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Hours
Sun
12:00 - 22:00
Mon
10:00 - 21:45
Tue
10:00 - 21:45
Wed
10:00 - 22:00
Thu
10:00 - 21:45
Fri
9:00 - 21:45
Sat
12:00 - 21:45
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Irish, Seafood, European, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Groups, Bar Scene, Business meetings
Is this a pub?
Details
About
Matt the Thresher is an award winning family owned Seafood Bar and Restaurant, specialising in fresh wild Irish Seafood. We are located in the heart of Georgian Dublin in the city centre not far from St Stephen Green. We are opened 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended, you can book online by email or phone.
PRICE RANGE
€12.00 – €49.00
CUISINES
Irish, Seafood, European
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
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4.5
2,747 reviews
Excellent
1,726
Very good
678
Average
162
Poor
98
Terrible
83
CassieStaffs
Melbourne11 contributions
Dec 2019 • couples
Made an advance booking for new years eve based on availability and online reviews. What incredible luck that we happened to have our new years eve dinner at Matt the Threshers! We called ahead as our taxi ran late and spoke to Ivan who was really accommodating and managed to hold a table for us. On arrival Ivan was really friendly and got our evening started with a walm welcome. Our server Ioana was so attentive and gave perfect service throughout our meal, even rectifying a table wobble we didn't even realise we had! The food was gorgeous from start to finish, portion sizes much more generous than expected and great value for money. We had plates / drinks served by several different people throughout the night and every single person delivered fantastic friendly service - all this on new years eve and a packed out restaurant. Absolutely loved our evening at Matt the Threshers, would whole heartedly recommend and we hope to return again in the future.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuestManage
Hello CassieStaffs,
We are grateful for the kind words and compliment on our wait staff and food. We promise to provide you with that same level of satisfaction or even more when you return!
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 7 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
t l
Cork21 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We like the decor and the friendly staff; for our last visit , my wife ordered medium-well steak - which came out cremated. We sent it back, and when another one came out - that was also creamated! For €34 ( pricey for a gastopub) we expect steaks to be PROPERLY cooked.
The waiting staff handled the issue well, but it was disappointing, and such a waste of good steak!
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuestManage
hello t l,Thank you for reviewing us. We're very happy to hear that you and your wife had an exceptional time at our restaurant. We are excited to welcome you back!
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 12 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RCS3rd
Wellesley945 contributions
Mar 2019 • none
We had a concert at the National Concert Hall and found this restaurant to be in walking distance to the concert hall. We were in the mood of seafood and this was a good place.
The restaurant was not overly busy as we arrived. Many various seating options. Bar with tall ceilings, regular dining room first floor, balcony dining area and “salon”. There was a grand piano in the restaurant so music are played at certain hours.
Seated at the long marble bar we placed our order. with a note that we had a concert to catch. Service was efficient and service minded.
Tastings:
Chower - a generous portion fish chowder. Very nice. Score 4*
Fish and Chips - traditional style. Generous portion fish. Good french fries and delish tartar sauce also with minted pea dipping sauce. Nothing to brave too much about. Score 3*
Monkfish in tomato broth served with clams cauliflower, peas and pea shots with fingerling potatoes. It was wonderful but on the pricier side (EUR 34.95). Score 4*
(* We rate the dishes we try on a scale from 1-5, 5 being outstanding.)
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuestManage
Hello RCS3rd
,
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with a very comprehensive review. We are pleased to hear that you had a great overall experience with us. We hope we can get the chance to know more regarding your experience with our fish and chips so we can give you a better experience on your next visit!
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 12 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
suitedreamsdublin
Ireland103 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Having been here a number of times, on my last visit I was disappointed, very disappointed. This restaurant is not cheap and I don’t mind paying for good food but it is a bitter pill to swallow when it is bad. The disappointment is exacerbated when you know it is down to bad service, carelessness, lack of supervision and attention to detail. Especially when dealing with the very best produce Ireland has to offer. It is unforgivable and I feel justifiably annoyed. It puzzled me before when I saw bad reviews on here for this restaurant and wondered if they had visited the same restaurant as me that I had found so fantastic, but now I know why. I think the crux of the problem was no visible sign of a manager or owner. Unfortunately it was an occasion when we decided to treat 2 friends. I was actually embarrassed. Both my friend and I should have sent our warm soggy scampi back but we were too exhausted by the bad and inattentive service already at that stage and couldn’t face another wait. The other courses were no great shakes and the beverage service was extremely poor, along with the rest of the service throughout the meal. Being Irish we just smiled and over tipped before leaving without complaints and never returning again. No one said goodbye or helped us get our coats from the cloak room. I thought of going back to complain but to be honest there was no point, as I certainly would never go back again and take the chance of enduring such a meal again. Shame really.
