LISTON'S, 25 Camden Street, Dublin 2
This deli has long been a Mecca for those who want a little more than cheese and coleslaw on limp white bread for lunch. Everything in this place has the aura of yum and they have a rather nice wine selection too if you fancy a bottle to take home of a Friday evening. Also, people have been known, in the advanced state of hangovers to claim that they would gladly crawl over broken glass to get to one of their sausage rolls.

BLAZING SALADS, 42 Drury Street, Dublin 2
For the veg (and non veg) among us this place has everything that you could possibly choose if opting to be healthy for that midday meal. As the name suggests there are only foods if the greenish variety here. Try a millet burger with their parsley pesto or just slather their excellent hummus on some of their rye bread. www.blazingsalads.com

DUNNE & CRESCENZI, 14/16 South Frederick Street, City Centre D2 / 11 Seafort Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4
Proper Italian food in a proper osteria. Fab anti pasti and yummy pastas to choose from here. But the real lure of this eatery is the wine list. By the glass or, let's face it, the bottle, you can't really go wrong. Followed by strong Italian coffee or a limoncello, served by unwaveringly beautiful staff you will wobble out sated and maybe a little tipsy. Be careful not to say anything too provocative after leaving, because, you know, in vino veritas. www.dunneandcrescenzi.com

BYBLOS, 11 St Andrews Street, Dublin 2
Excellent Lebanese gaf with a diverse menu and generally easy to get a table in, as they get you fed and tell you to fuck off fairly quickly. Great for groups as you can order the Mezzes and tuck into loads of different stuff. The Ksara house Red is yummy - if they have any as its from the Bekka Valley and only arrives in drips and drabs. The belly dancer on the weekends in a pain in the hole though. www.cedartree.ie

TRIBECA, Ranelagh, Dubin 6
Café bistro style modern Mediterranean food served in a big noisy room with some out side seating and an affordable wine list. Good spot to nibble calamari over a couple of bottles of wine, particularly of a summer’s eve. Very good omelets and the Chicken Wings rock.

ELEPHANT & CASTLE, Fleet St., Dublin 2
Comfort food, chicken wings, burgers, mash served as it should be in an informal setting. Be warned, it is in Temple Bar [Which is Hell] so don’t even think of heading that direction weekend evenings. Good spot for brunch. A Dublin institution.

CAFÉ BAR DELI, Georges St. + Ranelagh
It’s all in the name really. A simple menu with fast service, full licence and the bill will be a pleasant surprise. Quality Pizzas, huge salads, mammoth bowls of pasta and decent deli style antipasto. No reservation required, though queue’s do form in the evenings but it’s next door to the Globe bar so you can so go for a pint and wait out the crowd. 

GRUEL, Dame St., Dublin 2
Hearty grub, no frills, the home of the “roast in a roll”, a wondrous carnivorous hangover cure. Good soups and salads too. A good dinner here costs about 12 brick. Bargain!





L’ECRIVAN, Baggot St Lower, Dublin 2
If you want to treat yourself and enjoy formal French dining, then L’ecrivan will not disappoint. Dinner for two will cost you your first-born male child, but you get the same service and quality at lunch and that will only cost a minor internal organ. It’s worth it – top notch food.

EDEN, Meeting House Square, Dublin 2
A little like eating in a posh swimming pool, a very modern yet remarkably friendly and informal atmosphere. Californian style food and a great terrace over looking Temple Bar’s Meeting House square. Lunch is great value.

BANG CAFÉ, Merrion Row, Dublin 2
Bistro and fusion food served on three levels, popular with fashion obsessed new money but don’t let that put you off. The food is excellent and we recommend the sea bass.





ZAYTOON, Parliament St + Camden St, Dublin 2
The post club kebab is usually the worst idea of the night, but seeing as there is no chance of getting a cab in Dublin between three and four AM why not give in to your basest desires, the best in town is Zaytoon. Always full of Iranian’s chomping on great lamb and fish kebabs. Good Hummus too. You can stuff your face for a tenner while discussing politics with the staff. We love it.

BoBo’s, Wexford St., Dublin 2
Huge burgers made from premium quality Irish sourced beef, home made chips and some quirky but tasty toppings and side orders. Proper fast food.

TAJ MAHAL, South Richmond St., Dublin 2
Everything you want from a curry house, cheap over spiced food and no discernable closing time. Honestly, the staff look like they haven’t slept since the Raj. And a complete disregard for local licensing laws. Pop in after the club, stumble out at seagull o’clock.

BURDOCKS, Christchurch, Dublin 8
A Dublin institution. Huge portions of fish and chips. Good choice of fresh fish also. You ain’t done Dublin until you’ve done Burdocks.

Photography by stuseaphotos


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