Where to go for pub grub in Dublin that doesn't suck

Ronan Doyle
Aug 19
6 min read

Throw a brick around Dublin city centre and you’re likely to hit a pub grub menu with chicken burgers, Caesar salad, Thai curry and carbonara – the tourist trap starter pack. But while such places still plague the streets, dig a little deeper and you’ll find a bustling culture of bars doing great food all over the city. From food trucks smartly slotting into outdoor spaces, to restaurant quality kitchens around the back of boozers, here’s where to find the best pub food in Dublin...

NORTHSIDE

Sister 7 @ Fidelity Studio, Smithfield

Bustling craft bar Fidelity hasn't stopped heaving since opening at the end of 2022, and with the arrival of Sister 7 in the neighbouring Studio space they’ve only got busier. One taste of the food and you'll know why – a partnership between Big Fan and Whiplash, the menu’s spent grain crackers and beer reduction sauces make for a creative collab in one of the coolest spaces around. They open Wednesday to Sunday, and walk-ins work out at quieter times but we’d recommend booking. Read our review here.

Bonobo, Smithfield

Bonobo’s big beer garden is thronged at all times of the year, and the top-tier pizza’s a big part of the draw. We’ve wiled away many a night sharing a few of their wood-fired specials over a round or two of their rotating craft taps and upmarket cocktails. A prime view of the kitchen magic happening from the beer garden is great for nosey eaters too.

Hera, Dorset Street

There’s pub grub and then there’s this. Hera pounced onto the scene earlier this year with a quality of food that could outdo most restaurants around town – no surprise from the team who brought us Crudo and Achara. The lamb scotch egg and yeast butter spuds have yet to leave our mind’s eye since. Be sure to book well in advance if you’re going for dinner, or settle into the Juno bar space and pick away at the snacks menu. Read our review here.