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Where to eat in Dublin
Food is a huge part of any city break, not only does it give you the opportunity to get a proper taste for the country, but it also brings unbridled joy when you try something that immediately shoots to the top of your favourite food list. There are numerous amazing places to eat in Dublin and we’ve compiled a few of our favourite locations and meals that you need to try during your holidays to Dublin.
The Dishes
Before we go into detail on where to eat in Dublin, we’re going to outline a few of the national dishes that you simply need to try. Even though many people tend to think a love of potatoes is very stereotypical of the Irish, many of the country’s most-famous dishes include the versatile vegetable.
Ones to look out for include – Colcannon, which is potato mashed with cabbage or kale and mixed lots of butter and seasoning, boxty, a potato pancake served either on its own or as an accompaniment, champ, which is potatoes mashed with scallions, lots of pepper and butter, and finally coddle, a dish of sausage, bacon and potato. Outside of these tasty potato treats, the national dish of Ireland, Irish Stew, is something served almost everywhere. A thick and nourishing stew of lamb or mutton with carrots, onions and potatoes, it’s unreal.
A visit to Dublin is not complete without eating a Full Irish – the near official name for an Irish breakfast – which contains bacon, sausage, eggs, tomatoes, black and white pudding, beans and soda bread – washed down with gallons of tea.
Additionally, you are never far away from a restaurant in Dublin serving a great choice of fish - from trout to mackerel, salmon to halibut and hake - all of which come straight from the fresh clear waters of the North Atlantic. Seafood is also popular and many places to eat in Dublin serve great crab, oysters (brought in fresh from Galway Bay) and lobster. However the most famous of all Dublin shellfish, the Dublin Bay prawn, is another wonder to try.
Wherever you go in the city, you’ll find somewhere that serves seaweed - which has been part of the Irish diet for centuries. You can find it dried and ready to eat or as an ingredient in bread. And a final recommendation for the brave eaters among you who will try absolutely anything – crubeens, which are boiled pig’s trotters!
Don’t miss: A Full Irish – perfect for lining the stomach before a night out, or settling the nerves the morning after.
Must try: Crubeens – eaten by hand and often served battered, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime culinary adventure...
The Drinks
Now you’ve got a few meals in mind to look out for in Dublin, it’s good to have a few chasers in your back pocket. Starting with most obvious, you’ll find Guinness in every single bar and restaurant. The black stuff is the national drink and a great source of iron. If you’re not sure if you like the drink, be sure to give it a try as many people say it tastes much better in Ireland. And if you know you’re a fan of the drink already – head to the Guinness Storehouse for a great history lesson on the brand and some wonderful insight into how it gets made.
If you’re of a Pepsi man than a Coke fan, then you can try the rival stout of Murphy’s. Served just as much as Guinness, truth be told it’s a very similar drink and many people say they prefer it. Far be it for us to tell you our favourite, you should try both and figure it out for yourself.
Other drinks to try include RubyBlue Vodka, which is distilled from potatoes, Bertha’s Revenge, which is known as a ‘milk gin’, and Bán Poitín, which started life as an outlawed moonshine. Those looking for something non-alcoholic will find Barry’s Tea a warming cup of goodness, and be intrigued by Club Rock Shandy – which is like fizzy hybrid of Lilt and Fanta.
Don’t miss: The Guinness. You can’t visit Ireland and not have a pint – it’s a meal with every mouthful.
Must try: Bán Poitín. Play a part in its historic advance from banned drink to bar staple...
Where to Eat
If you’re still wondering what to do in Dublin, we think the answer is quite an obvious one - eat. But where?
Dublin has a number of street markets, just like the one on Mespil Road, a great foodie favourite. This food market is one of the best places to eat in Dublin as it is a great collection of food trucks and stalls selling everything from tapas and Turkish dishes to pastas and pastries, as well some traditional Irish foods.
As you’re exploring the city’s grand squares, vast shopping malls and tiny streets, you’ll be sure to find interesting pubs and cafes aplenty – each one serving some great food. One of the best bookshops in the city, the Winding Stair, also has a great little restaurant which is known as one of the best places to eat in Dublin. Enjoy a starter of smoked salmon served with soda bread and crème fraiche, followed by poached fish in a creamy sauce with mashed potatoes.
In terms of food, one of the best things to do in Dublin is to actually leave it. Howth, one of the prettiest seaside villages nearby, offers amazing local seafood. If you’re after a specific restaurant - try 30 Church Street, one of the best around. If you’re there at the weekend, check out the market which has great produce, organic breads and cakes, as well as vintage stalls and antiques.
Don’t miss: The Winding Stair. With a focus on good food with matched beers and ales, there’s also an extensive wine list to be enjoyed.
Must try: The food trucks and stalls on Mespil Road for an international flavour in the heart of Ireland...
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