Ely Bar & Brasserie

This place is amazing for dinner. But prices are a bit hight so be prepared! The food is delicious so it is def worth it.
The bar is OK — nothing special but the dinner area is superb. It is decorated to look like a cave and it definitely does!
We were in a big group and I was amazing how fast they would bring our food. I had salmon with some cream and crackers as a starter and it was better than I expected. Of course I had to go for steak — it was really really tasty. The mushrooms on the top of it made it even more delicious. For dessert I had the 70% dark cocoa brownie but the brownie was a bit… tasteless. The ice-​cream, however, was the best I had this year, I’m sure! Next time I’d have just ice-​cream for dessert, no problemo! #DublinShopsLocal

I love Ely, especially in the Summer, it is the perfect sun trap — the classier side of a beer garden and around Christmas time.
I’ve organised many a christmas event @ Ely CHQ. With evenings consisting of a cocktail reception which was amazing, Dinner & Wine tasting. The food is beautiful. But the co-​ordination of the wine tasting by the staff was a little more that exasperating with lasrge groups. I was asked by 3 separate waitresses what way I would like it to happen. After planning the whole event for over a week with the manager & supervisor of the restaurant. The service for this was quite slow, however I have been told that the company has had wine tasting there before & it was excellent! So maybe they were just under pressure. Still the customer comes first & we were spending quite a bit of money there so you would presume we would be a priority! Overall it was most pleasant & I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion.
The food is exceptional and I do love the bar menu! High Five Leo!

Since a little more than a month ago, they’ve started serving Brunch on saturday mornings and they’ve also upped their game in terms of service. Good news, because this is a really nice venue and I love to have reasons to come back!
Prices are still a bit steep for what you get, especially certain items such as craft beers and some of the dishes.
Adding to my last review, my experience with brunch here was a good one. You can make reservations, and the super comfortable seating inside is exactly what you need if you’re looking for a relaxed while.
The Saturday morning when we visited the whole place was very different. The front of house staff and especially the hostess were exemplary and very nice. There was a small display with some cakes and scones, tempting you as you walked by the counter. You felt a lot more catered for as a customer.
The brunch menu is good, both on food and drink options, ranging from lighter to more elaborate items. Yoghurt or some eggs benedict? Start slow with freshly squeezed orange juice or maybe go for a cocktail? I only felt that more vegetarian options were lacking, but that’s a minor peeve. A bigger one is the fact that some dishes, like the fry-​up, while slightly re-​invented to a more elegant result, were too small to justify its price. The staff was more than happy to know all about what we thought of our meal, so that was a nice touch.
Unfortunately, even though we had a exceptionally smooth sailing brunch, we noticed that some of the usual problems with this restaurant were happening at other tables. From mistakes with the order to huge delays in service, I fear they still don’t have their act together. But it has definitely improved and I’ll be back for some more :)

Great atmosphere, great selection of drinks and great service. I really like this place! They sure do l know their stuff when it comes to wines too! The bathrooms are so spotless which is a plus (compared to some of the public restaurant/​bar bathrooms I’ve been forced to visit of late!). I haven’t eaten here but based on what I’ve heard from others that have eaten here, the selection and quality of food is excellent. All in all I think Ely on the IFSC is a great place for a drink! There’s always a good atmosphere in the place and full of people that seems to appreciate their wines! I ordered my girlfriend a Mojto this evening and she said it was really good! (And believe me, when it comes to cocktails. She’s quite the Fuss Pot!!). So, based on my girlfriend’s opinion, their Mojto’s are ‘TOP NOTCH’!

I went to this place with my colleagues and found it a very nice place to have food and talk till late. Ambiance was very nice and staffs were very welcoming. Little pricey but it was ok for me as all was paid by my project manager :-)

A wonderful brunch in a lovely sun-​trap of a terrace. Great food and brilliant service. We had cocktails and the eggs benedict– a wonderful weekend treat. Special mention to the very thoughtful staff who offered us sunscreen!

Solid restaurant in Dublin — good list of craft beers and bistro dishes. Came here with a group of work colleagues and our table of eight was seated promptly inside and we had solid service. Would definitely include it on my list of go to places in Dublin for business or casual meals.

