Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Oscars Cafe Bar

    3.6 (81 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Coffee & Tea, Irish
    Open 8:00 am - 11:30 pm

    Oscars Cafe Bar Photos

    OSCARS CAFE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Oscars Cafe Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jawbox Rhubarb and Ginger Gin
    Jeremy B.

    I wanted to enjoy Oscar's much more, but the place has serious issues, mainly with service and management. I stopped by for brunch and right from the start, I sensed that the staff was disorganized chaos. The male host, of sorts, didn't even look up as I approached, so I stood there waiting to be acknowledged. With a restaurant that was not even 1/4 full, he wanted to seat me in the middle of the room. He instead reluctantly sat me in a more appropriate corner booth. But he also had to power-trip by adding "If we get busy, I'll need to separate these tables." As if, pal. Then I was totally ignored by the server for quite some time, who seemed totally frazzled handling three tables. I ordered the Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict and the 2-for1 special on select cocktails. In spite of having two drinks, there was minimal if any alcohol in them. Zero buzz. I had also requested a still water, which never arrived, and I had to re-request. One big annoyance is when servers fail to check in with the customer (never happened), and you have to practically set off a flare to get their attention. Whoever manages this place should be replaced, along with the incompetent staff.

    Onion rings
    Anibal C.

    The whole experience was amazing. We had the seafood chowder, fish N chips, onion rings and veggie burger. The falafel patty had surprising ingredients as whole black beans, corn kernels and more, the soup outta the stadium, btw the fennel made it delightful, fish N chips and onion rings had great texture and flavors. Service was fast, very professional and attentive, ambiance 10+

    menus
    Dung N.

    Since we were a little early to check into our Airbnb, we decided to get some food from here since it was just across the street. This restaurant has a lot of good options for dinner, but not as many choices for lunch. We sat towards the window and there was a fake animal with horns on it by the windowsill. The menus were inside record album covers, which was pretty neat. We shared an open faced chicken sandwich, chicken curry, the soup of the day, sweet potato fries, a fruit salad, and Oscar's cheesey chicken lasagne. Everything came out all at once and was nicely represented. Service was also very prompt and professional. The chicken sandwich was really tasty and so were the fries. I also liked the lasagne, but didn't eat too much of it for some reason. The curry and fruit salad was just okay. The cream of green veggies soup and bread was my least favorite item. I would like to try out their dinner menu if I ever come back to Dublin though!

    Books
    Alice H.

    The decor inside is pretty cool! Very "homey". A little confusing whether you order at the bar or table for a meal (it's at the tables) The staff were very friendly and quick. The food was delicious and fairly priced. I recommend the warm goat cheese salad if you are a fan of goat cheese! I wouldn't recommend adding the smoked chicken because it was too dry and hard, almost like a jerky. Cute hoor (red IPA) is also recommended! Would return.

    John D.

    Oscars had a decent drinks selection. With many beers on draught. The music was good, eclectic mix of rnb, indie and rock. The food is just ok. I got chicken wings which had way too much tomatoey sauce on them. You couldn't actually taste the chicken. My partner had bruscheta with chorizo and was a big portion. The bread was soggy though. A good place for tourists and after work parties. Safe for a first date. But if you're a foodie you may find its fare average. 3/5

    Double bacon and cheese burger and twice fried chips
    Brian H.