Written 10 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LooCan
Dublin21 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
No consistency to the quality of the food and/or the service offering in this restaurant, will not return. No sense of trying their best for somewhat regular customers. Main meal was bad not offered an alternative so left restaurant starving and totally disappointed.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deliduff
Dublin11 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Normally a lunch venue for me. There is always a great buzz in the place with the restaurant full everyday. We sit at the bar if no tables available. I have had so much off the menu here and never had a bad meal. I just love ordering the fish specials. Priced between €18/22; normally they do great things with fish like Sea Bass, Plaice and Gurnard. Wine list has something for everyone on it and wont break the bank. Highly recommend people to eat here anytime of the day. Full bar available if you fancy pints instead of wine. Guinness always good with their Oysters.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuestManage
Hello Deliduff,
Thank you for the awesome review. We are delighted to hear that you found everything to you your liking and that you enjoyed the food and the whole experience. We hope to welcome you again!
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 12 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TJA950
Gillingham1601 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
You know, we asked a few people about this restaurant before going and we heard a fair bit of criticism about the service but it was rarely about the food. Certainly, that was our experience when we went for dinner. The meet and greet was lacking professionalism, almost offhand. Whether he was maître d, manager or owner I know not but it was not good. He almost ruined our visit. Uncommunicative, he sat us down, never spoke to us or any of the waiters and walked off without a word. We waited for quite a while before our waitress arrived. We never saw him again. I guess there really is a management issue here after all.
So, what is my view of this restaurant, believe it or not, they’re fantastic! From that moment our waitress arrived, the service was excellent, the drinks came quickly, the order taken and arrived quickly too and she was attentive. A little overpriced I think but I appreciate well prepared food, nicely presented and it was obvious there was “care” on our plates. These people are running a great operation, a really nice compact menu majoring on fish but offering enough choice, all in lovely surroundings. Whoever is in charge of the kitchen is to be congratulated for the quality and standard of food they prepare. Watch out for the automatic service charge, a practice I hate, but you can always knock if off if that guy in the front of house upsets you. My recommendation, don’t let him put you off, this is a great restaurant.
Written 2 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guest Manager
Hello TJA950,
Thank you for the lovely review, we appreciate the kind words. We are truly happy to know that you enjoyed your food and the experience with us. We are sorry if the start of your visit was a bit unpleasant, we hope it was just a simple case of miscommunication, we promise it will never happen again. We hope to see you back.
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 4 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Acidov
Warsaw8166 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I enjoyed my visit from the first moment. The décor was fantastic, sophisticated, and luxurious. I couldn’t stop taking pictures, which probably wasn’t the most elegant thing I’ve done, but now you can view them attached to this review. The prices are high, so I ended up ordering only one item from the menu (crab salad with avocado) accompanied by wine. In fact, I was not very hungry, but curiosity won out. It was quite a change after visiting several rustic restaurants in the city center. The salad was a solid portion of fresh and tasty ingredients. It was served with soda bread and butter. I must admit it was the tastiest soda bread I have tried during my stay in Ireland, so different from the others (sweeter and fluffier). Overall, I had a wonderful hour there. If you’ve had enough stews and pies in the city center, this will be a positive change!
Written 10 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guest Manager
Hello Acidov,
Thank you for the review and we are glad that you had a good experience here. We look forward to your next visit!
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 28 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
so400
Wexford17 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
From the moment we walked in we were greeted by friendly and competent staff who could not have been nicer. The food was excellent, the service was efficient and the atmosphere was so pleasant. I just happened to mention in passing that it was a milestone day for me and the next thing a beautiful plate with a tasty treat and an apt inscription in chocolate was presented to me 'on the house'.
It was such a lovely surprise, while all the staff were lovely can I say a very big thank you to one of the waiters who is originally from Tramore..... he was extremely thoughtful.
A regular lunch on a Monday turned into a very special lunch because of attentive staff.
We hope to be back soon.
Written 31 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GuestManage
Hello so400,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We are ecstatic that you enjoyed the experience with us us and we will pass this on to the team to let them know how happy you were on your visit! We look forward to your return!
