Gigi

With handmade pasta made fresh daily and ingredients that are left to take centre stage, you can be sure that the food at Gigi is prime. Opt for the Cannelloni Ricotta Spinaci, full of ricotta, burrata cream and just general goodness that will have you asking for seconds. With a wine menu consisting of Italian wines chosen to best represent each region’s offerings, you can enjoy a vino or two in the comfort of this candlelit but casual spot.

Gigi is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Dublin, and it’s well worth travelling to get to, as the reviews online will attest. Aside from an extensive collection of imported Italian wines, this neighbourhood restaurant in heart of Ranelagh Village is famous for its antipasti bar and handmade pasta dishes. Tagliatelle alle cozze is a popular order, as well as the ravioli special with mascarpone and potatoes.

And so I come to another Italian, a man who has graced the floors of Dublin restaurants for many a long year and has just opened a new Italian Restaurant, Gigi, in Ranelagh. Giorgio Casari, is best known for his time as co-owner, with Jeff Stokes, of the Unicorn Restaurant off Merrion Row (now under new ownership), where he greeted the glitterati and celebs ranging from Bill Clinton to Brad Pitt.

Gigi is a mash-up of two Giorgios: Giorgio Casari, who ran The Unicorn for two decades, and a younger Giorgio taking the torch of the laid-back Italian restaurant to a new generation. Inside, it’s low-lit brick and gilted wallpaper – cheerful but definitely not cheap. There’s a touch of the Ranelagh mark-up about the prices.

Gigi is an absolute gem of a restaurant nestled in the heart of Dublin. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with warm smiles and an inviting atmosphere that made us feel right at home. The staff at Gigi are simply wonderful – attentive, friendly, and always ready to make your dining experience unforgettable.