Al fresco summer evenings at the local are a joyous thing indeed. Gastro pubs can often be hit and miss, but your friendly neighbourhood food truck? That can be a very solid bet – once you know where to look. This summer, lean in to casual dining and pair frosty beers with some delicious bites ..
The Dough Bros at O’Connell’s, Galway
Frequently voted as the best of the best, The Dough Bros wood-fired pizza is somewhat legendary. Renowned for serving up seriously delicious authentic Neapolitan style pizza, you’ll find The Dough Bros slinging their delicious pies in the buzzing beer garden at O’Connell’s Bar on Eyre Square. My personal choice has to be The Stinger with Gubeen chorizo, fresh chilli and a drizzle of hot honey. www.oconnellsgalway.ie
Vietnom, The Glimmer Man, Stoneybatter
Banh Mi and beer? Count me in. Possibly one of the best sandwiches ever created, an umami banh mi is as fresh and exciting as sandwiches get and when paired with a cold beer on a summer evening, we think it’s pretty close to food heaven. If a banh mi doesn’t float your boat, there is always a curry option which at €12 looks like incredible value. Open Thursday to Sunday from 6-10pm. @vietnomdublin
Fuppin Delish at Humphreys, Ranelagh
One of my favourite pubs in Dublin, Humphreys is a great spot for summer drinks. The beer garden is extensive and the addition of Fuppin Delish in recent years has elevated the pub offering to near perfect. Forget pub crisps or peanuts, tacos y antojitos is where it’s at. Antojitos are Mexican snacks typically sold by street vendors and in Fuppin Delish they take the form of burgers, wings, scallion pancake quesadilla and the classic pub toastie so if Tacos aren’t for you, the options are endless. Open Tuesday to Sunday. @fuppindelish
The Goats Gruff at The Strawberry Hall, Dublin 20
If there is a more idyllic spot to eat pizza in Dublin, I have yet to find it. It’s casual fare all the way at Goats Gruff at The Strawberry Hall in Dublin 20. Wood-fired sandwiches and coffee by day, wood-fired pizza with cold beers or chilled wines by night. You can eat indoors at The Strawberry Hall but all the summer fun takes place in the huge safari tent perched on the banks of the Liffey. It’s rustic, charming and you would never believe you are a mere 7km from the city. Open Monday-Sunday, with pizza available every day from 4.30pm-9.30pm. www.goatsgruffdublin.com
Sumi’s Kitchen at Ryan’s, Beggars Bush, Dublin 4
If I had to pick a favourite cuisine (thankfully, I don’t), Indian would likely be my choice and a chicken biryani with a side of dal and raita would be my death row dish so I couldn’t not mention Sumi’s Kitchen in this list. Lamb keema with steaming pav, fish thali and Chettinad chicken can all be yours, accompanied by a cold frothy beer. Mumbai-style street food in leafy Dublin 4, what’s not to like? Open Wednesday-Sunday. @sumiskitchen_official