Union 8

Restaurant · Kilmainham

Union 8

Restaurant · Kilmainham
740 S Circular Rd, Saint James, Dublin, D08 W257, Ireland

Photos

Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null
Union 8 by null

Highlights

Nestled in Dublin 8, this charming spot dishes up beautifully plated breakfasts and modern Irish fare in a cozy setting, perfect for a casual meal or drink.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

740 S Circular Rd, Saint James, Dublin, D08 W257, Ireland Get directions

union8.ie

$$

Information

Static Map

740 S Circular Rd, Saint James, Dublin, D08 W257, Ireland Get directions

+353 1 677 8707
union8.ie

$$

Features

payment credit card
reservations
wifi
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 8, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.

Fiona Lynch

Google
Delicious fresh and tasty food and great value. Friendly staff also

Killian Roberts

Google
Really good sandwiches for lunch .

F.Xavier Xavi

Google
Un excel·lent lloc per menjar, beure o prendre alguna cosa i refer-se, ja sigui en parada curta o llarga. Amabilitat, atenció i càlida professionalitat molt bon servei. Terrassa coberta molt acollidora, amb mantetes a disposició per poder estar millor que a casa.

Antonio C.

Yelp
If you're nearby and hungry, lunch here! Have you ever wanted to feel like you're eating at an upscale restaurant while experiencing slightly-above-average food for a slightly-above-average price? No? Well honestly neither have I, but a combination on limited options, low standards, and a voracious appetite lead me here, and I have zero regrets.

Adam B.

Yelp
Conveniently located near Kilmainham Gaol. A very hipster trendy looking joint, great for brunch. Their coffee game is top notch. Food is delish and portions are large. Irish Artisan Breakfast: Loved all the protein intensity! That was one massive sausage, which had a fun thin crispy skin semi-detached. Lots of bacon, with some bits tender and some bits crunchy. The blood pudding had a good grainy texture. The portobello was definitely a superior mushroom choice, giving lots of the umami. The tomato and hash browns were good contrasts to all the meat. Only thing missing was beans... why?

David R.

Yelp
When we arrived, the restaurant was just opening, so we had the full attention of a really great staff member. We had an IPA and a wine (decent selection), along with the flatbread with grilled Mediterranean vegetables and the tuna melt with sweet corn, both with Thai sweet potato "mini soup." The flatbread was the runaway winner. The grilled veggies were done perfectly with a light olive oil, the pesto and hummus were both homemade, and the arugula fresh. The combination was fantastic. The tuna melt was really good, and I'll definitely steal the idea of adding sweet corn. However, I'll add about 3-4 x more corn and the sandwich would really benefit from a better cheese. The Thai sweet potato soup was a little bit spicy for my taste, but 100% consistent with Thai food. It had great flavor and hit the spot on a chilly, rainy day. I'd definitely come back and explore the menu a little more.

Anne C.

Yelp
This was such a great find! After visiting Kilmainham Gaol (which I highly recommend) and the Museum of Modern Art across the street I was looking for a late lunch and so glad I found Union8. I loved that they had 2 daily specials - one regular and one vegetarian (that was NOT a salad)! I also loved that the side that accompanied the specials was a spicy butternut squash soup And NOT fries. Nestled by the warmth of the restaurant (and a cold brew) - the food came out quick and was quickly inhaled. I ordered the vegetarian special which that day was a Vegetarian Sandwich with hummus. A bit too much eggplant for my taste but good nonetheless. I spied some of the other diners' dishes I have to say they looked delicious too. Its a great place to grab a bite if you are in the area.

Joshua E.

Yelp
Food is top notch, and they brew some tasty beers. Stop by when in Dublin Ireland. Good music and friendly staff

E C.

Yelp
Bad night? Fish and chips sucked especially for the price. Kids menu was priced low. Waitress was nice enough, only nice enough, but asked for a gratuity at the end yet the food and service was mediocre. Only time in Europe that has been done, asking for a tip. Friday at 5-6... it was dead really.

Michael T.

Yelp
The service was very friendly and lovely. They were very attentive and made sure I was enjoying my breakfast. I ordered what amounts to an egg sandwich. It was fantastic - well prepared, the bacon had a slight crispness to it, and the egg had a soft yolk. I really enjoyed it. The water is actually seeped in cucumber and mint. It was nice, but it may take a bit to get used to it. Some may find this taste a bit like weeds. Overall, I am glad I stopped here and if I find myself in the area, I shall make an effort in stopping by again.

