When one pictures food in Ireland, you probably see a lot of the traditional goodies dance through your head such as corned beef and soda bread. Although this may be true since you do get soda bread with nearly every meal, there are many great places for us foodies to indulge if you end up getting burnt out on potato stew like we did. Here are some of the best places we dined at while we were wandering the gorgeous streets in this gem of a city.
The Ramen Bar
Yes, we found some of the best ramen we’ve ever tasted in Dublin! It makes my taste buds want to cry when I think about how far away we are from this delectable bowl of soup filled to the brim with fresh veggies & your choice of perfectly cooked meat (I chose salmon) and you can mince your own garlic at the table! After getting lost down the winding roads located off of Temple Bar district we stumbled upon this wonderful little restaurant and not only was the food out of this world but the service was too! If you’re a ramen head like we are then this is a must when you’re in Dublin.
Octopussy
This little piece of heaven is located in Howth which you can easily get to by taking a 30 minute train ride and I must add that it is well worth it. As we approached we noticed a line of people lingering around the outside of this quaint seafood restaurant with hungry, impatient glares plastered upon their faces and as you know, that is always a good sign. The staff was extremely high spirited and attentive, plus since we weren’t in a group we got right in and got to skip the line! Sometimes traveling in a pair can be very beneficial when it comes to getting into busy restaurants. I ordered the crab along with some scallops and it tasted as if they just captured it, cooked it, and served it within the last hour. The food was packed full of flavor and the overall experience was extremely pleasant. If seafood if your thing, you HAVE to take a day trip to Howth to try this place.
The House
As I mentioned above, taking a day trip to Howth is definitely an ingenious idea since its full of places to eat not to mention a dock surrounded by the twinkling sea accompanied by boats, bobbing up and down gently with the water. Howth also has wonderful places to hike so you can find a peaceful place, take a breath, and experience the scenery. The House is a little spot where you can grab a healthy breakfast before trekking the hills of this glorious city. I ordered fresh fruit and granola for a little pick me up which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, be prepared to wait because the service is tad bit slow. We could have just caught them on an off day but even though they lacked speed they were still very kind and I would recommend coming in for a light breakfast to quiet the groaning beast in your belly.
La Cave
This scrumptious French restaurant is located underground close the the city center. In fact, it was recommended to us by a local and even though French food is pricey it is always worth it since the ingredients are always the best money can buy. Once you travel down the flight of stairs you’ll come to a door which leads into a romantic room filled with grinning faces ready to give you a memorable dining experience. This is probably the most expensive place we ate at but we figured were on vacation so why not splurge on something we both enjoy, food!! My food is not picture above due to poor lighting and because I scarfed it down so fast but we shared one of the best cheese plates that we’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring, along with home made ravioli. If you’re traveling as a couple and are craving a romantic night out, this is the place to be!
Pasta Fresca
This one was also recommended to us by a local and let me tell you they know their food!! I adore Italian cuisine just like the rest of us and this place is all around amazing. Food, service, and drinks all exceeded our expectations. My boyfriend, Michael, got the lasagna which to this day he claims is the best he’s ever tasted. We ordered two rounds of champagne cocktails which paired well with our food. This place has it all and if we ever go back to Dublin we will not miss out on Pasta Fresca!
Coffeeangel
As we all know, life begins after coffee. This was one of my favorite coffee shops that we went to throughout our entire trip. If you are a fan of Chai Lattes this shop churns out some so good they put Starbucks to shame! Another plus is they carry almond milk which was hard to come by. The staff is wonderful and they have several locations in Dublin. They also carry little sandwhiches and house made scones for a quick snack on the go.
Now that we’ve covered some of the best food there is to find in Dublin let’s move on to the fun part: booze. You’re on vacation and you want to let loose with the locals and have a couple cold ones. Lucky for you we know the best places to do so.
The Brazen Head
This one has to be at the top of the list since it dates back to 1198 earning the title of Irelands oldest pub! Jam along with the entertainers while they fill your ears with live music and enjoy a cold Guinness or my new personal favorite, Carlsberg. Soak in the riveting energy of the locals and the gorgeous interior of the pub itself. A must do for a good time while in Dublin.
The Doghouse
This was cute wine bar with a big patio right outside the train station when you arrive in Howth. This isn’t a loud bar that pounds music while the people pound beer. This is a place you go if you feel like relaxing for a while with a glass of wine or champagne. They also have a few options for food if you’re feeling a bit peckish from a long walk. A great environment for a traveling couple that want to take a break from partying.
Pitt Bros.
Technically this is a restaurant, with great food I might add, but I put it in this section because they brew their own beer and they brew it well. I’m usually not a fan of hard cider but this one was tasty and didn’t have that overpowering Apple flavor. I highly recommend stopping by for some yummy pork and delicious house brewed beer. If cider isn’t your thing, they have other options! Cheers!
Blarneys Bar
Temple bar is where all of the college kids gather to party on the weekends. There are bars lining the lit streets bursting with drunken twenty-somethings just out enjoying life and having a good time. However, if like to be able to get a beer within the hour that you enter the pub, you’ll prefer the less crowded places off the beaten path. Blarneys is just off temple bar district and while is was still busy we managed to slip in and grab a couple pints. We had a good time there chatting with the locals while catching a buzz!
We really had an incredible time in Ireland. I would with out a doubt return to explore again and get a chance to hang out with the locals. They are so kind and welcoming! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy all of these places as much as we did!!
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