The other evening, our team had dinner at Cirillo’s—a popular Italian restaurant located on Baggot Street in central Dublin. Nestled in the heart of the city, Cirillo’s promises an authentic Italian experience and has earned a reputation for its wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes.

We were seated downstairs, right in front of the open kitchen, where (presumably) Italian chefs were preparing meals fresh from scratch. The atmosphere was energetic but, like many restaurants in Dublin, quite loud—we often had to raise our voices to be heard.

Dietary Restrictions and Limited Menu Options

As someone who doesn’t eat pork and avoids alcohol, I found the menu a bit limiting. There were few chicken or beef options, so I settled on a pizza. Despite the constraints, I tried to make the most of the experience.

Starters at Cirillo’s – Arancini

Starter Ordered: Arancini

The Arancini—crispy, deep-fried rice balls—were flavorful and well-executed. In fact, several of my colleagues also ordered them. It’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a satisfying start to your meal.

Gluten-Free Option – Panzanella Salad

One of my colleagues is gluten-intolerant, so she opted for the Panzanella Salad.

It mostly consisted of raw tomatoes and cheese. While it may appeal to some, I found it underwhelming.

Main Course – Rustica Pizza

I ordered the Rustica Pizza, which came with mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, olives, red onion, and parmesan shavings.

(Sorry, I had already started eating before realizing I should’ve taken a photo.)

The pizza had an overwhelming amount of oil. I had never thought pizza could be that oily—it definitely caught me off guard.

Regret: Pappardelle al Ragú di Manzo

A colleague ordered the Pappardelle al Ragú di Manzo – slow-cooked beef shin ragú with parmesan fondue.

I wish I had chosen this dish instead. It looked rich, hearty, and far more flavorful.

A Note on Flavor: Too Bland for Desi Tastes?

Let’s be honest—many of us from South Asian (desi) backgrounds might prefer the bold, spicy flavors of places like Papa John’s or Domino’s. My Indian friend and I found Cirillo’s offerings quite bland for our taste buds. Despite my self-proclaimed love for Italian food, I was disappointed to discover that authentic Italian cuisine didn’t hit the mark for me.

Beverages – Diet Coke vs. Strawberry-Basil Lemonade

As I don’t drink alcohol, I usually order a Diet Coke with ice (because let’s be real—Coke without ice just isn’t the same!). But a friend recommended I try a mocktail, which I hadn’t realized were alcohol-free.

We ordered the Strawberry-Basil Lemonade.

Strangely, mine tasted better than my friend’s—hers had too much lemon. Overall, it was refreshing and enjoyable.

Desserts – Limited but Decent

There were only two dessert options: Tiramisu and Chocolate Semifreddo. Since Tiramisu typically contains alcohol in non-Muslim countries, I went with the Chocolate Semifreddo.

It was very nice but I wish I had taken a picture. Anyway, a decent way to end the meal.

Here is Cirillo’s on the map: