Wallace’s Asti

You'll find this lovely Italian tucked away on Russell Street, where the Wallace brothers have created something genuinely special in Drumcondra. The handwritten menu changes regularly, but expect beautifully executed classics like cacio e pepe alongside more inventive dishes that showcase seasonal Irish ingredients through an Italian lens. The wine list leans heavily into natural and organic bottles, with knowledgeable staff who'll guide you towards something brilliant whether you're after a crisp Vermentino or a funky orange wine. The room itself feels wonderfully intimate – all warm lighting and closely packed tables that somehow never feel cramped. Book ahead, especially for weekend dinners, as locals have cottoned on to what might be north Dublin's best Italian outside the city centre.