A Fianco is a top notch wine bar
Well it’s actually an Italian vineria which is a wine shop in Italy that sells food… But let’s be honest: A Fianco is your typical wine bar — just done very very well.
It’s barely a room in Stoneybattery. That’s the instant charm. A sliver of space off the side of Grano that feels more like a secret than a venue. It’s the younger sibling who only wears vintage, smells faintly of anchovy and citrus, and somehow always knows the name of every grape in the bottle.
The fit-out is minimalist but warm, all sleek wood, terrazzo tiles and low lighting you’ll feel like you’re in a Vogue magazine spread about a Roman couple who import wines out of the boot of a classic Fiat Panda.
The menu? It’s a tight booklet, but every line is a hit. So much so I had to ask the team, who were super well versed on each dish and which wine to accompany. I took all of their recommendations sat on the side ledge and let the night unfold by melting candlelight. So I don’t totally remember the names but sure don’t the pictures speak more words?
What I Ate (and Why You Should Too) at A Fianco
The Anchovy Doughnut
You look at it and think, “there’s no way that’s not a doughnut.” But it’s a bun. Or brioche. It essentially was a Maritozzo or a blessed soft vehicle for:
- whipped lemon cream,
- anchovies,
- and a drop of something green and garlicky that should be illegal in most countries.
It’s rich, sharp, salty, creamy, confusing.
Polpette alla ‘Nduja
These meatballs arrive looking almost too elegant for what they are — but once you cut in, it’s clear:
Spice, smoke, melt, repeat. The ricotta isn’t even trying to calm things down, it’s just joining the ride.
They also come with a spoon, which feels suspicious until you realise you’re going to drink that tomato sauce like it’s the communion cup.
Salsiccia e Cime di Rapa
It feels like a spicy sausage roll takes a sabbatical in Southern Italy.
A fat, juicy homemade Calabrian-style sausage laid over bitter cime di rapa on toasted bread — rustic, punchy, unapologetic. It’s salty, a little spicy, and balanced by the greens just enough to stop it being pure indulgence. Barely.
A Fianco: Let the Wine Be the Accompanying Star
There is a great wine list, and that’s exactly how it should be.
All I did was tell them what I like, or what I don’t like, or say nothing at all and just go along for the ride.
I had:
- A Sicilian red that tasted like someone had dipped wild herbs into a volcano.
- A white so clean and zippy it could have doubled as a palate reset for your life.
This is wine with opinion, served by people who don’t just know what they’re doing- it brought the food along nicely.
Make sure to book A Fianco, or be prepared to wait
You can do what I do. You arrive and hope. And for me that’s part of the romance.
You lean against a lamppost. You curse softly. You scroll aimlessly. Then, a spot opens up and you step into the warmest, chilliest little corner of Italy via Stoneybatter you could possibly imagine on a grey Dublin evening. Now I got the seat that was available and I was greatful, but I was staring at a wall. It was diminly lit and there is only so many directions to turn when couple are either side (tightly I should add). With this, I will book a table the next time (which there will be!), just to have a bit more space.
Final Thoughts
A Fianco is the kind of place that reminds you how powerful simplicity can be when every detail is done with quality and care. The food is focused, flavourful, and deeply rooted in the concept. And the service? Effortless in the best way attentive without fuss, warm without pretense.
It’s a place where quality leads the way, where the dishes are thoughtful and seasonal, and where the wine always feels like the right choice. No gimmicks. No noise. Just really good food, poured over with really good wine.
Quick Info
📍 Location: 6 Norseman Court, Manor Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
🕰️ Pro Tip: Make a booking, I walked in and got lucky as a solo.
🥫 What to Eat: Anchovy doughnut thing
📸 Before or After: Hit L. Mulligan Grocer for a pint
🔥 Perfect For: Date nights, solo dinners with a book and red wine, pretending you live in a trendy neighborhood in Rome