A Foodie’s Guide to Dublin: Where to Eat, Drink, and Stuff Your Face Without Regret

When traveling, it’s sometimes best to discover food spots on your own rather than reading a guide. But not everyone has the time. So here we’ve compiled a short foodie’s guide to Dublin, which includes, basically, just the good stuff.

Must-Try Restaurants for First-Time Visitors

To be honest, there are so many amazing food spots in Dublin that it’s challenging to just select a few. If you only have a weekend in Dublin, these spots give you the best taste of the city (and also properly feel like Dublin the moment you walk in).

• The Brazen Head. Opened in 1198, this is officially Ireland’s oldest pub. Come for the classic dishes like lamb stew, fish and chips, and shepherd’s pie. While it’s on the tourist trail, the food is genuinely good and the atmosphere is pure craic when there’s live music.
• Fade Street Social. A modern gastro-pub perfect for first-night dinner. They are known for their Irish tapas tapas (wood-fired oysters, mini fish & chips, and black pudding sausage rolls) so you can taste ten things at once. Sit at the bar if the restaurant is booked solid — same menu, same vibe.
• Queen of Tarts. The cutest little tea room in Dublin and home to the best cakes and tarts you’ll eat all trip. Try their baileys cheesecake, lemon meringue, and warm apple crumble with custard. Go in the afternoon when you need sugar and a cozy corner after walking everywhere.
• Leo Burdock. Dublin’s most famous fish & chips since 1913. Get the fresh cod and chips wrapped in paper, walk two minutes to the bench outside Christ Church Cathedral, and eat it like a local. Ray of batter + curry sauce on the side is the classic order.
• The Woollen Mills. Gorgeous big dining room overlooking the River Liffey. Great for lunch of early dinner. They offer traditional Irish wood with a modern twist — crab toast, fish pie, or roast chicken with bread sauce. Feels like Dublin without being old-fashioned and with hearty menu that makes it flexible depending on your schedule.

Pro Tip: You can also join free tours Dublin culinary walks. They introduce hidden cafés, bakeries, and markets — perfect for first-time visitors looking to taste the city without overspending.

Traditional Irish Breakfast

No foodie trip to Dublin is complete without a full Irish breakfast: eggs, sausages, black and white pudding, rashers (thin slices of bacon), grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, fried potatoes or hash browns, and brown bread. Wash it down with a pot of strong tea enough to wake up the dead.

Best ones in Dublin include:

• Gerry’s
• The Brazen Head
• The Joy of Chá
• Bewley’s Grafton Street
• Hatch & Sons

Fish & Chips

Because you’re in Ireland, duh. This combination of crispy batter, flaky fresh fish, and fries make for a comforting, iconic meal.

• Leo Burdock. An institution in Dublin and a must-visit for their delicious fish and chips.
• Fish Shack Café. If you’re staying near the coast, this dining spot offers fresh seafood and a nice seaside ambiance.
• Fish Shop
• Beshoff Bros

Pubs

Exploring Dublin’s culinary scene won’t be complete without pubs. I mean, yes, it’s possible, but why would you? Hit these pubs where the food is proper, the Guinness is perfect, and you’ll actually want to stay for more pints.

• Guinness Storehouse. Good pints and and panoramic city views.
• Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Tastings and tours showcasing Irish whiskey craftsmanship.
• The Old Storehouse
• Walsh’s
• Slattery’s

Food markets

Food markets are ideal for first-time tourists in Dublin because they let you sample a variety of local eats in one spot. Also, they’re casual, quick, and flexible for a limited schedule.

• Temple Bar Food Market. Held every Saturday, this market features local cheeses, pastries and breads, jams, and artisanal snacks.
• George’s Street Arcade. You can find this red-brick indoor Victorian market in the city center. They feature a variety of cuisines, street food stalls, and artisan products. Foodies will love the warm custard pastéis de nata, flaky sausage rolls, and “dirty fires” loaded with bacon, cheese, and garlic mayo.
• Dublin Flea at Newmarket. Open at the Coombe every last Sunday of the month. Part flea market, part feeding frenzy. Happy Out fish tacos, Das Brot sourdough sandwiches, and €3 oysters with stout mignonette are some of the popular items here.
• Howth Market. A short 30-minute DART ride from the city center, this charming market in Howth Harbour is open during weekends and bank holidays and offer fresh-from-the-boat seafood — smoked cod on sticks, massive crab rolls, oysters shucked on the spot. Eat on the pier and enjoy the coastal breeze.
• Others: Eatyard (Richmond St South) and Herbert Park Market (Ballsbridge) offer various dishes as well.

Pro Tips for First-Time Visitors in Dublins

• Book restaurants on weekends. Dublin is tiny, and good places fill up fast. On weekdays, you may want to adjust your schedule to avoid peak dining hours.
• Walk everywhere. You’ll burn off at least one croissant.
• Some “must-try” spots are very touristy. Many dining options in Temple Bar are often considered as tourist traps, except for a select ones such as Pi or The Old Storehouse.
• Check the opening hours for markets. Markets like Temple Bar Food Market are usually open on Saturdays only, so plan accordingly. George’s Street Arcade is open during the week if you miss the weekend markets.

Again, this is just a rough guide — and a totally useful one especially if you don’t know where to go. For those exploring Dublin, it’s best to look for dining spots close to attractions . For example, the Woollen Mills overlooks the Liffey and is near Temple Bar, making it easy to eat while sightseeing.

At the end of the day, we hope you’ll come hungry and leave broke with a happy tummy.