    Facing on to Smithfield Square, Oscars' very unassuming front belies its very quirky and warm interior. The decor is a real hodgepodge of furniture, you could be sitting in anything from cinema seating to a barber's chair (with plenty of armchairs, window seats and couches in-between). There is also an extensive and equally random assortment of books for anybody looking to while away some time. I really like the atmosphere in Oscars, I was here on a Thursday evening and the mood was really relaxed. There was some background music playing in the background, but just at the right level to help the mood but not interfere with conversation. I guess would describe the food style here as "gastropub" with dishes such as black pudding crostini, tempura cod and trio of bangers and mash. I got the bangers and mash, it was a very generous serving and the three different types of sausages were really good. Most of the mains were around the €13 mark. For dessert I got a double chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice-cream (€5), it was really well presented with a beautiful caramel sauce. The cookie was delicious and had the perfect gooey texture, my only comment would be that the serving was on the small side. Aside from the food there is a full bar menu available too. With the relaxed atmosphere and comfortable surroundings I could easily see myself spending an night here with a few drinks and a group of mates. But, Oscars has also positioned itself as a café and has a breakfast and lunch menu too. I have not been here during the day so I am not sure how well it works as a lunch venue, however, the gourmet sandwiches do sound lovely. Overall I was impressed with this new addition to Smithfield and hope they do well.

    True story!
    Emily C.

    This is a surprising spot. From the outside, it looks like a fairly generic enough cafe / bar, but the over-used adage 'never judge a book by it's cover' is more than valid in this case. Inside, you step into a bygone era. A wood / chrome bar, heavy antique furniture, and quirky decor fill the place. (you can take your pic between sitting in the snug, on a dentist chair, or in a row of old cinema seats) From all accounts they do excellent coffee (the accounts of my accomplice), and not so bad tea. I can't vouch for the food just yet, but plan to return and check it out. They do lots of really nice deals and events too, like Cashtag Mondays - if you retweet one of their tweets, you get 25% off your food and drink bill. My favourite permanent fixture though, is €5 for a Bombay Sapphire G&T - bargain! Definitely a great spot for those living in the D7 area.

    Ciara S.

    Will definitely be returning to Oscars! I'd been there twice for lunch but this was my first time there for an evening meal and I absolutely loved it. It was very busy and we were afraid it would be too loud to chat but the waiter sat us in a little booth so we were nicely tucked away. The chicken burger was amazing, the chicken was so fresh succulent. Big chunky chips were also A1. The staff were super friendly, the service was fast and the chocolate fondant, to top it all off, was delicious!

    Their lovely mojitos are €6
    Ninja L.

    This is my local and I like popping by for some drinks and food. They have amazingly tasty chicken wings and the serving is so big that usually I end up sharing with a friend as a starter. They have gluten free beer and food (although the food is not prepared in a gluten free environment). The decor is mixed and there's always something new to look at or why not borow a book to read while having a drink. Staff is friendly and welcoming - always giving a great service with a genuine smile. Perfect spot for a drink before seeing a movie at the Lighthouse Cinema, or after seeing a movie - or why not both?

    Mark D.

    Probably one of the best bar food places you can find on the north side. Great beer menu and plenty of cider too. The fish and chip's is presented very well.

    Espresso!
    Nick D.

    Cool laid-back atmosphere for a quick afternoon coffee! Very convenient to our hotel-Maldron Hotel Smithfield. Did not get a chance to try any of their food.

    goat's cheese salad with walnuts
    Karen C.

    From the outside, it looks like it has the personality of a chain-hotel bar. Walk inside, however, and it's actually a really funky bar with an eclectic retro feel, including a piano I've never seen anyone play. They also have a heated outdoor patio with blankets which is perfect for those crisp autumn evenings. The beers on tap are mostly your average macrobrews, but there are some decent bottled options. I've been here for dinner and brunch, and am mixed about how I feel about this place. We ordered the goat's cheese salad, which came with an entire wheel of cheese (not complaining, but they definitely could have thrown in a few more leaves to round out the dish); the bacon cheese burger, which has a double patty; and the mussels with chunky rosemary fries. Everything was good! Downfalls: the service could use some polishing. We struggled to flag anyone down to ask for menus, order drinks, order food, etc. We also ordered an extra side of chips but it took so long arriving we were almost finished our meals, so just ended up cancelling it. We never saw the fries, they removed it from the bill, but no apology or explanation was offered. This was on a weekday evening when it was not that busy. The location is really convenient and I like it enough to go again for a quick weeknight bite.

