DÍON Dublin: Rooftop Views, Great Vibes and Food That's Nice
The plush bar (reminding me of the bar from the Passenger movie!)
So we finally tried DÍON on a Friday evening after work!
We were celebrating my boyfriend's birthday a little early (I'm a big fan of the pre-birthday celebration it leaves room for an actual birthday celebration too). Going in, I genuinely thought it was going to be a little "pushy-uppy" - but honestly, it wasn't like that at all.
My Quick Verdict
- Go for: the views, the experience, sunset drinks, and a glam-but-not-too-glam catch-up.
- Food: good and enjoyable, but not "I'm still thinking about this next week" level.
- Would I rush back? Not immediately - but I'd definitely recommend it as a "bring friends/ visitors/ date" spot.
Quick Bits (For the Skimmers)
First Impressions
Walking in, it genuinely feels like a high-end hotel check-in situation. You're greeted at a little counter by hostesses, asked if you'd like to leave coats and bags in the cloakroom, and then shepherded towards the lifts depending on where you're booked. There's the 9th floor (a mini bar area) and the 10th floor (the main restaurant + more bars!).
Our table wasn't ready when we arrived, so they offered to sit us at the bar while they got everything set up and honestly the bar was one of the highlights.
The Bar Vibe
If youve ever seen Passengers (Jennifer Lawrence + Chris Pratt), that slick plush fancy bar vibe? It was giving that. No robot bartenders (sadly), but the same glossy, cinematic energy.
The Crowd
This is where it surprised me most. There were definitely people dressed up to a tee, but also loads of people in runners, jeans and a jumper, and it didn't feel like anyone minded. It's special-occasion enough to feel exciting, but not so formal that you feel out of place.
Also worth mentioning: there were vloggers/content creators roaming around with bright cameras, filming and taking photos of the space. It didn't bother me personally, but if you're not into this, it's worth knowing.
The View: Go at Sunset (If You Can!)
Because we went after work on a Friday, we'd already missed sunset and that's why I'm saying it loudly for anyone else: book for sunset hours if you can.
Even though we missed the golden-hour moment, it was a really clear day, so we still got a night-time view of the cityscape. It's one of those places where you catch yourself staring out between bites like: Okay, fair, this is pretty cool.
Balcony Tip (Learn From Me)
When you check in, it's easy to hand over your coat at the cloakroom. But since you're allowed outside to the balcony area - Keep a jacket with you if you think you'll want to step outside for a look around.
The Food: What We Ate
Tap a dish to expand and swipe through.
Drinks While We Waited
Kir Royale & Gin and Tonic to kick off the night!
Wine
A bottle of Sancerre. Neither of us know too much about wine so we just went with what we were familiar with already - Crisp, easy, and went really well with everything.
Starters
Shiitake Mushrooms & Iced Blue Fin Tuna. Both were good and nicely done. The tuna was super fresh and presented on a very interesting dish that was filled with water (?!). The Shiitake Mushroom was also delicious and reminded me of the tempura dishes you order in Japanese restaurants.
Mains
Duck à l’orange & Golden-fried Chicken Milanese. The duck felt like the more special occasion dish in contrast to the chicken (I would skip this one personally).
Sides
Skin-on Chips & Tenderstem Broccoli. Something indulgent, something green - a balanced diet, right ??.
Dessert
Chocolate Bread & Butter Pudding & Roasted Pear Verrine. The desserts were definitely both 10/10. No regrets.
Overall Food Thoughts
If I'm being totally honest: the food was good, but not particularly outstanding vs the price tag. For me, DÍON is more about the experience (views + vibe + occasion) than about the most memorable meal you'll ever have.
Service & Details
Service: Really attentive, and it felt polished. A lot of the issues I'd heard about early on (the new place hiccups) didn't seem obvious at all.
Lighting: This is my one random gripe: it's very dimly lit (maybe I'm just getting old?!). I'm sure it's deliberate to make the city lights pop, but it's worth knowing - especially if you're hoping for bright photos at the table.
Tables: Not all tables are equal. We were beside a large beam, and it definitely impacted the whole wow factor. We weren't near the window either, so we didn't get the full view experience from the table itself.
The Nitty Gritty
Would I Go Back?
I wouldn't rush back soon, but I'm really glad we tried it and I'd absolutely recommend it for a catch-up with friends or a cool Dublin moment for visitors. It's a different way to experience the city, and on a clear day the views really do deliver.
If you're going expecting the best meal of your life, you might leave thinking nice. If you're going for views, vibe and a rooftop experience, you'll have a great time.