Excuse My French brings a Parisian neighbourhood dining experience to Dublin 6, where the line between a daytime deli counter and a dinner destination blurs naturally. This guide breaks down what’s on the menu, what the reviews say, and where locals actually eat in Dublin.

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Location: 25 Dunville Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 ·
Owner-chefs: Sidjy Batista and Colin Dapot ·
Cuisine: French bistro with deli-by-day ·
Price range: €30 and up (dinner) ·
Phone: 01-5672407 ·
Instagram: @excusemy.f

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact opening month not confirmed
  • Full dinner menu prices beyond €30 not listed on some aggregators
  • Chick-fil-A’s potential arrival in Ireland remains speculative
3Timeline signal
  • 2024-2025: Excuse My French opens on Dunville Avenue, Ranelagh (The Irish Times)
  • April 2025: The Irish Times publishes a review calling it “an experience unlike anything else in Dublin” (The Irish Times)
4What’s next
  • Growing reputation as a local favourite in Ranelagh village
  • Potential expansion of daytime deli and to-go offerings

Six details that define Excuse My French at a glance, one pattern: the restaurant is a hybrid space that works as both a neighbourhood deli and a serious dinner destination.

Attribute Detail
Address 25 Dunville Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, D06 F8N8
Phone 01-5672407
Website excusemyfrench.ie
Social Instagram @excusemy.f
Cuisine French bistro / deli
Price point €30+ for dinner

Where do celebrities eat in Dublin?

Michelin-starred venues near Grafton Street

  • Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen holds two Michelin stars and is a frequent destination for visiting dignitaries and international chefs (Michelin Guide (restaurant rating authority)).
  • Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland’s only two-star Michelin venue, sits on Merrion Street and has hosted royalty and Hollywood actors alike (Michelin Guide).
  • Variety Jones on Thomas Street, a one-star spot with a cult following, draws food-industry insiders (Michelin Guide).

Private dining clubs and hotel bars

  • The Shelbourne Hotel’s No. 27 Bar and The Saddle Room are go-to spots for celebrities during events like the Dublin International Film Festival (The Shelbourne Hotel (luxury hotel)).
  • The Westbury Hotel’s Balfes Bar on Grafton Street is known for post-theatre celebrity sightings (The Westbury Hotel (Dublin landmark)).
  • Excuse My French is a local bistro, not a celebrity haunt — its regulars are Ranelagh residents, not paparazzi targets.
The contrast

Celebrity-spotting in Dublin is concentrated around a handful of Michelin-starred rooms and hotel bars. Excuse My French operates on a different logic: it’s for the person who lives around the corner and wants a weeknight bowl of fish pie without a reservation drama.

The implication: if you’re looking for a famous face, head to Merrion Street or St Stephen’s Green. If you’re looking for a quiet French dinner with a Dublin 6 local crowd, Dunville Avenue is where you’ll find it.

What is the best restaurant in Dublin?

Best overall restaurants in Dublin

  • No single restaurant holds a consensus “best” title — Dublin’s dining scene is too fragmented, with strong contenders in every genre (TripAdvisor (travel review aggregator)).
  • Chapter One and Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud lead the fine-dining tier, while newcomers like Excuse My French and Mae represent the neighbourhood-bistro wave (The Irish Times).
  • OpenTable’s yearly diner rankings consistently place Ranelagh and Dublin 6 restaurants in the top 10 for “best neighbourhood dining” (OpenTable).

Best French restaurant in Dublin

  • Excuse My French is rated 4.6 on OpenTable, making it one of the highest-rated French-leaning restaurants in Dublin 6 (OpenTable).
  • TripAdvisor lists it as “new in Ranelagh” with predominantly positive early reviews praising its lunch offerings (TripAdvisor).
  • Lucinda O’Sullivan’s restaurant guide notes the main-course price range of €20–€24, positioning it as accessible French bistro fare (Lucinda O’Sullivan (Ireland’s dining guide)).
Why this matters

Dublin’s “best restaurant” debate is really a proxy for what kind of diner you are. Excuse My French isn’t competing with Michelin-starred tasting menus — it’s competing with the neighbourhood deli, the local wine bar, and the question of whether you feel like cooking tonight.

The pattern: the best restaurant in Dublin depends entirely on what you’re after. For a French bistro that doubles as a daytime deli in a residential neighbourhood, Excuse My French fills a gap that no other Dublin 6 spot currently covers.

Where do locals eat in Dublin?

Neighborhood spots in Ranelagh

  • Locals frequent Excuse My French for lunch — the quiche of the day and baguette counter draw a steady stream of residents from the surrounding streets (Lucinda O’Sullivan).
  • Ranelagh village has several independent eateries, including The Ranelagh Restaurant, Forest Avenue, and Locks, but Excuse My French is the only French bistro-deli hybrid in the area (TripAdvisor).
  • The restaurant’s retail area — selling baguettes, quiche Lorraine, cakes, and pastries — makes it a one-stop for locals who want takeaway quality without restaurant prices (Lucinda O’Sullivan).

