Great atmosphere. They managed disguise a normal Dublin georgian house into a bit of Morrocco. Everything else is great. Two thumbs up

i went to morocco a few years ago and absolutely loved the food, so when i returned to Dublin i wanted to see if i could find good moroccan in Dublin. My recent visit confirmed that El Bahia fits the bill perfectly. i had the chicken pastilla, which is absolutely divine. i also had lovely mint tea, and that, combined with the decor, really brought morocco back to me. The service is excellent and the waiter was very charming and friendly.

First time visit to this restaurant and will definitely go back. The food was really good. The Moroccan Salad was filling and really fresh. The dressing was also very flavoursome. The main course of Essaouira Tajine was also extremly tasty. The chicken was soft and full of flavour as were the potatoes. The dessert of Lemon Lime Bavaroise was really refreshing and full of citrus flavour. The Moroccan coffee was very different from normal coffee but also quite nice. Overall, a very enjoyable meal. The staff are also extremely friendly.

First time to eat here. The service was top notch from a very pleasant gentleman. Foodwise we both had a lentil starter. I opted for a meatball tagine whilst my mother had a couscous with veg. We both enjoeyed our starters and I enjoyed my main. My mother didnt really enjoy her main. I had a cheescake desert. The atmosphere was a tad quiet. This eatery offers good value for money on its early bird menu. I would return again.

I cannot fault this restaurant at all. I had the lam spicy sausages to begin and my girlfriend had the Moroccan soup. The sausages were lovely and tasty. The soup was so flavoursome and cooked with such an array of spices, it can only be described as exceptional. The Tangine as a main cooked with any meat is delicious and served with fresh vegetables. It also helped that the waiter was an exceptionally nice person. 100% recommend. It is a hidden jewel in the centre of Dublin

I had a meal last night in El Bahia, a group of six in total. I was disappointed with the service and food in general. A group of six were given one small bowl of olives to the table which wasn't enough. We were an hour in the restaurant before we got our starter which was mediocre. We ordered tagines for the main, a very dry dish with no sauce containing just chicken and potato that did not satisfy was served. We had to send it back. Finally, when the bill arrived it had a service charge included which came to €18 which was fine. We chose not to add any other moneys to the tip as we weren't satisfied with the food. We paid the bill and there was €10 due back in change which we didn't get ! They assumed it was a tip. This left us with a bad taste in our mouth with the result that we won't be returning to El Bahia..

Had a dinner with a friend after getting numerous recommendations. Cute place, going through a refurbishment at the moment, but this made no impact on the service. A bit hard to find if one follows the address on their website :) (37 Wicklow street), when the entrance is actually on Clarendon street :) But the efforts paid off. Interesting and very ethnic menu, themed venue and music, good deals. We had sardines & marinated liver for starters, then Casablanca style rabbit. Food was very tasty!!! Was a bit disappointed that we couldn't get the wine we wanted by the glass, but the house wine turned out to be fine too. Moroccan Coffee is a must! Looking forward to go back sometime again and have a party in the tent room.

Wonderful service for a very busy restaurant. Very nice atmosphere and the food was really tasty. Portions were enough to satisfy the appettite. Drinks a bit pricey. The bill for 4 people came to €170 which had a €15 service charge included. We all thought this was a bit much for a party of 4 which make us reconsider the whole experience. We also got overcharged for pitta bread. Can't fault the food (it was delicious!) but I would reccommend checking your bill carefully before settling it

This was our second visit of many more to come to this restaurant, just off Grafton street in Dublin. We are air crew from Canada who visit Dublin with some regularity and as we did the first time, we just walked in and said: 'feed us!'. The staff took great care of us, asking us some general likes and dislikes, then proceeded with the offerings; it was an endless feast of high quality Moroccan fare. The price was quite reasonable for the quality and service...this would be a great place to bring someone you're trying to impress (on our last visit, there was a marriage proposal taking place at the table next to us; it appeared to have gone well!) The restaurant features cozy rooms, very comfortable and personable, a warm atmosphere, and the most pleasant serving staff you will find anywhere, the owner tends to come around and check on everyone and will sit for a drink with you if the conversation is good! I highly recommend a dish they serve with rabbit surrounded in phyllo pastry (can't remember the name); the couscous is perfect and the coffee at the end of the meal is fantastic! (We loved it so much, they sent us home with some of the spices and instructions on how to replicate it at home!). There are a few good Moroccan places here in North America, but this one takes the cake...I look forward to our Dublin trips just for this! There was absolutely nothing negative about our experience here!

I was here for my boyfriends birthday not long ago. As always the food was fantastic, I am a vegetarian so had the Ladas( lentil dish) and another auberine and tomato dish, the name of which I forget.Both dishes were delicious, the only one tiny one thing I would say to them, and this was reiterated by my dining companions is tha they should supply more pitta breads with the dishes as there is not enough to last some of the dishes. My boyfriend took the advice of a friend and had the rabbit in pastry which everyone tasted and said they will get next time they go! Service is great, they couldn`t have been nicer about me bringing in my own birthday cake andal doing the lights off singing malarky.I would definately recommend this place for a relatively inexpensive, tasty meal.

I've been here many times, as you can usually rely on getting a table and enjoying good food. This time however, I felt it has slipped a little in terms of food quality. I had the friend aubergine to start with pitta, which was delicious. The entire party had tagines, mostly chicken. I had Essaouira tagine, and found it too salty and a bit bland in other flavours. Also, it tasted too similar to the other chicken tagine. Service wasn't great, lack of customer "feel good" factor. Value was excellent. I would still go back.

Came here with a group and we were all very impressed. The decor is very warm and inviting, so our first impressions were good. The staff were all very helpful, advising us on the menu and what sides were best with the different dishes. I had the merguez sausage starter, which was lovely but quite large so I shared it around. The Asilah chicken tagine was gorgeous - very wholesome and tasty. Others in the group went for the rabbit tagine and were very satisfied. The desserts were great and I had a moroccan coffee to finish it all off. All in all, a very pleasant dining experience

Love Moroccan food as has some similarities to Lebanese food like the use of aubergines but uses more spices.Was excited to try this place.Myself and my companion shared the veggie mezza which consists of picking any 6 starters from a choice of about 8 together with couscous, and bread for €50.We both enjoyed the meal very much,it was delicious.The 6 starters are served on gorgeous little Moroccan plates in different colours which adds to the presentation.The food was full of flavour and the waiter kindly told us what each plate consisted of as he brought it out.They brought out 3 dishes first, then another 3 about 10mins later which worked fine. The food wasn't piping hot though.There was enough for two people and we finished everything, though the portions weren't huge.The only dish I wasn't very keen on was the spinach with olives as the olives completely over-powered the spinach.I would get the salad starter instead as it would have been nice to have a cold salad with the dishes.We had the Moroccan sweets for desert which were tiny and though tasty were not as moist and flavoursome as I expected having had very good baklava many times. Will be back again as the food quality was very good.

Initial impression was very good. Having visited morocco, this place looked like the real deal. I loved the interior. It has a really cosy, intimate atmosphere. They have a really good deal €20 for 3 courses... however this menu was not offered to us, just the a la carte menu. Starters were all very good, soup was exceptional as was moroccan salad. We all ordered tagines, but the cous cous was extra..this does not happen in morocco! Tagines were superb. I did not have a dessert but the other 3 did and one decided to go for a traditional moroccan desert ..at €8.50 we thought it was going to be fab...but very small and not very inspiring - in short a rip off! Other desserts were really good though. They add on a service charge to parties of 4 or more...which we all thought was a bit cheeky, usually this happens in otehr restaurants for tables of 8 or more. The service was good, but not amazing. I really wanted to love it, but these few things will make me think twice about going again.

Went here with a group of friends for a birthday. We opted for the shared starter, a very tasty variety of starters arrived with pitta bread. I opted for the fish of the day, which was shark cooked in a tangine. Slow cooked and very tasty! After dinner, there was some entertainment in the form of belly dancers, a member of my party even joined in! The only negative part would have been the Moroccan desserts, they werent a hit with my table. All in all, food, service and entertainment made it a great night! I'll be back!

A very nice restaurant with very friendly staff. The €20 value menu is incredible value and really tasty. Well worth a visit.

Absolutely amazing, on a grey day, we headed up the stairs of El Bahia restaurant and landed in a small piece of Morrocc, or at least that's what it felt like. As vegetarians, I find Morroccan food great. There were a number of different optioins on the menu. Hubbie and Idecided to go for the 50 euro for two menu, 6 vegi starters with bread and cous cous and and bottle of house wine. The food was delicious, the variety amazing and it was all so healthy, lentils and aubergines etc. that it was virtually guilt free, apart from the bread!. Fabulous place, great atmosphere, food, service and value. We will be back.

Ate here with a friend recently and really enjoyed it. The smells inside are amazing and the food is very interesting and tasty. This is a lovely spot for something different. The dessert while delicious was quite heavy. A word of warning though, you will leave here with very garlic breath even though you didn't even realise you were eating any garlic. Very good offers on here at the moment also. I would and have recommended this place.

