
Wilde
Royal Exchange B, Dublin
Restaurant in Dublin, Ireland
The Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Wilde on Harry Street holds two Star Wine List awards (2024 and 2026), making it one of Dublin's more credible wine-focused venues. It books easily by city-centre standards, so there is no tactical reason to delay. Go if wine curation is the point of the evening; look elsewhere if you want a kitchen-led tasting menu as the main event.
About Wilde
Should You Book Wilde?
Wilde on Harry Street is direct to get into by Dublin standards; booking difficulty sits at easy, which makes it a reliable option when you want a serious wine experience without the weeks-long wait that comes with the city's harder tables. That ease of access does not mean it is an afterthought. Two consecutive Star Wine List awards (2024 and 2026) position Wilde as one of the more credible wine-focused venues in the Irish capital. If wine is the primary reason you are eating out, this is a strong case for booking. If you are wine-agnostic and purely chasing a kitchen-driven meal, you may find deeper satisfaction elsewhere in Dublin 2.
The Wine Program: Why the Awards Matter
Star Wine List recognition is awarded on the quality, range, curation of a venue's wine offering rather than its food alone. Two appearances on that list, across different years, indicate a program with genuine depth and consistency rather than a one-cycle fluke. For a returning visitor who already knows the room, the next move is to push further into the list than you did on the first visit: ask what is available by the glass outside the standard selection, or request guidance on producers that sit outside the obvious appellations. Wine-forward venues at this level typically hold bottles that do not appear on the printed menu, staff at award-recognised programs generally know what those are.
On the sourcing angle: a venue that earns repeat Star Wine List recognition is, by definition, making deliberate procurement decisions. The list is not assembled from a distributor's defaults. That curation matters to the price conversation; you are paying for selection judgment, not just pours, for the kind of program that tracks what is arriving in the Irish market rather than defaulting to familiar names. Whether that justifies whatever the bill comes to depends on how seriously you take wine as a reason to sit somewhere for two or three hours. If you do, the awards give you objective cover for the spend.
Location and Logistics
Harry Street is a short walk from Grafton Street, in the core of Dublin 2. The address puts it within easy range of the city centre's hotel cluster and within walking distance of the Luas Green Line at St. Stephen's Green. There is no parking to speak of in the immediate area, standard for central Dublin, so build your arrival around public transport or plan a cab. For visitors staying in the D2 or D4 corridor, the location is about as central as it gets.
For those building a fuller Dublin itinerary, see our full Dublin restaurants guide, our full Dublin bars guide, and our full Dublin hotels guide.
Booking Wilde
Booking difficulty is rated easy, meaning you are unlikely to need more than a few days' notice for most evenings. That said, weekends in central Dublin fill faster than midweek slots, so if you have a fixed date, book it rather than assuming walk-in availability will hold. There is no evidence of a multi-week advance window being necessary the way it is at, say, Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen or Glovers Alley. Secure the table, then spend the time you saved looking at the wine list in advance.
Quick reference: easy to book, Harry St Dublin 2, Star Wine List 2024 and 2026.
How It Compares
Pearl Picks Nearby
- Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin's benchmark for formal fine dining, Irish-French, €€€€
- Bastible, Modern Irish, ingredient-led cooking in Portobello, €€€€
- D'Olier Street, Modern cuisine in the city centre
- Liath in Blackrock, Tasting menu, short drive south of the city
- dede in Baltimore, Worth the drive if you are heading west
- Bastion in Kinsale, Strong regional option for a longer trip
- Terre in Castlemartyr, Hotel dining done seriously
- Homestead Cottage in Doolin, The west coast alternative
- The Morrison Room in Maynooth, Worth knowing if you are outside the city
Located inside
HotelThe Westbury HotelFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- Harry St, Dublin 2, D02 CH66, Ireland
- Reservations
- Book on SevenRooms
- Website
- wilde.ie
- Phone
- +353 1 646 3352
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Wilde presents itself as a hotel dining room that earns attention on the strength of its wine program rather than celebrity chef theatrics. The narrative in the dining room is shaped by a curated list — recently ranked at the top nationally — that emphasizes story-led selection and an Irish thread called the “Irish Wine Geese.” The kitchen supports that program with classic, well-executed dishes (Dover sole, scallops, seafood risotto) and meat options that read as hotel-fine-dining staples. The result is a refined, wine-forward place that feels purposeful and serious about bottles as much as plates.
Best For
Wilde is particularly suited to evenings where wine matters: date nights, business dinners, special occasions and any visit that includes study of a considered list. Hotel guests and visitors who value a deep, curated wine selection find plenty to explore here, and the menu of seafood and classic mains supports thoughtful pairings. The restaurant’s recognition on national wine lists signals a program geared toward discovery and conversation around bottles, making it an especially good pick for groups who plan their meals around wine rather than quick, casual dining.