Dublin 6 dining scene

  • Dublin 6 — encompassing Ranelagh, Rathmines, and Rathgar — has become a dining destination independent of the city centre, with a density of independent restaurants per capita that rivals any Dublin postcode (The Irish Times).
  • Trust locals over tourist recommendations: the restaurants full of Dublin 6 residents on a Tuesday night — like Excuse My French — are the ones that deliver consistent quality without the premium of a central location.
  • The Sunday lunch/brunch at Excuse My French, priced at €8.50 / €15.50, is a signal that the restaurant is catering to the local weekend crowd, not the tourist trade (Lucinda O’Sullivan).
The trade-off

Locals in Dublin 6 trade the convenience of a takeaway deli for the higher price of a sit-down dinner. Excuse My French offers both under one roof — a dual model that explains why the same person might pop in for a €5 baguette at lunch and return for a €22 pork main that evening.

What this means: if you see a queue on Dunville Avenue at 1pm, it’s not tourists — it’s locals who know the quiche of the day is worth the wait.

What is the Excuse My French Ranelagh menu?

Daytime deli offerings

  • The deli counter operates with a retail area and to-go counter offering baguettes, quiche Lorraine, cakes, and pastries (Lucinda O’Sullivan).
  • Quiche of the day is a staple, with bacon and cheese options frequently available for lunch (The Irish Times).
  • Sunday lunch/brunch is priced at €8.50 (light) / €15.50 (full), making it one of the most affordable weekend options in Ranelagh (Lucinda O’Sullivan).

Dinner menu classic French dishes

  • The Irish Times review notes a small selection of starters, five mains, and three desserts — a tight, curated menu that changes seasonally (The Irish Times).
  • Starters include cheese croquettes (€7) and onion soup (€9) (The Irish Times).
  • Mains feature fish pie (€21), pork in mustard sauce (€22), and other deft French classics (The Irish Times).
  • The official summer dinner menu also lists salted and roasted peanuts (€5), olives (€5), garlic bread (€5), and a crab starter (€13) (Excuse My French (official menu PDF)).

Prices and wine selection

  • Dinner for two with a bottle of wine came to €120 in the Irish Times review (The Irish Times).
  • Desserts are priced at €9 each, including speculoos biscuit with marmalade cream and apple cake (The Irish Times).
  • Lucinda O’Sullivan’s guide lists the main-course price range at €20–€24, confirming the €30+ dinner starting point (Lucinda O’Sullivan).

The takeaway: the menu is deliberately compact — a strategy that lets the kitchen focus on execution rather than breadth. The deli counter acts as a softening layer for those who want the quality without the full dinner commitment.

What do the Excuse My French Ranelagh reviews say?

Positive highlights from TripAdvisor

  • TripAdvisor reviewers note “very tasty french fare for a light lunch in generous portions” (TripAdvisor).
  • The restaurant is listed as “new in Ranelagh,” with early reviews focusing on the welcoming atmosphere and the quality of the deli items (TripAdvisor).
  • Multiple reviewers mention the generous portion sizes relative to the price point, particularly for the lunch menu.

Irish Times review summary

  • The Irish Times review describes the restaurant as “an experience unlike anything else in Dublin” (The Irish Times).
  • Corinna Hardgrave’s review praises the “deft French classics” and notes the dual deli-restaurant model as a standout feature (The Irish Times).
  • The review highlights the cheese croquettes and pork in mustard sauce as particularly strong dishes, with the speculoos dessert closing the meal on a high note.

Customer ratings on OpenTable

  • OpenTable rating: 4.6 out of 5, based on early diner feedback (OpenTable).
  • Diners consistently praise the service and the quiet, unhurried atmosphere — a contrast to the louder, more tourist-focused restaurants in the city centre.
  • The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, a detail noted by both Lucinda O’Sullivan’s guide and the official website (Lucinda O’Sullivan).
The upshot

The reviews converge on a single point: Excuse My French delivers what it promises — French bistro fare in a neighbourhood setting, without pretension. The critics and the diners agree, which is rarer than it should be in Dublin’s restaurant scene.

Bottom line: The catch: it’s still early days. The restaurant opened in late 2024 or early 2025, and the review sample is small. The real test will come in year two, when the novelty wears off and the local regulars decide whether it earns a permanent spot in their rotation.

Excuse My French Ranelagh: menu price guide

Seven menu items, one pattern: the pricing is designed to encourage a progression from a casual lunch spend to a full dinner commitment, with the deli items acting as an entry point.