I visited El Bahia with a friend for the first time last week and will definitely be back. The service was friendly and efficient and the waiter was very helpful with our dietary requirements. There is a great value Early Bird Menu for E20 at the moment. I had a hearty portion of lentils to start and then the Essaouira tagine which was divine - the chicken was so tender it was just falling apart. The decor is very inviting; rich colours, beautiful glass lamps and plush seats with the smell of Morrocan spices tempting you through the door. The only negative I would have is that the dining area is really tiny, we were there early so it wasn't too busy but I would say that when the restaurant is full it might feel a little cramped. Overall a pleasant experience, looking forward to trying a few of their other dishes.

Had a very nice experience here last week. I ordered from their early bird menu which was fantastic value - 3 courses plus tea, coffee or Morocan mint tea for €20. The food was very nice, especially my chicken tajine which was so tender. The portions were very generous considering it was an early bird. The service was very friendly and although it was very quiet in the restaurant there was still a nice athmosphere.

Hi! Very Good Food with reasonable prices. For 2 people, we had very good dinner, good in amount and good in quality. The music and atmosphere was gorgeous. Regarding drinks, a bottle of water was a bit expensive. In general, I will highly recommend this restaurant for anybody and at any time of the week. Thanks very much

Went here on a Saturday night with a group of friends. Was looking forward to it as had never been to a Moroccan restaurant before. We opted for the Mezza menu which was €30 each. The starters were nice and tasty but there really was not enough for everyone to taste everything. I had the Chicken Bastilla for main which was both interesting and disappointing! The underneath layer of pastry was overcooked, slightly burnt and I could not cut through it. Most of the others had the tangine and cous cous dishes which I think most were happy with. The sweets for desert were tasteless. The atmosphere was good, mostly due to the belly dancer who got people up dancing with her! I found the staff to be friendly. Overall it was an enjoyable evening but I am not sure I will be running back here in a hurry, based on the food alone!

Went here with two friends because we wanted to try something different. I agreed having checked that the menu had more than tajine's to offer not being a fan after a previous trip to Morocco lelt me feeling tajined out. First impressions were good due to the unique decor but then they seated us in a small side room with a large table of 8 or 9 young excited and loud girls. The room was like a private function room not big enough for sharing. We had to help ourselves to a drinks menu from another table. Nothing on the specials menu appealed so I had the mergues to start, a moroccan sausage dish which was tasty but the sauce could have been spicier. I ordered the fish bastilla for main and my friends ordered the lamb tajine. When a fish tajine arrived i returned it only to be told that there was no fish bastilla available so they had decided to cook me fish tajine!! No one came to inform me of this development but took it upon themselves to decide my preference. My friends were disappointed with the lamb and we ordered one dessert between us wanting to escape and leave the girls to enjoy their night out. Really unimpressed and it wasn't cheap either for the quality of the food. I won't be back and wouldn't recommend it.

Went for the special €20 menu after work. The restaurant itself is lovely, really nice Moroccan decor & the staff were lovely. The food wasnt overly exciting or Moroccan! Had the soup for starters, the chicken tangier for main and the baklava for dessert, the chicken was really nice but quite a plain dish, wheres all the lovely Moroccan flavours?! If you really love Moroccan food you might be bit disappointed but its a nice spot for a cheap meal.

Visited here on Thursday night. The music at the entrance is very loud and off putting but quieter inside. Kobiza (Served with pitta Bread) for starters- subtle favouring and not over powering. Chicken Tajine for main-succulent chicken, service with couscous and caramelised onion. Very tasty. Cheesecake for dessert- an average baked cheesecake. Definitely planning on returning. Venue is very small and most tables are very close to other diners. Menu special three courses for twenty euro- good value.

Being practically a virgin to moroccan food,apart from baklavas which are found in most farmers market, I had never tasted food from tangines before..SO I pounced on the idea of dining at El bahia.For starters the 4 course menu going for e20 isnt such a deal considering the mains didnt list a single tangine and didnt look authentic.So my mate and I made a passe.Our eyes darted to the tangines immediately.There were a selection of savoury and sweet(with dates,prunes).I Chose the Marrakesh with root vegetables which were tenderly stewed and tasty.I love the concept of the tangine that seals in the taste and doesnt allow it to escape during the cooking process.I must mention my disdain with the portions though as the tangines were not accompanied with couscous.That was a side order.Service to add was not the best either.I had to wave them down on multiple occasions to gain their attention.Didnt tip but my mates who went insisted on tipping!!Prices were on the higher end.We shared the filo pastry dessert with dates and almonds as a filling.It was served as 2 wrapped cigars that were piping hot.Nice for a change but I werent be hopping mad over a 2nd experience too quickly.They do have smaller rooms for occasions.

I enjoyed a wonderful night here with a friend. Its' main entrance is quite hidden which for me gave it a sense of mystery as I had passed by so many times with out noticing its' existence before! The food was delightful, quite different to any other cuisine. I have quite a large appetite so I was worried about the portion sizes at first but they were more than adequate. The only problem that arose was due to confusion over the wine bill. It is not obvious that you have to choose a specific wine to avail of the special deal. If you do order a different wine they will not highlight that this will cost above the said amount. While the value of the meal was appropriate for what we received, the confusion over the wine brought down the sense of value of the otherwise lovely meal.

El Bahia is a lovely experience of Morocco. The service was lovely although they brought us the wrong mains and we had to send them back - I saw this happen to a few other patrons too. The starters are delicious - probably my favourite part - and the deserts were different from anything I've ever tasted - mouthwatering. We were placed at the worst table as we booked late -right beside the door - but still got to enjoy the warm, moroccan atmosphere.

great service,very tasty food..had the harira soup..v nice and the rabitt main course..very nice. the morroccan coffe is amazing.

We have made a few visits to El Bahia - the food is always very tasty and the snug setting creates a busy ambience that is hard to beat. The service is generally very good (and on this occasion almost too good, mezze plates arriving and disappearing almost instantly). My main gripe is that after ordering the 'any six starters' mezze for two, we were told we could not have the prawn dish as it contained meat. The real reason being, of course, that it is a whole one € dearer than the other starters. We also had to explicitly request our cous cous, which otherwise showed no sign of arriving after 30 minutes of our order. In a recession, my advice to restaurants is to a) have a clear menu and b) try to ensure your customers return. This is a great restaurant in terms of delicious food and lively atmosphere but the staff need some intensive customer care training.

I went there for second time and expected the impeccable service and quality that we received the first time around. When I called up to make the booking for 10 people, I was told that we could avail of the early bird special if we ordered by 7 o'clock. The waitress arrived at our table 5 mins before 7 to take our order and then rudely informed us that the early bird was over. She did not seem to be bothered with customer care and appeared annoyed when my boyfriend and I wanted to order of the normal menu and not join the rest of the group in ordering the mezze menu for parties. The food however was of a good standard but I doubt that I'll be back or recommend this restaurant as good customer care does make a big difference in the dining experience.

I have travelled widely in Morocco and love the food so I’d been curious too try this restaurant for quite a while, a recommendation from a Moroccan friend provided the excuse. El Bahia is on the first floor (former location of the Alpha Cafe) accessed by a traditional Moroccan door and a staircase lined with pictures of Morocco. The waiting area/cloakroom is at the top of the stairs. It is quite cramped with people coming and going but 20mins wait was ok. The dining room was nicely decorated in authentic Moroccan fashion and the music added to the atmosphere however it was a little loud for conversation at times. I think traditional music such as Gnaoua would have been more suited. To start we had Kobiza which is spinach reduced in a coriander, garlic & lemon base and Makoda, a blend of mashed potato, fresh spinach, parsley and coriander on a fruity tomato sauce. Both of these were excellent and came served with warm pitta bread. Main courses were both tagines which are a form of slow cooked stew. The Essaouira Tajine consisted of chicken breast, olives, and potato, in a saffron & preserved lemon jus. The Atlas tagine was a selection of fresh vegetables in a rich tomato sauce. Again these were perfectly cooked and excellent. The chicken was tender and the sauces delicious. At times the service was a little slow however overall it was very good. The bill was reasonable too with two glasses of house red bringing the total to 50 euro. I was pleasantly surprised at how authentic El Bahia was and I would highly recommend a visit for something a little bit different and very good food.

Went here last night and the food and atmosphere was great. Had a variety of lovely starters and really enjoyed the Felfla and had the Fish Tagine for main which was very tasty. The wine was lovely and the desert sweets were unusual... My only issue was with the service which was a bit slow, the accompaniments were served after the main course and the tea/coffees came out very slowly. Apart from these small hiccups it was a great evening and I will defiately be returning.