    Cloudberry Kopperberg and some moonshine before a movie at the lighthouse
    Ahmed A.

    Oscars is a lovely bar located in the heart of Smithfield. There is a great atmosphere about the place and a massive selection of world drinks, craft beers and lots of selections of food. To be fair I've yet to try the food however the selection of drinks is amazing. Drinks I didn't even know existed like elderflower kopperberg and cloudberry kopperberg (which I had to google because I had no idea what a cloudberry is) Along with this the atmosphere is excellent and if you're heading to the lighthouse for a flick and you arrive early id advise you to pop in for a drink. Also the staff are very polite and nice! Having spoken to various members of the staff I've yet to have a rude encounter or see anyone have a customer service issue!!

    Pulled beef special and chicken and chorizo salad

    See all

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Melinda G.
    60
    171
    31

    1 year ago

    Great mussels and Irish Stew. Fast and friendly service even though busy. It was a great stop for lunch.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anibal C.
    48
    10
    15

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ronan F.

    Ronan F.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John D.
    0
    34
    10

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Emily C.
    1739
    791
    2519

    13 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ciara S.
    30
    13
    11

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kayla C.
    2
    89
    108

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nick D.
    502
    717
    1476

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carlos T.
    297
    47
    26

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fiona N.
    11
    64
    69

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kris Y.
    14
    50
    82

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rachael O.
    158
    52
    64

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Oscars Cafe Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Bars 1,163 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Stag's Head - Bacon & Cabbage

    The Stag's Head

    4.3(315 reviews)
    1.1 kmSouth Inner City
    €€

    My 1st to go bar upon landing in Dublin. Got to say, it's the best Dublin's preserved Victorian…read morepub. The authentic Victorian setting, the Victorian mahogany fittings, the mosaic marble tiled floors and granite tabletops, the mahogany bar, capped with red Connemara marble, follows the classic Victorian architectural pattern. The staff are helpful, friendly and patient since their accent is hard to understand sometime. My 1st beer and 1st Irish food, all I can say is what a meal, just simple delish. Being here is just a wondrous experience, the place is cosy, warm and the friendly of the people. So glad I picked this place as my first of Dublin.

    If you want to experience a true Victorian pub in Dublin, The Stag's Head is a beautiful place to…read morestart. Tucked down Dame Court just off Dame Street, The Stag's Head is one of those rare pubs that feels genuinely historic rather than designed to look old. The building dates to the late 1800s, and the interior retains the ornate features of a classic Victorian "gin palace"--rich carved wood, stained glass, brass rails, and a warm, glowing bar that feels wonderfully preserved. We stopped in around 4:30 pm, which turned out to be a perfect time to visit. There were other patrons enjoying drinks and food, but the atmosphere was calm and relaxed rather than loud or rowdy. It felt like the kind of place where locals drop in for a quiet pint on their way home from work before the evening crowd arrives. The staff were excellent--friendly, welcoming, and attentive without being intrusive. The food was very good (we failed to take photos because we were too busy enjoying it). As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to see the Impossible burger front and center on their menu; it was deliciously prepared with guacamole on a brioche bun, and not an afterthought on the menu. My companions both chose the Irish Beef Burger, and said it was excellent. One thing to know: this is a traditional Victorian pub, so cocktails aren't really part of the program. Expect beer, wine, or spirits rather than mixed drinks. In a place like this, that actually feels exactly right. Other pubs do serve mixed drinks. Between the history, the ambience, the quality of the food, and the wonderful staff, The Stag's Head is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've experienced a real piece of Dublin.

