Darwin’s Tavern
80 AUNGIER STREET, DUBLIN 2 (D02 E286)
Darwin’s Tavern
An Aungier Street steakhouse founded in 2004 by butcher Michael Smith, with an on-site butchery and dry-ageing cabinets.
★ 4.5 Tripadvisor · 1,231 reviews
★ 4.5 OpenTable · 18 reviews
Irish Owned
WHY GO
Why book Darwin’s Tavern
An Aungier Street steakhouse founded in 2004 by butcher Michael Smith, with an on-site butchery and dry-ageing cabinets. The interior is themed around Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” including murals – a distinctive design feature. Relaunched in 2026 as Darwins Tavern, with chef and operator Geoff Nordell (Egan’s, formerly Whitefriar Grill) joining as partner and executive chef, a refurbished bar and a Josper grill. This steakhouse on Aungier Street is a short walk from St Stephen’s Green and Dublin Castle.
Butcher-led
In-house dry-ageing
Good for special occasions
Distinctive interior
City centre
AT A GLANCE
Know before you go
HOURS
Tue-Sat dinner from 4:30pm · Closed Mon & Sun (hours have varied between site updates – a quick call ahead is worthwhile)
PRICE
Daily Cut €19* · Steaks from €37* (10oz striploin) · Sharing cuts €85–€120*
PHONE
BEEF & SUPPLIER
Irish beef butchered and dry-aged on site.
DRESS CODE
Smart casual.
GOOD TO KNOW
Good to Know Before You Book
BOOKING
Via OpenTable or by phone; email [email protected] for enquiries
DIETARY NEEDS
Vegan steak and gluten-free options available – flag when booking
FAMILIES
Highchairs available on request
GETTING THERE
Short walk from St Stephen’s Green and Dublin Castle; on-street metered parking nearby
Seasonal & Limited-Time Offers at Darwin’s Tavern
Last checked: 1 October 2026 · Refreshed monthly
- The Daily Cut: A 250g strip steak with chips and sauce for €19, Tue–Sat.
- Christmas 2026: Darwins lists Christmas lunch and dinner set menus for groups, but the pages online appear to be from a previous year. 2026 prices are still to be confirmed with the restaurant. Darwins Christmas
Seasonal and limited-time prices change often. Always confirm dates and prices with the restaurant before booking.
WHAT DINERS SAY
Darwin’s Tavern Reviews
Darwin’s Tavern holds a 4.5★ rating on Tripadvisor from 1,231 reviews, ranking it #65 of 2,923 restaurants in Dublin, and a 4.5★ rating on OpenTable from 18 reviews.
4.5
FOOD
4.5
SERVICE
4.5
ATMOSPHERE
4.2
VALUE
“Steak is always going to be an expensive treat night out and Darwin’s does not disappoint – they provide not only superb steaks but service that goes above and beyond.”
JAMESCOLLINSWORLD, TRIPADVISOR
“My meal with a drink set me back €55. I’ve paid a lot more for a lot less on my travels.”
OLIVER J., TRIPADVISOR
Value is consistently the softest score on Tripadvisor (4.2, against 4.5 for food, service and atmosphere) – a handful of diners note that sharing steaks can run past €100, though most feel the cooking and service justify it. OpenTable’s rating is nearly identical at 4.5, but from a much smaller sample of 18 reviews, so Tripadvisor’s is the more reliable read.
MOST-RATED STEAKS
Top 3 Steaks at Darwin’s Tavern
The steaks diners praise most across Google, Tripadvisor, OpenTable and press reviews, checked against the current menu.
- “The Ambassador” rib on the bone (510g): Named by OpenTable reviewers as some of the best steak they’ve had.
- Fillet (283g): The tender choice, regularly singled out by food bloggers.
- Côte de Boeuf to share (907g): The big sharing cut. Like every steak here, it’s 28-day dry-aged Irish grass-fed beef.
Last checked October 2026. Menus change, so confirm cuts and prices with the restaurant before booking.
THE STORY
The Story of Darwin’s Tavern
Darwin’s Tavern takes its name, and its murals, from Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” – a distinctive design choice for a Dublin steakhouse. It was opened in 2004 by Michael Smith, whose butchery background shows in the on-site butchery and dry-ageing cabinets. In 2026 he brought in Geoff Nordell (Egan’s, formerly owner of the Whitefriar Grill) as partner and executive chef, renamed the restaurant Darwins Tavern and refurbished the room (Irish Times, July 2026).
- Ownership – founded by butcher Michael Smith in 2004; Geoff Nordell joined as partner and executive chef in 2026.
- Design – interior themed around Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” including murals throughout the dining room.
- 2026 – relaunched with a refreshed Irish grass-fed beef menu and a dedicated in-house dry-ageing room.
Recognition
- Tripadvisor ranks Darwin’s Tavern #65 of 2,923 restaurants in Dublin.
RECOGNITION
Awards
We have not found a public award record for Darwin’s Tavern yet — see Recognition above for its current guest ratings. If you know of one we have missed, we would love to add it.
Awards above are curated from publicly available sources — award bodies and press coverage — and are not verified or provided by the restaurant itself. We do our best to keep this accurate and current, but if we have missed an award or something needs correcting, please get in touch.
PHOTOS
Darwin’s Tavern Photos
For more photos, see the Tripadvisor photo gallery.
Follow Darwin’s Tavern on Instagram for the latest from the kitchen.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Darwin’s Tavern located?
At 80 Aungier Street, Dublin 2.
Who runs Darwin’s Tavern?
Founder Michael Smith (who opened Darwins in 2004) and partner and executive chef Geoff Nordell, who joined in 2026.
What’s the design theme?
The interior is themed around Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species,” including murals.
What days is it open?
Dinner Tuesday to Saturday from around 4:30pm – closed Mondays and Sundays. Hours have shifted between site updates, so a quick call ahead is recommended.
What is the dress code at Darwin’s Tavern?
Smart casual.
How do I book a table at Darwin’s Tavern?
Via OpenTable, by phone on +353 1 475 7511, or by emailing [email protected].
Can Darwin’s Tavern cater to dietary requirements?
Yes – the menu includes a vegan steak and gluten-free options; flag any dietary needs when booking so the kitchen can prepare.
Does Darwin’s Tavern rate differently on Tripadvisor and OpenTable?
Not really – both sit at 4.5★, though OpenTable’s sample of 18 reviews is far smaller than Tripadvisor’s 1,231, so Tripadvisor gives the fuller picture.
*Prices are approximate and may have changed. Please check the restaurant’s official website or contact them directly to confirm current prices.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Book your table at Darwin’s Tavern
80 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 (D02 E286)
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Steakhousedublin.ie is an independent information site. We are not affiliated with Darwin’s Tavern. Details are curated from publicly available sources and may change – always confirm directly with the restaurant. The image and Instagram content above are sourced from Darwin’s Tavern’s official website and Instagram account and remain their property.