I’ve eaten here on a couple of occasions and both times enjoyed the experience. The first was with a large group and the second with just my partner. El Bahia certainly offers you something different in terms of atmosphere and food was good and not too expensive. Its location also means it’s very handy to just pop into if you’re on Grafton St. I do, however, have a couple of criticisms; firstly the service was a little slow with the large group, to be expected to a certain extent but still could have been better; secondly, again with the large group, the drinks bill got a little out of hand as we weren’t given any indication of when we had reached our limit for the inclusive price – a little warning would have been nice. Having said that, I’d certainly return for the value early bird menu.

we went for dinner last Friday, and it was absolutely lovely. staff were very nice and friendly. even when the second sitting came they didnt rush us for finishing the wine. food is really tasty and generous portions too.... LOVE LOVE the lamb... one funny episode too, due to water shortage in the city, they told my partner that if he doesnt mind he can use the lady's while no one else is using it as they have no water in the gents which is another floor higher... fair enough... but then immediately one of the staff asked us if we would like to have some water while looking at menu... hmm... need i say anymore, we went on the vino straightway... definitely will go back there again.. next time i go with the FISH! Forgot to say, coffee is special... It's a MUST!

I've been to El Bahia on 2 occasions with mixed results. On the last visit the staff offered us the VIP room, the floor at the top that is usually reserved for parties (the restaurant was full). At first glance it looked lovely but after a few minutes I realized it was quite musty and there were some dead moths. As for food, i'd say overall quite average.Some of the dishes were dry. In the end we left more impressed by the coffee than anything. It was strong and thick ; the waiter told us they heat it over a fire for 10 minutes to infuse the spices. This place is worth a try for the unique atmosphere and the fact that moroccan food is rare in Dublin. Too bad the food let it down.

Came here for a team christmas dinner to try something different, the atmosphere was great, it felt like you were in a different country, the food was lovely, the offer menu pretty much stuck with chicken and lamb so there was choice for the less adventurous, they have great secluded rooms so that all of your group can be together without anyone else around.

3 of us visited this place after it was recommended, lovely atmosphere, decor and insense as you go in. ordered from a a la carte, 3 mains and 1 dessert. Lamb tagine was melt in the mouth, chicken tagine was very salty from the olives and disappointing. The side orders are extra and quite small in portion size. The early bird 4 courses seems ot be great value at €20 given our bill worked out at €85 for 3 mains, 1 dessert, 1 bottle house and 1 coffee. Staff very friendly but 1 girl for dining room of about 10 tables wasn't enough, she was under too much pressure and we waited quite a while for dessert, coffee, bill and to pay!!!We attempted to leave in order to have attention to make payment for the bill!! Will return but not when I'm in a rush and think I'll try the early bird next time for real value.

I was here early on a Saturday evening in advance of a show and the food was absolutely amazing - really full of flavour but nice and light at the same time. We were one vegetarian and one meat eater and the menu catered for us both. The ambience seems to be very authentic but it was a tiny bit dark as we were very early and the table candles had not yet been lit. The service is excellent and the waiting staff knew their menu, food and wine very well and had recommendations for us when asked (this was our first Moroccon dining experience!). The only thing I would fault about El Bahia is that they do not take bookings for less than 4 people, so couples have to take a chance on trying to get a table! Other than that I would have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant to anyone.

Do not go there!!! I use to love this place and have been there several times. It was te worst customer service! Last Friday went there with my boyfriend. We had mezza for two. After we finished one bottle of wine we asked for another one. Couple minutes after the bill came. We just literally started the first glasses from the second bottle we were advised that we have to leave because the table was booked. We told the waitress that we wanted to finish the wine we just ordered. Every five minutes somebody from the staff was coming to hurry us up. Eventually we couldn’t finish the wine we already paid for as we were asked my manager to leave because he “NEEDED OUR TABLE”. Apart from that we were waiting for every dish around 30 minutes including coffee! I am perfectly fine with the fact that sometimes restaurants are overbooked but it is a matter a courtesy and good customer service to advise the customer that the table is booked before he orders the additional bottle of wine. I am very disappointed with the customer service in this restaurant. Nobody even said sorry

I loved this restaurant, especially after recently going on a holiday to Morocco. The food tasted very similar and the decor was very authentic with lots of atmosphere. Great music too. Service was very poor but food was lovely and prices were okay. I had chicken tagine for €15 and a small pitta bread for €1. Bottle of house wine was €18. My partner is a chef and gave his compliments to the chef which he rarely does. Portions were a tiny bit small. Will definitely go again.

great retaurant, the food is just amazing. Great place for a large group of friends. nice atmosphere I would highly recommend the Elham Barcoq for a main. I never wanted it to end!!!!

I went here last night with 5 other people who were actually moroccan, so i was a little worried that the food may not be up to their standard. However we were all extemely impressed. The food was unique, flavoursome and really well presented. The staff were so friendly and went far beyond their duties to keep us very satisfied and constantly wowed. i will be returning soon again, and am already excited.

went here for dinner recently and thought it was fantastic! The food was so full of flavour without any flavour being intrusive, so delicious and hearty! We sat in the Tent part of the restaurant and it was so cosy and plush, full of all kinds of impressive detailing and fabrics. Service was fab too!

This is such an interesting restaurant. It is full of character and is kind of kitch in a way but its fun. It is full of Moroccon furniture and has Morroccan music blaring. The food is reallly unusual and very tasty, I got a few starters as I wanted to taste as much as possible and I was really impressed with the flavours and textures of the dishes. The meal was good value and I really enjoyed the overall experience.

I facilitate a ladies dining group that meets once a month for dinner. El Bahia was recommended to me, and it certainly lived up to expectations and more. Firstly, the lady that took the booking was most helpful, and made the booking of the table easier, giving information etc. When we got there we were shown to a private tent that can hold up to twelve although we had nine people. Our server explained the menu that we would have, we went for the set men for parties at €30.00 per person, which included a range of starters chosen by the server, your choice of main course, a haf bottle of wine per person and a selection of Moroccan desserts. The atmosphere was fabulous and we all commented on relaxed we felt. The facilities were clean and perfectly adjacent to the tent, however, they may need to add acess to one more for large groups. The meals were served all togther and there wasn't a large wait. The food was excellent, full of flavour etc. The wine was acceptable for house, wine, although there was the option to upgrade and pay the difference. The bill in total when divided amongst nine of us was €26.00, which included coffee's for some of us. I would highly recommend El Bahia for any ocassion, the decor and the staff are so friendly, we were disappointed that the Belly Dancer only came in on Saturday's, a return visit I think then.

Had a dinner twice in El Bahia restaurant during the August offer of a 3 course meal for 14euro. We had to query this offer to be given the 14e menu but were able to avail of it both times. The place is nicely decorated & I enjoyed most of the food. The starter & main course were very tasty but the choice of desert was never available & I did not really enjoy what I got (a kind of cheesecake - not really morocan either!) The service was fine although you feel like the waiters are a bit in a rush to get rid of you once you have finished you dinner, which is not really pleasant. Also the music is too loud. Overall good value for money as there was plenty to eat in the 14e offer, & it was very tasty.

We had an early bird dinner on Friday evening. I started with the Harira soup to start followed by the classic kefta tagine with eggs. The food was excellent, and our plates were cleaned. We skipped the dessert and had some mint tea instead, very refreshing. The atmosphere was muted, hardly surprising that early, but the food was very good. The whole meal came to about €60 including wine, at that price it can't be beat.

This place is a favourite and when me and by boyfriend heard of their special 10 year anniversary offer- 3 courses and tea/coffee €14 per person- we had another excellent excuse to visit!! Same great atmosphere, same great food. To start, I had the lentil dish which is so tasty, spiced perfectly and the perfect size for a starter. My BF had the soup which had chickpeas in it and tasted quite good, but not as spicy as the lentils. The soup would be ideal for someone who prefers milder tastes.We also ordered mussels as a separate starter from the offer as we love them so much! However, my BF commented that the portion seemed to be smaller than it was in our last visits. We were paying the full price for them, so this was a bit disappointing- I really hope this is not the shape of things to come. I had the vegetables and cous cous which was very nice; it had a really good spiced tomato-based sauce. Himself had the meatballs in tomato sauce and really enjoyed it. For dessert I had the cheesecake and he had the choc cake, the latter being surprisingly light but a lovely flavour. I liked my cheesecake, but couldn't finish it and it probably would be nicer if it wasn't baked. For dessert, the portions were generous. We finished with 2 mint teas. I enjoyed the meal, and the lovely Moroccan wine we had, but our waiter was a tad over-attentive with the glass fill-ups (I'm a slow drinker!) and as a result he poured the end of the wine into my BF's glass...I really wish he'd have just left us to that, because this annoyed me! We will be back, however. Great, tasty food and a dining experience that's a little bit different!

Really charmig little restaurant behind Brown thomas. Well decorated and the staff were very attentive and friendly. The Early Bird menu was ok except for the starters, but we decided on A La Carte. I would highly recommend the Rabbit tagine which was so tender it just fell off the bone. The one criticism I would have is that you need to order any side dish seperately, and given that most of the dishes have alot of sauce, you do need to get a side dish in order to soak the juice up. Will definately go back

Denfinitely worth a visit if you want to escape the hundrum. The experience is exotic and friendly and the food is moreish. The Kobiz is a new ethnic favourite and the Tagine was melt in the mouth delicious. While the decor is dark, it adds to the atmosphere and the staff are friendly and informative without being pushy. The August special was a giveaway bargain but will be returning regardless.