Kimberly P.

Yelp
One of the best meals I had in Ireland! They have gf beer and menu offerings. They also have a daily vegetarian special as well as a regular special. The wine list is solid as is the beer on tap. The service was fantastic and the interior modern. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. I highly recommend!

Nicholas G.

Yelp
Came here on a whim to get out of the weather and I was pleasantly surprised at everything. The interior and service were welcoming and comfortable. Small lunch menu, but varied nonetheless. I had the cod stew, with was similar to a Thai curry, but less spicy. Followed that up with a ricotta cake. It was well worth the time spent here.

Joanna C.

Yelp
Our first restaurant we went to in Dublin, right after our flight, and it was a great experience! We came in for lunch with our two young children, and the servers were very friendly. The food was delicious too! We ordered the chicken sandwich and fish. We definitely recommend this place!

Jennie C.

Yelp
Beautiful interior and furniture - loved the teal leather chairs and the wooden tables. Also, I really appreciate open kitchens where you can see the chefs scrambling about getting your food prepped. The anticipation! We came on a Saturday for the early bird menu (that's a super good value). For my main I ordered the beef cheek burger - it's actually a huge slab a beef cheek, not a patty, on burger buns...a very generous portion too! For dessert, I had the chocolate fondant cake with pistachio ice cream. This was delicious, but presentation could have used some work. For all the courses, it seemed presentation was the sloppiest and things were just put on the plate, Such a shame because the food is pretty good! Our server was lovely but most likely very new - she spilled drops of wine on the table and seemed to have misplaced her notepad. Her cheeriness and smile made up for it though! The place can be a bit tight so I suggest calling ahead to book a table.

Micah C.

Yelp
Delicious meal here earlier this month! J and l started with the crab and cucumber and the pork belly with black pudding. Both had nice flavours but I definitely preferred the crab. For mains I had the duck breast and J ordered the rack of lamb. My duck was cooked perfectly and came with this tasty corn purée and these interesting white beans. J's lamb had excellent flavour and he loved his accompaniments as well. As this was our first time here we decided to each try a dessert so I ordered the caramelised lemon tart and J had the chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream. My tart was unbelievable and I loved the white chocolate ice cream with it. J's fondant was melt in your mouth and went so well with the pistachio. We had a lovely meal and evening and will definitely return!

Nicholas D.

Yelp
Stumbled across Union 8 on Easter Sunday during a walk and it was an experience beyond exceptional. Maybe it's because I hadn't heard of the place and my expectations were non-existent, but we were pleasantly surprised. For a small, neighbourhood bistro we were blown away by the quality of the ingredients and also the presentation of the dishes. My group had the swordfish, crab doughnuts, and the Easter lamb special. If I were tying to find fault with anything, I would say that the bloody Mary's we had were only above average, but that had no impact on an otherwise incredible enjoyable midday dining experience.

Sam H.

Yelp
We came here after our visit to the Kilmainham Gaol and we are happy we did. We came between breakfast and lunch. We ordered the braised short rib and it was FABULOUS. This is one of the very best, if not the best, braised short rib I have ever had. It fell right off the bone and was prepared perfectly. The service was very prompt and friendly. Overall, we were very pleased with our experience and would come back here without hesitation.

K B.

Yelp
Excellent service. Very attentive and genuinely warm staff. Nice place and modern. The food however fell short. Ordered the almond garlic butter ravioli which was too salty. Also their famous seafood linguini. Plenty of seafood but tasted like it was frozen. Super chewy shrimp and squid and definitely was not fresh. Presentation was outstanding but it was not very good unfortunately.

Maurizio A.

Yelp
Union8 has a good atmosphere, they serve the best cappuccino in the area and the chocolate cake is great as well. The waiters are really welcoming and well trained, but I can't say the same about the manager from today, as I walked in with a friend a few minutes after breakfast time. Almost every table was free, but we had to drink our coffee in a waiting area with a low table and a few chairs. A few minutes after our cappuccinos arrived, she took some chairs away and moved our table while we were still drinking.. that was way unexpected.A minor hiccup with two more guests who shared the same table made it look like she does not trust her staff, and when we left the place was essentially as empty as when we arrived (two coffees at 11:40 will hardly stop you from serving lunch to someone else). Unlike my friend, I will probably give it another try, but only after checking who's at the door.

