The hottest places for spicy food in Dublin

For Korean fried chicken and Irish craft beer in the heart of Dublin city, look no further than Chimac. The restaurant’s name comes from “chi”, short for “chikin” and “mac”, short for “maekju”, the Korean word for beer. As such, Chimac does exactly what it says on the tin. Free-range Irish chicken is at the heart of the Chimac menu, but it’s nothing without the house-made Korean hot sauce it’s laced in. Satisfy all your spicy needs at Chimac where you can choose from a selection of chicken burgers, Korean fried chicken, vegetarian dishes and tasty sides. We can’t get enough of the signature twice-fried free range Chicken Nugs, lathered in Korean Hot Sauce and served alongside Kimcheese Fries.

One of the best Indian restaurants in Dublin is Pickle on Camden Street, serving up traditional North Indian regional cuisine with a modern twist. Indian food is spicy in nature, with dishes like Vindaloo and Phall among some of the spiciest dishes on our radar. It is Pickle’s Jungle Maas Curry, however, that wins the title of spiciest dish on the menu. A little different to the traditional Indian dishes you may be accustomed to, the Jungle Maas is a wild boar curry served with shallots, ginger, black peppers, and sun dried red chillies that are sure to bring the heat.

After being tried and tested by spice-loving foodies all over the city and beyond, it’s Bad Bobs who come up tops for serving the hottest chicken wings not just in Dublin, but in Ireland. These wings are not safe for those who like just a little kick or for those looking for a quick bar snack to casually nibble on. Bad Bobs Hot Wings are the real deal, reserved for the hardcore spice enthusiasts among us. On the Scoville Scale, the hot sauce that these wings are served with measures an eye-watering 5-7 million scoville units! So hot you literally have to wear gloves to eat them. If you’re up for the challenge of taking on these bad boys, grab some friends for moral support and some tissues for the inevitable tears and head on down to Bad Bobs in Temple Bar. Good luck!

The Chili Club on Anne’s Lane just off Grafton Street is Ireland’s very first Thai restaurant. Since they opened their doors in 1991, The Chili Club has been a go-to spot for spice lovers city-wide. Head Chef Pornsak Wachum uses only the best fresh herbs and spices to bring that authentic taste of Thailand to Dublin. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, with an atmosphere that is always warm and service that is always friendly. On the menu you’ll find all your favourite traditional Thai dishes, but it’s the famous Thai Green Curry that stands out from the crowd and keeps Dubliners coming back for more. The Green Curry is cooked with fresh chilli, green beans, bell peppers, bamboo shoots and basil, and comes with a three-star heat rating that’s sure to satisfy your spice cravings.

No ultimate spicy food guide is complete without mention of a Mexican restaurant and the one we’ve chosen to finish our list is Masa. Located on Drury Street, Masa is a modern Mexican-style eatery serving up some of the best tacos in the city. This stylish new venue is the brainchild of the guys who brought us Bunsen (the best burger in Dublin) and the idea behind it follows a similar ethos: keep it simple and get it right. On the menu you’ll find all the Mexican classics, from tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole to quesadillas and made-to-order tacos. For that spice-hit try the Fish Taco with Salsa Verde and Chipotle Mayo. There’s a vegan taco menu too, which you can add as much salsa as your personal spice threshold allows! Cool down with a classic frozen margarita, or if you’re feeling brave keep things hot n’ spicy with a jalapeno and coriander margarita.