Modern French · Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 · EUR105 tasting
Michelin Guide, 20+ YearsModern French$$$$Upper Merrion Street
"Sebastien Masi's discreet basement French room, Michelin-listed for two decades — book a booth for a Dublin first date you want to remember."
8Food
8Ambience
7Value
About Pearl Brasserie
Down a flight of stairs at 20 Upper Merrion Street, a few doors from the Merrion Hotel and the government buildings, Pearl Brasserie has quietly held a Michelin Guide listing for more than twenty years. Chef-patron Sebastien Masi runs a modern French kitchen with the odd Asian inflection, and the format runs from a la carte mains around EUR28 to EUR48 up to a six-course surprise tasting at EUR105 for the whole table. A quarter-century in, it is one of Dublin's most consistent grown-up dining rooms.
The Kitchen
Sebastien Masi cooks French at the core with a magpie's eye for ideas from further afield. The pan-fried duck foie gras with rhubarb and strawberry compote and toasted brioche is the dish regulars order on sight, and the crispy Dublin Bay prawns, wrapped in spring-roll pastry with a mango and black-pepper dressing, show the kitchen's willingness to fold a little Asia into a classical repertoire. The crab starter, with kohlrabi and apple remoulade, is the plate the restaurant puts on its own front page.
Mains hold the line: wild Irish turbot at EUR43, French squab pigeon cooked two ways at EUR48, a John Stone Irish beef fillet at EUR45. The menus change with the season and lean on the best Irish and continental produce. The six-course surprise tasting at EUR105 is the way to hand the kitchen the keys, and the wine list is one of the deeper fine-dining cellars in the city. For the price point, the cooking is precise and generous rather than showy.
The Room
The basement setting is the whole point. It is intimate and low-lit, with a series of private dining booths that close off conversation in a way few Dublin rooms manage, and the sound level stays hushed even at a full Saturday service. Tables are well spaced, the palette is warm, and service is formal but friendly rather than stiff. Dress is smart-casual, dressier at dinner. Book a booth if you want privacy; the main room is calm but the booths are genuinely secluded.
Best for a First Date
Book this room for a first date because everything works in conversation's favour: the basement is quiet enough to hear each other, the private booths remove the audience, and the lighting is warm rather than harsh. The French menu gives you plenty to share and talk about, and the price is clear before you arrive. Aim for a midweek booth. For more rooms like it, see the best restaurants for a first date and our wider Dublin dining guide.
Not for
Not for a large, lively group or a quick casual bite, and not for budget dining — mains run EUR28 to EUR48, the room is small and quiet, and it is closed Sundays and bank holidays, so a spontaneous big-table night out is the wrong fit.
Frequently Asked
Is Pearl Brasserie worth it?
Yes, if you want serious French cooking in a discreet setting rather than a scene. Sebastien Masi has run this kitchen for the best part of 25 years and it has held a Michelin Guide listing throughout, with dishes such as pan-fried duck foie gras and crispy Dublin Bay prawns that justify the bill. The basement booths make it one of the city's quietest fine-dining rooms.
How hard is it to book Pearl Brasserie?
A week or two ahead is usually enough for dinner, but the private booths and Friday and Saturday tables go first, so book early for anything romantic. Reserve through OpenTable or by phone on +353 1 661 3572. Dinner runs Monday to Saturday from 5:30pm and lunch is Wednesday to Friday only; the room is closed on Sundays and bank holidays.
What is the dress code at Pearl Brasserie?
Smart-casual, leaning elegant in the evening. There is no jacket requirement, but this is a grown-up fine-dining room near the government buildings, so most guests dress up for dinner. Neat denim is fine at lunch. A jacket or a nice dress will never feel out of place, particularly if you have booked one of the private dining booths.
What is the average meal price at Pearl Brasserie?
A la carte main courses run roughly EUR28 to EUR48, so a three-course dinner with wine lands around EUR90 to EUR130 per person. The six-course surprise tasting menu is EUR105 per person and is booked for the entire table only. Lunch is the value play, with mains from about EUR28 in the same kitchen and the same room.
Is Pearl Brasserie good for a first date?
Yes, it is one of Dublin's strongest date rooms. The basement setting is quiet and low-lit, the private booths let you talk without an audience, and the French menu gives you plenty to share and discuss. Book a booth and aim for a midweek evening. See our guide to the best restaurants for a first date for more.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address20 Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2, D02 XH98
NeighbourhoodUpper Merrion Street
CuisineModern French
Tasting / mainsEUR105 tasting · mains EUR28–48
Dress CodeSmart-casual
ReservationOpenTable / phone
HoursDinner Mon–Sat from 5:30pm; lunch Wed–Fri; closed Sun
