Guinea Pig in Dublin

I hadn’t been back here for a few years but I need not have worried about the few poor reviews I had seen….it is still a great place. Good service, quiet , cosy and with a cool French soundtrack playing in the background. We had the fish cakes and prawns to start with excellent crispy bread and aioli. For mains we had magret and entrecôte…..both excellent. THE best French fries too. Perfect crème brûlée to finish. The house label merlot was a great accompaniment with a kir royal and port.

We’d been eager to try this place for a while, and while we both enjoyed our meals overall, we left feeling like something was missing. I ordered the duck, which was delicious, but my partner had the prawns and chips, and we were both a bit disappointed—it felt more like prawn pil pil served with frozen chips on the side. For what we got, it did feel slightly overpriced.

Excellent! We came during the crowded lobster festival day and we found a beautiful quiet restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere, polite and professional service and tasty dishes , I would recommend and come back again !

I ordered the Pièce de Bœuf Irlandais with grilled onion, fries, and pepper sauce. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The striploin served was of noticeably poor quality, especially considering the €46 price tag. It was extremely chewy and difficult to eat. I had to send it back and reorder, but the second attempt arrived overcooked and still lacking in tenderness or flavour. A real let-down for what should have been a premium dish. The rest of the dishes were ok.

Мы были в прошлое воскресенье вечером, народу никого — встретили нас дружелюбно. Внутри уютно: кожаные диванчики, белые скатерти, тихая и романтичная атмосфера — хорошо для пар или небольших компаний. Ресторан на Railway Road 17–18 в Далки, кухня французская с ирландскими морепродуктами. Меню только а-ля карт, цены высокие — блюда по 30–45 евро. Алкоголь подают, бронь возможна. Детям и шумным компаниям — не подойдёт. Я взяла луковый суп (пробовала впервые) — обычный, без вкусового «вау». Муж заказал чаудер — жидкий, не сливочный. На горячее у меня был рыбный пирог — пресный, без специй. Муж ел рыбу на гриле — норм, но не восторг. Лобстера, ради которого пришли — не было в меню, что расстроило. Обслуживание отличное — персонал вежливый и внимательный. Атмосфера уютная, интерьер классический, стильный. Плюсы: – Красивый интерьер – Отличный сервис – Тихо и спокойно – Необычный вход со звонком Минусы: – Дорого и маленькие порции – Меню скромное, еда не удивила – Лобстера не оказалось. Сюда стоит прийти ради атмосферы и сервиса, но не ради кухни. Красиво, спокойно, но вкус не оправдал цену.

I’d long been curious about The Guinea Pig Restaurant in Dalkey — a place with a romantic reputation, an old-world feel, and whispers of Hollywood stars dining there decades ago. The idea of ringing a doorbell to enter felt charming and exclusive, and I was genuinely excited to finally visit. We arrived on a calm weekday evening and were greeted with warmth. The restaurant’s interior is its strongest point — vintage red leather seating, white tablecloths, and a timeless elegance that’s hard to find today. The space is cozy, quiet, and clearly designed for couples or small adult gatherings. Located at 17–18 Railway Road, the restaurant serves French-style cuisine using Irish seafood, with no set menu, just à la carte options. Prices are high, with mains around €30–€45. They serve alcohol, accept reservations, and the atmosphere is intimate and formal — definitely not for kids or casual drop-ins. For starters, I ordered a French onion soup — my first time trying one anywhere. Sadly, it didn’t leave a strong impression. It wasn’t bad, but it lacked the deep, rich flavour I’d hoped for. My husband had a seafood chowder, which turned out to be quite plain and watery, missing that indulgent creamy texture a chowder really needs — it could’ve used a good scoop of double cream. For the mains, I chose their classic fish pie, expecting something layered with subtle spices or a house twist. Unfortunately, it tasted rather flat, with no standout seasoning or memorable flavour. My husband had a fish, which he said was not too bad, though again, nothing remarkable. We were hoping to try their lobster, but surprisingly, it wasn’t on the menu that evening. The service, however, was excellent. Waiter was professional, well-trained, and genuinely attentive — he carried the evening with grace. The ambiance also lived up to expectations: formal, nostalgic, and peaceful. 🟢 Pros: – Elegant, classic interior with character – High-standard, professional service – Quiet, romantic atmosphere – Unique “ring-the-bell” entrance 🔴 Cons: – Overpriced for what’s served – Very small portions – Limited menu, lacking excitement – Food quality underwhelming (especially soup and fish pie) – Lobster unavailable, which was disappointing In conclusion, The Guinea Pig offers a beautiful setting and excellent service, but the food simply didn’t deliver for the price. It’s the kind of place where you enjoy being seated and served — but leave feeling the meal didn’t justify the cost. 👉 My verdict: Go for the atmosphere, not the food. A lovely dining room and polished service — but sadly, not worth it if your goal is an impressive culinary experience.

Bland food. Chef needs to review his French recipes ie. French onion soup & tart tatin. So disappointing

Great restaurant, nice touch of french...some new recipe who works a try was delighted. Kevin great as usual. A must go.

Amazing dinner for my Mum’s birthday. Food, service and setting were all perfect. We will be back!

The Guinea Pig has been in Dalkey for decades. Defo needs a bit of an upgrade although seems to be favoured by the elder generation. Food was “enjoyable” but not outstanding. Service good. Wines ok.