Eating Affordably in Dublin

The Market Bar

It may sound strange, but Market Bar features Irish tapas. The food is almost a secondary to the atmosphere of this airy restaurant/bar, which is always buzzing with young professionals and artsy types. Grab a table for some plates to share: all dishes come in two sizes, large or small, so you can sample as many things as you like. From salads to fisherman’s pie, there are options for every appetite at this center of town favorite. It’s also in a beautiful, old section of Dublin that is great for a walk around afterwards.

Ethnic Foods

An old rule holds true in Dublin: for affordable food, ethnic food is a great option, especially at lunch. Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Indian restaurants often have great lunch deals to lure in local businessmen. A great change from the typical soup and sandwich, these choices offer a lot of flavor for little cash. If you keep your eye out, there are lots of options in the city center as well, especially along Baggot Street where many offices are located.

Metro Cafe

Sometimes a café is crowded because of location or trendiness, while others remain empty even though they serve hearty, home-cooked food. Metro Café on South William St has both going for, it has a great central location, is a popular choice for lunch, and they serve a variety of fair-priced, delicious food. A soup of the day served with a chunk of bread is a great affordable choice, and sandwiches served with a small side salad will keep you satiated longer. They take their coffee seriously, and make a beautiful little cappuccino. The tables are close together, but that’s part of the charm of this café.

Temple Bar Food Market

On Saturday’s, ‘rain, hail, or shine’, the Temple Bar Food Market takes over Meeting House Square. While some locals will come to buy organic produce, intricate artisan breads or pies, some people just come to eat. One of the best options is the ‘Paddy Jack’ sandwich. For 6 euros, you receive a sandwich made of two slices of thick cut olive bread, blue cheese, lamb, arugula and a delicious sauce. A coffee afterwards in just 2 euro. If you have a sweet tooth, crepes are also available. Local musicians will be playing nearby, and the Temple Bar book market is a nice place for a wander after your snack.

Dunne And Crescenzi

It just so happens that one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in Dublin is also affordable. With a city center location and another in Sandymount, Dunne and Crescenzi is a crowd-pleaser on many levels. First, it has an extensive Italian wine list, marked with recent award-winning options. An antipasto menu is a great choice for those with small appetites, who only want a bit of bread, some olives and cheese to go with their wine. It is also a great restaurant to sit down in a cozy atmosphere for a plate of pasta. The lasagna is especially good. All the pasta is served perfectly al dente, and most nights, you won’t need a reservation.

Beshoff's Restaurant

When in Dublin, you must try fish and chips. Most visitors to Ireland head to the pub for this favorite, and while this isn’t a bad option, the prices for pub food can be very high. 16 euro for fish and chips at a pub? No thank you! The answer to this dilemma is Beshoffs. What began as a fish market on the harbor in Howth has extended into upscale Fish and Chip shops where for about 8 euro, you can get a large piece of battered cod and a huge pile of thick cut chips. The O’Connell St branch also has a large seating area upstairs, where you can people watch down onto Dublin’s main thoroughfare.