We ate here last night and just missed the 14 euro August special. There is a 20 euro early bird for 4 courses which is very good value. My husband really liked the Kefta meatballs.I had a vegetarian cous cous which after a starter was very filling. I still managed a cheese cake and the fresh mint tea helped with digestion.

had the special of 4 courses. ordered the spinach starter and tagine main course. both were on the salty side. my friend had the couscous for her main and it was delicious. would definitely get that again. both had a tea and chocolate cake to finish which was decadent. would go back but order differently or ask for less salt.

I ate in this restaurant a few years ago and I wasn’t very impressed. My husband and I decided to give it another go and I have to say that we were very pleasantly surprised. We were sat at the table promptly and we didn’t have to wait too long for our food. I ordered Bi Zbib Cous Cous, and oh my God!! It was absolutely gorgeous!!! . I will go back to the restaurant just to have that dish again. The only negative note to the evening was the music too loud…. Couldn’t hardly hear what we were saying.

Very much enjoyed my dining experience here. Decided to go for their special menu - 3 courses + tea or coffee for € 14 and could not fault the food or service. We arrived early so the place was pretty empty but filled up by the time we left. Good place to eat something a bit different from the usual fare you get in city centre restaurants, would go again.

I had always wanted to try this restaurant but put it off due to mixed reviews. They have a number of specials on at the moment so 3 of us said we'd give it a go. I have to say my experience was an enjoyable one. The atmosphere was lovely; you're taken from bustly Dublin to authentic Moroccan surrpundings which I loved. The service was very pleasant and efficient (possibly more attention placed here due to the reviews?). My boyfriend and I wanted lamb tagine which was not on the early bird menu or the August menu but my friend had the special 4 course €14 menu for their 10 year anniversary and enjoyed every mouthful. Our lamb tagines were really tasty although I think they could have done with a little more meat, especially as we ordered from the main menu. Our starter of red peppers with spices was absolutely to die for and I'd go back especially for that. Overall it was a lovely evening with not a hint of the negativity that previous reviewers had encountered. It's only downfall is that the portions are not big enough and need more meat. I would give this place a go or even a second chance if you're interested in a completely different experience.

Since we came our problems started.We had reservation for 4 people but when we came it wasn't any free table for us.We waited around 20 minutes. When we finally sat waiter informed us that we need to leave table in one hour and half for the next guest because restaurant is busy.Waiting for food above 40 minutes which came almost cold.Despite nice interiors this place has nothing to offered.

After un-successfully trying to book at table at one of the new and popular ‘budget’ eateries that have been popping up over the past few months, we decided to book a table at El Bahia, as we had been there a number of times before, and enjoyed the food, service, ambience and reasonable value for money. To our surprise on entering at 8pm on a Friday, the place was more then half empty, however sat down at our table in anticipation, based on our prior good experiences. To be fair the service was still good (though you could possibly attribute this to the compulsory 10% surcharge on the bill). The food however was a different story. Granted the food still tasted good, however we all noticed a drastic reduction in the portion size of our meals. To be clear, none of us have big appetites, and prior to this a starter to share, plus a main each, would have left us rolling out the door. This time however we had to order couscous and pita bread to help supplement the meal (portions of which were TINY and at 4 euros a pop came across as very stingy). Suffice to say, we probably won’t be going back, unless we took advantage of the early bird meal. Perhaps a simple maths equation sums it up perfectly – half the portion size and same prices on the menu = half the customers.

I ate here with my girlfriend Sunday evening. She was there with friends before and wanted me to try it. We didn't order from early bird as we arrived too late but we were really pleased with quality and value for money. I had delicious fresh sardines and a chicken and veg cous cous for my main dish. My girlfriend had mouthwatering roast peppers to start and a beef and prune tajine for her main. The beef was tender and very tasty. We had a bottle of very nice french wine also. We were too full for dessert. Our waitress was helpful and friendly and gave good advice regarding the food. We were not charged service but were happy to leave a deserved tip and our complements to the chef. We will be back

5 Word Review: Expensive Slow Bland Boring Avoid

Came here with two friends and I would definately recommend it to others, the food was fantastic, it had a nice relaxed atmosphere and there is nothing I could fault about it except perhaps that some of the couches were uncomfortable. But that wouldn't keep me away:)

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Dublin. I ate here on Saturday night after a break of about 3 months and I was more than happy to be back. It was a 1st for 2 out of 5 of our group. They had the lamb and veg tajine and the veg mix and were very impressed. There is good choice in Moroccan and other wine. The Malbec is well worth sampling. It's a very lively atmosphere and the decor is unique in a good way! I had the sword fish (in a spicy tomato sauce) and a fabulous briwat (honey dates and nuts in pastry served with v nice icecream). It's even better value nowadays as there is great early bird and party rates. Mouthwatering!!

We had heard a lot about this place,and to be fair,it is incredibly beautiful and atmospheric, but as soon as we sat down, we were so disappointed! 2 of us ordered food, and 1 just a drink and dessert, but the waiter told us that we had to spend 16€ EACH MINIMUM! When I pointed out that it wasnt specified on the Menu, the waiter couldnt explain, so we just left, and I dont think I'll ever be back again. I have never ever heard something that silly, they obviously dont need business and dont know anything about customer service!

A group of us ate here last week and enjoyed it thoroughly. We were given a private room, without asking or being charged extra which was a great treat. Settling upon the mezza platters for the group (€30 p/h with starters, mains, piece of baklava and 1/2 bottle of wine per person) was a great idea as it allowed us to sample bits and pieces throughout the meal. Most opted for various tagines for mains which were enjoyed thoroughly though I tried to be fancy and ordered a seafood/filo pastry wrap-type-thing which disappointed. Service was good and the room was lovely.I'd definitely go back.

My sister took me here after a shopping trip and I was envious that it's on the opposite side of the country. We got an early bird menu - great value. I had a spinach starter quite spicy, my sis had the roast peppers which were mouthwatering. I had a chicken pastry dish which was sweet and savoury and quite filling. My sis had a fish tajine which was also delicious. The house red was very easy to drink! The music seemed a bit loud but as we were asking for the bill the waiter advised us to hang on for the belly dancer as she was in performing later. She was amazing and I felt I was somewhere much more exotic than Dublin. A memorable night!

A company team night out started well having been given a room at the top for our own. 30 minutes later we were moved downstairs because our party was not big enough to justify the big room. Requesting to stay the manager said it would not be profitable having waiters going up the 2 levels of stairs for a party of our size (We were about 10). A couple of late arrivals had to eat in the main dining area because there was not enough seating in the room were we were now occupying. Our protestations that we could all squeeze up came to nought. There was not enough cous cous so two of our party had to change their main course selection. Food did not start to arrive until 10PM (we were all seated by 8.30PM) I was accused of bad mouthing the resteraunt to other patrons. They had forgotten that 2 of our party were in the main dining area and that I was talking to them. The list goes on and on. This was Fawlty Towers on steroids! As you can imagine as the story was retold it was the comedy half hour around the office water cooler the next day.

I found out about this place last year, and it has become a firm favourite. The restaurant is not so visible, located on a 1st floor, and the first time i visited i felt a bit apprehensive walking up the stairs, but the place was full [always a good sign], and the food soon won me over. If you like spicy food ,you will really love this place. On my first visit i played safe by starting with the fried prawns [huge and succulent]followed by chicken served in a traditional tagine [sizzling hot, a nice touch]. Since then i have been far more adventurous. I'm certainly no veggie, but the spinach [i think its called hobitza] was amazing, not a trace of bitterness, ditto the aubergine mix and the lentils, put simply - mundane vegetables are trasformed into something quite stunning. The main dishes too dont disappoint[ive now tried the lamb and it was really tender,superb].The service can be a bit slow ,but the food is worth waiting for, and the prices are reasonable. All in all, the place is a little gem, well worth seeking out.

I have been to El Bahia a number of times and have never been disappointed. The food is prepared lovingly, different and delicious. There were four of us, each having a different starter and main course. Each dish was a delight and served on exquisite plates, which nicely adds to the overall feel of the place. Service is very good; all the staff are very helpful when it comes to explaining the range of food on offer. The Moroccan wine is very good, though a little over priced. Overall El Bahia is a great experience, and well worth trying

Had a wonderful meal here a couple of nights ago. My boyfriend had wanted to try Moroccan cuisine for a while so while passing we decided to give it a shot. Very glad we did. The decor transports you immediately out of Dublin and you do get a cocooned feeling during the meal. We were in the main body of the restaurant but we saw that there are 3 other private rooms that are done Moroccon 'tented' style that would be great for groups and parties. The service was wonderful and friendly with the waiter discussing the various dishes with us and Moroccan cuisine in general. Very attentive - didn't have to ask for water, it was brought immediately. The food itself was delicious. We both went for tagine meals. I had the 'Larissa' which was cow's tongue beautifully cooked with sultanas, chickpeas & couscous. The meat was unbelievably tender (If I hadn't known I had ordered tongue I wouldn't have thought it was the same meat) and more than filling, I couldn't finish it. My boyfriend had the rabbit tagine with a side order of couscous and that too was delicious. We find that rabbit can be very dry and cooked this way it was beautifully moist. We were really impressed with the food and will be back to try out the lamb and goat tagines that are on offer! The wine list has a decent selection and we tried a Moroccan Rosé that went well with the food.

