Oba Korean & Japanese Kitchen & Bar

You're in the heart of Merrion Centre and this place has nailed the balance between feeling proper and unpretentious. The kitchen knows what it's doing—whether you're ordering a steaming bowl of ramen that's been simmered right, or heading straight for the Korean BBQ table. It's the kind of spot that works equally well for a weeknight catch-up with mates or a slightly fancier date without any of the pretension. The fact it's pulling nearly 500 five-star reviews suggests Leeds has really taken it to heart.