Riba Reviews

We came to celebrate my mums birthday. The staff made my mum feel very special. The food was adjusted according to my gluten intolerance, which is a rare thing. Thank you for the great evening!

We enjoyed our lunch here. Burger and risotto were amazing. Lovely flavours,absolutely delicious.
Wings were tender and the sauce was exactly how I like it.
Ceasar salad was fine,lots of dressing but some salad leafs didn’t look right…and for my tasting I got too much Parmesan on top of it,but at the end the food was lovely and I have to come back for that burger.
Absolutely delicious,did I said that already? Oh yeahhhh thanks

Pros:
Nice staff + Delicious Grilled Gambas + Caesar Salad sauce was good and fresh + Warm Baked Chocolate Hazelnut Sponge was very good and fresh

Cons:
Fiorentina pizza wasn’t good; almost tasteless + Caesar Salad didn’t have chicken at all + It smelled like cigarette smoke outside continuously, even though nobody was smoking

It was my birthday. Leinster had just triumphed in the rugby final, and we were riding high on the kind of euphoria normally reserved for national holidays and new Top Gear episodes. Spirits were high. The rain was higher. It was absolutely lashing – the sort of weather where ducks are having a fantastic day and the rest of us are wondering if it’s time to start building an ark.

Enter: Riba, Stillorgan.

From the outside, it looks modest. Civilised. The kind of place you expect to serve nice olives and employ people who understand wine beyond "red or white?" But step inside, and it’s like being wrapped in a warm Italian hug. Friendly staff, not an ounce of fuss, and the smell of something delicious lurking in every corner.

Now, the food.
I started with the squid. Now squid is tricky. Do it wrong and you’re chewing on something that feels like it should be attached to a wetsuit. But here? Tender, delicate, properly seasoned the sort of dish that makes you think, “Yes. This is why we don’t just stay at home with a microwave lasagne.”

Next came the Riba burger. Not some sad, over-smashed abomination on a plank of driftwood with a side of hipster shame. No. This was a burger. Thick, juicy, unapologetic. It required two hands, a sturdy jaw, and a deep sense of purpose. Absolutely magnificent.

My son had a margherita pizza, which naturally required the ceremonial Dad Tax – a slice for inspection. And it passed. Base with just the right chew, a sauce that could make a grown man weep, and cheese that actually tasted of cheese.

My uncle, who normally uses hot sauce like others use aftershave, went for the ’nduja meatballs – proper fiery, rich and meaty. I suspect he wanted to move in.

Now, my mother’s coeliac. This usually results in a game of “guess which dish won’t make her ill”. But Riba? Not only did they cater for her, they nailed it. The risotto was velvety, fragrant, and entirely gluten-free without making a song and dance about it.

To finish, cappuccinos, Irish coffees, and a gelato selection that looked like it had been assembled by someone with a PhD in indulgence. And yes, the birthday candle arrived. With a chorus. Possibly the cheesiest moment of the day – and I loved every second of it.

In conclusion:
Riba is one of those rare places where everything just works. Rain outside? Who cares. Rugby victory or not, the food alone could turn any day into a celebration. It’s unpretentious, deeply satisfying, and joyously Italian – the kind of restauran

My family and I have shared many happy visits to Riba. We’ve never posted before but every visit has been really enjoyable. The menu is extensive enough to suit most tastes. The service is consistently professional, friendly, helpful and not overbearing. We are lucky to have a local eatery with such consistent high standards. It deserves our support. Highly recommended by my extended family.