I ate here about 2 years ago in one of the private rooms and have been dying to go back since. I love the atmosphere and the food makes a nice change from the usual italian/mexican/asian bites that are usually on offer in Dublin. The staff are attentive and friendly without being in your face and the food was excellent although the chicken with almonds in filo pastry came as a bit of a surprise as its very sweet for a main course. It did the job as a desert though!! Planning on going back with a group of friends.

We visited this restaurant on a Wednesday night and were quite dissapointed. The place has been decorated beautifully, but unfortunately the service totally lets the place down. The waiter we had was quite rude, and I suspect that instead of them coming to us to tell us what we ordered from the menu was not available- they just replaced it with another meal and passed it off as what we had ordered. The meal that I had was fairly good, but the other 2 meals on the table were a bit dissapointing. It seems to be a bit hit and miss here. Perhaps on the weekend they might have better standards. Not sure if I will be returning.

My partner and I were so excited to go to this restaurant and saved it for a special occasion. What a mistake!!! To say the food is basic is an understatement. My starter was described beautifully on the menu, but came out as a stale pitta with a sauce over it that tasted like a pot of dolmio. We hoped that the main course would be better, not a hope! We both had couscous (practically thrown on the table by the waiter). It had a breast of chicken placed on top of cous cous with a few chick peas and raisins on top. It was so bad, that we decided to cut our losses and ask for the chicken to be wrapped up (to take home for the dog!). We didn't complain, we just said that we were too full to finish. To this, the manager told us that we obviously didn't know what we were ordering and I shouldn't order a meal more suited to a man (cous cous). When I asked about having the chicken wrapped up, I was told that it was impossible unless I wanted to also buy the plate for €25!!! My main course was almost the same price as the plate! I would strongly advise anyone considering this restaurant to avoid it. The service is incredibly rude, and even the worst cook among us could create a better meal than the one handed to us.

I love this retaurant, the food is just amazing. Great place for a large group of friends. Go for a late sitting as from what I hear the early ones have to be out for the second sitting, this is a practice I really hate, but it has not yet happened to me (hopefully never will) only people I know. I would highly recommend the Elham Barcoq for a main. I never wanted it to end!!!!

I visited this place last night with a couple of friends. The atmosphere seemed really good and my first impression was a positive one. The food was really not great though. The vegetarian options were really unoriginal and didn't taste all that good. My friend ordered rabbit, which looked and tasted distinctly like chicken. I asked for a starter as my main course and was rudely told that this would not be possible unless I ordered two starters or else I'd have to order main course. This was despite my friends having ordered main dishes and sides. For this reason I will not be going back again.

Me & my friend ate here on a recently and loved it! The food is amazing & you can taste the flavour & spices distinctly. The VEG options though less are worth going for..The music is though a little loud & tables close to each other but food worth going back for..

As we arrived amid the festive decorations of the location we were somewhat underwhelmed when we looked up to the second floor of a dimly lit, tired looking building. We almost turned away to find somewhere more pleasing on the eye - something more shiny. In the end we decided that as it was a busy Saturday night and we had booked the table, we would give it a bash. I am SO pleased that we went up those stairs!! Inside you are surrounded by moroccan antiques, rugs, and decorations stuffed into different rooms, knooks and crannies - it really does make for quite an authentic and alternative atmosphere. We were seated at our table quickly, some of them did seem to be a little close up but certainly not uncomfortable. The wine list is large and has a good selection along with an impressive number of wines produced in morocco. Our food was fantastic. The menu incorporates a lot of vegetables with the dishes and although they might sound slightly bland on the pages of a menu - they really do taste brilliant in the dishes. I recommend one of the tagine's - cone shaped clay pots which cook dishes slowly over hours (although thankfully you don't have to wait hours for it!). As the dishes are cooked for hours, all the flavours are drawn out of the vegetables and the meat becomes very tender. Prices were fairly average and I felt that we received good value for money. We made a night of it and stayed to watch the belly dancer who entertains on a Saturday night. All in all, very enjoyable night & good food. Give it a try.

Great looking place but really the food is awful. Overcooked and flavourless which is amazing for Moroccan food. The service was so rapid that we were finished our three courses inside an hour. Tables crammed together so that wew had to disturb the table beside us in order to get up from our seats. Wouldn't go back.

There were 8 of us eating on a Friday night here in el Bahia. We all ordered a selection of starters, then a main meal. I had the lamb with figs and dates and it was divine. I would have liked soething with it like flat bread or cous cous, but the taste was lovely. Everyone enjoyed their dinner and the waiter was funny and the service generally was good. It was a little noisy athough some of that could have been from our table!

A group of 4 of us ate here on a recent Friday night and all loved it! Each of us ordered something different and each rated the meal and experience as something wonderful! We experienced friendly service and enjoyed the atmosphere which I'd describe as colourful and fun... truly Moroccan! I'll definitely go back for more!

Very bad experience here. Never will return to this place again. Went with 2 friends. Booked the table for 7.30pm and by 9, they asked us to leave because they had other bookings!! We have not been told about this earlier!! When I wanted to talk to Manager about it, he spoke in the most rudest way possible, very insulting. Sad though its the only Moroccan restaurant in Dublin and I love moroccan food!

I ate here on Thursday evening with some friends we picked a selection of starter to share and all were excellent! esp the prawns!! for mains I had el bahia cous cous the portions were very generous and the food was divine! my friend had the chicken tajine it was also very good. service was great, we sat and drank our wine after the meal and the staff were in no rush to move us on! try the Moroccan sweets for dessert lovely to share and you prob won't have room for much else! Will def be back! :)

without a doubt the worst dining experience of my life. went in at 8.30, wasnt served till 9.00. waiter tryed to make all of us go for a 40e mezza option, to make it easier for himself..when we didnt he complained & asked us to move to another part of the restuarant. didnt get starters for AN HOUR AND A HALF. ate the rubbish started and waited a FURTHER HOUR for the main course. not even as much an apology. waiter didnt come over once to see if dinner was ok (it wasnt). at the end waiter stood over me watching as i paid the bill. AVOID THIS RESTUARANT

I went here with two mates over from London and they were fairly impressed. The lamb was delicious, good size portion and melt in mouth stuff. For an extra Euro you can get a moroccan beer - much nicer than the others on offer. the music was a bit loud for talking but it adds to the atmosphere. All in all a good way to escape Dublin if only for a few hours

I was here with my Girlfriend the food was great though services was a bit poor, maybe they had an off day not sure. I felt the prices were a bit over the top. All in all not bad.

My boyfriend took me here and usually I'm very reluctant to go to restaurants that are on second floors, but this place was very cosy. Although the seats were quite low down and awkward, i enjoyed the experience. The staff was very good. The food was nice but over priced. Personally, i would not go back there.

The decor in this place was great, I almost forgot I was in Ireland! The tables are pretty close together but it didn't seem to matter as the atmosphere was really relaxed, I almost started chatting to the people at the table next to us. The food was great quality and quickly prepared, but we had the vegetarian mezze and I have to say I found the portions quite small for the price we paid.

This restaurant is great for a large group. You get your own room (that looks more like a tent) and can order a large mix of foods and try everything. Staff was very friendly.

After first visiting this restaurant a few months ago, I couldn't wait to return. Interior was a bit shabby, service left a little to be desired, however the food was just fantastic, melt in your mouth. However returning last night for a meal, the good food just didn't cut the mustard to conseal everything else, ie dreadful dreadful service, took an hour to get our food, we were both starving, repeated requests for water went ignored when we finally got our water it was just a glass each, a wine cooler had to be requested for our white wine, the next table were so close we were practically sitting on their laps (we moved our table away slightly to allow privacy for ourselves and the other couple. The food was lovely, very tender chicken and my husband loved the rabbit, but I'm afraid it's impossible to overlook the dreadful service, and the very long wait, I don't think I will be making a return trip to this restaurant again.

