BAMBINO — Restaurant in Dublin

We had been told about Dublin's infamous Bambino's New York style pizza place for weeks and decided to give it a go. Nestled in Stephen Street lower across from the Grafton Hotel. We arrived at a queue of around 30 people outside waiting to get their hands in a slice. My wife,son and I were in the queue for 10 mins only to be told they have to restock and it will be a further 40 minutes before they reopened. We decided to leave and walk around St. Stephens Green before coming back. After 40 minutes we came back and the qué had grown and it still had a restocking notice in their window. I would have given you and went elsewhere but we were there for my son so we jumped back in the queue yet again. After a further 10 minutes they started to let people in again. Please note,It was a sunny day and there were drones of wasps all over the place inside and outside so just be aware of this! Finally after feeling like a day queuing I got to the top and ordered 1 X slice of Cheese, 1 X Pepperoni and 1 X Hot Pep. After a further 5 minutes of ordering I finally received the slices. The slices are very generous. My son enjoyed his cheese slice, My wife said the Hot Prep was delicious and my Pepperoni was OK. Nice thin crispy base. Look hats off to them as they have created a buzz in Pizza that has people flocking there in their droves and willing to queue for what seemed like days to taste their pizza but like everything new I would imagine the hype will dwindle eventually. They really need a bigger venue to cater for the masses and be readily stocked to avoid sending people away in dissatisfaction and...

Bambino in Dublin is a true standout for lovers of authentic, New York-style pizza. During my visit, I indulged in one of their iconic "The Vito," one slice of Pepperoni with Hot Honey as an add-on, and the special of the day featuring a flavorful sausage topping (nduja or something like that). Bambino bangs in the flavour - truly top notch slices!

"The Vito" packs in a punch with fresh basil, creamy cheese, and the perfectly salty/sweet, not bitter tomato sauce resting on a crust that was both crispy and slightly charred. The Pepperoni with Hot Honey was a highlight (personal favourite of a combo), a delightful balance of savory, spicy pepperoni layers perfectly complimented by the sweetness of honey with its own pinch of spice.

The atmosphere is casual and approachable, perfectly matched by their choice to serve wine in simple plastic cups. It’s a spot where the focus is clearly on the food, but the laid-back vibe makes it ideal for a relaxed, enjoyable outing. You can even buy their merch, which I spotted across the city after my visit.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick slice or settling in for a casual meal, Bambino delivers on flavor and quality with a warm Dublin welcome. I can't wait for...

Don't let the power of hype and social media fool you - I have been here twice and both times it was a very poor experience.

All in all, it's very bang average pizza. Not bad but definitely not deserving of the queues. What really dropped the score for me is the overall experience. It's dirty, it's cramped and it's a conveyor belt of quantity not quality. Like an oversized vending machine.

The second time I came I sent the two slices back because they were burnt, not nicely charred like a NY slice should be - they were overcooked and the dough was incredibly hard. The staff were so passive aggressive - if I didn't value my time as much, I would have gotten their name and complained to management about them. I also should have gotten a photo for this review.

The place is so busy and hyped that I think they have this cocky air of superiority - that's it's impossible for them to mess up. No accountability, apology nothing. Quite obviously irked by my issue and sighing, rolling their eyes, chatting shite to each other - like I don't know what I'm talking about because I'm on the other side of the counter?

There are superior options elsewhere. In pizza, service, vibes and most...