Very nice atmosphere and the food was great. Everything tastes fresh and was reasonably priced. Ambience is good also and they have a downstairs dining and bar area also. Glad we found it on our trip. We almost came back to Sunday brunch but it was TOO PACKED. The Cajun prawns were amazing and had a good spice was to them that I liked. Definitely should stop in read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Prawns - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Very nice atmosphere, and very friendly staff. The starter I chose was the Gambas: they were so tasty, the spiciness hit the mark! The ribeye came exactly as I love it, rare to medium rare, what a taste! And as desert I had the cheesecake, while ordering the waitress recommended it highly as well, and it was the best ever, by far! The way we were served and the ambiance is definitely something I will come back for. read more

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I came here with a friend for Sunday brunch as Herbstreet which we initially had planned had a 40 minute wait. The HQ is a lot more relaxed and less crowded, and we didn't have to wait at all which was great. The outdoor seating with nice cushioned seats was nice, especially with the view overlooking the canal. When it's colder and in the evenings, they have outdoor heaters as well. The staff were very attentive and checked on us if everything was alright about twice which was good and eliminated the real need to call the waiter, and they refilled out water glasses when emptied without having to ask. The food was not bad; I had a chicken pesto salad and my friend got a fruit yoghurt pot topped with quinoa which was something I've never seen before! The quality and presentation overall was quite good, the portions were perfect and the prices were not expensive at all; I paid €13.50 for my salad and my friend's yoghurt pot was €6.50, so for a pretty classy place I would say it's quite reasonable. Just one thing to note is that vegetarians are poorly catered for, but the brunch menu has a lot of egg based dishes as an alternative. I know this place gets very busy in the evening having walked by so many times, but weekend brunch is a lot quieter and relaxed. I loved the atmosphere as well; not too loud that you can't have a conversation without shouting, but not too quiet either. Overall: A cool bar overlooking the canal with some great outdoor seating and nice vibe. Food: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere and Seating: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Variety: 4/5 read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Fruit and yoghurt bowl with quinoa topping - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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Went along here for lunch on the Saturday of Offset. I hadn't been in since the changeover from Ely. It was absolutely packed and I have to say the ease and friendliness with which the staff dealt with the packs coming through the door was really to be commended. There were only seats at the bar left for us, but actually that turned out perfect as again the bar man was lovely and it's a grand spot to be perched and watch the goings on around the place. I got the cajun chicken sandwich which was nice. I guess it was a little lacking in flavour - the description had me excited and it didn't really live up to it - cajun should have a bit of a kick which this didn't - but having said that it was a good portion, well cooked and served piping hot. I would definitely come here again and I have to say in terms of customer service and general joyousness of experience, this place wins hands down over the always crowded Herbstreet next door. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Cajun chicken burger - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

I really like this place. Is definitely not a tipical irish place eheh Why I come here often: - is big and bright and in front of the canal! And to eat or have a drink is pleasent - they have tons of good bottles of wine. So dont take a glass, take a bottle! - the brunch. Yes, i love brunches! - plates to share for aperitifs Fir the rest, come and try!! read more

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Welcome one and all to Dublin, Circa 2005, the boom is at its height and the bright and beautiful are spending their evenings dining out and worrying not a jot about things like bank balances and the economy. ...this is very much what it feels like as you walk into HQ, the place is buzzing, almost full with after work diners, enjoying the low lighting and wine. From the small but well balanced menu I chose the chicken supreme wrapped in Parma ham... Wifey, a little more adventurously, had the Cod fillet with a carrot and coriander curry foam. The Chicken was excellent though perhaps a little salty (I'm Irish so A. I'm OK with a bit of salt and B. I wouldn't complain anyway), the Cod was a little odd, but good. Staff were friendly but not massively attentive... I found I was waiting a long time to get anyone's attention any time I needed something (wine, order food, to get the get bill etc.). No question we'll be back, the place has a nice feel and the food was good, but for a quick bite, not a long evening in I think. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

