Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks …
COFFEE AND PASTRIES
Fable Bakery, in front of Sprout on Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Keep an eye on their Instagram for another location to open soon.
Kaph, Drury Street, Clement & Pekoe, South William Street or Bread 41, Pearse Street; all Dublin 2.
Una Bakery, Ranelagh or Two Fifty Square, Rathmines and Terenure; all Dublin 6.
Proper Order Coffee Co., Smithfield or Elliot’s Bakery, Arran Street East and North Circular Road; all Dublin 7.
Alma, Portobello, Dublin 8. Go here for a proper breakfast.
3fe, Various locations.
Scéal Bakery, Greystones, Co Wicklow. Watch for pop-ups in the city or take the DART to Greystones for the full experience. The train hugs the coast and is worth the ride alone.
LUNCH AND DINNER
Hera At Juno Bar, 58 Dorset Street Lower or Lee’s Charming Noodles, Parnell Street; both Dubin 1.
Bambino,: Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2. Keep an eye on their Instagram as they look to open a new place. Perfect pizza slices every time that’s made for a pitstop.
Frank’s, Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2. Small plates and wine set in an old butcher’s shop.
Etto, Merrion Row, Dublin 2. One of my favourite lunch spots in Dublin.
Uno Mas, Aungier Street, Dublin 2. It’s on everyone’s favourite list.
Achara, Aston Quay, Temple Bar or Kicky’s, South Great Georges Street; both Dublin 2.
Reggie’s Pizza, Rathgar Road, Dublin 6. Great for groups. Go to Slattery’s in Rathmines for live music on Sundays.
Kodiak, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Pizza and cocktails.
Host, Ranelagh or Pickle, Camden Street Lower; both Dublin 6.
Fish Shop, Benburb Street, Dublin 7. Always excellent. Pair it with a trip to Walsh’s after.
Assassination Custard, Blackpitts, Dublin 8. Tiny, 10-seater spot with big energy. I never leave without a new friend.
Leonard’s Corner, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. If you’re lucky, Tom Hayes might be doing a pop-up here (check @mowglibusiness).
Bar Pez, Kevin Street Lower, Dublin 8. Warm wood interiors, extensive wine list and ever-changing menu. I could stay for hours.
Tacos Lupillo, 53 Sarsfield Road, Dash Burger, Kevin Street Lower or Loose Canon, Drury Street; all Dublin 8.
Xian Street Food: Various locations. Tasty, cheap eat in the city.
Sprout: Various locations. Ideal when you want something fresh without committing to a full restaurant meal. I worked on their cookbook and I think most of Dublin agrees that it’s always delicious. Check out their new Monkstown location for seaside picnics. Grab a Chicken Cashew Crunch or Tokyo Bowl and head to Seapoint.
PUB GRUB
Grogan’s Castle Lounge, 15 South William Street, Dublin 2. Toasties and pints, my personal favourite.
Nearys, 1 Chatham Street, Dublin 2. If you want a cosy pub lunch in town, this is your place. I like to hide here when it’s cold and wet.
Kehoe’s, 9 South Anne Street, Dublin 2. Classic snug for people-watching.
O’Donoghue’s, 15 Merrion Row, Dublin 2. Birthplace of The Dubliners. Live music most nights.
Palace Bar, Fleet Street or The Long Hall, 51 South Great George’s Street; both Dublin 2. Iconic.
Slattery’s, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Always my go-to before Reggie’s.
The Cobblestone, North King Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7. Best for trad music.
Walsh’s, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7. Local vibes, trad nights, and chats with strangers guaranteed. I’ve spent a lot of time here.
John Fallon’s “The Capstan Bar”, 129 The Coombe, Dublin 8. Old-school charm.
The Gravediggers: 1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Family-run since 1833. Top-tier Guinness.
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