Dublin is one of my all time favourite cities. The locals are really friendly, the nightlife is so much fun and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Over the years I’ve spent countless weekends in Dublin visiting my best friend who lives there. But on our most recent trip we spent three full weeks exploring the city. This gave us the perfect opportunity to uncover the best local spots (beyond Temple Bar…) to share with you for your next visit.
Dublin Restaurants & Bars:
- Hang Dai – Chinese, party vibes.
- 777 – Mexican & Margs Times
- The Winding Stairs – Irish Home Cooking
- Rita’s – Casual Pizza
- La Bodega – Neighbourhood Tapas
- Kathmandu Kitchen – Curry Cravings
- Café en Seine – Art Nouveau Cocktail Bar
- The Blind Pig – Speakeasy Bar
- The Long Hall – Victorian Beer Hall
- The Cobblestone – Trad Irish Sessions
1. Hang Dai – Chinese, party vibes.
This restaurant is so much fun. If you love Chinese cuisine then this is a great spot to come to, but if you enjoy a party atmosphere with your food, then you have to come here! It is a truly unique spot to visit. Think loud everything, neon lights everywhere, Peking ducks hanging up in brightly lit fridges, booths around the edges and a long buzzy bar. From the outside it looks very unassuming, but once you walk into the back it feels like you’ve entered another world. All the food is delicious with the duck the standout dish and their speciality. The cocktails are also very good but it’s when they clear the tables away and the dj starts up that the party really gets started. There is also another bar upstairs that’s worth a visit too. Great unique spot in Dublin, not to be missed (if you like it louder).
2. 777 – Mexican & Margs Times
If you love authentic mexican food and your margs to pack a punch, then this is the spot for you. This small, edgy restaurant was recommended by a local and didn’t disappoint. It is very narrow and has more of a bar vibe than restaurant but it’s a great place. We sat up at the bar, watching the staff make cocktail after cocktail. Very fun, casual spot to enjoy some delicious food and drinks.
3. The Winding Stairs – Irish Home Cooking
You can’t come to Dublin without experiencing the comfort and flavours of some authentic Irish cooking. The Winding Stairs manages to combine the blend of a traditonal Irish restaurant with a a contemporary approach. Housed in a charming old bookshop the restaurant continues to tap into it’s roots, with the dining room filled with book shelves as a link back to it’s history and a reminder that you’re sitting in a place where many writers, musicians and artists have come together to write and debate.
The stunning views of the River Liffey and the Ha’penny bridge from the window make it a very romantic setting for dinner. The restaurant itself is focused on seasonal, local Irish produce and it offers Irish “homecooking” at its best. This unique restaurant is a must to add to your list whilst visiting Dublin.
4. Rita’s – Casual Pizza
Ranelagh is a great, trendy area to come if you’re looking for good restaurants and bars that the locals are going to. Rita’s pizza is a very casual, no frills pizza spot that serves up delicious pizza’s on picnic style tables with good music and a buzzy vibe. All the pizza’s names are based on puns with a focus on different toppings, all done in the stone oven ensuring those perfect crusts are being served. If you’re a pizza lover then this is a great place to come. We had the Vincent Van Goat – n’duja, goats cheese, honey and pine nuts – delish!
5. La Bodega – Neighbourhood Tapas
Just down the road still in Ranelagh is a lovely local tapas spot called La Bodega. Another popular place, this restaurant has a cosy, warm feeling to it, as groups of friends and couples catch up over some delicious tapas and a bottle (or 2) of wine. The menu has a good variety, offering options for almost everyone and the beauty is you can go for a small bite to eat or a full evening meal.
Maybe one to avoid if you’re going on a date or social event after as it is slightly heavy on the garlic, but also big on flavour!
6. Kathmandu Kitchen – Curry Cravings
If you’re like me and you like your food on the spicy side, then Kathmandu Kitchen is the ideal spot to satisfy any curry cravings. Serving up Nepalese and Indian cuisine, it has the feel of a traditional (English style) curry house. Set in the centre of Dublin, near to Temple Bar and open until late it’s an easy place to pop into after a day (or night) of exploring and the curries were delicious. The waiters were really friendly and it had a good range of options.
7. Café en Seine – Art Nouveau Cocktail Bar
This beautiful art nouveau restaurant and cocktail bar is a staple in Dublin for me. Housed in the trendy Dawson end of the city, this is a great area to come if you’re looking for slightly more upmarket drinks and food. In the day it has a very continental cafe style vibe and at night it comes alive, as dressed up Dubliners and tourists come to sip on cocktails and to dine in elegant surroundings.
8. The Blind Pig – Speakeasy Bar
Whilst Dublin is known more for it’s pubs than bars we discovered this hidden gem of a speakeasy. When I say hidden it is very hard to find… There’s no real sign until you find the staircase. You need to make a booking and then they will share the directions and entry details with you! It is worth the hunt though as the cocktails are amazing, the staff are really helpful and friendly and the whole experience is a lot of fun. Make sure to book for your next Dublin visit.
9. The Long Hall – Victorian Beer Hall
The Long Hall is exactly that… a very long, narrow Dublin bar housed in an old Victorian style building. The architecture in here is very impressive and the impressive mahogany bar is a key feature. The focus is more on the beer here, like an old beer hall, but they serve all the usual drinks as well. The place can get very busy, so you get up close with the locals, but it has a great friendly atmosphere to enjoy a few drinks in. It’s also a favourite of celebs including Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna!
10. The Cobblestone – Trad Irish Sessions
Just like you can’t visit Ireland without trying the local food, you also have to find a spot to enjoy the Irish Trad music. Temple Bar will guarantee you get to hear some, but it is very touristy, expensive and not always very traditional. To get a more local experience head to The Cobblestone pub, where they have impromptu trad sessions where locals bring down the instruments and all jam together. It’s such a great way to listen to traditional Irish music in a place that attracts both locals and tourists alike.
Other recommended restaurants & bars we didn’t make it to include Peploe’s – a more upmarket European style restaurant, Host – Italian restaurant, Mama Yo – Asian restaurant, The Vintage Cocktail Club and Peruke and Periwig for cocktails.
Explore more Dublin tips here… Dublin Top Things to Do For Every Interest
