You’re now a city-centre dweller with the world of Dubin 1 on your doorstep. A stone’s throw away from The Liffey, Henry Street, and, well, just about anywhere else that you could need to go, you’ve got it all, but sometimes, too much choice can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
From years of local living, we’ve tried, tested, ruled out and bookmarked our favourite spots to eat, drink and frequent in Dublin 1; now we’re sharing it with you since you’re a local too.
Get ready; here’s a whistlestop tour of the best places to hit up:
Every great city worth their Szechuan-flavoured salt has a Chinatown packed with delicious restaurants, and you’ll know because you can generally get a whiff of the delicious spices before you’re even laid eyes on it.
Dublin is no exception, and just a 5-minute walk from your front door, you’ll find Dublin’s very own Chinatown, sandwiched neatly around Parnell Street.
From the Szechuan kick of Chinese spots like Sichuan Chilli King (order the hot and sour soup- you’ll never look back) and the more laidback but equally delicious grab-and-go Wok Station to the fresh fragrant flavours of Vietnamese in Pho Kim, Chinatown is stuffed with delicious, Asian restaurants worth checking out. Oh, and final tip, if you love Vietnamese food, you HAVE to try Aobaba or White Rabbit Korean on Capel Steet – super affordable, super delicious!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/phokim.dublin/
Whilst Dublin 1 may not have a French Quarter, endless sunshine or a deep history of delicious cajun-influenced food, it does have the next best thing- Krewe!
Gather your crew, and sample their unique taste of the ‘dirty south on Dublin’s northside’. This is comfort food with a classic, delicious twist, and you can expect New Orleans favourites, including Buttermilk fried chicken, dirty fries, Jambalaya, surf and turf, boils and more.
If you do one thing, and one thing only, though, order the beignets. Trust us, they’re like fluffy clouds of sugar-coated perfection, but pictures don’t do them justice; they must be tasted to be believed!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/krewe_dublin/
A mere one-minute walk from your apartment, you’ll find one of Dublin’s best-loved eateries, Umi Falafel.
One of Dublin’s five Umi-outposts, on 4 Mary Street, you’ll find the freshest of falafel, the smoothest of hummus, and some of the best sandwiches in town, and whilst that may be a big promise, we assure you, it’s a fair one.
Our highlight every time has to be the Palestinian Falafel sandwich stuffed with fresh falafels, hummus, tomato, pickles, fried aubergine, and flat parsley topped with chilli and tahini sauce. It’s fair to say that everything on Umi’s menu is delicious, but if you’re not sure where to start, their lentil soup, stuffed vine leaves, Baba Ganoush, or sambos are also a great place to start.
Salads start from just €6, so head over to Umi for your next lunch and try it for yourself.
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/umifalafel/
A quick five-minute walk from your apartment, you’ll find some of the best sandwiches that Dublin has to offer at Oxymantown, 16 Mary’s Abbey.
These aren’t your average sandwiches; these are sandwiches with depth, flavour and delicious combinations that’ll keep you coming back for more.
Classic (read: boring) favourites get a twist at Oxymantown- think Braised ham hock w/ grilled gruyere, bechamel, tomato relish, pickles + rocket, or an Irish classic with a fresh twist, aka Jack McCarthy’s black pudding, our pickles, aioli, tomato relish + rocket on Firehouse granary.
With specials, soups, fresh salads and great coffee to accompany your sandwiches too, Oxymantown is a must-visit, be sure to let us know your favourite sandwich combo!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/oxmantown_smithfield/
So there you have it, our favourite foodie spots to check out and tuck into in Dublin 1, but remember, with new spots popping up weekly, there are endless options to explore, so start digging and, most importantly, eating!