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 1 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DigitalRabbit
Los Gatos688 contributions
May 2022 • none
After spending almost two weeks circumnavigating Ireland on a small expedition ship, I was craving Irish seafood. The ship was provisioned prior to its arrival in Ireland (coming from Costa Rica), so the food did not offer a taste of Ireland. Yet everyday from deck, I would see mussel farms and small fishing boats. When a fellow traveler suggested that I eat at Matt the Thresher when I disembarked in Dublin, I immediately procured a reservation.
Matt’s interior is stylish and quiet enough for an intimate conversation with dinner mates. When presented with the menu, my eyes stopped on the first two items—Carlingford Lough and Connemara Galway oysters. My partner and I ordered a dozen to share, six of each. It was difficult to rate one any better than the other because both were hands down, the best oysters I’ve ever eaten. Unlike West Coast USA oysters, the Irish oysters were not too briny. The texture was firm and the size was perfect—not too large, not too small.
We each also ordered seafood chowder, which came with a side of malt brown bread, and Roaring Water Bay mussels. The seafood chowder was hearty, full of white fish in a thick broth, and quite nicely seasoned. The mussels were accompanied with a delicate white wine and cream sauce. Fabulous!
When I look back at the menu now, I see that I ordered the first four items on the menu. I never made it to the mains or dessert! The rest will have to wait for another day.
The food was absolutely delicious. I ordered more than I could finish, as I wasn’t expecting the seafood chowder to be so hearty and the mussels to be so plentiful. I ordered the dinner-size portion of mussels, but the appetizer portion would have been enough for dinner, at least for me.
Matt has a good selection of wine by the glass. As someone coming from California, USA, I found the prices to be very reasonable. The service was perfect.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guest Manager
Hello DigitalRabbit,
*We are grateful for your review. We are beaming with pride knowing that we hit the mark and delivered on everything that we promised. We are grateful for the kind words and compliment on our wait staff and food. We promise to provide you with that same level of satisfaction or even more when you return!
Kind regards,
Matt the Thresher
Written 20 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
allthingstenerife
Dublin166 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
Not my first trip to mats but possibly the last. Tom was charming and led us to our table. Service excellent can not deny,but let down by the food. Starter was well cooked and tasty. Main coarse seafood tagliatelle was poor to say the least. It arrived out with far too much rocket lettuce and pamasan cheese on top neither of which belong on this dish. It should be called prawn pasta as it was void of any other seafood. The pasta was overcook, beautiful ingredients ruined. I finished with the black current panacota which was bland , gelatinous, clagy and served with bitter berries. I really like the restaurant fantastic setting, fantastic atmosphere and staff. I go to restaurants to eat and mats let me down. I really think the food is over priced and poorly cooked which is a shame for such a beautiful place. To finish staff 10/10. Food 4/10.
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vampirolog
14 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
The restaurant is nicely appointed and seems to play to local lawyer/politico types. We could only get a 5:45 reservation (Saturday night), but didn't get home until 9:00. We had a seemingly nice server who, after our pear, walnut and blue cheese salad starters were served, more or less disappeared. Eventually, we got one order of mussels, but, alas, we hadn't ordered them - it was the app for the table next to us. Our main courses didn't show up until 8:15. The waitress appeared and was shocked we hadn't gotten any food, especially when I threatened to leave. We then got our food, which was fresh and good, but nothing to write home about: the shellfish pot was an Irish attempt at bouillabaisse, without much seasoning but lots of seafood. The maitre d' was running around looking for tables to turn, yet our waitress was MIA even before our dessert (very good panacotta) arrived. I nodded to both a runner and another server for the bill (10 minutes apart), and yet another server finally brought us the bill: EUR 100 for two salads, two entrees, a glass of tap cider, and one dessert. No apology for the wait time or the mistaken order or the delay in getting our server to bring us the bill.
Written 20 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmy L
Dear Vampirolog,
Thank you for your feedback. We were all disappointed letting you down and I wish to apologise for the delay in getting your main courses.
I have investigated your complaint, talking with your waitress and our manager.
I reviewed our CCTV and POS systems for Saturday evening and I have found your timeline of events including the time when you received your mains to inaccurate to say the least. For what ever reason you have decided to add a full hour to the wait for main courses. You received your main courses at 7.15pm and not 8.15pm as you have suggested.
It took you 45 minutes to finish your shellfish pot and when the waitress asked you how it was, you responded “It was worth the wait”.
On the CCTV footage it also shows you talking to our manager and he informs at no point did you mention any issue about a delay nor make any complaint.
