Top places to eat in Dublin 8
The Dublin 8 neighbourhood is awash with great places to eat all kinds of things at all kinds of price-point. This is a selection of some of our favourites for every mealtime, all within strolling distance of The Chancery, our hotel near Dublin 8.
Breakfasts in Dublin 8
RUMI is a bright airy new café situated on Francis St in the heart of the antiques district. If you’re an early riser they’re pouring excellent coffee from Imbibe (a local roaster) from 7 am. It’s a great place to grab a pastry while you check your mails and plan your Dublin day. The place is run by three charming sisters and decorated with vibrant Turkish kilim carpets from their father’s store just down the block.
LEGIT has transformed the coffee (and lunch) scene in The Liberties since opening on Meath St a couple of years ago. It is a relaxed but stylish independent café with great brunch dishes (from 9 am) like Shakshuka Baked Eggs, sausage rolls and French toast. You’ll find great sandwiches too and house-baked cakes and cookies. The guy with the laptop next to you may be working on a screenplay.
GROUNDSTATE COFFEE is a speciality roasting outfit with a really cool café just around the corner from the Guinness Storehouse on James’ St. Along with a commitment to sustainability you’ll find great egg dishes, interesting sandwiches and an array of vegan options too. The Sriracha Tofu Scramble has its own following, as does the House Granola. You might want to take some of their beautifully packaged beans home with you.
Lunch in Dublin 8
TWO PUPS is no longer the new kid on the block and has simply gotten better with age. Loyal regulars flock to this casual Francis St café for simple, seasonal dishes that lean vegetarian (but not exclusively so) with frequent forays into Indian cuisine. Try the Dal Makhini and the Beetroot and Onion Bhajis. Expect to wait in line for weekend brunch sittings.
FUSCO’S on Meath St has certainly featured in more photoshoots than any other Dublin chipper -a tribute to its authentic 60s formica-festooned interior. It’s also one of the few remaining fish-and-chip joints where you can sit-in to enjoy the scran (that’s food to you non-Dubs). Get the fresh Ray if it’s available to go with your chips and wash it all down with a steaming mug of strong builder’s tea. Oh – the guy in the vintage martial arts shots hanging on the walls – that’s Filippo, the owner.
GRIOLLADH on Thomas Street specialises in one thing – grilled cheese sandwiches – and they are likely to rank among the very best you’ve ever had. The ‘Beefo’ with 12-hour slow-cooked brisket is our go-to-order. Get it with gravy mayo and add some jalapenos for heat. Get extra napkins too.
Dinner in Dublin 8
FAYROUZ on Cork St offers some of the best value in Dublin and even better, you can bring your own bottle with no corkage fee. It is nominally Lebanese but serves an array of Middle-Eastern dishes. Order a Mezze plate to share – the Baba Ghanoush is particularly good, as are the many lamb dishes. The room is charming and the welcome genuine.
VARIETY JONES on Thomes Street has been feted as one of the city’s most exciting and fashionable restaurants for some years now. Their award of a Michelin Star has done nothing to calm the hype. Expect relaxed fine dining with family-style meat and fish dishes cooked over live fire and a wine list that favours ‘natural’ producers.
COKE LANE PIZZA is located at the back of Lucky’s Pub on Meath St. Other cities have third-wave coffee movements, Dublin has third wave pizza and these guys have led the charge. From a converted shipping container, they sling some of the very best naturally leavened, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza in town. During Summertime it’s a fun, young scene. Grab a beer and shout over the soundtrack.
Are you a food lover? If so, staying in our Hotel near Dublin 8 is a great and convenient option to experience some of the best restaurants in the city. Stay in our Hotel in Dublin City Centre and enjoy all that Ireland’s capital has to offer. Book your stay or contact us for more information now!