Ireland Restaurants
Ireland has great food and even better beer. Be open to trying everything because some dishes that may sound strange end up being fantastic. Plus, Dublin especially is such an international city that it offers great food from around the world at any price. Some of the more coastal towns, like Dun Laoghaire, offer some great and fresh tasting seafood.
Temple Bar, often called the cultural hub of Dublin, is filled with amazing places to eat, drink and be merry. Temple Bar is loaded with restaurants and cafés that express the Irish culture and spirit creatively. For example, Queen of Tarts is a unique and fun café/bakery in Temple Bar. All of the baked goods are made right on the premises so you know true Irish love goes into each item. But baked sweets aren’t all this little place has to offer. For lunch you can stop by for salad, hearty homemade soups or savory tarts. It is a true Irish experience.
Grafton Street: While there are loads of cafés and restaurants located along Grafton St., Bewely’s is a favorite. Bewely’s Mezzanine Café is legendary in Dublin as the place where famous writer James Joyce did a lot of his thinking over coffee and pastries and other delicious treats. With three stories of cozy tables and great service, Bewely’s is a must see. Try to get up to the 3rd story on a nice day and do some people watching on the balcony while drinking your coffee or ordering lunch. There dinner is a bit more expensive but the food is good, it just might take a while sometimes. So don’t go to Bewely’s if you are in a hurry but rather to sit and enjoy one of the oldest and most beautiful cafés in Ireland.
Guinness Brewery: People come from around the world to see where this infamous drink was first created. While Guinness is no longer brewed in the homeland, the storehouse still resides in the midst of the St. James’ Gate Brewery. This seven-story storehouse takes you through the history of Guinness, sip by sip. A personal favorite is the 2nd story, which displays the history of Guinness advertising. And once you reach the culmination at the seventh floor you won’t be disappointed. This is where you receive your free pint and can sit and sip and enjoy the amazing panoramic view of Dublin. It truly is worth a visit, even if you don’t like the delicious stout. Check out their website for ticket prices and hours of operation.
Porterhouse Brewery: This true Irish brewery puts a lot of pride into the fact that it is the largest remaining Irish Brewery that still brews on Irish soil and is still owned by true Irish people. The Porterhouse is located just minutes from central Dublin (there is one in Covent Garden in London as well.) It offers over ten unique brews that are created right here in Ireland. Each one is delicious and hand crafted. The food isn’t bad either. From great burgers to interesting salads and even pizza, the Porterhouse is a great place to stop in for a pint and some food after a long day of exploring Dublin. Just don’t order a Guinness.