When thinking about food in Ireland, most people probably envision potatoes. And to be fair, the average Irishman would eat 16 spuds daily way back when. Although I have eaten a lot of potatoes since arriving to study abroad in Dublin, I have also been #blessed with so many other foods.
No pressure, but here are 50 things to eat in Dublin before die, listed in no specific order.
1. A Guinness at The Guinness Storehouse
Guinness is great at any pub, but drinking one you’ve poured yourself tastes better. Trust me.
2. Ice Cream at Murphy’s Ice Cream
You can’t go wrong with any flavor at Murphy’s and the employees love to give free samples, so you can try them all!
3. Trio of Irish Spring Lamb at The Bank on College Green
Enjoy your meal in what used to be a real bank.
4. Bailey’s Chocolate Chip Cheesecake at Queen of Tarts
Queen of Tarts is home to amazing pastries that are all prepared and baked in house.
5. Eggos Mexicalos at Herbstreet
This perfect brunch spot believes in minimizing its carbon footprint by using sustainable methods for everything it serves.
6. Coco Pop French Toast at San Lorenzo’s
#BrunchOfChampions featuring caramelized bananas, peanut butter, mascarpone whipped cream, and chocolate sauce.
7. Donuts at The Rolling Donut
Favorite flavors include the Molly Malone and Banoffee Pie.
8. Beans & Pulled Pork Brunch Special at Brother Hubbard
This independent cafe serves the freshest food with a whole lot of love.
9. Burrito Bowl at Boojum
Giving Chipotle a run for its money, Boojum is killing the burrito game in Dublin.
10. Chicken Wings at Crackbird
Chicken and delicious sides. You can’t really argue with that logic.
11. Eggs Benedict at Whitefriar Grill
Another one for the brunch book.
12. A Burger at Bunsen
13. Full Irish Breakfast at Beanhive
Arguably one of the coolest places to get a coffee. The baristas are known to draw portraits and landscapes in chocolate on top of your drink.
14. Shepard’s Pie at O’Neills
If you’re lucky enough to score a table that features its own taps, get ready to become your own bartender.
15. Truffled Angel Hair Pasta at Wollen Mills
Wollen Mills sits right across from the Ha’penny bridge making it the perfect scenic lunch spot.
16. Steamed Cockles & Roaring Bay Mussels at The Winding Stair
Don’t be confused when you walk in downstairs, this book shop has a restaurant upstairs.
17. Guinness Stew at The Brazen Head
Make sure to dine or grab a pint at Ireland’s oldest pub dating back to 1198.
18. Espresso Martini at Opium
Combine two of your favorite things.
19. The Glamburger at Rustic Stone
Dylan McGrath, the creative genius behind Rustic Stone, has created a vast menu, including items that come on a hot volcanic stone for guests to cook themselves at the table.
20. Tapas at Salamanca
Add a pitcher of sangria and your night is set.
21. Key Lime Pie Martini at The Exchequer
The drink menu is a small book that goes through the evolution of cocktails- from 1833 to present day.
22. John Stone Striploin at Pichet
For when you’re feeling fancy.
23. Sushi at Yamamori
Good sushi can be found in Dublin, and it’s right here at Yamamori.
24. Food Hall Item at Fallon & Byrne
Part restaurant, part food hall, and part market, Fallon & Byrne has something for everyone. You’ll even find boxes of American cereal if you’re feeling homesick.
25. Porn Star Martini at Farrier & Drapper
Not only can you get great drinks, but you’ll also be relaxing in beautiful Georgian style rooms.
26. Salad at KC Peaches
The menu at KC Peaches changes every few months to utilize seasonal and local ingredients.
27. A Drink at The Bar With No Name
A simple wooden snail hangs out front, giving this bar the name of “The Bar With No Name.”
28. Chicken Xao Hao Lo at Saba
This restaurant serves traditional Thai and Vietnamese dishes that won’t disappoint.
29. Brunch at The Kilkenny Restaurant
Go on Sunday to enjoy your brunch with live Jazz music.
30. Donuts at Aungier Danger
So many great donuts in Dublin, you’ve got to try them all.
31. A Scone at Bread & Butter
Bread & Butter is an amazing gourmet food market that serves up great pastries and treats.
32. Fish and Chips at Leo Burdock
Dublin’s famous fish and chips.
33. Power Pancakes at The Grind Coffee House
Take a day trip to Dublin’s coastal village of Howth and enjoy a nice cup of coffee alongside these pancakes.
34. Fish Burger at Fish Shop
The fresh fish served around the country is unreal.
35. Falafel at Sprout & Co
Sourcing local Irish ingredients, Sprout & Co has a collection of healthy options including cold pressed juices.
36. Coffee at 3fe
The most important thing to 3fe is the quality of the coffee, and you can honestly taste the difference.
37. Avocado Toast at Meet Me in the Morning
I promise this isn’t basic.
38. Irish Fry at Hatch & Sons
You can never have too many Irish breakfasts and brown bread.
39. Lamb Larp at 777
#SpoonTip: Make sure to get a side of guacamole and Mexican street corn.
40. Brown Bread at Bretzel Bakery
Brown bread is an Ireland must.
41. A 99 at Teddy’s Ice Cream
A 99 is whipped ice cream, and I’m all about it.
42. Tartare of Wild Irish Game Venison at The Pig’s Ear
The Pig’s Ear was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2009 and retained it every year since, so you know it’s legit.
43. Salmon Eggs Benedict at Farmer Browns
Brunch is always on my mind and salmon eggs benedict makes me smile.
44. Mezze Platter at Avoca Cafe
If only all food was served on a platter like this.
45. Tapas at Market Bar
This restaurant used to be an abattoir, and you can still see the grates on the floor where animal waste was disposed.
46. Ham and Cheese Toasty at Grogan’s Pub
Having a toastie in a pub is a right of passage in Dublin.
47. Oak Smoked Salmon and Crab Sandwich at The Lovely Food Co
Sister restaurant to Bread & Butter (mentioned earlier), this place serves up fresh and local ingredients to create lovely dishes.
48. Pizza at Credo
Good pizza is an essential in every city.
49. Craft Beer at The Porterhouse
If you’re in to craft beer, you’ve got to check out Porterhouse.
50. Red Lemonade at Tesco
Ireland doesn’t play around with regular lemonade. It’s gotta be red.
And there you have it: 50 things to put on your bucket list to eat your way through Dublin. Traveling is half site seeing and half experiencing the culture through food.