Eggs at The Fumbally
This laidback community café is comfy, welcoming and serves up our first budget-friendly dish: scrambled eggs with creamy Gubbeen cheese, garlic and tomatoes on fresh, toasted brioche. It's the perfect way to start the day! It’s in a great location too, if you fancy a spot of sightseeing afterwards, be sure to visit the adjacent St. Patrick’s Cathedral and nearby Christ Church; one of the oldest areas of the city.
BBQ Pork Shoulder Sandwich at Green Bench Café
Looking for a lovely lunch that won’t break the bank? Green Bench Café on Montague Street serves up amazing takeaway sandwiches. Why not enjoy yours in the leafy surrounds of the nearby Iveagh Gardens, one of the city’s many hidden gems and located just five minutes from St. Stephen’s Green. Our pick from the menu has to be their very hearty BBQ pork shoulder sandwich which is loaded with succulent, melt-in-the-mouth meat, salad and leaves – your challenge (if you choose to accept it) is to finish the whole thing!
Burrito at Boojum
If you fancy something with a little more kick, look no further than Boojum (Millennium Walkway and Kevin Street Lower). Their beast of a burrito is jam-packed with tasty Mexican treats like cilantro-lime rice and pinto beans, with a delicious helping of flavoursome salsa (go as hot as you dare!) and sour cream – yum. When you’ve eaten your fill, hop on the Luas (tram) from Jervis station beside the Millennium Walkway branch and in less than 15 minutes you’ll be in the expansive Phoenix Park, one of the largest walled city parks in Europe, and home to a very tame herd of deer!
Sakura Sushi Selection at Musashi
One of the more recent additions to the thriving Dublin food scene, Musashi on Capel Street (just a 10-minute walk from the Ha’Penny Bridge) offers up an extensive menu of hot Japanese dishes and freshly-prepared sushi. We recommend the Sakura selection – five pieces of sushi nigiri. What’s more, Musashi operates a BYOB policy, so feel free to bring along a bottle of vino to wash down your meal.
Bibimbap at Hop House / Kimchi
Fans of Korean food should make their way to Hop House / Kimchi on foodie’s mecca Parnell Street (10 minutes from the iconic Spire on O’Connell Street) and order their delicious delicacy, Bibimbap. This bad boy literally has it all – white rice topped with sautéed, seasoned veg with sliced beef and a fried egg on top. What’s not to love?!
Smoked Salmon at Delahunt
Fancy a stroll before dinner? This charming and homely restaurant can be found on Camden Street, just minutes from the scenic Grand Canal which winds its way around the city. Delahunt serves up fresher-than-fresh smoked Irish salmon with horseradish and cucumber on (wait for it...) Guinness bread! It’s mouth-watering combination that has to be tasted to be believed. Oh and of course, a pint of the black stuff to wash it down is a must!
Open Meatball Sandwich at Coppinger Row
This next one’s for the dedicated meat-eaters among you. Relaxing in Coppinger Row, located just minutes from both St. Stephen’s Green and the über-cool George’s Street Arcade, is an opportunity both to people-watch and sample one of the heartiest sambos in the city. Make sure you’re suitably hungry before you order their amazing open meatball sandwich; it really is as amazing as it sounds.
Vonie Pizza at Skinflint
Sometimes you just can’t beat a good pizza, and luckily Dublin’s cultural quarter Temple Bar is home to the very cool pizzeria, Skinflint. We’re finding it hard to pick just one recommendation, but we reckon we’ll go with their ‘Vonie’ pizza, which is topped with egg, Serrano ham, mozzarella and (to really get those tastebuds tingling), harissa; a hot chilli pepper paste. When you’re done with dining, peruse the area’s many vintage stores, boutiques and markets.
Chicken Wings at Elephant & Castle
Also in Temple Bar, you’ll find Elephant & Castle, a laidback eatery serving up tasty New York-style dishes. It’s another perfect spot for watching the world go by, as it looks out onto the bustling, cobbled streets of the cultural quarter and is also a stone’s throw from the iconic Ha’penny Bridge. But we digress. Elephant & Castle is renowned by Dubliners for its spicy buffalo chicken wings! Marinaded to perfection, these flavoursome wings come in an extremely generous portion, accompanied perfectly by a tangy blue cheese dip.
East Cork Wild Boar Burger at L. Mulligan Grocer
Further up the quays sits L.Mulligan Grocer, a quirky gastro-pub in trendy Stonybatter is the perfect place to while away an afternoon. They offer a wide range of local and international craft beers, along with recommendations around which drinks best complement their dishes. Food-wise, you have to try their East Cork Wild Boar Burger; this hunk of meat is served in a fresh homemade bap with spiced pumpkin pesto, creamy goats’ cheese, rocket, aioli and – to round things off – a portion of their golden, chunky chips. Thirsty? That won’t do. Take the team’s wise advice, and team your food with a Brown Paper Bag Project ale.
Shepherd’s Pie at The Pig’s Ear
If it’s a more formal setting you’re after, look no further than The Pig’s Ear on Nassau Street (adjacent to Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells). They boast an impressive menu of modern Irish fare, but we recommend the Slow-Cooked Lough Erne Shepherd’s Pie; a hearty and rich mince base, topped with fluffy potato.
Pre-Theatre Menu at Chapter One
Michelin star-awarded Chapter One is located in the basement of the Dublin Writers Museum on Parnell Square, minutes from O’Connell Street and right next to the historic Gate Theatre. As such, they offer a competitively-priced pre-theatre menu; choose from mains like Braised Daube of Beef, Salt Marsh Duck and Breast of Pheasant.
Did you make it to the end of the list without booking a table?! Remember, those were just some of our recommendations – Dublin is positively packed with restaurants serving up all kinds of diverse and tasty dishes, and catering to every budget. Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Peruse the many culinary gems the city has to offer today.