Asian Restaurants Near Me in Dublin: Top, Healthy & Celebrity

Picture this: you’re craving noodles, dumplings, or a spicy curry, and you want the best Asian food Dublin has to offer. From the first Chinese restaurants that opened in the 1950s to today’s celebrity hotspots, Dublin’s Asian dining scene has come a long way. Dublin’s first Chinese restaurant, Asia Chinese Restaurant, opened in January 1957, according to DublinTown’s guide. This guide takes you through the top-rated, healthiest, and most historic Asian restaurants in Dublin — so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.

First Asian restaurant opened: 1957 ·
Asian restaurants featured in DublinTown’s guide: 10 ·
Celebrity dining hotspot: The Ivy Asia Dublin ·
Must-try Irish food: Irish stew

Ten restaurants, one pattern: DublinTown’s curated list covers the full spectrum of Asian cuisines, from classic Cantonese to modern Korean BBQ. Here’s a quick reference of key facts.

The implication: Dublin’s Asian dining isn’t just about one cuisine — it’s a mosaic with deep roots and growing diversity.

What are Dublin’s top-rated Asian restaurants?

Whether you’re after a quick lunch on Camden Street or a lavish dinner in the city centre, Dublin offers a wide range of top-rated Asian spots. DublinTown’s guide features 10 must-try restaurants, and platforms like OpenTable also highlight popular choices (though their Dublin, Ohio list is separate). Here are the standouts.

Top Asian restaurants on DublinTown’s guide

• BossStop – Asian fusion, described as a hidden gem with innovative cuisine and stylish ambiance (DublinTown).
• Yamamori – Japanese staple for decades, known for sushi, bento boxes, and ramen in a lively setting (DublinTown).
• Fujiyama – Traditional Japanese and Korean dishes, including Korean BBQ and sashimi (DublinTown).
• Ginzeng – Go-to for Chinese classics like sweet and sour chicken and spicy Sichuan noodles (DublinTown).
• Wagamama – Popular chain offering authentic Japanese flavours with fresh ingredients (DublinTown).
• Saba – Thai and Vietnamese cuisine blended with Irish hospitality (DublinTown).
• Xian Street Food – Bold, authentic flavours from Xi’an, China (DublinTown).

Which Asian food is the healthiest?

When you’re searching for “asian restaurants near me” with a health-conscious mindset, Vietnamese cuisine often comes out on top. According to Pho95 Asian Fusion, Vietnamese food is considered the healthiest Asian cuisine because of its abundant fresh herbs, vegetables, and light cooking methods. Other healthy Asian options include Japanese (sashimi, miso soup) and Thai (tom yum, papaya salad).

• Vietnamese – rich in fresh herbs, minimal oil, lots of vegetables.
• Japanese – emphasis on raw fish, seaweed, and fermented foods.
• Thai – many dishes are light and spicy, though curries can be heavier.

The pattern: health-conscious diners in Dublin can find plenty of light options — but the healthiest choice depends on what you order, not just the cuisine style.

Where do celebrities eat in Dublin, Ireland?

One name keeps popping up when you ask about celebrity dining in Dublin: The Ivy Asia. Located in the city centre, this lavish restaurant is known for attracting Dublin’s elite, including actors, musicians, and business figures. While specific names aren’t confirmed, it’s a go-to for a high-end Asian-inspired meal (The Ivy Asia website). Other celebrity-frequented spots include upscale Japanese restaurants like Yamamori and Saba, though their clientele is less documented.

Where is the Ivy Asia in Dublin?

The Ivy Asia Dublin is located in the heart of Dublin city centre, offering an opulent setting inspired by Asian design. According to their official site, the restaurant serves a menu of Asian-inspired dishes in a lavish, art-filled space. It’s on the same street as The Ivy’s original Dublin location, making it easy to find for anyone searching for “asian restaurants near me” in the centre.

