Eat Where Dubliners Eat
The Best Places To Eat In Dublin
A visitor asked on an Irish travel Facebook group "Where should I eat in Dublin?".
I cringed as I read the predictable responses given by other tourists; The Hairy Lemon, The Church, The Brazen Head, and Boxty.
They may be fine places to eat but I don't know because I'm a Dubliner and have never eaten at these places that are targeted at tourists.
When I travel, I want to eat where locals eat. Here are the restaurants & cafes where Dubliners eat.
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Stay Near These Restaurants
You'll notice a pattern. Most of my picks are on the south side of Dublin's city centre. It's easily the best area and where you should stay too. Here are my Dublin hotel recommendations.
You'll notice a pattern. Most of my picks are on the south side of Dublin's city centre. It's easily the best area and where you should stay too. Here are my Dublin hotel recommendations.
Breakfast
- Rosies Cafe
Near Christchurch Cathedral, I was a daily regular here when I lived close by. Quality, friendly and reasonable. - The Pepper Pot Café
Don't bother looking at the menu, just order their famous Pear & Bacon Sambo. The first of my picks in the beautiful 1774 Powerscourt Townhouse. - Stage Door Cafe
The Stage Door opens at 6am and it's in Temple Bar so easy to find if you just arrived in Dublin on an early morning arrival. It's a one minute walk from NYX Christchurch which is one of my most recommended hotels in Dublin. - Brother Hubbard
My picks are southside heavy because that's the best area to stay in Dublin, but if you are staying on the northside at the wonderful Ruby Molly Hotel, Brother Hubbard is a Dublin staple with healthy food that has a slight middle eastern twist.
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Do my Dublin Jet Lag Walking Tour on your first day in Dublin while you're waiting to check-in to your hotel. I'll give you personal food recommendations on our walk through Dublin.
Quick Lunch
When you have a busy day of sightseeing and want to grab something really quick, but also really great.
- Fallon & Byrne Food Hall
My go-to in when I have a break between my Dublin walking tours. Restaurant quality food quickly served in a sandwich. Sit at the shared table and chat to the locals. - Amelia's Table
Another one in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. I love this centre, Amelia's small menu is my type of menu. You're hungry, you want food, not decisions. - Tiller + Grain
Sandwiches & salads so colourful they could hang in the nearby National Gallery. Healthy food, local suppliers, seasonal menu. The Irish Times says it is one of the best lunches in Ireland. A one minute walk from Trinity College. - Loose Canon
Grilled cheese toasties are a cultural icon, served in pubs to keep drinkers drinking. Loose Canon kicks them up a level. Enjoy while people watching on the wonderful Drury Street.
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Lunch
When a sit down lunch is part of your trip.
- The Seafood Café
An Irish paper asked our Michelin chefs where they go for seafood. Even though the Seafood Café is in touristy Temple Bar, the local chefs loved it. - Pichet
Pichet is Irish with a French twist. It is a Michelin Bib Gourmand award winner. This is given for exceptional value, so that means you can try some of the best food in Dublin without the prices that come with Michelin Stars. - Lincoln's Inn
This is my favorite pub food in the city centre. It's 200 years old and should be overrun by tourists, but it's not for some reason. It's next to Trinity College though, so go here after you visit the Book of Kells. - Anchara
I know you didn't come to Ireland to eat Thai, but their food is cooked on a charcoal grill and is fabulous. And once you leave Dublin, the menus can start to look the same, so take advantage of the variety of food in Dublin. - Assassination Custard
A menu written on a paper bag, only 4 tables and open for just 6 hours a week. That confidence tells you everything. This review tells you more.
Except for Assassination, these are all good dinner options too.
Best Dublin Food Tours
Food tastes better when it's a local showing you the way
- Afternoon Tea on a Vintage Bus
Take a vintage bus around Dublin while having afternoon tea. Every single person who I know who has done this absolutely loved it. Book it now! - Dublin Historical Centre Food Tour with 7 Food Tastings & Drinks
You learn about Dublin, while seeing the best local spots and you get 7 tastings. Do this one on your first day instead of walking around lost. - Dublin Traditional Irish 3 Course Meal Walking Tour with Local
"A perfect mix of food, drink, wit & history". And it starts in the fabulous Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, home to two of the places on my own list. This tour knows its food.
Dinner
- Fish Shop
Three separate Irish Michelin star chefs chose this as their place to go for the best seafood in Ireland. It's tiny so book ahead. It's close to the Jameson Distillery & The Cobblestone. Here is my review of Fish Shop. - Delahunt
Delahunt is on Camden Street, where locals go instead of Temple Bar. A gorgeous interior sets the mood for the food. Be sure to have a drink upstairs in The Sitting Room too. Prince Harry & Meghan Markle have eaten here but don't let put you off. - The Camden Kitchen
This is where I bring friends who are visiting. It's a neighborhood bistro just off the busy Camden Street. The kind of place you're delighted to stumble upon. You'll feel like a Dubliner eating here. - Notions @ Two Pups
The Sunday Times had "one of the best 12 meals in Ireland last year" here. So you should probably go. It's near the Guinness Storehouse. Stop in on the way back from there.
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Overwhelmed by the options? Book an Ireland trip planning call with me and I'll create a custom itinerary for you.
Fine Dining in Dublin
- Restaurant Patrick Guilbauld
The first restaurant in Dublin to get a Michelin Star, now a 2 star. It opened in 1981 and is still going. It is in Dublin's best five-star hotel, The Merrion. - Comet
Expected to get a Michelin Star before long, go now while you can get a table Unassuming from outside but "The most exciting, original restaurant opening in Dublin this year" per All The Food. It’s the talk of the town. - Chapter One
Holder of two Michelin Stars and you'll deserve an award if you manage to get a table here too. I still remember my meal here seven years ago. Try, try & try again to get a reservation. - Forest Avenue
Newly starred. ‘A series of faultless, exquisite, works of art - it’s one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in 30 years as a critic' Lucinda O'Sullivan, Irish Independent. I'll leave it at that.
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