    Photos
    The Stag's Head - Bar

    Bar

    The Stag's Head - One of our favorite

    One of our favorite

    The Stag's Head - Back door area

    See all

    Back door area

    The Blind Pig Speakeasy - Bar area

    The Blind Pig Speakeasy

    4.2(91 reviews)
    1.4 kmSouth Inner City
    €€€

    It feels a bit weird writing a public review of a secret spot...but I can't gatekeep this spot!…read more The Blind Pig Speakeasy was one of our favorite spots while in Ireland, and it ranks high on our list for several reasons! They are situated in the base of a sister restaurant, so from the main entrance the only give away is the neon "shhh" sign that sits over the stairway. Once at the base of the stairs an unassuming bookcase/shelf appears. This honestly got us, as we had no clue this was the entrance at first. We wandered around and into the bathrooms expecting some cool bathroom stall entrance. It wasn't until someone came out from behind the bookcase that we figured it out! We did let the "door" close and played with the art on the wall, including the bronze pig head, which turned out to be the hidden lever! Legit already wowed before entering! Upon entry, you are legit transported into a small speakeasy with a few high tops, a cozy bar and a small dining room beyond the second archway. The walls are stone, the lighting is dim and moody, the woods are heavy, and the vibes are immaculate! We sampled a few house-made cocktails, got an appetizer and a few main dishes. Spent a total of close to 2 hours, which is standard and actually timed. Which makes sense and I like, it keeps things moving, on time and allows plenty of time to soak it all in! The Jolly Roger and Espresso Martini were my cocktails for the night. There was a clear theme with both, as stout and espresso were highlights in both. For the app, we went with the fritto misto, which is a combination of fried cheese and veggies. Our mains were both pasta dishes. They were light and simple, yet complex and robust. They were tasty and impressive! Service was stellar from entry to exit. The host's, bartenders and our server were all top notch, friendly, helpful and a joy to interact with! Oh, I do highly recommend reservations! They are a small and very in demand spot, so trying to walk-in is a bit risky. Overall, we absolutely loved our evening at The Blind Pig! It was one of our best times and meals on our trip around Ireland...memorable for all the right reasons!

    Great drinks, strong, and great service. Andrew the manager is awesome. It's a small place so plan…read moreahead and make reservations or pack your patience.

    Photos
    The Blind Pig Speakeasy
    The Blind Pig Speakeasy - BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS Malt & Pot Still Blend Irish Whiskey - BP Brown Butter Lemon Curd - Sour OJ

    BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS Malt & Pot Still Blend Irish Whiskey - BP Brown Butter Lemon Curd - Sour OJ

    The Blind Pig Speakeasy - The interior of Blind Pig

    See all

    The interior of Blind Pig

    The Temple Bar - Roast beef sandwich

    The Temple Bar

    3.9(731 reviews)
    1.0 kmTemple Bar
    €€

    The area is a hotspot for tourism and is one of Ireland's number one destinations. It lies on the…read moresouth bank of the River Liffey. It is believed that 'Temple Bar' street's name originated from 'Sir William Temple' from the 'Temple family (you can see the same on the outer wall of the pub) The most iconic pub in Dublin, the Temple Bar Pub, sits proudly on the corner of Temple Bar and Temple Lane South. With live music from 10:30 am every day, this is a pub with a party atmosphere all day long. I was amused at how many people popped in, snapped off a quick photo or a 30-second video, and then left without stopping for a drink. Then again, at €8 a pint, and it's one of the more expensive drinks in an already expensive city ( and I did the same in 2-3 pubs), and that's fine. Doesn't matter whether you wanna have food or drink here or not, but I would definitely recommend (in capital letters), have one drink here. Yes, it's expensive (just 3-4 euros more, come on), but the vibe, that's totally worth it. I truly believe, though, that if you're going to experience Dublin, then you can't leave without experiencing Temple Bar. I had like 4-5 drinks at different pubs, and though it's touristy and "trap"- I would come here again and again. No other place has a "temple bar pub ' vibe. There is always live music, the stage is rarely empty, and the diary is always full. The Temple Bar Pub is famed throughout Dublin for its lively, traditional Irish music scene. PS: don't get confused with Temple Bar at the end of every pub. Its neighborhood name (Temple bar neighborhood), and this pub is Temple Bar pub.