HQ bar is located in the beautiful Grand Canal Docks beside the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, a truly under appreciated part of Dublin that shows signs of a city from the future. I've been to HQ on nights out and also for coffee in the day, and every time it's impressed me with it's cool laid back vibes and a real feeling of class. There are big comfy couches for you to chill on while drinking their (good) coffee, the staff are super attentive making sure you're being looked after & the space is wide open and airy, meaning you have room to breathe. This also means you can get some privacy to yourself and some friends if you feel like having a low-key chat. At night the place really shines with the great attention paid to lighting creating a sleek ambiance & the bar serving a huge array of beers & spirits meaning everyone is catered for. I have yet to try the food here but I'll update my review when I do. In short: Whether you're in the mood for a midday coffee of a late night whiskey, this cool & trendy place has you covered. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Coffee (€2.70) - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Every time I've been here it has been because we've actually had the intention of going to Herb Street, get told that we'll have to hang around 40 plus minutes for a seat so just say, "feck this, HQ again?" And in fairness, it has never left me down. I think everytime I've been here, I've gone for the hash which is delicious with a fried egg on top and lovely crispy bits of bacon with the golden potato cubes, yummers!! read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Hash!! - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Went there for a payday Friday lunch and it was teeming with like-minded office workers sneaking in wine and pints over lunch! Had the smoked haddock which was very fresh but there was a lack of balance in flavour (all salty) and texture (soft/mushy). Wine and service were standard fare. It's hard not to compare HQ to its predecessor Ely, and I felt the latter's food and wine selection was better. Not sure I'd come back here - I prefer my usual payday Friday lunch venue at The Wine Rooms across the Liffey. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Poached haddock, tasty but lack of balance - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant Popped in by chance on our way to a party on a Saturday evening, seated straight away... Waitress was superb!!! Friendly & Efficient... Ordered a couple of dishes from their 'Small Plate' Menu... FANTASTIC!!! Will definitely come again!!!! read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Best Wings!!! - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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I have been to HQ twice now, both times after work mid-week before attending a show in the Bord Gais theatre. First time I was there they didn't get my order right. The staff were friendly but they were unbelievably inattentive! Even though there were loads of staff on the floor we had to go up to the bar to get someone to come to our table...3 times! The food was nice but I found it to be waaaaaaay overpriced. read more

Meh. I mean, there's nothing really special about this place. I mostly come here with co-workers because my office is pretty close and the proximity makes this a convenient choice. The food is overpriced and average -- especially if you don't consume meat. The drinks are just...standard. I really like ambience which is probably what you end up paying for but there really isn't much apart from that. I'd rather go to Herbstreet next door or find something in the city centre instead. read more

I work in the area and I have been here a few times for lunch. They do great GF burgers, awesome brunch (I recommend the bacon & hash), and their chicken wings are just the right kinda spicy. The service is wonderful and the staff is very attentive. I'd love to come here sometime at night to see what the scene is like then. All in all a great place. read more

Have eaten brunch a few times in HQ as we never seem to manage to get a table in Herb Street next door! They do a nice selection, but it's a little pricey and the portions are a little on the smaller side. I usually brunch to cure a hangover so I tend to like a feed of eggy/carby goodness that's more on the epic end of the scale portion-wise a la Whitefriar or San Lorenzo's - but I feel that HQ is going for a more refined affair and I guess that's just not really for me. The food is nice though and the service is good and I can't say that I've ever left unsatisfied but it's just missing the buzz of other brunch spots around the city and the wow factor in terms of its menu. Wouldn't make my list of go-to places for brunch but it'll do again in a pinch. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - BBQ Brisket Sandwich - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

I popped in for a catchup with friends and ordered some brunch, their prices are more reasonable than when it was Ely. Food was tasty and good value, only downer for us was the waiter was a bit rude when we tried to move from our outside table which was cold into an indoor one. He got very short when I mentioned there was a table free and asked that I stand by the main desk then left us there. Eventually someone else said we could take the table, to be fair on the staff it was a very hectic morning but a little courtesy goes a long way. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Eggs Benedict with Ham hock - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

