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All 939 Dublin Restaurants »

The French Paradox

53, Shelbourne road | Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
016604068
Ranked #89 of 939 restaurants in Dublin
4.5 of 5 stars 30 Reviews
Price range: INR1,182 - INR11,371
Cuisines: Basque, French, Mediterranean, Wine Bar
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Restaurant details
Good for: Romantic, Bar Scene, Business, Outdoor seating
Dining options: Lunch Spot, Reservations, After-hours
Description: Ballsbridge���s The French Paradox is the stuff of food legend. Imagine this ��� you���ve popped in to buy a bottle of wine from the range of more than 150. Hang on a minute, they offer freshly baked bread too... and cigars, cheeses, oils. It���s enough to make your stomach gurgle with longing. And how on earth are you going to choose from those bottles, each one glinting at you cheekily? I suppose you could head for the tasting room and just try a little sip of wine and, seeing as your there, a dish or two from the amazing menu of French tapas-style dishes. A little charcuterie, a few cheeses, perhaps a larger salad or omelette now your stomach���s in the mood. Now, what was it you came out for again?
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30 reviews from our community

90% Recommend
    19
    8
    1
    1
    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Béal Feirste
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 May 2012

Had dinner here last night. Really nice wine, some really full bodied one's by the glass which is unusual. Had duck confit which was delicious, and a really good cheese board for dessert (French style served with bread rather than crackers). More

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See 3 more reviews by dermfrench for Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
Top Contributor
84 reviews 84 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

The daily specials are chosen with care and artfully prepared. The wines of course are specially selected and served with care. A perfect spot for sharing some nibbles over a special glass. More

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See 20 more reviews by shawnday for Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

This is a wine bar that serves a limited range of simple foods very well. The wines are diverse and all can all be bought by the glass - they will also give you a taste to see if you like it before giving you a full glass. The seating is cosy and simple but the whole place has a... More

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See 8 more reviews by B_Dublin for Dublin
Dublin
Top Contributor
110 reviews 110 reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
42 helpful votes 42 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 April 2012

Ate here again last night. I really cannot fault the place! Roeal the waiter chose the wine which was delicious and we shared a stunning cheese and pâté platter the taste of which was immense. I will keep coming here as long as they continue to maintain their very high standards. More

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See 45 more reviews by rockfist for Dublin
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2012

Came for a celebration and it was simply perfect! The food was beyond delish, just the right amount. The wine was perfect for meal (thanks to the advise of our waiter) and the service was just impeccable! Can not rate this place highly enough! If I could give it 10 out of 5 I would! More

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See 6 more reviews by Ciarag for Dublin
Dublin
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 March 2012

This place is unique and I wish there were more dotted around the city. Very French with portion sizes to match which is great if you are watching what you are eating and wine availabl by the glass. Lovely place to meet a few girlfriends. More

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See 3 more reviews by Willow4Dublin for Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 March 2012

I previously gave French Paradox a 5 star review but have been back a few times recently and while it's as good as ever it has gotten super expensive. Like a standard €9 for a glass of wine. They'll blame VAT hikes etc but their charges are up I reckon in the region of 60%. Pity. I'm annoyed. More

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See 9 more reviews by kieran80 for Dublin
Pierre Chapeau, Owner at The French Paradox, responded to this review
4 April 2012

We try 150% consistently to get it right, but perhaps it is the 75% rule that over rules as God knows we get it wrong, spectacularly sometimes. Luckily we have very forgiving customers. In this instance we recommended perhaps the wrong wine. The price of our standard 18.75cl glass of wine ranges from between €5 and €10.20 for a top... More

Dublin, Ireland
Top Contributor
59 reviews 59 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
24 helpful votes 24 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 February 2012

Located in Dublin 4, the most expensive part. This is an excellent if limited Fench wine bar. Think cheese plate, cold meats and few mains. Top notch in that clas More

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See 35 more reviews by Motorsportenthuisias for Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
28 helpful votes 28 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Love this cosy little wine bar. Small choice of delicious French cuisine, mouthwatering cheese and wines available by the glass. More

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See 7 more reviews by BettyLinn for Dublin
Carrickmacross, Ireland
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 December 2011

Loved every second of this meal out... a lovely small little place with 2 floors, bottles and cases of wine stacked throughout, the smell of food was just lovely and all coming out of this tiny galley kitchen... we were sitting right beside the kitchen on high stools and table and it was lovely to see all the food being... More

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See 2 more reviews by golemma79 for Dublin

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