The quality and variety of food in Dublin City is amazing. It's the perfect city to wander around and find a little gem of an eatery. And it would be rude not to head to a real Irish pub after to wash the meal down with a pint or two of the black stuff. If you're a little more strapped for time and want to get right into the action, here's a list of our favourite Dublin food & drink hotspots.
Dublin restaurants, over the two decades, have become recognised as some of the finest and most varied in any corner of the world. New 'trending' food spots seem to open every other week in the city centre, but, at its core, Dublin City has a number of restaurants that have stood the test of time.
Perhaps it's the move away from the more traditional dishes of the 1980s and 1990s, where your options were pretty much roast beef or lamb, salmon and occasionally lasagne, to a more diverse and international persuasion that has helped the Dublin restaurant scene flourish since the start of the century. Most Dublin City streets now feature a multitude of international restaurants, from Japanese to Nepalese and from Russian to Nigerian.
Bunsen Burger, in Temple Bar, gets a special mention here. It's a burger joint and a sit-down restaurant, and at the same time, it's neither. The menu is so small that it could fit on a business card, or rather, it is a business card. Your options are burgers and chips. Because the chefs are left to specialise in just these two items, they are near perfection. Insider tip: The meat patties are so thick (and juicy!) that a double burger is almost unholdable. The single is huge on its own. If needs must, order two singles... or a lot of napkins!
Across Ireland, you'll notice that the small town dotted throughout might have a mixture of the following; a post office, a church, a chipper or a book-makers. You may also notice that every small town in Ireland will most certainly have one of the following; a pub!
Dublin City is like this on a grander scale. Everywhere you turn there is a pub greeting you. County Dublin has 772 pubs, that's one pub for every 1,695 people. In Dublin City Centre a large number of pubs are now aiming at the tourist market. Some of them have gone so over the top with the Irish charm that they no longer resemble the Irish pubs they are trying to replicate. With that said, Dublin City still has some of the most authentic and interesting pubs in Ireland. And, being the home of Guinness, you could argue that you won't find a better 'glass of porter' anywhere else in in the world.
With its large number of pubs, activities, and visitors, it's of little surprise that the ultimate convenience food 'fish & chips' is a favourite across Dublin City. There are institutions of the genre (Leo Burdock has been running since 1913), gourmet varieties (Fish Shop in Smithfield) and places so popular that they have spawned chains across the city (Beshoff Bros, Teo's, Leo Burdock, etc).
They all serve essentially the same thing, fish in batter and thick, golden chips. You can cover these in the condiments of your choice. The most popular being salt and vinegar, but there's also mushy peas, tartar sauce, lemon juice, curry sauce, gravy, etc. While the offerings are pretty much the same, the best chipper in Dublin is a matter of personal taste and local pride.
This is our list of the most well known fish and chip shops in Dublin. It is by no means exhaustive, and you really can't go wrong with any similar establishments that you might find across Dublin.
Top tip: If you're ordering in Leo Burdock, ask for 'crispy bits'. These are the little flakes of chips that pile up at the end of the chip pan. Most places throw them out. At Leo Burdock they will sprinkle them over your fish and chips, but only if you ask. A delicious, crunchy extra that you never knew you needed! 'Crispy bits' are of limited supply, so please don't tell anyone else.
Adare is a small town in Co. Limerick, known for its quaint and colourful thatched cottages. Adare is considered to be one of Ireland's most beautiful towns so stop and take in the view. Don't forget your camera today - the perfect chance to capture the essence of old Ireland.
Explore Adare Village along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Take a journey through this once troubled city. See the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road & Nationalist Falls Road. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past ten years of peace have returned much prosperity while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.
Originally built in 1823, Blarney Woollen Mills was mainly used for the spinning and weaving of wool. After it closed in 1973, it reopened in 1975 — as an Irish heritage shop.
The Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre commemorates the last pitched battle fought on British soil, in April 1746. Learn more about the Jacobite intent to overthrow the House of Hanover and return the House of Stuart to the British throne.
Located within Glenveagh National Park, Glenveagh Castle was built by Captain John George Adair between 1870 and 1873. Having made his fortune through land speculation in America, Adair return to Ireland and began large amounts of land in County Donegal. The castle was built in the Scottish Baronial style and is surrounded by a garden and commands stunning views of the nearby mountains, lakes, woodlands and valleys.
About Highland Folk Museum is a museum and open-air attraction located in the Scottish Highlands. It is designed to showcase the domestic and working lives of the early highland people.
Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.
Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.
Located close to the Killarney National Park, Moriarty's is an Authentic Irish Gift Store and Restaurant. Hand crafted Irish jewellery, Waterford Crystal and classic and modern tweed fashions and furnishings are all on offer at the gift store. The restaurant is an 85 seater offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Mount Congreve Gardens. Located in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Mount Congreve Gardens is an 18th century Georgian estate and mansion. It was designed by the same architect that created both of Waterford's cathedrals, John Roberts.
Recently recognised as being one of the top 10 gardens in the world, Mount Stewart is a rich tapestry of planting plant life and stunning walking trails. The house dates back to the 19th century, and was the Irish seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family.
Located on the grounds of the expansive and idyllic Killarney National Park. Muckross House, and its 11,000-acre grounds, was donated to the Irish state in 1932.
Located on the grounds of the picturesque Muckross House and its impeccable gardens. Take a step back in time and see the Irish farming lifestyle of the 1930s and '40s. A time when the horse was responsible for much of the labour and the weather was the be all and end all in terms of production.
The Quiet Man Museum. A reproduction of the quaint thatched cottage from the John Wayne starring, John Ford directed movie of the same name. all costumes, artefacts and furnishings have been recreated in precise detail, to reflect the setting of the 1952 classic. Located in the picturesque village of Cong, County Mayo.
As a local Irish company, we at My Ireland Tour are passionate about our country and our local community. We're thrilled that you're interested in visiting the place we call home. That's why we put together this definitive travel guide for anyone who wants to come to Ireland and discover this amazing place for themselves.
This is a completely free resource covering everything from top tourist attractions to the nearest yoga centre. We hope it helps!