Your sincerely
Jimmy
Written 24 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Greer22
Belfast18 contributions
Sept 2021 • couples
My husband and I are the couple that the previous reviewer referred to. My husband and I visited this restaurant on the recommendation of the Shelbourne hotel where we are staying. Firstly at no point were we asked for a contact number for track and trace nor were we asked to show proof of vaccinations, nor did I see anyone being asked . I understand that the government rules are that these checks must be done for anyone dining indoors . This was a very busy restaurant and failing to follow government guidelines is putting alot of people at risk . As the previous reviewer said the food is good but the service is awful. We were at our table at 7.15 and it took 2.5 hours for two courses. When I asked for the bill, ( I had to go to the bar to ask for it ) our dinner plates were still on the table. When asked if our meal was ok I told the waitress that the service was atrocious, she wasn’t interested. I have made the Shelbourne aware of the problems with the restaurant. So basically if you are in a hurry and care for your health don’t dine here
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmy L
Dear Greer,
Thank you for your feedback.
I completely apologize for the poor level of service you received. On the evening you dined with us we were unexpectedly left short staffed and this lead to some delays for a couple of tables. We are all very disappointed we let you down. As you can see from the thousands of reviews we receive such poor service is thankfully extremely rare. Matt the Thresher has always followed Covid 19 guidelines, your contact details were held on our reservation system which were given at the time of the hotel making the booking, a reservation cannot be made without contact tracing details being included.
Again I apologize for the slow service, if you would contact me directly at 01 6762980 or at mattsdublingmail.com I would be happy to try and make amends.
Yours sincerely .
Jimmy Lyons
Written 12 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brian M
6 contributions
Sept 2021 • friends
Went there with friends and the food is very good, but what a wait!! I don't think we ever had the same waiting staff twice. No one was assigned to our table. The couple beside us included a person in a wheelchair with obvious health needs - they got zero attention or support. It was embarrassing. We got our main course 90+ minutes after ordering and it was good. On a Saturday night, there was no visible Maitre D. The front desk did accommodate high demand well but no one got served on time. No one seemed to be in charge. Busy waiting staff passed by with empty trays all night. There was no system in place. No one cleared tables and only when you attracted the attention of yet another member of staff, did food eventually arrive. The excuse was 'its a busy night' but isn't that what a good restaurant manages well? We were mortified by the lack of care for the people at the next table. So were they. It was upsetting to see such an absence of care. The food, when it eventually arrived was very good. We were offered a dessert menu, but none arrived. 30 minutes later - we left. We were there over two hours and managed to cajole two courses out of them. We struggled to find a bill and to pay it. The menu is good, the seafood elements are very good, but no one is in charge, no one is assigned to your table and only when you protest to a staff member, will your food arrive. Lovely location, lovely food, pricey but good wine list, but no one is in charge. The lack of care for our neighbours table is a huge disappointment and one I haven't encountered before to such an extent. They were visitors and I was embarrassed by their lack of treatment. Get a manager, hire more staff, train them and care for your customers. You'll enjoy the food...if you get it.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimmy L
Dear Brian,
Thank you for your feedback. Your review was on the top of our weekly management meeting this week. I apologize for the poor level of service you received last Saturday night. On the evening you dined with us we were unexpectedly left short staffed and this lead to some delays for a couple of tables. We are all so disappointed we let you and your guests down. As you can see from the thousands of reviews we receive such poor service is thankfully extremely rare. Sometimes with get things wrong, but when they do we immediately address the issues and make changes straight away. It is certainly our intention to make sure such problems do not occur again.
I am pleased you enjoyed our food and if you would contact me directly at 01 6762980 or at mattsdublingmail.com I would be happy to try and make amends.
Yours sincerely,
Jimmy Lyons
Written 12 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann
Ireland60 contributions
Dec 2022 • friends
Us four friends met for a meal last week. We booked online and managed to secure a booking. It was very busy when we arrived at 7:15 but we were shown swiftly to our table which was up on the raised level. After being given menus and brought water, we chose starters of soup, pate, squid and all were so tasty. We were offered bread too. For mains, we had chicken, fish and chips and noodles with prawns. Only one person had room for dessert which looked and tasted great. We had a couple of drinks and one designated driver who stuck with the water and the total bill was €173 which was fair considering the excellent service and food served. Even though the restaurant was very busy with various sized groups, they were very well staffed. Many thanks for the great hospitality 🎄
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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