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This establishment has been in decline since it changed hands a year or two ago. They are understaffed and it makes for a chaotic dining experience. This is in sharp contrast to when it was Ely HQ, which ran like clockwork and with the highest standards of service. We go there frequently because it's just down the street from our house and all our friends go there to meet, but if it were even 250m further away, I would not be going back. Hopefully they will read this and work on fixing the service issues. The only thing I've eaten there since it changed hands was the burger, and they are way better at Bunsen. read more

Joined friend here for a quick lunch before heading to a show in Bord Gais. The location is great, and I loved the outdoor seating. They even provide cosy blankets for the breezy weather. The waitress we had was amazing, so helpful with taking a somewhat awkward order (2 picky eaters). The service was prompt despite the lunch rush. The food itself was ok, I had a sandwich and my friend had the burger. Both were ok, not amazing and I prob would go for something different next time. The potions were decent-both of us had leftovers. The restrioms were so far away from the terrace. Through the dining room and downstairs. Not a major gripe but kind of annoying to have to dodge through tables full of people at lunch time. read more

The staff is bit slow, anytime, no matter is it busy or not. Although very friendly. Try chicken wings and the cheese board, also, salad with halloumi, yum read more

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Pretty bad food. The serving staff are really nice. The burger was way over-cooked. We were told the burgers only come out well done because of local health laws. The duck salad had some shredded duck in it, but totally flavorless. Nice location but big prices for what you get. Will not be back here. read more

We had initially intended on brunching at Herbstreet but with queues out the door we opted for HQ and we were glad we did! The food was fab and the service was quick.. The freshly squeezed OJ is a must. Our only issue was that the staff weren't overly friendly - a smile goes a long way people! read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Smashed avocado and poached eggs, and a side of tasty sausage - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Formerly known as Ely, HQ seems to be pretty similar so far. I've been here a few times recently for a late brunch or early lunch and while the menu is not extensive, the food is good, the service fast enough, and you can usually find a space. On my last visit I had the eggs florentine which were lovely - the hollandaise sauce in particular was a nice surprise since HQ serves this normally rather thick sauce in a lighter, slightly foamed up variation. On another occasion I asked for a different omelette than the one on the menu and got that request without a problem (and a huge portion too!). The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is the rather small brunch menu and the fact that the staff seems rather insecure and has trouble remembering orders at times. Overall I'd recommend it and will probably be back. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

This was until recently the Ely bar at the grand canal. So if you're familiar with Ely's this is pretty much the same place by a different name, which means good selection of beers and wine, nice food menu options if a little bit on the pricy side food wise. The place itself is nice though, plenty of seating options, from proper tables for dinner, seats at the bar and around it for after work drinks, or comfy couches for a long session catching up with friends and chatting. The location is great if you're a tech worker in the area, for dinner or after work drinks, but this place is also great pre theatre as it's very close to the grand canal (bord gais) theatre. I've been here plenty of times when it was Ely's and after my latest visit under its new name/ownership I will definitely keep coming back! read more

I cannot get enough of the smashed avocado toast! The eggs are poached perfectly! And the latte! Don't get me started on the latte. Beautiful view of the grand canal dock as well. Seriously. Get the smashed avo. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

Food was fine. Service was atrocious. First off, the music was so loud, we could barely hear each other talk. The waitress didn't speak the best English, and kept bothering us to confirm our order, take a cap off a bottle of wine, ask several times if everything was okay. At the end of the meal, we were asked if we want desserts, and we said no. The reply was "Then you just want the bill". As if they wanted to rush us out - which was amazing, because the place wasn't busy and they had about 5 members of staff looking over our section of just a few tables. When we put the money for the bill to be paid, another waitress, who didn't interact with us the entire night, asked "Do you want the change?" The change would have been 10 euro, and I found it incredibly rude. She talked herself out of that ten euro tip and we left just a few euro. I'd avoid this place completely if you're looking for a relaxing meal read more

Incredibly charming for outdoor brunch on a Saturday (coming from a New Yorker with lots of brunch options and experience). We were staying at a nearby Airbnb and this and the Herb Street restaurant next door were perfect ways to start the day. I had the salmon salad which was really good and tea. read more

