La Cave Wine Bar and Restaurant

You descend into what feels like an actual wine cave – stone walls, dim lighting, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to linger over a bottle of something interesting. The French-leaning wine list here is serious business, with plenty of natural and biodynamic options that you won't find in your average Dublin boozer. The food plays second fiddle but does it well – think proper charcuterie boards, cheese selections that change regularly, and simple bistro plates that won't compete with whatever beautiful bottle you've chosen. It's the sort of place where you pop in for a quick glass after work and emerge three hours later, slightly wine-drunk and completely charmed. The staff know their stuff without being precious about it, and the cave-like setting makes it feel worlds away from the busy streets of Dublin 2 above.