WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK AND DO IN DUBLIN IRELAND

Besides witnessing its infinite beauty, I didn’t have an innate desire to travel to Ireland. It was never on my list. I guess because I’m not Irish? Irish culture, or what I thought I knew about Irish culture, wasn’t of any interest to me. I don’t prefer to hang out in Irish pubs. Or our version of them in the states at least. And I definitely do not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day enthusiastically.

But my recent trip exploring Dublin made me think differently. I cannot say enough good things about my experience there. Every person we met was kinder than the next. And the pubs were nothing as I imagined. They were warm and cozy and ornate. And despite my trip taking place in the middle of the winter, Ireland was seemingly the greenest place on earth.

These are my favorite places to eat, to drink, and to see and do while exploring Dublin.

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W H E R E  T O  E A T

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Grab a coffee. Grab a pastry. Or anything from the grocery shelves, fresh seafood, butcher and deli counter cases. Or have a full dinner experience in either their upstairs restaurant or basement wine bar. Fallon & Byrne kind of has it all.

Meet Me In The Morning. The best cappuccino I had in Dublin. And, the most vibrant, plant-fueled food I had in Dublin. Also with a plentiful amount of marked gluten-free options.

Head into Avoca, put your wallet away and go immediately to the top floor to eat in their sunny cafe. Because otherwise you might get lost and spend a fortune shopping in their store. P.S. they have gluten-free bread.

If you’re craving fries {or a burger with a gluten-free bun and fries} to mellow out all those pints grab them at Bunsen.

Grab lunch and a cup of tea at either one of Brother Hubbard‘s two locations. There is one in the south side, and one in the north side of the city.

For fresh seafood, in a fun low-key atmosphere, go to Klaw.

Go to Rustic Stone for a unique dining experience. Order one of every side. Split this with a friend. And be in vegetable bliss.

Go to The Dean Dublin for trendy rooftop drinks and a three-sixty restaurant view of the city.

For {gluten-free} fish and chips head to Beshoff.

I was told I couldn’t leave Dublin without eating at The Fumbally. Unfortunately, they were closed two of the three days {Sunday/Monday} that we were there so we never got to try it. Nevertheless, put this one on your list for breakfast or lunch.

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W H E R E  T O  D R I N K

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My favorite pub in Dublin is The Palace Bar. Have a pint or a gluten-free Hufi, and then go upstairs and hangout in their Whiskey Palace which boasts one of the largest Irish whiskey collections in the city.

My second favorite pub in Dublin is Bowe’s. The environment is dimly lit, super-chill and whiskey heavy.

Honorable mentions are:
The Long Stone Pub
The Stag’s Head
The Long Hall
The Temple Bar
Mulligans

The coolest cocktail bar that I’ve ever been to is Vintage Cocktail Club. Reservations in general, but especially for dinner are strongly recommended. The door is humbly labeled, VCC. No fancy sign. No windows. You otherwise wouldn’t know it’s there.

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W H A T  T O  S E E  +  D O

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Explore the city parks. Pack a picnic or grab a coffee to go and zen out in St. Stephen’s Green. Or head to Phoenix Park, one of the largest recreational spaces in any European city.

Take a distillery tour. Skip the Jameson Distillery and hit up the better but lesser known Irish whiskey distillery, Teeling Distillery. Taste and learn about their award winning small batch, single grain and single malt whiskeys. And experience the spirit of Dublin.

Spend a morning at the sea. Take a super quick thirty minute ride on the Dart to Howth. Climb the cliffs and have your mind and heart explode. I was lucky enough to see a full rainbow from the top. I hope you have that experience too.

Get a hot towel shave. Or a facial. Or both. I had no idea that the barber scene in Ireland is so strong. There’s a barber on nearly every corner. We indulged in some service at The Grooming Rooms and it was one of the best things we’ve ever done on vacation.

Walk. Walk everywhere and watch. It’s a great city to explore while walking along the River Liffey. Pop in and out of vintage shops and book stores. And to sit outside at a cafe and people watch. Whatever you do – soak it all in because you won’t want to stop exploring Dublin.