HQ Restaurant and Wine Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Dublin, D

This is one of my favourite spots in Dublin! The terrace looks out onto the canal which is stunning, the food portions are plentiful and reasonably priced for the area. They have pretty good draft selection, but I always go for the weekly cocktails. Never disappoints-friendly staff, and consistently good food. My only reservation is that at during theatre times it can be a bit crowded, so would recommend making a booking during peak times. read more

Bad food, bad service, unbelievably loud, avoid at all costs. If I could have sent a distress signal from here in order to be rescued, I would have. Alas, no one would have heard my cries for help. What a bad meal. Blech. read more

Located in the spot formerly known as Ely Gastro Bar, HQ is basically the same place with a different name. They are now open earlier and I think they simplified the menu a bit. The fries are served in the same basket that Ely did, the seating and look of the place is the same as Ely, and the food tastes about the same as well. They have improved upon one thing over Ely and that is the service. Ely was notorious for having bad service and from my first experience at HQ it appears they paid attention to that feedback and the service now is much better. read more

Over the course of a week we had two fine meals at HQ. The food was excellent and reasonably priced for the quality. Service was good. My only complaint is that it was a bit noisy. read more

Terrible lacklustre service from staff who seem to spend more time nattering at the bar and chatting with each other than keeping tables clean or getting orders right. Juices were bland and boring and I'd be surprised if they were freshly pressed. The fries were decent but everything else was terrible. The brownie was awful - dry, tasteless and served with horrible cheap strawberry syrup. The 'selection of cheeses', which arrived on the third try, did eventually have a 'selection' of cheese and some dry bland crackers and acidic grapes, but none of us was impressed. Won't be going back. read more

Tried to have dinner there tonight. Servers were too busy talking to even notice a single diner. Loud environment and didn't appear to be worth the wait given the less than enthusiastic vibe of the staff read more

Food was just bad. We tried multiple things on menu and none were good. Even the beer was not right.

Visiting for our honeymoon from California. We wanted to try something a little more "fancy". It was definitely not worth the price. Idk if our tastes are different but we didn't have a good experience food wise. My husband got the steak and it was soooooo SALTY! It literally tasted like they poured the bottle onto it. It also came with "crispy onions". Those were bad as well. I got the 'Irish Supreme'. The chicken was so BLAND. No seasoning at all. It was on top of this chorizo mixture which has green beans and kidney beans and other beans. The beans tasted super undercooked. We would not recommend this place for other tourists. That being said the service was okay and the waiter felt bad and wanted to comp us and we declined but he still refilled my wine glass. read more

I like this place! Very chilled out, perfect for pre and/or after show drinks if you're going to the theatre across the road. Have only been here a handful of times but they've got IPA on tap which makes me happy! read more

Very disappointing meal here, service was slow, food came at different times which is my pet peeve! All food should come out together or if not together a few minutes later, not a good ten minutes later! I ordered the Cajun chicken burger, nothing about the chicken I got in my burger was Cajun, we had to ask for knives and fork with one server three times before he got my brother a set of knives and folks! Will be not be rushing back, I would come here for a drink again not food as it is such a lovely area to sit in the sun read more

I have eaten here a few times, twice on a work lunch and one for a girls dinner. The food was lovely each time and the staff were friendly. Great location for a pre show meal. It can get very noisy at busy times though so you can't really have a conversation read more

Fantastic spot to enjoy lunch or drinks and cocktails in the sun! It can get busy on a lovely day but plenty of seating inside if it's not so lovely. Deliciously fresh tasting food and good prices too read more

Meh. I got the crab and prawn risotto. It was not all that. It was a little too al dente. If I had a choice I probably wouldn't go again, I just didn't think it was all that special for the prices. The menu is very small, so limited options for the picky eater. read more

Inedible burger bun (really tough) and tiny portions of sauces for fries (why so stingy??). Beer was good though. Would not recommend.

Service is slower than molasses in wintertime. Waited 20 mins while waiter (balding with glasses guy) sat on his phone.