The Pig's Ear
Mansion House B, Dublin
Restaurant in Dublin, Ireland
Book with PearlThe Read
Grandmother's Ireland, Refined
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Book The Pig's Ear when you want a central Dublin restaurant with Michelin Guide Plate recognition and easier planning than tougher city-centre tables. It is more food-focused than Buswells or The Ivy Dublin, less spendy in feel than One Pico, especially useful for a Saturday midday meal near the core of the city.
About The Pig's Ear
The Pig's Ear is a Dublin restaurant with a Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 Plate. It is best considered by diners who want a Dublin option with evening service Tuesday to Saturday and a Saturday midday service, rather than an all-week or all-day restaurant.
A Dublin restaurant for Saturday midday or dinner
The useful way to think about this restaurant is as a planned Dublin meal with a clear, limited schedule. The Michelin Guide Plate recognition is the trust signal here: not a star claim, but a Michelin Guide listing for The Pig's Ear.
For a broader Dublin shortlist, use Our full Dublin restaurants guide; for a Dublin stay, cross-check Our full Dublin hotels guide. If the plan is drinks before or after, Our full Dublin bars guide is a useful companion list.
Go for Saturday midday if the timing fits
Saturday midday service is the lunch angle to care about: hours run Saturday 12–2:30 PM, then 5:30–9 PM. From Tuesday to Friday, The Pig's Ear is open 5–9 PM. It is closed Monday and Sunday.
Because the published schedule is limited, plan around the exact service window rather than assuming an all-day format. The dress code is smart casual, so it suits diners who want a planned restaurant visit without needing formal dress.
Who should choose it over the obvious alternatives
Choose The Pig's Ear when the combination of Dublin, smart-casual dress, Michelin Guide Plate recognition, a compact weekly schedule fits the plan. If the group is comparing other dining options, Buswells, Library Street, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill, One Pico, The Ivy Dublin are natural names to consider alongside The Pig's Ear.
Quick reference: consider it for a Dublin meal when the hours work for you, especially Tuesday-to-Friday dinner or Saturday lunch and dinner. If you need a broader set of Dublin options, use the Dublin guides above and confirm current details directly before committing.
Planning details
- Location
- 4 Nassau St, Dublin, D02 YX74, Ireland
- Website
- thepigsear.com
- Phone
- +353 1 670 3865
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Pig's Ear sits in a narrow Georgian townhouse on Nassau Street and reads like a deliberate counterpoint to Dublin's more cosmopolitan kitchens. It leans into Irish culinary history, mining older recipes and domestic traditions rather than chasing contemporary technique for its own sake. The setting—adjacent to Trinity College Park and anchored in the city's cultural heart—gives the restaurant a quietly assured personality: classic and charming, with a loyal focus on place and provenance. The mood is thoughtful and refined, inviting diners to consider Irish cookery as a worthy, self-sufficient strand of modern dining.
Best For
This is a restaurant that suits intentional evenings—date nights, business dinners and special occasions—where the menu and setting are part of the experience. Its central Nassau Street address places it within easy reach of offices and cultural destinations, while the chef-owner's historically minded menu rewards a leisurely dine-in service, particularly at dinner. The presence of hearty, traditional preparations alongside more inventive takes means it also works well for couples or small groups seeking a considered take on Irish cuisine rather than a quick meal.
Ordering Tips
Look to the menu as an exploration of Irish cookery: start with items that reference traditional preparations and local produce. The Boxty Pancake and the Dublin Lawyer in its omelette form highlight regional and historical technique, while mains such as the Lamb Shepherd's Pie and Pork Belly showcase the kitchen's grounding in domestic recipes. For a finishing note, the Deconstructed Cheesecake signals a contemporary twist on a classic dessert. Given the chef-owner focus, expect dishes that foreground provenance and flavor; ordering a mix of the signature savory items and a shared dessert creates a representative experience.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bright, cheerful dining room with modern renovation of an old building; intimate multi-level space with views over Trinity College cricket pitches; relaxed yet refined atmosphere without pretension.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Lamb Shepherd's Pie
- Deconstructed Cheesecake
- Pork Belly
- Dublin Lawyer Lobster Omelette
- Boxty Pancake
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Where to look if this does not fit
If the brief is contemporary €€ dining, book Library Street instead. If the group wants a higher-spend, more formal meal, One Pico is the cleaner alternative.
Restaurant context
How it compares with nearby Dublin choices
Library Street is the cleaner cross-shop for diners who want a contemporary €€ meal and a more current-feeling restaurant format. The Pig's Ear is the safer choice for a central, traditional sit-down decision, while Library Street is better for readers specifically chasing a contemporary brief.
Buswells and The Ivy Dublin make more sense when convenience, a familiar room, or a wider group mood matters more than a food-led recommendation. For a focused dinner, The Pig's Ear is the stronger call; for a mixed group that wants breadth and less decision pressure, The Ivy Dublin is easier to sell.
One Pico sits in the €€€ lane with a New American and Modern French profile, so it is the better splurge comparison. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill is the more direct pick for steakhouse intent; choose The Pig's Ear when the group wants a Dublin restaurant meal rather than a steak-led night.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Pig's Ear guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Pig's Ear
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pig's Ear | Dublin | ; | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 Michelin Plate | ; |
| Library Street | Dublin | Contemporary | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate | €€ |
| Buswells | Dublin | No published awards | ; | ; |
| The Ivy Dublin | Dublin | No published awards | ; | ; |
| Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill | Dublin | No published awards | ; | ; |
| One Pico | Dublin | New American, Modern French | Star Wine Lists 2026Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7702024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Casual in North America Recommended | €€€ |
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How The Pig's Ear Dublin compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at The Pig's Ear?
Bar dining is not listed here, so do not make it the main plan unless the restaurant confirms it for your visit. The useful detail is the schedule in Dublin: Tuesday to Friday 5–9 PM, Saturday 12–2:30 PM and 5:30–9 PM, closed Monday and Sunday.
Is lunch or dinner better at The Pig's Ear?
Lunch is available only on Saturday, from 12–2:30 PM. Dinner is available Tuesday through Friday from 5–9 PM and Saturday from 5:30–9 PM. Choose based on which service window fits your Dublin plans.
What are alternatives to The Pig's Ear in Dublin?
Buswells, Library Street, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill, One Pico, The Ivy Dublin are useful Dublin comparisons, depending on the kind of meal you want. The Pig's Ear makes the most sense when its Michelin Guide Plate recognition, smart-casual dress code, specific opening hours match the occasion.
Can The Pig's Ear accommodate groups?
Specific group accommodation details are not listed here. If you are planning for a group, confirm directly with the restaurant and plan around the hours: Tuesday to Friday 5–9 PM, Saturday 12–2:30 PM and 5:30–9 PM, closed Monday and Sunday.