    Is Temple Bar an overpriced tourist trap in a saturated area of Dublin? Yes…read more However, with that said, I feel it's a must-see for first time visitors. I went during my first trip to Dublin and not again until my boyfriend and I went to Dublin together. As it was his first visit, we had to go. The bar is always packed unless you arrive as soon as they open. It's not longer after opening time that it becomes a mad house well into the night. They've always got live music and proper Guinness pours (more $$ than elsewhere). So yeah, it's a tourist trap but it's also fun if you know what you're getting into and what to expect.

    Photos
    The Temple Bar - The stage

    The stage

    The Temple Bar - Oysters

    Oysters

    The Temple Bar

    See all

    The Old Storehouse - Guinness

    The Old Storehouse

    4.3(235 reviews)
    1.1 kmTemple Bar
    €€

    Loud music, cheap drinks and good food…read more Place was absolutely packed with people in town for the American Football game so service was dreadfully slow. Had to excuse ourselves from the table multiple times to freshen drinks. The food was good. Once again, absolute star was the Buffalo Wings! Ireland? I mean what??? Perfectly cooked, sauced nicely, just spectacular! The band was playing a mix and of Irish Music and American Rock songs played to Irish tunes. Very fun and well engaged with the crowd. The restaurant itself is cozy and very warm. A great night was had by all!

    With having dozens of choices for dinner in The Temple Bar District we decided on The Old…read moreStorehouse after reading almost all 4 or 5 star reviews. Upon entering it was slightly confusing as to go upstairs or into the bar area to find the hostess to be seated & with no one there to help us we walked into the Bar area to the right & ordered a few Guinness's & waited for someone to seat us somewhere. We ended up being seated in the entry area right at the entrance which was fine because it was super loud up the stairs. We ordered the Pork Pie & The Beef Casserole. Both were really good & filling. The service was decent & the ambiance was nice although it was very, very loud. Overall it was a great meal with above average prices but I'm not sure we'd go back next time due to the other factors.

    Photos
    The Old Storehouse - Steamed mussels

    Steamed mussels

    The Old Storehouse - Irish lamb stew 3.5/5

    Irish lamb stew 3.5/5

    The Old Storehouse - Dining area facing the stage

    See all

    Dining area facing the stage

    No Name Bar - Interior

    No Name Bar

    3.7(88 reviews)
    1.2 kmSouth Inner City
    €€

    Highly recommend visiting if you're in the area. This bar is nicely tucked away from a lot of the…read moretourist destination bars. Look out for the entrance or you might miss it! Great for both beer and cocktails. Watching the bartenders craft drinks was an art form. Service was attentive as well. Lots of great seating, both indoor and outdoor. We opted to sit outdoors on a mild November night which ended up being a really nice experience. It was pretty busy even on a Sunday night. If you're in the area, definitely add No Name Bar to your list!

    This place goes by two names, depending on if you are looking at Google Maps, or on Yelp. Google…read moreMaps calls it "The Bar With No Name" (and so do it's proprietors in the hotel above). But Yelp calls it "No Name Bar." Late at night, this is the place to be. The music is loud, the place is hoppin', and everyone is movin' and groovin'. It's LOADS of fun, I can't express that enough - but it DOES get packed! If you are staying in Kelly's Hotel up above it, you MUST visit at least once to see what all the fuss is and why your hotel room is rattling until 2 or 3 in the morning. They have DJs playing every Friday and Saturday "from 10pm until late" as it's billed on their website. It's connected to the hotel, so if you are staying there, you can just head down the stairs to enter. From street level, use the entrance with the snail hanging above the black door with the address number of "3" on the door. It's so easy to walk past and not notice it. The entrance is JUST past the sidewalk patio for L'Gueuleton.

    Photos
    No Name Bar
    No Name Bar - Our gorgeous bartender and my lovely spanish friend, Anita...

    Our gorgeous bartender and my lovely spanish friend, Anita...

    No Name Bar

    See all

    Oscars Cafe Bar - bars - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...