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Balfes
★ 4.0(1 review)Restaurant
brasseriechicbuzzy
About the Vibe
Balfes is a Parisian-style brasserie tucked on Balfe Street where Grafton Street meets Dublin's Creative Quarter — easy to miss if you're not looking, but that's part of the charm. With a zinc-covered bar, open kitchen, and a 20-seat outdoor terrace, it's the kind of all-day spot that works equally well for a leisurely breakfast or a late dinner. The decor lands somewhere between New York and Paris, and the menu follows suit: European brasserie classics done with confidence.
Why it's worth it
A Parisian-style brasserie with a zinc bar and open kitchen just off Grafton Street — reliable all-day dining with one of the city centre's nicest terraces.
Highlights
all-day diningterracebrasserie classicsbreakfast
Before you go
Go for breakfast before 10am on weekends to skip the crowds and grab a terrace table — the terrace fills up fast once the Grafton Street shoppers arrive.
Known For
- •Parisian brasserie-style decor
- •Zinc-covered bar with open kitchen
- •Outdoor terrace seating
- •All-day dining from breakfast to dinner
Best For
breakfastbrunchpre-theatre dinner
1 review
City InsidersEditorialJuly 6, 2026
A stylish Parisian brasserie in the heart of Dublin's Creative Quarter
Balfes is one of those places that flies under the radar despite being right in the thick of things. Tucked on Balfe Street just off Grafton Street, it's a Parisian brasserie with a New York edge — think zinc bar, open kitchen, and a warm, buzzy dining room that feels equally right at 9am or 9pm. The 20-seat terrace is a genuine asset in summer; grab a table outside and you've got one of the nicer people-watching perches in the city centre.
The all-day menu is solid brasserie fare — well-executed without trying too hard. Breakfast gets consistent praise (the pastries and coffee are a strong start to the day), and the dinner menu holds its own with European classics. Service is generally attentive and friendly, though it can get stretched when the room fills up. With a 4.3 on Google across nearly a thousand reviews and a 4.5 on Tripadvisor, the consensus is clear: this is a reliable, stylish choice that doesn't coast on its location.
It's not a place that'll blow your mind, but that's not the point. Balfes is a dependable, good-looking brasserie in a spot where you'd otherwise be stuck with chain restaurants and tourist traps. Go for breakfast before the crowds, or settle in for an evening meal with a glass of wine and enjoy the atmosphere.
Lire en français
Balfes, c'est un peu le secret mal gardé de Dublin : une brasserie parisienne nichée sur Balfe Street, là où Grafton Street rencontre le Creative Quarter. Le décor oscille entre Paris et New York — bar en zinc, cuisine ouverte, salle chaleureuse et animée qui fonctionne aussi bien le matin qu'au dîner. La terrasse de vingt places est un vrai atout dès que le soleil pointe le bout de son nez ; installez-vous dehors et vous avez l'un des meilleurs postes d'observation du centre-ville.
La carte, servie toute la journée, fait dans le classique brasserie sans prétention mais avec une vraie rigueur. Le petit-déjeuner récolte les éloges — viennoiseries et café inclus — et le dîner tient la route avec des plats européens bien maîtrisés. Le service est aimable et attentif, même s'il peut peiner quand la salle est pleine. Avec un 4,3 sur Google pour près de mille avis, le verdict est clair : une adresse fiable et élégante qui ne repose pas sur sa situation géographique.
Ce n'est pas le genre d'endroit qui vous renverse, et c'est très bien comme ça. Balfes est une brasserie de confiance dans un quartier où les chaînes et pièges à touristes pullulent. Allez-y au petit-déjeuner avant la foule, ou posez-vous le soir avec un verre de vin.