As you may know by now, at ATF we're partial to a little splurge. We can get easily carried away when we find that special something that hits a bit different, and often end up with less in our wallets at the end of the month than we had planned for due to that extra pastry (or five) that we definitely did not need but absolutely don't regret. Because of this we've also become adept at pouncing on a good old fashioned bargain when we spot one, so behold 10 great things to eat in Dublin for under €10.
Think of this as something to have up your sleeve when you're stuck for cash but need a treat. It may also serve as a map of that bumpy middle ground between you and that miserly mate you've remained friends with over the years, despite many a heated debate about the pleasures of dining high on the hog. Tenners at the ready!
1) Spaghetti Al Limone, Fasta - €9
An unassuming location, nestled neatly in the basement of Connolly train station, Fasta is fast pasta made fresh and served simple. The majority of the menu is under €10 but we have a particular soft spot for the Al Limone, with spaghetti in a sauce infused with lemon zest, a hint of nutmeg and finished with fresh parsley and pecorino cheese.
2) Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles, Lee's Charming Noodles - €9.20
Lee's Charming Noodles have a somewhat legendary Instagram account, featuring everything from weekly pop quizzes on what various Chinese symbols mean, to videos of Shrek dancing on the roof (superimposed - Shrek wasn't actually on Parnell Street). The small team is indeed charming, and it's a great place to pop into for a warm welcome and a spicy dinner. The hand pulled noodles (available in six different thicknesses) with clear beef broth are perfect for a rainy afternoon - silky, umami and hot if you add the homemade chilli oil. €9.20 very well spent.
3) Pecorino Pizza Portofoglia, Southpaw - €9.90
We've quickly become big fans of Southpaw's folded pizza, and it's €9.90 we're happy to part with on the go. The dough is perfectly puffy, and the toppings (or fillings) beautifully judged. The 'Pecorino Portafoglio' is topped with crushed tomatoes and folded and finished with Pecorino Romano, Oliveiri's extra virgin olive oil and Achill Island sea salt. They're also open until 22:00 so it's a perfect pitstop for a late evening bite.
4) Double Smash Chipotle Cheeseburger, Dash - €9.95
A small independent smash burger joint inspired by the legendary 'Burger Scholar' George Motz, Dash Burger's pattys are made from aged Irish beef sourced by Pat McLoughlin Butchers, and they are ultra juicy and bursting with flavour. The double smash Chipotle cheeseburger is smoky, a little spicy and oh-so-cheesy - in other words, a very tasty burger. You can also take away rather than sitting in to save yourself the glutinous temptation of tripling your patty which would send you marginally over your €10 budget.
5) Tenner Tuesdays, Salt & Vinegar - €10
Salt & Vinegar opened its doors in January and was a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood. It's worth a spin out to Rathfarnham Village for their tenner Tuesdays where, save for the scampi, every main costs just €10. We're partial to a fish finger butty but the real bargain here is the fish and chips, battered and cooked to order. The winning formula: fresh ingredients, a simple menu and traditional techniques.
6) Chicken Gyros, Yeeros - €7.95
Yeeros' authentic gyros pack a punch of flavour and are deliciously filling for just €7.95. Chargrilled chicken is wrapped in a soft and pillowy pita that's filled with fresh tomato, lettuce, red onion, mayo mustard and curly chips. Their vegetarian options are also excellent, and we have a particular penchant for the Athens wrap with zucchini, feta fritters and tzatziki. They're the perfect bang for your buck when you're craving Santorini skies.
7) Chettinad Chicken Dosa, Dosa Dosa - €9.99
This regional dish from Chettinad in Southern India is made with an abundance of spices in the marinade - fennel seeds, black pepper, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and red chillies, to name a few. The dosa (dosa) itself is similar to a pancake but is made using fermented rice and lentil batter, which turns crispy and crunchy as it's cooking, then is stuffed with it's chicken filling. Dosa Dosa open Wednesday to Sunday at their Grand Canal location, and Thursday to Sunday at Hynes Bar, Stoneybatter - but beware, the great drinks list at the latter location may well throw your €10 budget out the window.
8) Baja Prawn Taco, Los Chicanos - €8
Having travelled extensively through Mexico and worked in some of the best restaurants in the world (including Arbutus in London and State Bird Provisions in San Francisco), Scott Holder is more than qualified to dish out Mexican tacos with the spirit of Los Angeles running through them. Los Chicanos is energetic and delicious truck grub, with the Baja Prawn tacos a case in point. Chili morita, red cabbage, spicy mango salsa - close your eyes and you just might convince yourself you're in Cabo and not outside a cash and carry off Camden Street.
9) Bahn Mí, Vietnom - €9
Food trucks are definitely the way forward for budget friendly dining, and there's a plenitude popping up across the city. This casual style of street food has been woven into the fabric of other major cities for a long time, and we want more. One of the OG Dublin food trucks is Vietnom, who popped up in The Glimmerman in Stoneybatter in 2018 and have been bossing the neighbourhood ever since. Their Bahn Mí are sensational - super fresh ingredients treated with care and respect, and while they change the fillings regularly they're always under €10. We love the Teriyaki Paneer Bahn Mí with crispy shallots, carrot pickle and smoked paprika aioli for €9, but you might need to Bahn Mí from ordering more than one…
10) Carnitas Burrito, El Patron €9.35
It's near impossible to find a burrito in this city that you'd actually want to eat, unless you throw your taste buds out the window in one of several sub par chains that mar the metropolis. Fret not friends, we've gone on the hunt and found a little donkey that's legit. El Patron serves freshly made Mexican street food in a relaxed, vibrant setting, and the Carnitas Burrito is our go to, leaving your wallet just €9.35 lighter. The 12-inch tortilla comes with slow cooked, marinated pork belly, rice, beans, cheese, lettuce and pico de gallo of your desired spice level (beware - we once tried the super spicy and there were actual tears).
Do you have a sub-€10 dish in Dublin that you love? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie or sending us a message on social.
