Capital Chemistry | Date Ideas in Dublin
From paddleboarding to cliff walks to cinema dates, here are eight Dublin date ideas that deliver a spark and just the right amount of romance. By Aisling Keenan
Dating in Dublin doesn’t have to mean another crowded pub or yet another walk down Camden Street. From cliff side rambles to candlelit cinemas, the city (and its edges) offers a full menu of options: outdoorsy, cultured, playful, or indulgent. Pick the one that suits your vibe: truffle fries and velvet seats for old-school romance, paddleboards and pier walks for summer spontaneity, or sketchpads and wine glasses for something arty and different. Whatever you choose, you’ll get more than just a pint and a chat. And that’s half the battle.
Screen Time | The Stella Cinema, Rathmines
If you want movie night without the sticky floors and lukewarm popcorn, The Stella is your place. This 1920s cinema has been restored to pure old-Hollywood glamour: red velvet seats, Art Deco chandeliers and cocktails (and food!) delivered to your armchair. It feels indulgent from the moment you step inside. Tickets are around €19, with an on-site bar and restaurant if you want to stretch the night out. Add truffle fries or a glass of wine to your seat and you’ll wonder how you ever slummed it at a regular cinema.
Date style: Classic, romantic
Who will love it: Film bu s, glamour seekers, first dates needing an easy icebreaker
Spend: €40–60 for two (tickets + snacks/drinks)
What we would wear to The Stella Cinema
Taste of Brazil | Amai by Viktor, 4 Harry Street
Just a stone’s throw from Grafton Street, Amai by Viktor is a Brazilian-inspired fine dining room with intimacy and flair. Chef Viktor Silva runs a set tasting menu that’s equal parts precise and soulful, bringing Brazilian roots to Dublin’s dining scene with style. The dining room itself is warm and low-lit, making it feel celebratory without being fussy. The tasting menu is typically €79 per person (with earlier seatings sometimes discounted), and runs Wednesday to Saturday evenings.
Date style: Polished, indulgent, special-occasion
Who will love it: Foodies, couples who want “an experience,” anyone keen to try something different Spend: €180–200 for two (tasting menu + wine)
What we would wear to Amoi by Viktor
Frame The Romance | The National Gallery of Ireland
For an effortless, cultured daytime date, the National Gallery is hard to beat. Admission is free, and wandering through masterpieces by Caravaggio, Vermeer and Jack B. Yeats gives you instant talking points. Afterward, you can cross into Merrion Square Park for a stroll, or grab a coffee at Hatch & Sons nearby. It’s low pressure, but surprisingly intimate. You’ll quickly learn if you share the same taste in art (or if one of you has no idea what you’re looking at).
Date style: Cultured, daytime, conversation-friendly
Who will love it: Art lovers, students, anyone on a budget who still wants charm
Spend: Free, or €10–20 if you add coffee/cake after
What we would wear to The National Gallery
Botanical Bliss | The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
If you’re after romance that doesn’t cost a cent, the Botanic Gardens are ideal. With ornate Victorian glasshouses and winding paths, it feels peaceful and lush no matter the season. It’s a daytime outing. Wander hand in hand, pause for photos under tropical palms, and finish with tea at the café. In spring and summer, the gardens burst into colour; in winter, ducking into the glasshouses feels like stepping into another world.
Date style: Outdoorsy, gentle, wholesome
Who will love it: Nature lovers, low-key couples, photography fans
Spend: free, or €10–15 if you go all out and get tea and cake
What we would wear to The Botantical Gardens
Paint and Sip | Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8
For something creative and cheeky, Hen’s Teeth hosts occasional life drawing sessions with drinks. You’ll sketch to a soundtrack of good music, glass of natural wine in hand, and no one cares if your art looks like stick fi gures. Tickets usually cost €20–25, wine is extra and the atmosphere is buzzy rather than intimidating. It’s the perfect way to sidestep standard date chat. Compare sketches, laugh at your attempts and maybe discover a hidden talent together?
Date style: Arty, fun, conversation-breaking
Who will love it: Creatives, first dates who hate small talk, groups of friends doubling up
Spend: €50–70 for two (tickets + drinks)
Cliffside Canoodle | Howth Cliff Walk, Dublin
Are you a Roz Purcell style outdoorsy adventurer? For windswept romance, nothing beats a walk on the Howth cliff path. The sea air clears nerves and the scenery does most of the heavy lifting: sweeping views, crashing waves, and the iconic lighthouse. The route is flexible, from a short 2km loop to a full 10km hike, and it’s completely free. Finish with fish and chips at Beshoff ’s or a 99 on the pier. Time it at sunset and you’ve basically written your own rom-com.
Date style: Outdoorsy, active, low-cost
Who will love it: Walkers, sea-air lovers, those who like to talk on dates
Spend: Free, or €15–30 if you add snacks
What we would wear to Howth Cliff Walk
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