brunch or a relaxed coffee. Even when it’s busy, the energy feels lively and welcoming, and the whole space is well cared for. Overall, As One is a place that makes you feel good about what you’re eating and how you’re spending your time—definitely somewhere I’d recommend to anyone in Dublin looking for a mindful dining experience that’s as warm as it...