Opium
Royal Exchange B, Dublin
Restaurant in Dublin, Ireland
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Opium is a practical Dublin 2 pick for a social meal around Wexford Street, especially when flexibility and location matter more than a documented chef-led format. It is easier to recommend for groups or casual dates than for solo diners seeking a quiet, tightly defined dining experience.
About Opium
For a low-friction Dublin plan, Opium is best judged on the practical details rather than on claims about cuisine, signature dishes, prices, awards, or chef credentials. The confirmed basics are simple: it is in Dublin, the dress code is smart casual, and it opens Tuesday through Sunday with afternoon-to-late-evening hours.
Opium may suit diners who want an easy evening base in Dublin rather than a tightly defined tasting-menu experience. The useful signal here is practicality: Monday is closed; Tuesday and Wednesday run 4–11 PM; Thursday through Sunday run 3–11 PM.
A social Dublin choice when flexibility matters more than ceremony
Consider Opium for a relaxed Dublin evening where the timing matters and smart-casual dress is appropriate.
The stronger case is scheduling. The venue's Tue-Sun hours give more flexibility than a place with only narrow dinner sittings, especially from Thursday through Sunday when service starts at 3 PM.
How to use it against other Dublin options
If you are comparing Opium with other Dublin options, keep the decision practical. Bunsen, Diwali Restaurant Camden Street, La Gordita, Mama Yo, and Zakura Noodle & Sushi Restaurant are useful names to compare depending on the kind of evening you want, but the Opium facts here are limited to Dublin location, smart-casual dress code, and opening hours.
Readers building a wider Dublin shortlist should use our full Dublin restaurants guide, then branch into our full Dublin bars guide if the meal is part of a wider evening plan.
Quick reference: choose Opium for a smart-casual Dublin plan with Tue-Sun afternoon-to-late-evening hours; cross-shop if you need a confirmed cuisine, price point, menu format, or special-occasion style.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: 4–11 PM
- Location
- 26 Wexford St, Portobello, Dublin 2, D02 HX93, Ireland
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- opium.ie
- Phone
- +35315267711
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Opium feels like a neighbourhood anchor on Wexford Street, leaning into Portobello’s energetic, street-level pulse without putting on airs. The write-up frames it as a reliable, unpretentious spot that locals treat as a fixture rather than a destination, which gives the room a familiar, relaxed warmth. Service and atmosphere aim for approachability over formality; diners come for straightforward, well-executed Thai cooking in a setting that resists the trend toward reservation-only or occasion-driven formats. The result is a comfortably casual place that thrives on repeat guests and steady, convivial energy.
Best For
This Opium suits people who want an easy, dependable meal rather than a special-occasion production. It’s ideal for after-work dinners, late-night outings and casual hangouts with friends, and it accommodates groups looking for a lively neighbourhood restaurant. The piece also places Opium in the middle tier of Dublin’s dining scene, meaning it works for informal business meals where a relaxed but well-regarded setting is appropriate. Regulars gravitate here for everyday dining, so drop-ins and repeat visits feel natural.
Ordering Tips
Signatures to look for include Pad Thai, Shaking Beef, Mekong Duck, Thai Pineapple Fried Rice and Gai Yang; these dishes are highlighted as representative menu standouts. Given the restaurant’s neighbourhood focus and breadth of notable plates, try a couple of the signature items to get a sense of the kitchen’s style.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant and modern with high-energy atmosphere across multiple floors; rooftop offers stylish social setting with Dublin skyline views; nightclub provides late-night entertainment.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Very Large
- Kitchen
- Fusion
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Small plates
- Drinks Focus
- Craft cocktails, Wine
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten-free options, Allergy accommodating
- Private Dining
- Available
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Pad Thai
- Shaking Beef
- Mekong Duck
- Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
- Gai Yang
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 26 Wexford St, Portobello, Dublin 2, D02 HX93, Ireland
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 4–11 PM
- Wednesday
- 4–11 PM
- Thursday
- 3–11 PM
- Friday
- 3–11 PM
- Saturday
- 3–11 PM
- Sunday
- 3–11 PM
Location
26 Wexford St, Portobello, Dublin 2, D02 HX93, Ireland · Directions
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If the group wants the simplest value decision, book Bunsen instead. If the meal needs a clearer cuisine lane, choose Zakura Noodle & Sushi Restaurant for noodles and sushi, or Diwali Restaurant Camden Street for Indian food near the same city-centre orbit.
Restaurant context
How Opium compares in Dublin
Choose Opium when the brief is a flexible social night in Dublin 2. Against Bunsen, it is less of a quick value play and more useful when the group wants to linger. Bunsen is the sharper call for a fast, focused meal; Opium makes more sense when ambiance and location carry the plan.
For a more specific food brief, Zakura Noodle & Sushi Restaurant and Diwali Restaurant Camden Street are easier to choose because the category is clearer before booking. La Gordita is the stronger cross-shop for Spanish small plates at a listed €€ level, while Mama Yo fits diners comparing larger, atmosphere-led Dublin rooms.
Booking difficulty looks easier here than at hype-driven restaurants, so it is a useful fallback when the group needs a Dublin table without turning dinner into a project. For value certainty, pick Bunsen or La Gordita; for a broader night-out setting, keep Opium on the shortlist.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Opium guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Opium
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opium | Dublin | No published awards | ||
| Bunsen | Dublin | No published awards | ||
| Zakura Noodle & Sushi Restaurant | Dublin | No published awards | ||
| Diwali Restaurant Camden Street | Dublin | No published awards | ||
| Mama Yo | Dublin | No published awards | ||
| La Gordita | Dublin | Spanish | €€ | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 Bib Gourmand2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
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How Opium Dublin compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opium good for solo dining?
It may work if you want a smart-casual Dublin venue.
What are alternatives to Opium in Dublin?
Other Dublin names to compare include Bunsen, Diwali Restaurant Camden Street, La Gordita, Mama Yo, and Zakura Noodle & Sushi Restaurant. Choose based on the current menu, availability, and the kind of evening you want.
Is Opium good for a special occasion?
Opium can be considered for a smart-casual Dublin plan.
Is lunch or dinner better at Opium?
Dinner or a later afternoon plan is the safer framing. Opium is closed Monday, opens 4–11 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, and opens 3–11 PM from Thursday through Sunday; no lunch service.