Ordering Tips
Approach the menu with the wine list in mind. Start by exploring the 'Irish Wine Geese' section to encounter bottles tied to the list’s central story, then choose a dish that lets that bottle sing — scallops or seafood risotto for white and lighter styles, Dover sole for a classic pairing, and the rib eye or lamb cutlets for fuller reds. Leave room for tableside Irish Coffee as an after-dinner touch. Given the list’s reputation, allow time to browse and to follow the writing on the list rather than rushing straight to familiar labels.
Venue details
Ambiance
Ornate soft lighting with plush green leather banquettes, marble fireplace, gold accents, and 1920s glamour; terraced area features greenery and views over Grafton Street.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Dover Sole
- John Stone Rib Eye Steak
- Scallops
- Lamb Cutlets with Dukkah Spice
- Seafood Risotto
- Tableside Irish Coffee
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Patrick Guilbaud; Irish - French, Modern French, €€€€
- Bastible; Modern Irish, Modern Cuisine, €€€€
- Host; Nordic, Modern Cuisine, €€
- mae; Southern, Modern Cuisine, €€€
- Matsukawa; Kaiseki, Japanese, €€€€
Restaurant context
How Wilde Compares to Other Dublin Venues
Wilde's advantage over most of its Dublin peers is the combination of genuine wine program credentials and easy access. Patrick Guilbaud at €€€€ is the city's most formally recognised kitchen, but its focus is Irish-French cuisine rather than wine-first dining. If the meal itself is the occasion, Guilbaud wins on kitchen pedigree. If you are building an evening around the glass rather than the plate, Wilde's Star Wine List recognition gives it a more specific argument. Bastible operates at the same price tier with a strong Modern Irish identity, but its draw is ingredient-led cooking rather than wine depth; a different night out for a different reason.
Against the mid-tier options, mae at €€€ offers modern cuisine at a more accessible price point and works if the budget is a factor. Host at €€ is the most affordable peer in the comparison set and suits a casual midweek dinner where you are not building the evening around a serious list. Neither competes with Wilde on wine program credibility. Matsukawa at €€€€ occupies a different category entirely as a kaiseki venue; the comparison only makes sense if you are deciding between a Japanese tasting format and a wine-bar format, in which case the answer depends entirely on what you are in the mood for.
The practical summary: book Wilde when wine is the primary lens and you want a room with selection depth that has been recognised independently. Book Bastible when the cooking itself is the reason to go out. Book Patrick Guilbaud for the most formal dining experience Dublin offers. And use Host or mae when you want a good evening without the €€€€ commitment.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Wilde guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Wilde
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilde | Dublin | ; | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence | ; |
| Patrick Guilbaud | Dublin | Irish - French, Modern French | 2026 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #23Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #212025 Michelin 2 Stars2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2024 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #232024 Michelin 2 Stars2023 OAD Classical in Europe Ranked · #23 | €€€€ |
| Bastible | Dublin | Modern Irish, Modern Cuisine | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #3972025 Michelin 1 Star2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #3732024 Michelin 1 Star | €€€€ |
| Host | Dublin | Nordic, Modern Cuisine | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #6362025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #6862024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended | €€ |
| mae | Dublin | Southern, Modern Cuisine | Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 Michelin Plate2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants2024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7692024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Recommended | €€€ |
| Matsukawa | Dublin | Kaiseki, Japanese | No published awards | €€€€ |
How Wilde Dublin compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Wilde?
A few days' notice is usually enough for most evenings; booking difficulty sits at easy by Dublin standards. Weekends in central Dublin 2 fill faster, so give yourself a week if you're targeting a Friday or Saturday. Harry Street's proximity to Grafton Street means foot traffic is high, easy-to-book venues in this pocket of the city can tighten up without warning.
Is Wilde good for a special occasion?
Yes, with the right expectations. Two Star Wine List awards (2024 and 2026) mean the wine program is strong enough to anchor a celebratory evening, the Harry Street address keeps it central. It's a better fit for occasions where the bottle matters as much as the food; if you need a full tasting-menu occasion, Patrick Guilbaud is the Dublin call instead.
What are alternatives to Wilde in Dublin?
For food-first dining, Bastible in Portobello and mae in Dublin 2 both offer more kitchen ambition. Host is a closer comparison for a relaxed, wine-attentive evening in the city centre. If you're driving from outside Dublin, Wilde's easy booking and central location give it a practical edge over venues that require more lead time.
What should I wear to Wilde?
No dress code is documented for Wilde. Harry Street sits in the commercial core of Dublin 2, wine bars in this part of the city typically draw a post-work and after-dinner crowd, so neat casual is a reasonable baseline. Avoid anything you'd wear to a beach and you'll fit in.
Is Wilde good for solo dining?
Solo dining at a wine-led venue in central Dublin is a practical choice; Wilde's easy booking difficulty means you're not fighting for a spot, a Star Wine List award suggests the by-the-glass offering is worth your attention on your own. If bar seating is available, it's the natural format for a solo visit; confirm when you book.










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