Traditional Irish Restaurants You Can’t Miss in Dublin

Built on the site of the first atmospheric rail station in Europe, Hartley’s Bistro is situated in Dun Laoghaire, just 20 minutes from Dublin City. Your Hartley’s experience begins before you set foot inside, with outdoor seats providing diners a spectacular view of the Marina and Irish Sea. The restaurant’s classy and historic setting is matched with a stunning Victorian style interior. As far as the menu goes, you can expect a range of premium Irish steaks and fresh fish, coming in straight from Dun Laoghaire harbour. We’d recommend the Hartley’s beer battered hake or a blackened chicken supreme with barbecue chorizo! They also feature some of the best cocktails the southside has to offer, with house special ‘The Dry Rober’ featuring ‘Bertha’s revenge gin’ and a ‘Dublin Old Fashioned’ with the capitals own Roe & Co whiskey.

If you’re on a short break to Dublin and are looking for a contemporary bar with a traditional breakfast, The Hairy Lemon has got you covered. Situated in the heart of Dublin just off Drury Street, The Hairy Lemon is a cosy, snug bar with a warm atmosphere, ideal for a date night with your significant other. They host a stellar breakfast and all-day menu that will give you a true taste of Dublin. Their full Irish is renowned, complete with the crispiest hash browns the capital has to offer. Two unmissable dishes are a Dublin Coddle or the Guinness Stew, both for €13. The Hairy Lemon also has a good reputation with locals, so you can impress your holiday guests by taking them to one of Dublin’s favourite and authentic restaurants.

As far as Irish pubs go, they don’t get more traditional than The Stags Head. Located in Temple Bar, the pub is located in one of Dublin’s cosy side streets, where the best bars and restaurants are often found. The Stags Head was awarded ‘2019s Pub of the Year’ in the National Hospitality Awards, and with Guinness delivered fresh with St James Gate only 20 minutes up the road, it’s one of the best pints you’ll get anywhere in Ireland. Food is served from 1-7 pm daily and they’re home to one of the most famed cheese toasties in Ireland. A beautiful Irish ham hock and Dubliner cheese with béchamel sauce is truly the height of traditional Irish cuisine. The Stags Head has a fantastic range of special deals, with Three Connemara oysters, fresh from the Atlantic Ocean, and a pint of the black stuff for €10.50!

Probably Dublin’s most iconic and historical pub, The Church presents one of the most unique dining and drinking experiences you can get anywhere in the world. The original church building has been around since the 1700s, with Arthur Guinness, the founder of the Guinness brewery, having married there in 1761. This is one of a plethora of facts to be learned at The Church’s self-guided tour. You can sit yourself on the altar of the old church and enjoy a lunch or dinner, with the Market Fresh Fish and Chips for €18.95 being a highlight of the menu. What’s more, The Church is a fantastic venue for parties and corporate events. The cellar bar is fully private and can cater for 250 guests standing, boasting its own private smoking area, PA system, and big screens! Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and vibrant Irish restaurants you’ll ever visit.