Jason T.

Yelp
Excellent breakfast. A little pricey, but well worth it. The service was excellent. I got the Irish Breakfast. Egg was OK, but the potatoes, mushroom, and sausage were really good. I highly recommend it.

A D.

Yelp
We had lunch here and it was great. Flavorful lentil skewers with goat cheese and pomegranate and a chicken brioche sandwich were delicious with nice flavor combinations. The food took a little longer to come out than the staff thought it should, so they brought us free cups of the days soup without us even asking. Very nice gesture -- we were quite hungry! Decor is clean and modern and prices are reasonable. Highly recommend

Filomina W.

Yelp
We were staying at the nearby Hilton hotel, and Union8 was one of two restaurants in the nearby area (that wasn't the hotel restaurant). We arrived early and enjoyed the early supper menu, which allows you two courses for $24.50. The choices were quite extensive for starters and entrees. I ordered the burrata starter and seafood linguini. The food was quite good, and the portion sizes were just right. One quick word of warning: the outdoor seating permits smoking, which should be announced to guests before they are seated. We didn't smoke and found it uncomfortable to be seated in a smoking area without being informed of it in advance. It was a lovely day, and we opted for outdoor seating without knowing any better.

Cheryl B.

Yelp
A taxi driver recommended this place, which was close to my hotel. The menu is broad enough to please but not huge. Atmosphere is energetic but not loud. Steak was excellent and being from Texas I'm picky about steak. Chocolate fondant for dessert with salted caramel sauce and ice cream was to die for.

Yvonne B.

Yelp
Union 8: Dublin 8's newest eatery that looks as cool as their menu sounds. Scandi meets Berlin done right, not too crammed, excellent service, Fleetwood Mac playing in the background, I'm instantly in love. They started doing weekend brunch a few weeks ago and true to their character, the menu looks a bit different to your regular brunch menus. Of course you can get your standard full Irish but why would you if you can get tempura prawns on sourdough or a duck doughnut? Exactly! The duck doughnut doesn't really look like much when it is served but boy oh boy is it delicious. There's a side of sauce with it that compliments it perfectly. The prawn dish was also devoured as if we'd been starving ourselves for a week. Two glasses of prosecco and two very good coffees later, the verdict is that I really want to return for dinner. The only criticism I have is the price. Both dishes were a bit overpriced in my opinion, considering the amount we got and the location of the restaurant. Prosecco and coffees however weren't too expensive so maybe the produce used is organic which would justify the price. I wish this place existed back when I was living in this neighbourhood. I may not have moved.

Elaine S.

Yelp
I was really excited when I saw that a new eatery was opening in my neighbourhood as the selection of local places to dine out is very limited. It's got a great buzz about it, the staff are friendly, and the decor is appealing, my only problem is with their vegetarian options. They're very uninspired and pricey for what you get. The first time I ate there, I ordered a risotto (the only veggie option from what I remember) and, aside from being quite a small portion for it's €18 approx. price tag, it was also incredibly bland. The rest of my party were relatively satisfied with their own meals (except the other vegetarian) although again, none felt the €20 price reflected the quality accurately. Also, when four of our group (7 people) ordered desserts, two were left waiting for theirs until everyone had managed to finish their coffees. A small niggle perhaps but still. Disappointed with the place, I didn't return for quite some time but then, last Friday, decided to chance their lunch menu. Again I was faced with the 'daily vegetarian special' option but once the waiter described a vegetables-encased-in-pastry-dish, I was excited and ordered it. Unfortunately when it arrived it was limp and greasy with a sad handful of salad leaves on the side. The pastry was thin and compacted, soaked through with grease at the base and I actually felt quite ill after eating it (I get the same feeling when I've eaten a microwaved service-station pastry if that's anything to go by). And all that for €11? So I'm sad to say, sorry Union 8, I won't be returning. Since the place is usually buzzing with people I can't imagine my business will be missed but I can only imagine that very few of those folks are vegetarian.

Marilyn C.