We were looking forward to our dinner in El Bahia as we had a dinner party there before, about 2 years ago, in a lovely room upstairs. During our first visit there we had nothing left but pleasant memories of great service and nice food. The second time, two weeks ago, that was totally different experience and it wasn't a good one at all. It was 9 of us and we had a separate room on the first floor. Few people decided to go for mezza( a set menu for parties at 40 euro per person), however few people were not that hungry to have a 3 course meal and wanted to order only a main course. The decision was not weclomed by the waitress and she refused to take separate orders for main course only. We said in this case we would not have anything at all and just leave. Eventually she agreed to take two orders separate. After that, chain of events followed what would be called a bad service. The waitress behaving rather hostile then friendly, just grabbing our plates off the table without even asking if we finished with the meal. We had to ask for water FIVE TIMES before we eventually got it! The food was not great and TOTALLY OVERPRICED! Few people in our group ordered a rabbit as a main course and the staff came back to us nearly half an our later saying they had no rabbits left and we had to reorder. They did not forget to add 45 euro service charge to our bill though! The verdict is -NEVER AGAIN!

A group of friends (10) were looking forward to dinner in El Bahia. We had a lovely private room which was really nice. However, the waiting staff seemed to have forgotten about us half the time. Service was slow but we didnt mind because we had half a bottle of wine each because we decided to go for the Mezza. (40EUR pp) At the end of the night however we ended up paying a lot extra incl wine, bread (1 pitta bread for 7 people, which was only served at the end of the main course after asking a couple of times, it was also on the bill even though it was supposed to be included) Anyways, we had a good night even though, the belly dancer didnt show up in our little seclusion. I guess the service charge on our whopping bill didnt cover for that! What's left to say, 22EUR for a simple chicken dish and not a smile or friendly if we enjoyed the meal as a bit too much. This was only topped by the question if we could hurry up when paying the bill since they wanted to close. Not to mention that we had to wait at least an hour for our starters...It used to be lovely there but lost it's charm somehow. Shame!

We were the first people in the restaurant on a Wednesday evening which makes it absolutely baffling as to why it took an hour to get our starters. By this stage we'd drunk a bottle of wine between two of us so the rest of the evening remains a little blurry! The food is absolutely delicious but very pricey for the portions you get, and it really grates to have to pay extra for cous cous. It'd be a really lovely place for a party as the atmosphere and decor are absolutely amazing but they really need to sort out the service.

Nice atmosphere, authentic decor, good food but the beer at 6.50 a bottle was a little pricey!! Worth a visit if your looing for something different!!

what should have a been a lovely evening out turned into an unpleasant experience. A large group dining out, we were initially late for our table.. which was actually a very nice private room located at the top of the restaurant. The staff decided to use our late arrival as an excuse to deliver very poor service. Drinks were served first to half the group, the remaining drinks only arrived after another 20 minutes.. all of which were warm beers.. after making an initial complaint, the waiter justified the service by saying we were late!! Starters were adequate then another long wait ensued.. Mains finally arrived which were sub-standard, bland, soggy, poorly presented and very disappointing.. out of 10 people, NOBODY enjoyed their meal.. the only good thing was the coffee as no-one dared to risk dessert.. to add insult to the evening, the establishment tried to charge us 40 euro more for drinks that never even arrived.. we couldn't wait to leave.. very disappointing!

Both the atmosphere and service were very friendly. The small size of the restaurant along with the decor gave a homely feel. I ordered the 'Bagri Sragna' (not unlike a stew), which was delicious. The beef was mouthwateringly tender. The vegetables were cooked to perfection and tasted sweet. I enjoyed every bite. My friend also had the rabbit dish which he reported to be similarly delicious. We split a starter which was also delicious and didn't have desert. The main course cost 18.50, which is a little steep for my taste but the quality made up for that. The smaller rooms off the main restaurant would be great for a small party. I will go back soon.

Ate here on a Sunday evening - service was first class, ambience & atmosphere great as well. Food was fantastic - well flavoured & presented. We had chicken and spicy meatballs & moroccan coffee & lattes that were to die for ! Definitely will re-visit...

Food was excellent very good quality and cooked to perfection. Restaurant itself is small and shabby but this adds to the authenticity. Service is dreadful-rose wine was not put in a cooler, repeated requests for water - instead of giving a jug they give you tiny glasses. My friends brandy coffee only had the smallest touch of brandy. Overall it was lots of little annoyances that will probably put me off going again.

This is a lovely restaurant, although very small inside - it feels like you are in someone's sitting room! The food was fantastic, and the portions surprisingly large - we shared 2 starters between 4 and each had a main and all were stuffed!!

We had a 30th birthday meal here. The staff were friendly and inviting. The food overall was delicious, in particular the main courses. The starters were fair to good, although we were getting a group selection rather than choosing for ourselves.

I had a great meal here, reasonably good value for money but only issue that we had was that we were rushed out of the door at 8.3o, which would have been fine but service was a bit slow so we didn't have time for dessert tea etc. Will go back but will probably pick a later time to go. I can definitely recommend the chicken dish which involves chicken wrapped in filo pastry and cooked with Saffron and Cinnamon - It was wonderful

The place was hopping on a Monday night, very good atmosphere and very good food. I enjoyed the Casablanca lager for a start before we tried some Morrocan wine both of which were delicious. The food was excellent and I will return so long as the waiter learns how to deliver my food without holding the pita bread down with his finger so as not to spill it.

I had dinner here on a Sunday night with my boyfriend. The service was slow. There was only one waitor (who was friendly!)and there was 19 people in the restaurant. The interior is very nice and cosy. The food was tasty. However, there is one reason why I will not be going here again - They had the cheek to add 10% service charge onto our total bill for 2 people! I understand that many restaurants do this when there are 6+ at a table, but there was just two of us. Its the diners decision to pay service not El Bahia's!!

I was looking forward to my visit too, but was quite disappointed in the end. Food was ok. Service was not great at all. Had to ask for water several times. Music was extremely loud. Wouldnt go back again!!

Was very much looking forward to coming here as we had heard some great reviews about the place. As we walked in, the interior was very cosy and intimate, completely fulfilling our expectations. The service was fantastic and really did go that extra mile, however I ordered the Elham Batata and was quite disappointed. It tasted more like an Irish stew than anything from Morocco. Perhaps I just ordered the wrong dish but other diners with me mentioned that the taste of the food was much more subtle than expected.

This restaurant is wonderful, tucked up those little winding stairs, and then bedecked in rich reds and golds. Only problem is that the dishes can take a little while, but they warn you of that on the menu. And it's really worth the wait, the decor alone makes it feel like sinking into your seat and savouring everything. The staff are so friendly, and happy to explain anything on the menu. It feels like your in an exotic hideaway, rather than the centre of Dublin.

This place is so tasty! The meat melts in your mouth and the flavours are delicious!! I have been here twice and I will go alot more in the future! There is a lovely comfortable atmosphere and decor. Definitely try it!!

I've eaten here three times now. Once with family, once with boyfriend and once with work. I see from some other reviews that some people were not happy with their service, but I found the staff to be efficient. Not very friendly or anything, but I don't go to restaurants to make friends! The food is delicious, really tender meat and flavoursome vegetables. My only gripe really was that on two occasions the music was very loud - too loud for conversation or even to hear what our waitress was saying. Maybe that's why some people weren't brought the water they ordered!!

A group of us went here for a birthday, and generally enjoyed it. We had a side room decorated as a bedouin tent which gave our party a nice degree of privacy. I see there are some complaints about slow service, but to be fair service was excellent throughout. The food itself is fine - there is quite a large selection of typically north African dishes for starters and mains. Be warned though, all helpings are very generous! I started with mergues, the spicy sausage in tomato - generously spiced, but not hot, washed down with a nice beer. Sadly the starters of sardine were off. For mains I had lamb couscous - again nicely spiced, though perhaps the meat could have had slightly longer stewing time. I also sampled my friends delicously spicy swordfish - very hot! To drink we had a very oaky cabernet sauvignon, the wine selection could perhaps be more adventurous! We had some nice strong coffee flavoured with cardamon and a birthday cake. The bill came to E65 a head, which included a lot of drink, so overall good value. Only real downside - more toilets are needed, especially for the ladies as there was a queue outside them most of the evening

Brought my friend here for her birthday and we loved it!The food is gorgeous, we ordered a couple of starters so we could try lots, food is such full of amazing flavors definitely recommend. BUT!some of the staff were not friendly and was off putting.

Friendly, and cosy place. Individual staff were very helpful, chatty and attentive. The food was more than ample in size, nicely cooked in aromatic Moroccan herbs. Suitable for total carnivores and vegetarians. Good atmosphere with apt music which wasn't intrusive. Ideal for a date, a bit less for a group, but there are a few rooms in the place so a group could have their own section. Went back again a second time. Service was appaling, but mostly down to one staff member serving. I think we spoiled her evening by turning up. Food was great as usual, but I won't be going back until I hear they've sorted the service out.

WAs there recently with friend. A tuesday evening. This was my 7th time there. Have never been let down by the quality of the meat there, particularly the rabbit and lamb dishes. Not all the starters are fab, but all acceptable. Am well used to the long waiting time for the main courses, but is to be expected with dishes that have a long cooking time. The house wines are of acceptable quality, as are the coffees. El Bahia would be truly terrific if the starters were a bit more inspiring. Love the mains, the decor, music and cute bathroom but please add another!!

