About this season
The hit Channel 4 series First Dates, has come to Ireland and RTÉ2. In First Dates, single people from across Ireland come to the First Dates restaurant where they have a real blind date. Joining maître D' Mateo Saina, are barman Ethan Miles, and waiters Alice, Pete and Libby, who help set the scene and give romance the best possible chance to flourish.
Episodes (14)
1. Episode 1
Aired 5 January 2023
Mateo and the team return for series eight, as more hopefuls keen to find romance enter the First Dates restaurant.
2. Episode 2
Aired 12 January 2023
Eight more hopefuls enter the Restaurant of Romance, under the watchful eyes of Mateo, Alice, Pete, and Neil.
3. Episode 3
Aired 19 January 2023
A fresh sitting of daters arrives to sample the food of love, but now the tables are intimate and the masks are off. On hand, as always, is Maitre'D Mateo.
4. Episode 4
Aired 26 January 2023
A fresh sitting of daters arrives to sample the food of love, but unlike last year, the tables are intimate and the masks are off. On hand, as always is Maitre'D Mateo.
5. Episode 5
Aired 2 February 2023
6. Episode 6
Aired 9 February 2023
Phil, 65, is hoping to repeat the success that her daughter Carla had two years ago in the restaurant. Carla matched with Shez and is now engaged. Phil is hoping to be as engaged by Stan, 69, from Galway.
7. Episode 7
Aired 16 February 2023
8. Episode 8
Aired 23 February 2023
Mateo, Alice, Neil and Pete meet a new bunch of daters and watch romance blossom in the Restaurant of Romance.
9. Episode 9
Aired 2 March 2023
Aisling, 23, from Galway meets her date Lochlainn, 23, from Armagh while former `Ireland's Got Talent' contestant Gary, 35, from Tipperary meets model Cherry, 32, from Cavan.
10. Episode 10
Aired 9 March 2023
A Thursday night special as the Restaurant of Romance reopens, serving up spice and sizzle.
11. Episode 11
Aired 16 March 2023
12. Episode 12
Aired 23 March 2023
Strongman John, 34, from Mayo enters the restaurant with his guns on show trying to impress Renata, 37, from Galway who's an artillery gunner in the Irish Army Reserves.
13. Episode 13
Aired 30 March 2023
Maître d' Mateo, assisted by Alice and Pete, and cocktail maestro Neil are ready to go back to some of the most memorable matchups of 2022.
14. Episode 14
Aired 6 April 2023
It's a special date night in the restaurant of love as Mateo welcomes back some of the successful couples from previous years.