Can’t say enough about this place — simply amazing! We had mixed drinks, wine and lots of appetizers in bar — everything was AWESOME! The beef carpaccio was exceptional! We are only in Dublin for one week, but already made a reservation for a last night/​meal — can’t wait to go back!

Wow! They fit us in on a busy night which was great after a long day of travel. We sat in the bar which was cozy but dinning room down stairs is beautiful, like being in a wine cellar. All the food was amazing and so good we made reservations to go back. Says a lot when your on vacation and want to go back. Beef carpaccio was stunning and so delicious. Pork shoulder was wonderful. Can’t wait to go back.

I guess what bring me back to Ely is a combination of efficient, friendly & knowledgeable staff, menu and for me a different selection of wines in my price bracket. Enjoyed a Christmas lunch with 8 colleagues in the surrounding of the wine room, nice would I do prefer the openness of the restaurant. As usual I look forward to returning even if only for a glass of wine after work.

This place has a really fab ambience! Good service and fantastic food both in the bar and the restaurant. Downstairs had the feel of being in a wine cellar, the only negative is that when it is busy ie Friday’s it is difficult to hear anyone speak!

Staff not interested in their work and you are left with the feeling that you are actually bothering them. Which is funny, because that makes the tip stick in my pocket. They where pushing wine (#WaiterCommission) and we almost had a shakedown to get beer. Cocktails overpriced and food is Meh.
Went here twice which is twice to many.

Went here as part of a group recently and the service was very poor. We had just been interested in a few drinks and nibbles however the staff insisted that they could not provide table service outside (on one side of the entrance but the other side with no free seats would have been fine ?!?). This was for either food or drinks. Not sure if their ideal scenario was to wolf whistle from the bar when the food was ready. I was tempted to protest when our plates & glasses were cleared away — such a double standard after we had collected them from the bar!

This is a really lovely spot. You’ve seen the pictures downstairs in the crypt-​y kinda basement — it’s visually stunning and I guess because you’re so underground, actually pretty cosy!
The other aspect that I have been enjoying more over the summer though, is their terrace on the bar on the ground floor. Avail of the wifi, sip a nice glass of one of the many wines they have on offer here, and work in the sunlight, looking out over the water. Sure ye can’t get better than that!
Top tip: if you’ve got a gang to impress (I think it would seat around 10ish), there is a temperature controlled room that’s shut off from everyone else, surrounded by their best wines. It looks a bit like a presidential dining room, with a huge dark wood table — true opulence. If I was thinking of a family birthday celebration or the likes, I’d be on it like a car bonnet!

I attended the wine tasting evening last week and got the opportunity to taste some really unusual white Sauvignons.
The night got off to a poor start as we started about ²⁰⁄₂₅ minutes late and the wines were not poured before we got there so this took some more time to sort out. A couple of late comers arrived and extra place settings had to be arranged for them further lengthening the delay.
Once the tasting actually began we found Ian to be very knowledgeable and gave a great insight into the regions, prices etc of wines we would not otherwise have experienced.
After tasting 4 wines we took a break to have a salmon dish which was delicious but very small. Given the size some accompaniments would have been a help. Two more wines tasted after the salmon which brought the night to a close.
I dropped one star because of the poor organisation and late start.
Overall we had a great night. We said we would go back again.

Had lunch here 2Xs during a recent business trip. Trout appetizer was good, great salmon main course, great risotto main course with mushrooms.
Nice atmosphere — the lower level feels like a trendy cellar; hopping lunch scene.
Good for after dinner drinks, close to the financial district.