Ate here last Thursday wih my boyfriend as we both fancied something different. The decor is lovely and the restaurant looks very authentic but it is let down by the very poor service. Although we were the only customers for most of our meal it took us ages to be served and neither of us enjoyed the dishes recommended. It took even longer to get the bill and we found it very expensive (70 euro for two starters and two main courses) for what you are getting.

Ate here the other night with a friend and it was ok. The staff were friendly enough and service was ok. Food was not to my liking but it was my first time to eat Morrocan so now I know it is not for me. My friend had the Rabbit and really enjoyed it. The only problem was that we found it difficult to get a jug of water left at our table instead of just the waiter filling up our glass. We drank a lot of water and eventually had to ask the waiter to please bring a jug to our table. Otherwise, not a bad spot.

Really liked this restaurant. Food was fab, not too pricey. The meat is slow cooked to perfection and melts in your mouth. There was a bit of a wait for the main courses but it does specify that there may be a wait on the menu due to the way they slow cook the meat. Only problem ! only 1 toilet.

Very disappointing! The walk up the narrow stairs up to the restaurant set a really nice atmosphere to the place & the decor was really good. We were greeted at the top of stairs & seated straight away. We felt like we were set for a great night ahead except for the following: it took 20 minutes for someone to take our order. The waitress who eventually took our order did not even know if wine could be served by the glass let alone the food on the menu. We asked about 6 times for water as well. We finally got it at the end of our meal! We ordered a starter to share as the menu states that if you order a tagine, you will be waiting a long time but that it will be worth it. Our starter was pathetic; it was a piece of pitta bread with tomato sauce spead on top. They charged over €7 for that! Our tagines arrived within minutes; we were surprised at the promptness of them but then realised that they must have been sitting in an oven for ages as the meat was very dry & there was very little sauce left. That cost us over €17 each & we had to order cous cous on the side. Cannot understand why it would not be included! Then the waiter tried to take our plates away twice before we had even finished. We finally gave up and just gave him the dishes and asked for the bill. Will NOT be going back there again!

Ate here one Saturday with a large group of friends and had a really great time, if you can get one of the small rooms or the VIP room (which we managed to get and is fabulous if hot as hot can be) go for it. The food was good, staff were friendly and efficient, service was a bit slow but there were loads and loads of us and it was Saturday night. Definitely recommend it for a different meal out!

Ate here recently with a friend and was disappointed at the bland nature of the food. My lamb tagine tasted like an under seasoned Irish stew, except without the vegetables. You pay a lot for the obviously poor quality of the ingredients, and while the decor is quite nice the atmosphere is stuffy and hot.

I ate here for a friend’s birthday and it was lovely we were seated in a little room by ourselves. The food is lovely and well cook, the staff are v friendly and the decoration is wonderful!

I ate here twice. Once in a large group and once with my partner. Both times I had a lovely meal but I found that the service wasn’t as good when I went with the large group.

This place is a bit of a disaster. I would avoid it completely. Ate here shortly after it opened a few years ago and thought it was great but since then its gone downhill. On my last visit a month ago, there were four of us and we were all disappointed. The place was pretty shabby and the food not the best. Nobody finished any of their starters or main courses and we left as soon as we could.

How hard is it to get cous cous right in a Morrocan restaurant? Obviously it is, considering when I ordered the vegetarian cous cous it arrived swimming in water, mushy and oversalted. The veg had had the colour and taste boiled out of them. As a starter, I had the potato cakes which were quite bland, I was expecting perhaps a few spices in them. My partner had the chicken tajine which he informed me was like rubber and was also served the same cous cous. Although the decoration is beautiful, the small room we were in was without ventilation so it was really hot and stuffy with the aromas of everyone else's food circulating which made me feel quite nauseous. Suffice to say we won't be going back.

I was here not too long ago now, in the past 2 months. I had hoped to reserve a table for 2 but was told that they don't take reservations for less than 2 people. So when I got there I was asked by the manager on duty if I had a reservation and told me they were booked up. Looking around, it looked like they had put parties of 2 people at tables of 4 which is not the way to get customers. When we were told that there was a table I expected to be told they needed it back by a particular time and that it would be a small table, nothing said. At this stage the manager had been rude to us and I was going to have a horrid meal. We were stuck in a room upstairs, no heating except a small fan heater. All I liked was the food. Service was non-existent. Don't expect anything great. But my rabbit tagine was really good.

We decided to go here on a whim as it was a friends birthday & about 8.30pm. I thought this restaurant was very nice & the waitress was very nice & explained all the different meals. We had a lovely bottle of white wine (house). The decor is very unusual, giving a lovely atmosphere.

I went here on a group booking of about 12 people. The decor is amazing and the rooms are very cute, different size rooms, not one big one like most restaurants. I had the potato cakes to start with which was gorgeous, and the chicken and veg for main. It wasn’t expensive and you will leave wanting to know where they both their cushions etc from! :)

I love the atmosphere in this place, the belly dancer really added to the experience and I enjoyed the food too! Great fun place to eat!

Having dined here with a friend recently I am of the impression that while I don't want to say the food was terrible I did not enjoy my meal. The main dish I ordered was quite bland and unremarkable that I can't even remember what it's called! The service was also relatively slow considering it was not even that busy. The staff was not exactly going all out to keep the customers happy either because when I asked for some chillies or something likewise to spice up the meal I was told they did not really have much to offer! Maybe it is just not my kind of food but I can honestly say that I have tried Middle Eastern food before and they certainly were more stimulating to the palate than this. I guess I won't be rushing back too soon.

We have visited this restaurant on many an occasion and loved it. The food is fabulous, great flavour and spices, although they have changed the menu slightly and you get fewer prawns for the starter. The service is great, but sometimes you can be left waiting for a table. If you are lucky on occasion there is a belly dancer, which is great entertainment. Very authentic Moroccan. It is slightly cramped but it has great atmosphere. Music can be a bit loud.

Really interesting place. Small and romantic. They had a belly dancer the night we ate there. Great fun. Suit young couple!

This was definitely an unusual experience! This restaurant is beautifully decorated in authentic Moroccan style. It even has a small bazaar upstairs to browse around after your dinner. The food was really unique and served in really unusual Moroccan dinner sets. It was very rich and spiced but delicious. Although it does take a long time to prepare, but the staff warn you about this as slow cooking time is customary for many Moroccan dishes. The selection coffee and well presented. My only complaint was the level of the music, which was very loud, but understandable I suppose because it was a Friday night. I was also disappointed that the belly dancer didn’t make an appearance as she does on occasion. This place is definitely worth checking out as somewhere different but be warned it is expensive!

Five of us went here recently for my friend’s birthday and had an excellent meal experience. We were seated in a little room on our own and it looked like we were inside a tent as all the walls were decorated in lovely Moroccan fabric. The food was excellent and served in authentic Moroccan dishes. Having never had Moroccan food before I was really pleased with my meal. The group of friends I was with would not be very adventurous but everyone left raving about their food. We are planning on returning the next birthday that comes around...

The decor is so charming! You are transported to Morocco! Got a table easily enough on a weeknight. Service is good. Menu is hit or miss, can be bland but the couscous is lovely. It's not the cheapest but satisfying and original.

Visited El Bahia on a Wednesday evening recently (July '07) and got a table no problem without a booking. Seating is uncomfortable and tables tiny. Also the tables are a bit too cramped together. Padded benches looked more comfy but where full. Food takes a while to be delivered but this is stated on the menu. Lots of vegetarian starters so we ordered six in total, one each for to start and two each for main course, most were delicious but portions were very small and all around 7 euro each which was a bit steep for the portion sizes. I was still hungry when finished but the desserts didn’t appeal and were very pricey (nearly 10 euro). Had to ask a few times for tap water even though we were drinking wine too but service was generally ok/good. Would consider a visit again as there aren’t many places in Dublin with proper veggie options but would make sure we got a comfy seat and weren’t too hungry.

I had a meal here with work mates last week and didn't enjoy the meal at all. The starters were quite bland and the main course was only ok. The service was quite slow. Overall I was disappointed with the experience. Would not go back.

A mixed bag here - food was delicious - really good flavours, served piping hot, authentic - cannot praise it enough. My main course was melt in the mouth. However, the service was terrible - and I'm hoping that this was all part of the authentic Moroccan experience, having been there recently! First they told us the tap water was not fit to drink - a worry there I cant help but feel - flashbacks to three weeks amoebic dysentery in the Middle East when I spent time there. Secondly they then charged us a heck of a lot for the bottled water. Commercially I praise them - as a customer I felt gouged. Thirdly they berated us because our full party did not arrive on time - fair enough actually - our fault - but then they told us to hurry up before we had all arrived and the order then took forever to come - 15 minutes to deliver even the wine! 30 mins to starters. Next up they then overcharged us - 20 euros for two cups of tea at the end - then told us tough on changing the bill again to compensate for the water issue. I do think a good restaurant would have waived the bottled water charge if they cannot serve potable tap water. We left a little dissatisfied with the service but the food was excellent. May give them another chance. Just as I may eat salad in Tangiers again.

