Dublin delis you’ll love

Saltwater is a hip and trendy delicatessen / fishmonger, specialising in hand-selected artisan products. It stocks a range of carefully chosen pantry products, fine wines and Champagnes as well as a selection of ready meals and sides. The aim? To help its customers create the perfect meal to enjoy at home. Alongside deli classics like sandwiches, fresh bakes, and free range rotisserie chicken, you’ll find a selection of tasty seafood plates that can be enjoyed at the Raw Bar. Here, simplicity is key, and the team focuses on techniques such as dry ageing and slow charcoal grilling to allow the ingredients to shine. Treat yourself to a light lunch and leave with enough tasty bites to see you through the week. 

No Dublin deli guide is complete without reference to The Pig and Heifer! Often touted as the finest deli in Ireland, this establishment first opened its doors in 1996. The original Pig and Heifer menu was inspired by the delicatessen culture of New York, and while those influences remain strong, as time has passed the deli has experimented with new ingredients and styles. The current menu has been influenced by Mediterranean cuisine, with chorizo, Serrano ham and salami cropping up in many delicious sandwiches and quiches. You won’t be able to say no to the rye and pastrami special however, prepared using the very same recipe that was brought back from America nearly 30 years ago. The deli has developed great relationships with its local food suppliers over the years, with all the vegetables stocked from the Smithfield market, and the meat sourced from the neighbouring butchers, Doyle’s. If this wasn’t enough, the bakers make their own sourdough breads on a daily basis, with eight different types for you to choose from. The atmosphere is always jovial, and the staff are friendly. Not one to be missed!

The delicatessen counter at the Canal Bank Cafe is always heaving with a variety of tasty eats. Think big salads, omelettes, homemade cakes, ice cream, hearty sandwiches and more. If you’re with a large party, this is the place for you: the options are extensive, and there’s something to please all tastebuds. Lighter options include the harissa spiced cauliflower with shawarma hummus, roasted chickpeas, and lemon tahini. For something more substantial, we recommend the chicken club sandwich, complete with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and lemon tarragon mayo.

Margadh RHA – located inside the beautiful RHA gallery – is a relaxed and sophisticated wine bar / delicatessen hybrid. The food here is simple, expertly prepared, and full of flavour. Alongside an extensive range of wines (natural, biodynamic, you name it), sit deli-style plates of satisfying yet refined food. Our favourites include the Gambas Roll (served with cucumber, celery, prawn mayo and crispy onions), the Margadh Meatball Roll (complete with Parmesan and an unctuous tomato fondue), and the fresh burrata open sandwich. The prices are exceptionally reasonable considering the quality of the food (most plates come in at well under €15). For the most upmarket deli in town, look no further. 

When most people think about delis, the first thing that springs to mind are sandwiches. Whether you’re a purist seeking the finest BLTs and tuna mayos in town, or someone who likes to try something new – like a smoked pork shoulder and pico de Gallo loaded sub, perhaps – 147 Deli has it all. This independent sandwich shop is loved by locals and tourists alike. People travel far and wide across the city to get their hands on these bad boys, and, be warned, they’re not for the faint hearted! They’re generous in size, teeming with cheese, crispy bacon, coleslaw and everything in between. The white sourdough used for the sandwiches is light and has a perfect crumb. Weekly specials have included the 147 Dublin Dip – seared beef with balsamic onions, gruyere cheese, and chicken wing gravy – and the Bacon and Cabbage – roast loin of pork with crackling, shredded savoy cabbage, and parsley sauce. Veggies and vegans fear not, there are plenty of tasty options for you too. That’s lunch sorted!