Mentioned by DesignMyNight
Quirky Restaurants in Dublin
"The sister restaurant to the Rustic Stone, Fade Street Social is another critically acclaimed gastronomic gem. Fade Street Social consists of a restaurant, a tapas and gastro bar, and a cocktail winter garden. The menu is created from a number of culinary influences, from Irish to more international fare."
"Fade Street Social is a trendy city centre bar and restaurant with one of Dublin's best beer gardens. Whether you're heading here for a few after work drinks and light bites or sticking around to tuck into their elevated plates of gastro grub, this place is sure to satisfy you hunger pangs."
"This charming back-to-basics restaurant promotes the use of homegrown, local produce. Its menu adapts to reflect seasonality, and food is presented in an uncomplicated way which emphasises its freshness, quality, and delicious taste."
"This garden BBQ style restaurant, located in an old carpark on Clanbrassil Street, has wooden pallet furniture and colourful bunting aplenty. This year they’ve added a seafood shack (Sharkbait Shelby’s) and delicious woodfired pizza from The Big Blue Bus, with more food stalls to announced over the next few weeks. Go for the food, stay for the party atmosphere and hand-rolled ice-cream."
"Not only is the interior of Coppinger Row totally Instagrammable, but if you perch yourself outside at one of their street-side tables you can gram in the sunshine."
"An elegant cocktail bar spread over three floors with glass panelled ceilings and art nouveau vibes. The Dawson St. late bar was a staple in any solid night out plan and after its closure it was sorely missed. Thankfully, this year they reopened with a brand new style that features several dining experiences along with a host of bars and bespoke event areas, and an extensive food menu which caters for a range of tastes and occasions."
"Café en Seine is a contemporary Parisian corner of Dublin spread across three stories with a quirky outdoor drinking and dining area that's sure provide plenty of Insta opportunities. Combining enticing food and drink with regular entertainment, this restaurant bar is always popping off."
"Evenings at Café en Seine consist primarily of sipping cocktails in Instagram-worthy interiors, watching live entertainment such as theatre or music, and stuffing your face with elegant French cuisine."
"Located in a former chemical factory turned bar in the city centre, but away from the tourist trail, BoCo offers some of the best pizza in Dublin. Not just any pizza, but wood-fired pizza with a light texture, that is crisp and chewy. There are around 15 different kinds of pizza to choose from with vegan and gluten-free options."
"If you are planning on visiting Phoenix Park with your little ones, consider Halfway House for your lunch or dinner. This country pub and restaurant has a large outside seating area and a cosy dining area with plenty of room for buggies. The staff is welcoming and will do everything to accommodate your family."
"At the northern end of Parnell Square is a small, peaceful park, dedicated to the men and women who have died in pursuit of Irish freedom. The Garden of Remembrance marks the spot where several leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held overnight before being taken to Kilmainham Gaol, and was also where the Irish Volunteers movement was formed in 1913. The central water feature is in the form off a sunken crucifix with the mighty Children of Lir statue at one end."
"Some secrets are too good to remain hidden, which is why you’re about to find out about Iveagh Gardens, often known as Dublin’s secret garden. Laid out by the 1st Earl of Clonmell and once a fashionable public space called Coburg Gardens, it fell into disrepair before being rescued and revived by Sir Benjamin Guinness in 1862; the family then cared for the gardens before donating them to the Irish nation in 1939. You can now enjoy a rustic grotto and cascade, fountains, wilderness woodlands, a maze, a rosarium and archery grounds – there are few better things to do in Dublin if the weather is good."
"These idyllic gardens, designed in 1865, are among the finest and least known of Dublin’s parks and gardens and are often referred to as Dublin’s Secret Gardens and the entrance located to one side of the National Concert Hall would indeed have you think that as you walk through leaving the essence of the bustling city behind and entering a mystical and magical oasis of greenery and fountains. Inside there is a rustic grotto, a cascade, a yew maze, a rosarium, an archery grounds and woodlands. The Iveagh Gardens are popular with small and unique food and music festivals throughout the summer."
"A less known spot a stone’s throw away from St Stephen’s Green, Iveagh Gardens is quieter and more intimate. Yet it’s one of the best locations for wedding photos in Dublin if you want a little oasis of calm in the middle of the city. It even has a magnificent fountain."
"Making Magic Everyday is their restaurant’s motto, and they surely sprinkle some of that magic in their most affordable, handmade and Instagram-worthy donuts, served in Westland Row, Dublin. Their artistic showmanship has been praised by a myriad of food critics—some reviews mention that they serve the best donuts in the world!. With a price range of €6.00 for a box of 3 creamy, Premium, vegan-friendly donuts, Offbeat Donut Co. offers the finest and the most affordable."
"Located in Pearse DART station, these donuts are full, flavoursome and delicious. Featuring oozing cream-filled centres and quirky seasonal themes – they're sure not to disappoint."
"This other much loved local chain sells some of the most decadent donuts you'll find. From Nutella ring donuts to peanut buttercup flavour, their moreish fillings and toppings will satisfy even the sweetest tooth. They've even recently started selling UNICORN donuts which pretty much makes them legends in our eyes."
"We ate this unicorn donut at Offbeat Donut Company in the land of leprechauns. The irony is palpable. It was a dark day when we realized that our favorite Dublin donut shop had closed."
"A little trip away from Dublin City Centre, it’s the perfect romantic location for beach strolls or some sunset portraits. It has the tall grass, sea air and the iconic Poolbeg Towers as the quintessentially-Dublin backdrop!. A great spot for an engagement session, an elopement or a lovely portrait spot on a wedding day if you’re driving in from the south side."
"If you are in Dublin with kids and need a fun family activity for toddlers and older siblings alike, you cannot go wrong with a day at the zoo. Located inside beautiful Phoenix Park, Dublin zoo has plenty of space for kids to run around, several animal-themes playground, of course many opportunities to see animals both local and exotic and it also has a nice restaurant with a window over meerkats!. Stroller and toddler friendly, the zoo and restaurant also have good changing facilities, making a family day here super easy."
"Not only will you get to see and learn about all the different animals at Dublin Zoo, but you will also be stepping into Ireland’s oldest zoo and the third oldest zoo in the world. With so much to see and do, the zoo is a perfect activity for all ages and definitely one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Dublin. Address: Saint James’ (part of Phoenix Park), Dublin 8, Ireland"
"In first place in our list of the best things to do in Dublin with kids is a trip to Dublin Zoo. No list of kids’ activities in Dublin would be complete without the inclusion of Dublin Zoo. With its playgrounds, café, and exotic animals, Dublin Zoo has something for everyone to enjoy no matter the age."