Yelp
We came for lunch and the place was pretty busy. We sat inside, but they also have some outdoor seating for nicer weather. Service was excellent. The food was solid. It's on the more expensive side for lunch (10-14 euros), but not too pricey. I got the duck wrap with fries and a glass of red wine. It was a good meal, but I wasn't blown away by the food. I'd come here again for a nice lunch or try the early bird special.

Oliver G.

Yelp
nice interior, not many people for lunch time, the staff is fast, friendly, attentive. peppermint/cucumber flavoured water comes immediately as soon as you have been seated. the choice of wines is very good, the staff recommends wine on request. why 3 stars only? 12 € for a medium sized burger and some fries? really?

Ali L.

Yelp
Love that Union 8 has opened up in this area. I've had dinner and brunch so far, both delicious and well portioned. If you want to be full, try The beef cheek burger, it is an incredible take on a burger (it's not ground beef). The staff are very friendly and accomodating. Make a reservation if you're planning to come, this place is very busy! They have several veggie brunch options, which is a big plus for me and my fiance. The coffee is soooo good. I know they are open in the mornings, so I'm planning to come have a sit with my computer for some coffee and goodies!

Rebecca F.

Yelp
Really enjoyed brunch here today! Couldn't find fault with the place. Lovely room and atmosphere. Staff were very pleasant and more than accommodating regarding our toddler (no kids menu that I could see or colouring etc but we always bring our own crayons and he only ever wants chips anyway ). Food was really delicious and came out very quickly. Bit on the pricey side but worth it! Would love to go back without the kiddo for dinner and cocktails some evening!

Ailbhe O.

Yelp
I had a really lovely meal in Union8 last Saturday night. My boyfriend and I were tired and nearly set on getting a takeaway when we passed Union8, a new addition to Kilmainham. We just dropped in got seated at the bar and had the best seats in the house for the evening! The kitchen was buzzing and there was great energy amongst the staff. The interior design was warm and modern and comfortable. I ordered the pork belly and my boyfriend got the fish special of the day which was hake. We were presented with small cups of complementary soup starters and really lovely brown bread. The soup was buttery goodness. I way preferred my main to my boyfriends but that's because I'm a fan of a richer type of dinner. The crackling and the apple sauce trimmings were divine. All the ingredients tasted so fresh and good in both mains. I'm knocking off a star because I was not bowled over by the desert. We shared a chocolate fondant with salt caramel ice-cream. It was fine but not anything close to the meal. This is really good value food. It is presented wonderfully and is just really tasty. Everyone needs to try this little gem!

Peggy C.

Yelp
We wanted to grab some brunch after touring the Kilmainham Gaol but surprisingly they had no menu before noon or something. So we figured we would just get breakfast but again they didn't even have a physical breakfast menu. The only options were eggs and salmon and toast but we were hungry so we ordered it anyway. It did the job, the coffee was good and the ambiance was nice but was definitely bummed that we missed out on having a real full brunch meal.

Tony M.

Yelp
Great new restaurant in the up-and-coming district of Dublin 8. Fantastic food from an inspiring menu, prepared in an open kitchen. Do yourself a favour and try the weekend brunch menu. The beef burger is just brilliant yet has no mince in it as one might expect but instead contains shredded beef cheeks. Now thats the kind of cheeky brilliance to be found on their menus.

Fiona N.

Yelp
I enjoyed an early bird here on a Saturday night for under 25euro. Two courses of your choice with a tea/coffee. Two glasses of house wine were 6euro each, a bottle starting at 24euro. No rush to leave the table, good atmosphere and attentive serving staff. Nice addition to Kilmainham. Other items on the menu appeared expensive but the early bird was good value.

Ciara S.

Yelp
Stopped in for an early lunch as I'd been wanting to try this place. It had been a lovely sunny day but then it started to rain- the girls were super nice about moving the outside tables to all be covered. I had the wine of the week on the waitress's recommendation, a French Viognier which was lovely. I ordered the pork belly with salad- cooked absolutely perfectly and a huge portion! Friendly professional service, good food and wine- a fab addition to the neighbourhood!

Conor C.

Yelp
I've been here once, it's right around the corner of my house. It's a good place, the food was lovely, the service was excellent. The price was a little high, but everthing else was so good I was happy to pay. Union 8 is a great, check it out.

Shelly S.

Yelp
"Modern European" is on point. Delicious. Fresh. Bright and clean, great wine, great playlist!

