Zakura Izakaya - Upper Baggot St

You'll find this brilliant Japanese izakaya tucked below street level on Upper Baggot Street, where the basement setting creates an intimate, properly buzzy atmosphere that feels miles from Dublin 4's polished exterior. The menu reads like a love letter to Japanese pub culture - think perfectly charred yakitori, silky gyoza, and small plates that pair brilliantly with their impressive sake selection. What sets Zakura apart from the legion of mediocre Japanese spots around town is their commitment to doing things properly. The kitchen clearly knows what they're about, turning out dishes that have the kind of depth and precision you'd expect from Tokyo, not Dublin. Book ahead - this place fills up fast with locals who've cottoned on to what might be the best Japanese food in the city.