12 restaurants to take someone on a date when funds are tight
- Lisa Cope
- Jun 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 30
The prices of everything sky-rocketing are bad enough when you're just trying to live your life, but throw in the expensive hobby of dating and it can quickly turn into a financial car crash. Tiktokers have been complaining about the cost of dating in Ireland, and can you blame them? €180 for a first date you'll probably never see again - sure you'd be as well just staying home and giving up on love. While there are plenty of free/ultra cheap date options (a walk in the park, a gallery visit, a coffee in town), sometimes you want/need to make more of an occasion of it, so here are 12 places to take that (possibly) special someone for food that might stop you having to deleting the dating apps until next month...
Hong Kong Wonton, Dublin 2
Hong Kong Wonton, from the people behind Asia Market, has a brilliantly central location on buzzy Fade Street, and with the most expensive dish on the menu €13, you can enter safe in the knowledge that you'll be able to leave with change from a fifty. Wontons are unsurprisingly the star dish, either on their own, in noodle soup or with lo mein, and it's soft drinks only, which also helps with the bill.
Sofra, Dublin 1
Turkish grill house Sofra is just off Henry Street, so you can distract yourself with some window shopping beforehand if you're feeling nervous. You can go all out with a mixed grill platter for two with bread and mezzes for €55, or eat as you go with grill specials priced at €15-€18, and kebab plates €13.50. They don't sell alcohol and though it's been printed elsewhere that they allow free corkage, they've since confirmed that they don't. Read our once over here.
Biang Biang, Dublin 1
Lovely little Biang Biang, just off Capel Street, is a true taste of the Xi'an region of China, amongst plenty of pretenders. It's walk in only but you won't be waiting long, and you could always go for a quick one in Bar 1661 around the corner if there's a wait. We're not going to say that their hand-pulled noodles, cold skin noodles, and beef dumplings are the most elegant things to eat, but if they're not into you with chilli oil dripping down your chin do you really want to spend any more time with this person? Mains are €11-€14, and basic beer and wines cost €6 and €8 a glass.