I walked in with my handsome Vday date and I was blown away by the wine cellar-​y vibe the downstairs restaurant have off. It took me back to Sonoma where we shared our first Vday… AAAND the awesomeness pretty much stopped there. Ambiance is romantic… And I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more if I couldn’t hear EVERYTHING everyone in there was talking about. Because of the tunnel like set up the sound bounces off the walls and I feel like I’m in the megadome. For a 3 course menu without wine was € 45 pp or you could opt for a glass of complimenting wine with each course for € 65 pp. honestly the food was SO poorly served. I got the beet root goat cheese starter which came with no salad, tiny clumps of goats cheese and giant wedges of beets… Gee are beets cheap?! My date ordered the rolled lamb that was chewy and hard to cut… With a butter knife our server so nicely gave us. Also they have this Asian girl who is the food runner. Don’t be surprised if she interrupts your conversation to slam down your plate of food in front of you. I feel lucky to not have worn my dinner.
For our main course we both ordered the ribeye med rare. It was good… Just nothing to write home about. The fries we got with it was very nice but the wine they served with it was too sweet.
The dessert… Well number one the dessert wine was pretty blech so the nice manager changed it to a glass of presecco free of charge which was nice of him. I don’t understand why their sommelier would choose a sweet dessert wine to go with my cheese board. The cheesecake tasted like one I get from the market.
So for € 130 I was disappointed and don’t plan on going back… Sorry Ely, really wanted to like you but it just wasn’t meant to be.

I went here last Friday after a trip to Oktoberfest, service was fine, beer was fine and I had a place to sit. Nothing special in my view but I hear great things about the wine cellar downstairs so I’ll pop back for another try there for sure…
I was surprised to see them throwing out plates and plates of food after a corporate event though… there are many starving people in Dublin who’d have loved burgers and pizza I’m sure!

Lovely location; but, seems to be off the beaten path and a bit quiet on the weekends.
The bar area is a cool open space that trickles out to a nice patio. On a good day, this is a welcome spot. There are also a few TV screens inside the bar to watch the game.
Downstairs is the amazing dining area that I haven’t tried yet. But, it’s worth making a reservation just to take it all in while you’re enjoying a meal. I took a self-​guided tour of the dining areas separated by stony arches and high ceilings. It feels like you’re walking through a winery cellar.
I love the proximity to the river but it may be a trip worth taking for dinner during the week as opposed to the weekend. I think I heard crickets in the adjacent indoor shopping center… ;)

Sehr nette Kombi aus Bar & Restaurant in den Docks. Positiv: Hervorragende Weinauswahl (rd. 450 verschiedene) und ein sehr nettes, freundliches Personal, null aufgesetzt (ich liebe das). Meine Vorspeise war eine leckere Kartoffelsuppe, und zum Hauptgang hatte ich ein sehr extravagant zubereitetes Hühnchen. Negativ: Wie eigentlich überall auf der Insel, so sind auch hier die Speisen schlicht und einfach zu wenig gewürzt für den kontinentaleuropäischen Geschmack. Fazit: Pfeffer und Salz, Gott erhalt’s auch hier, dann hätte es fünf Sterne gegeben.

I had never been to the Ely Bar & Brasserie before and I was mightily impressed with the subterranean restaurant. The architecture and décor really caught my attention here, I was frequently looking around taking it all in.
So we were shown to our table by Sharon C, who is the events organiser at Ely Bar & Brasserie, where there was a set menu ready to peruse. At first I thought it was going to be difficult trying to chose what to go for in each course. But it was explained that on this occasion it was a tasting menu and we would be getting a little of everything. Super!
I am so glad we got to try all that was offered because I know I wouldn’t have ordered the smocked haddock chowder, but it was really good. I am not a huge fish fan, but this really impressed me.
But I am getting ahead of myself. Back to the starters and what stood out for me here was the butternut squash, pecan and clotted cream tart. This was outstanding I thought.
Back to the mains and along side the chowder, I was also impressed with the Burren sirloin steak and the roast Fermanagh chicken. The chicken actually had flavour. Something you don’t really get too often these days.
For dessert we had a medley of brownie, strawberry parfait, lime cheesecake and a scoop of chocolate ice cream. The parfait was the highlight, but really all the desserts were good.
Hats off to Maire B for organising this evenings visit to the Ely Bar & Brasserie, the second UYFCE (unoficial Unilocal foodie club event, yup it rolls off the tongue).
Also a mention to Sharon C for organising the tasting menu for us and looking after us on the night. And the staff who were very attentive and unobtrusive.
I am definitely coming back to the Ely Bar & Brasserie.