Went to El Bahia with a group of friends. I love Moroccan food and also love Morocco and was excited to eat in such a beautiful restaurant. It was very disappointing. Service was poor and our waiter was rude. The food was good, but I believe that part of going to a restaurant is about feeling comfortable and welcome. We were not made to feel either of these. It was overly expensive and we realised after we left that we had also been overcharged. Will not be returning.

Poor service. Food bland.

I have eaten here with my partner on three occasions. We adore the decor and the have always found the staff to be very pleasant! We usually have starters, the kobiza is especially delicious. Some sausage style dish is sometimes order by himself and he declares it to be really tasty. Once they did not have what was ordered- rabbit. But this was had on the following occasions and was absolutely gorgeous, cooked in sultanas and sweet spices, really nice. I usually have some lamb tajine dish with cous cous, as the latter soaks up the juices and is really delicious. The lamb has always been very tender and seems to melt in the mouth. This dish is complimented with the nice cheapish Rioja on the menu. We have not indulged in the desserts, but it was a staff member’s birthday on one of the nights we ate there and they kindly gave us some of his birthday cake! The Moroccan coffee is always the highlight for me, a dark and heady mixture of sweetness and spice that leaves one feeling very happy and relaxed!

WHAT A DISASTER!!! THE WORST RESTAURANT EVER! I was so happy to bring everybody there for my staff leaving party ... and my god I couldn’t expect that it turn in a terrible nightmare and really embarrassing situation... We wait quite long to be served but this is not the point. Everything start when the waiter bring the wrong order to my colleague knew what she ordered some spicy Lamb and the waiter just give her something...we kindly asked if it was the correct order I mean some lamb and he start to be Mr pretentious and unfriendly no this is what you ordered and he left...he was really rude...when he came back I just ask him if it was Lamb…he affirmed yes it's Lamb. I looked at him and tried and actually it was beef!! My Manager tried to get the right meal we ordered but finally it turn in a terrible argument with the manager 20 minutes...so finally we finished our meal...no wine no desert no tips...THE STAFF ARE TERRIBLY UNPROFESSIONNAL AROGANT. Too embarrassing evening. NEVER EVER AGAIN!! Why can't you replace that stupid meal??? For the price you would expect a perfect night..

The décor in this restaurant is fantastic. We had a table in the corner which felt nicely private and secluded. Staff were not overly friendly but were not rude either so I can't complain. Our appetizer of olives and bread was good. Main courses were superb. They were served in large earthen ware cooking dishes. I had lamb with dates and figs which was extremely tasty and tender. My partner had rabbit which was very good though the portion was a bit small. The wine was good. My one issue with this restaurant was that they did not bring us water. I had to ask for it and even then, they did not bring a jug, but a small bottle and only one glass. We did not have desserts but the menu sounds good. All dishes and the atmosphere itself are authentically Moroccan. A nice restaurant and good value but if there are only two of you dining, make sure to arrive early as they do not take bookings for parties of less than four and the restaurant fills up quickly.

Nice food but overpriced

Have only eaten here once but would agree with the lack-lustre reviews. The quality of the food is not fantastic. The flavours do not taste fresh. I don't go to restaurants for service - I believe there are more pleasant jobs than waiting on me so I don't expect anything more than absent-minded civility and food to arrive less than hour after ordering it. The staff here exceeded this benchmark so I would not be over-critical of the service.

Went here with 12 others to celebrate friends birthday sometime last year.4 of us came around 45 mins late. It was late I agree. But the rude manager took part of our table for other customer and my friends couldn’t join us for dinner .As a punishment the rest of us were served at 11pm..We were there from 9..Some of us wanted to leave but as the organiser I asked them to stay as we wont get any table anywhere. The food was average. The manager literally screamed at me because of the latecomers. I’m sure some had a good time there. But we definitely didnt. And def not going there ever again!

Nice restaurant with great selection of food and a belly dancer thrown in for good measure !

I was very impressed with the food, it was delicious, but I have never been treated so rudely by staff ever!! It was such a pity cause we all had a great meal and the atmosphere is great (especially if you get your own little cove you can sit in). Would like to try it a second time just to see if the service is better cause the food is very good!

The service in El Bahia is not the best- I love the tajine there but the couscous is a bit on the dry side- we were a party of 5 once and were given a table that hardly fit 4 people even though we booked in advance- Disappointed

Extremely disappointed by El Bahia. I love Moroccan food and had been really looking forward to going. The staff are extremely aloof and unhelpful even snooty. The food was good enough (nothing special), tagines a bit too sweet, but the portions of cous cous we ridiculously small for the price. I got the impression El Bahia has been riding on the coattails of the great reviews it received a few years back when the owner was more involved. Won't go back.

The food was delicious, had lentils, GIANT prawns and some veg dishes and mint tea! Got rum and raisin ice cream with a Moroccan pastry-was fab! The decor is really ethic but the staff were so rude, but you go for the 4 the food not the service!

Turn up at 6.30 or 7 and order the lamb with prunes and cinnamon main course and a Moroccan coffee and you will leave a very happy person. Turn up a little later, order all 4 courses and you may never return. If it was not for some great main courses this restaurant would struggle to survive.

We decided to go to El Bahia on a Friday night. As we felt it would be busy we wanted to book a table for 2, but they don't take bookings for small parties. So we turned up at 7pm and were told we'd have to be out by 8.30. So that started things off on a bad note. I ordered Harira soup for starters which I thought tasted and looked like packet minestrone soup (with added chickpeas), I didn't think it was supposed to come with pasta shapes! The other starter, lentils, was very nice. Both main courses were cooked well, the lamb very tender, etc, however one seemed to be very similar to Irish stew and a little disappointing. The couscous was very salty and almost inedible when eaten alone. We did feel as if we were being rushed through our meal and we were very close to the couple beside us. The staff weren't the friendliest and we would have seconds thoughts before visiting this restaurant again.

El Bahia is well hidden away at the back of BT's but well worth finding. It’s more of a restaurant that thrives off its regulars and recommendations. The food is consistently excellent particularly the Tagines. You can usually break the beef with a fork because it’s that tender. Be prepared to wait a little longer than elsewhere for your food because they take longer to cook but are worth waiting on. The Cous Cous Royale/El Bahia Cous Cous is one for very hungry! Always found the service excellent and very friendly and the entertainment (Moroccan music and Belly Dancing) can be great fun especially for first timers. I'm not a coffee drinker but I’ve heard plenty of recommendations on the Moroccan Coffees also. You can try turning up on spec but bookings (Thurs-Sat) are definitely recommended to avoid disappointment!

I ate here with a friend from Morocco a few months back, I thought it would be nice to bring him, as it is the only Moroccan restaurant in Dublin. I had never eaten Moroccan food before and thought it was lovely. My only problem was that the space was quite cramped. He however said the food was very bad and for them to sell it as authentic Moroccan food was a joke.

The worst restaurant I was ever in. Rude staff, terrible food and worst venue ever for my party. I will never be going there again

Very unusual restaurant with a marvellous atmosphere. Our group had the privilege of eating in a tent inside the restaurant. Hard to explain, you have to witness it yourself. Service a bit slow but in fairness it was very busy. Food itself, piping hot and served in traditional Moroccan style pots. Excellent value and the house wine was reasonably priced. One gripe, gents toilet is at the top of the building and only facilitates one person. Could also do with more regular cleaning.

Gorgeous food with a beautiful dining room - very atmospheric. Private dining rooms available for a party, which is a great idea and a lovely little shop upstairs.

Excellent restaurant where the food is great and the service is good.

A lovely little restaurant with a great atmosphere. The night I went we were entertained by a belly dancer - was a lot of fun. Food is lovely although some of the dishes are difficult to serve, as the pieces are too big. Would happily go again.

Love this restaurant, I have been there about 8 times, with a big table or just a romantic dinner for two, the food is really good and I find quite authentic, the restaurant is well decorated and has the music to go with it. If you are lucky they normally come over with rose water for you to wash your hands before your meal. All the food is served and cooked in the Moroccan Tagines, they bring them over piping how from the kitchen. The lamb is absolutely delicious moist and the one with the prunes is really really divine! Good choices for vegetarian, for the people that are daring I would suggest to try the rabbit. Something really unusual for Irish palates but absolutely delicious.....to end the meal go for the typical Moroccan sweets and a typical Moroccan coffee, get ready this is not watery coffee its a real treat of spices and wonderful aromas will tingle your tongue! Enjoy!

Delicious food with generous portions. Excellent decor and music. Get transported to Marrakech!!

A jewel of a restaurant, neatly hidden away, but well worth the find. In addition to the large selection of wines, and menu large enough to make selection a long process, entertainment is provided on certain nights in the form of belly dancing, which really completes the experience.