Have you been to Ireland before? If not, then you need to visit as soon as you can. I grew up just outside Dublin and believe me, dining out in Ireland has completely changed from the days of the 80s when it was all pretty average. These days the food is sublime and there are so many reasons to dine out in Dublin, which I am looking forward to sharing with you.
Friendliness
The Irish are known for being friendly and there is definitely a lot of truth behind this. It’s hard to put my finger on it but there is something so open and welcoming about people from Ireland. After living in London for so long, whenever I go back to Dublin, it always surprises me!
An unpretentious vibe and an openness that you don’t always get in other countries is the menu of the day in any Irish restaurant. This definitely transcends to eating out, where the people who work in hospitality are some of the most friendly people you’ll ever meet. Whether you are eating at Anne’s Bar & Hardware or brilliant Bartley’s you’ll no doubt get to experience it too.
Fabulous fresh food
Due to Ireland being an island (a relatively small one too) you are never too far from the coast and fresh seafood. Whether you are looking for fresh muscles, prawns or whole fish (to name but a few) you are guaranteed to be able to get it in many of the Dublin restaurants on squaremeal. The same goes for Irish beef too. You can’t drive far in Ireland without seeing a cow and there is always fresh meat to be sampled in the gorgeous Dublin restaurants.
Value for money
The currency in Ireland is the Euro and eating out in Dublin has become better value for money since the Celtic Tiger days. You won’t find rock bottom prices like some places abroad, but generally the portions are pretty generous and as a whole, I think you can get a decent meal for a good price without going over the top.
Fun fun fun
I know I mentioned the fact that Irish people are friendly, well they are lots of fun too! Irish restaurants, bars and cafes always have a fun and relaxed vibe. The ‘craic’ is second to none in Dublin and a walk into Temple Bar in the early evening will guarantee fun and laughter wherever you choose to go.
Culture galore
You must visit a traditional pub for ‘ceol agus craic’ (which means music and fun) to really experience what makes dining out in Dublin different. Whether you go for a full Irish breakfast in the morning, washed down with a ‘bloody mary’ or you opt for a pint of the black stuff (Guinness in case you are wondering) and a hearty Irish meal that tickles your fancy. Try to visit a pub where they have live Irish music – you’ll be blown away I’m sure.
I hope you liked this blog post. Have I persuaded you to dine out in Dublin? Let me know if you can think of any other reasons which should be added too.