• Address: The Ivy Asia Dublin, 24-26 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 (confirmed via The Ivy Asia).
• Ambiance: Rich interiors, gold accents, and a vibrant bar area.
• Menu highlights: Dim sum, sushi rolls, robata-grilled dishes, and signature cocktails.

The location makes it easy for visitors staying in St Stephen’s Green area.

What’s Dublin’s oldest Asian restaurant?

Dublin’s Asian dining history begins in the mid-20th century. DublinTown notes that the first Chinese restaurants emerged around the 1950s and 1960s, with Asia Chinese Restaurant opening in January 1957 as an iconic early venue. These early establishments laid the foundation for today’s diverse scene, which includes everything from Cantonese classics to modern Korean BBQ.

What food is a must try in Ireland?

Beyond Asian cuisine, anyone visiting Ireland should try traditional Irish dishes. According to Rabbie’s Travelfeels, must-eat foods include Irish stew, soda bread, and bacon and cabbage. Many Dublin Asian restaurants now offer fusion takes on these staples — for example, Saba blends Thai and Vietnamese with Irish hospitality, and some spots serve Asian-style stews with local lamb.

• Irish stew – slow-cooked lamb or beef with potatoes, carrots, and onions.
• Soda bread – dense, slightly sweet bread leavened with baking soda.
• Bacon and cabbage – boiled bacon joint served with cabbage and potatoes.

The trend of Asian-Irish fusion adds a modern twist to traditional dishes.

Asian restaurants comparison: three top picks

Three restaurants, one question: which one fits your mood? Below, a direct comparison of BossStop, Yamamori, and Fujiyama based on DublinTown’s insights.

The trade-off: BossStop wins for creativity, Yamamori for reliability, Fujiyama for variety (BBQ and sushi in one spot).

Timeline: Asian dining in Dublin

• 1957 – mid-1960s: First Chinese restaurants open in Dublin, including Asia Chinese Restaurant (DublinTown).
• Present: The Ivy Asia and numerous other Asian restaurants thrive across the city, offering cuisines from Japanese to Thai to Korean.

What this means: Dublin’s Asian food scene has evolved from a handful of Chinese eateries to a rich, multicultural landscape in just over six decades.

Clarity: what we know and what we don’t

Confirmed facts

• First Chinese restaurant: Asia Chinese Restaurant, January 1957 (DublinTown).
• The Ivy Asia Dublin is located in the city centre (The Ivy Asia).
• DublinTown’s guide lists 10 top Asian restaurants.

What’s unclear

• Exact list of celebrities who dine at The Ivy Asia — no verified source.
• Whether Vietnamese is universally accepted as the healthiest Asian cuisine (single-source claim).
• Cillian Murphy’s specific favourite restaurant in Dublin.
• Whether BossStop’s innovative fusion is universally recognized (single-source claim).

The gaps highlight areas where more transparent reporting would help consumers.

Expert perspective

“Vietnamese food is the healthiest Asian cuisine because of its fresh herbs and light cooking methods.”

— Pho95 Asian Fusion, restaurant source

“The first Chinese restaurants in Dublin appeared in the mid-20th century, marking the start of a diverse Asian food scene.”

— DublinTown guide on Asian cuisine in Dublin

“Irish stew and soda bread are must-try foods when visiting Ireland.”

— Rabbie’s Travelfeels

Summary

Dublin’s Asian dining scene offers something for every craving — from historic Chinese restaurants that opened in the 1950s to glamorous celebrity spots like The Ivy Asia. For the health-conscious, Vietnamese cuisine stands out, though not every dish guarantees a light meal. For Dublin residents and visitors searching for “asian restaurants near me,” the smartest move is to match your mood: go to BossStop for inventive fusion, Yamamori for reliable Japanese, or The Ivy Asia for a splurge. For those looking to experience Ireland’s own food culture, don’t skip the Irish stew and soda bread. In a city where Asian and Irish flavours increasingly meet, the choice is yours — but the best meal is the one you book ahead.

For those seeking a broader selection, our guide to Asian food options in Dublin covers top-rated spots in both Dublin and Sligo.

Frequently asked questions