Sree P.

Yelp
Great food. Great service great smile. This place is a bit far away from center city which is a good thing because you can easily find parking.

Katharina W.

Yelp
Went there for a late lunch. Very friendly and helpful staff, good products and nice dishes, which really filled us up. Could barely manage to fit in the free cake we got as a treat. Great interior design! We will be back for breakfast.. Thank you for the good time!

Sarah C.

Yelp
I recently had the burger here and a glass of wine on a Friday evening and my stomach was upset all weekend. When I phoned the restaurant they advised that they hadn't received any other calls and it mustn't have agreed with me. That's not good enough - I was clearly sick from what I had eaten and my weekend was a write off. The restaurant has a lovely interior and atmosphere but the food is very over priced for what it is and I definitely will not be returning as a result of the experience I had.

Stephen C.

Yelp
Great new lunch & dinner spot in what's becoming a very cool area. Bang on trend and reasonable for a high end food and decent wines.

Neil D.

Yelp
Food here was beautiful. Portions felt a bit small considering the price. Lovely atmosphere and friendly staff.

Seamus B.

Yelp
A really good place to eat. Great selection, friendly staff who care about your experience. Handy location close to the city and main rail station.

Alan M.

Yelp
A real breath of fresh air for the area. Food was great and the restaurant itself is quite beautiful. I love a restaurant that has good lighting and this has the right amount in the right areas. The menu has some fantastic dishes to choose from also. We ll certainly be back.

Reinhard O.

Yelp
We can not reccommend this place, it looks good but it seems the owner can't say a proper hello or welcome. after he seated us at a table and told the waiter she has more guests- she rolled her eyes. We just left - no go!

Emily B.

Yelp
We had breakfast at Union8 and it was a nice atmosphere with a very kind waitstaff. They had great coffee, French toast, and avocado toast. Plus they give you water at the beginning of your meal, which is always a plus when you're used to having unlimited drinks. It's more pricey than most places (about $20 or €19 for two coffees and the above toasts) but a very nice atmosphere.

Máirtín Ó.

Yelp
Delicious food, really nice staff, really cool decor. Ticks all the boxes. Well worth a visit

John H.

Yelp
We just left the famous Gaol and a staff person recommended The Patriot and Union 8. Patriot was closer but at 11:05 was closed. So we walked a block to Union 8 which was serving lunch at 11:30. So while waiting for lunch we had very good coffee and an amazing giant scone. The short ribs fell off the bone and was amazing. Top notch. The chicken sandwich with cranberry dressing super duper. Our server, Andrezza, is also top notch!! Love this place.

Sean B.

Yelp
Sloppy service and things missing off the menu let this place down badly. Still, in a district where there isn't much choice, you might to happy to stumble on this place.

Chris E.

Yelp
The Union 8 was a very pleasant surprise for our party of 4. On a rainy evening, we saw a nice Yelp review and the menu offered all that we were looking for. Upon arrival, and w no reservation, the restaurant was pack, a good sign. We were able to sit at the bar, where we could view the chef and her crew in an incredible cooking dance, all working together. We ordered the Pork medallions w carmalized peach, exquisite. Also the fresh salmon w almond crust and mashies w red pepper, delicious. The service was great, each member talking and interacting w us, as if they truly cared about our dining experience. We made a reservation to return in 2 evenings, where perhaps we will sit at a table, but miss the cooking show? We highly recommend the Union 8!

Christian P.

Yelp
Great place to have some good food and wine. Go here around 5pm to catch the early bird available until 7 pm. It is worth it as you get 2 set course incl. coffee for 20-25 Euro. The food is just great and worth every penny. Service is nice, although they are strugling a little, because they are new.

Bairbre G.

Yelp
The food here is really gorgeous. A very beautiful restaurant with slick industrial-style decór which unfortunately results in a very noisy venue as the sound bounces off all the hard surfaces. That aside, it was a good dining experience with friendly, attentive staff and I'll definitely be back.

Mr B.

Yelp
We actually stopped here just to use the restroom. We thought it was a sandwich place from the outside. Boy were we wrong. The food here is CRAZY good! I had the Pork Tomahawk and it was absolutely awesome. My friend Scott is visiting from the US and had the roast hake and he says it was the best fish he has ever had. Absolutely amazing food.