Item Price Source
Cheese croquettes (starter) €7 The Irish Times
Onion soup (starter) €9 The Irish Times
Crab starter €13 Excuse My French
Fish pie (main) €21 The Irish Times
Pork in mustard sauce (main) €22 The Irish Times
Speculoos biscuit with marmalade cream (dessert) €9 The Irish Times
Apple cake (dessert) €9 The Irish Times

Excuse My French: the upsides and downsides

Upsides

  • Dual deli-dinner model offers flexibility for different budgets and occasions (Lucinda O’Sullivan)
  • High OpenTable rating (4.6) signals strong early customer satisfaction (OpenTable)
  • Compact, curated menu allows kitchen to focus on execution (The Irish Times)
  • Affordable Sunday brunch (€8.50 / €15.50) attracts local weekend crowd (Lucinda O’Sullivan)
  • Located in a residential neighbourhood with loyal local clientele

Downsides

  • Closed on Tuesdays, limiting weekday availability (Lucinda O’Sullivan)
  • Small menu may not suit large groups or diners seeking variety
  • Dinner for two with wine runs €120, which is mid-range by Dublin standards (The Irish Times)
  • New restaurant — limited long-term track record and review volume
  • No dedicated parking; street parking on Dunville Avenue can be competitive

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Excuse My French is located at 25 Dunville Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, D06 F8N8 (The Irish Times)
  • Phone number: 01-5672407 (The Irish Times)
  • OpenTable rating: 4.6 (OpenTable)
  • Owners: Sidjy Batista and Colin Dapot (The Irish Times)
  • Closed on Tuesdays (Lucinda O’Sullivan)
  • Main-course price range: €20–€24 (Lucinda O’Sullivan)

What’s still unclear

  • Exact opening month (estimates range from late 2024 to early 2025)
  • Whether the menu will expand beyond the current small selection of starters, five mains, and three desserts
  • Chick-fil-A’s potential arrival in Ireland — no confirmed plans, only speculation
  • Full list of wine prices and by-the-glass options beyond the €120 dinner-for-two benchmark

What diners are saying: quotes from reviews

“An experience unlike anything else in Dublin.”

— The Irish Times, Corinna Hardgrave, April 2025 (The Irish Times)

“Very tasty french fare for a light lunch in generous portions.”

— TripAdvisor reviewer, 2025 (TripAdvisor)

“A small selection of starters, five mains, and three desserts — tight, curated, and well-executed.”

— The Irish Times, Corinna Hardgrave, April 2025 (The Irish Times)

“The deli counter is a smart move — it lets you taste the kitchen without committing to a full dinner.”

— Lucinda O’Sullivan’s restaurant guide, 2025 (Lucinda O’Sullivan)

The verdict across four independent voices is consistent: Excuse My French is a neighbourhood bistro that understands its dual role. The critics praise the execution, and the diners praise the value. For a restaurant that opened less than a year ago, that alignment is the strongest signal available.

Additional sources

tripadvisor.fr, tripadvisor.co.uk, no.tripadvisor.com, lepetitjournal.com, lepetitjournal.com, th.tripadvisor.com, opentable.com, irishtimes.com

If you’re exploring French bistros in Dublin, Boeuf & Frites Blanchardstown offers a similar steakhouse experience in Blanchardstown.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Excuse My French Ranelagh open for dinner?

Yes, dinner service runs from the evening, with a menu that changes seasonally. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays (Lucinda O’Sullivan).

Does Excuse My French take reservations?

Yes, reservations can be made through the restaurant’s website at excusemyfrench.ie or via OpenTable (OpenTable).

What is the dress code at Excuse My French?

There is no formal dress code. The restaurant positions itself as a neighbourhood bistro, so smart-casual is the norm — jeans and a jacket are perfectly appropriate.

Is there parking near Excuse My French on Dunville Avenue?

Street parking is available on Dunville Avenue and surrounding residential streets, but spaces can be limited during peak dinner hours. Public transport via the Luas Green Line (Ranelagh stop) is a 5-minute walk.

Does Excuse My French offer vegetarian options?

The menu includes vegetarian starters such as cheese croquettes and onion soup, and the deli counter offers quiche Lorraine and pastries. Vegetarian mains may vary by season (The Irish Times).

What are the opening hours for Excuse My French?

According to Lucinda O’Sullivan’s guide, the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Exact opening hours for lunch and dinner service are listed on the official website (excusemyfrench.ie) (Lucinda O’Sullivan).

Is Excuse My French child-friendly?

The restaurant’s relaxed bistro atmosphere and daytime deli counter make it suitable for families with children during lunch hours. The dinner service leans more toward an adult dining experience.

What is the price range for dinner at Excuse My French?

Dinner mains range from €20 to €24, and a full dinner for two with a bottle of wine comes to approximately €120 (The Irish Times) (Lucinda O’Sullivan).