3 x an alternative route in Dublin, Ireland
The historic center of Dublin? A must! Temple Bar of course, the water, the many (city) parks, the fancy hotels where the tastiest, extensive afternoon tea is served... Everything is so nice, beautiful and cozy. But what if you were to go just off the beaten track? What then? Well, then you will find (as in many large cities) the contemporary (hip, if you like) pearls.
Which neighborhoods should you visit? Voila: 3 x an alternative route in Dublin, Ireland.
There is a chance that you will not leave the center during a weekend in Dublin. And that's a real shame, because there is so much fun to be found just outside the historic center of the city. In fact, some of the best catering establishments, and the most inspiring, can be found off the beaten track. Such as in the Stoneybatter and Smithfield neighborhoods. The adjacent neighborhoods can be found north of the River Liffey, which splits the city in two. If you walk over the famous Ha'penny Bridge (do it!), you walk via Chapel Street (a busy, multi-cultural catering street - especially the end of this street is also very nice) to Smithfield. On the corner, you can't miss it, you can get a good and very budget-friendly taco El Patron Mexican Street Food. Walk further, cross the street and look for the small one Dasha, a corner bar with both soup and cocktails, although they mainly pride themselves on the latter.
Although your real destination may be in Smithfield without a doubt Bonobo, Smithfield are. In other words: we thought it was one of the nicest things in all of Dublin. The creative pizzeria is always busy, so reservations are a must, although there are always some places left free in the (covered) garden for walk-ins. You can eat the truly delicious pizza straight from the box (which also keeps the prices nice and low) and the board games are spread throughout the place: boredom is not an option. Don't go either.
A little further walking (not much by the way) will take you to Stoneybatter. Make sure you keep these things in mind:
SLICES – The name doesn't leave much to the guess, although we are not talking about pizza slices but cake slices. Actually, you mainly go there for an extensive lunch, with perhaps an extra point. asliceofcake.ie
Joli – Yes, of course there is also a just the right coffee shop here. Joli is the name and everything about it is Scandi-simple and therefore very nice. jolistoneybatter.com
The Little Cactus – Although we might have liked this plant-slash-coffee place even more. thelittlecactus.ie (left image)
Wheat – For great pasta you can, no, must go to Grano in Dublin! grano.ie (image right)
L. Mulligan Grocer – Maybe not your standard Barts Boekje tip, but an old-fashioned bistro is always a godsend, and it is a classic in the neighborhood.
If you don't drink alcohol, the Liberties district may not have much to offer you. It is the area where you can find both the Guinness brewery and... Roe & Co Distillery finds. And both are – surprise – really fun to visit (not going is actually not an option, to be honest, hand on our hearts). The Guinness Storehouse is a very nice start to your day (no joke). Did you know, for example, that the beer is tasted every day of the week at 10.00 a.m.? Then your taste buds are optimal. Ha! A visit to the brewery is very fun and interesting, but there are a few things that we cannot mention: you can have your photo printed in the beer foam (super funny) and the building in which the brewery is housed is really fantastic. sensible. Drinking a beer (or a soft drink) on the all-glass top floor is a must.
Across the street, in the old Guinness Power Station, is now a whiskey label Roe & Co. And that is worth it even if you are not a big whiskey fan, if only because of the incredibly beautifully renovated building, with a picture of a bar (and cocktail workshops). Did you indeed go to this neighborhood in the morning? The bar is open from 12.30 and then you can order a delicious coffee cocktail. Do!
Last but certainly not least in this alternative Dublin route, is the neighborhood Camden. How nice it is here! Hip wine bar? Cool coffee shop? Good crowd? Check check check. The neighborhood is quite raw and not-so-hip (understatement) typically Irish or multi-cultural day to day places here alternate with some of the hippest businesses in the city.
Restaurant Delahunt for example, a popular fancy place where you eat at least five courses in the train carriage-style seating. delahunt.ie
This district also has: Hotel The Dean, highly recommended! Read here more (and two more hotels that we would like to recommend in Dublin).
You will find the sweet brunch spot within walking distance of The Dean Meet Me In The Morning. Wooden tables and chairs, small vases with flowers and the sunlight streaming in. That's nice to wake up to. Granola and toast are on the menu, but also the better hangover remedies. Tip: the fritter with poached egg and halloumi is hallelujah. You can then get coffee to-go from the neighbors References. Meet Me In The Morning
Frank's – Looking for a wine bar? Wine bar found! The best place to sit is in the window, or on the bench directly in front of it: to watch passers-by. In the shop itself you sit at a huge iron table (more of a countertop) which gives a surprising effect. franksdublin.com
Ebb&Flow Camden – Directly opposite Frank's and highly recommended for both an extensive and a quick lunch (to g0), instagram.com/ebbflowcamden
TheMorning – As sweet and fun as it sounds, this cozy coffee bar slash lunch shop, themorning.ie
Hang Dai Chinese – Hip, futuristic Chinese. hangdaichinese.com
The Cake Cafe What's in a name ;-), thecakecafe.ie
