Umi Falafel on Dame Street in Dublin, the vegan Lebanese counter doing the city's most credible falafel on freshly fried chickpeas in a saj-pressed wrap.
Signature dishes: Falafel wrap, Mezze plate, Baklava
Must order: Falafel wrap with toum and pickles; a mezze plate and a glass of mint tea to share.
Tip: Three Dublin locations; the Dame Street original is the original kitchen. Open until 22:00 Friday and Saturday.
Address: 13 Dame Street, Dublin 2, D02 W972
Tang on Dawson Street in Dublin, an all-day Middle Eastern counter, the city's most reliable lunch-grab and weekend brunch in one room.
Signature: Halloumi wrap, Shakshuka, Chia bowl
Order: Halloumi wrap with house slaw and a turmeric latte to go.
Tip: Two-floor venue; the basement is the table service room. Walk-in only at lunch; book the basement for weekend brunch.
Tang on Dawson Street in Dublin, an all-day Middle Eastern counter, the city's most reliable lunch-grab and weekend brunch in one room.
Signature: Halloumi wrap, Shakshuka, Chia bowl
Order: Halloumi wrap with house slaw and a turmeric latte to go.
Tip: Two-floor venue; the basement is the table service room. Walk-in only at lunch; book the basement for weekend brunch.
The Fumbally on Fumbally Lane in Dublin 8, Aisling Rogerson and Luca D'Alfonso's open-plan day cafe and fermentation lab, the Liberties' working kitchen.
Signature: Sourdough toast, Daily soup, Friday Dinner
Order: The daily soup with house sourdough at lunch; Friday Dinner if you can grab the booking window.
Tip: Communal seating; arrive before 12:30 to get the long table to your group. No reservations except Friday Dinner.
Yamamori Sushi on Ormond Quay in Dublin 1, the riverside sister to the Yamamori ramen room, the city's veteran Japanese counter and donburi lunch.
Signature: Sushi platter, Salmon donburi, Robata skewers
Order: The bento at lunch; the chef's omakase platter for two at dinner.
Tip: Window banquettes face the Liffey. Lunch bento under EUR 20 is the value play; the kitchen closes between 15:30 and 17:30.
The Old Spot on Bath Avenue in Dublin 4, Brian O'Malley and Stephen Cooney's Loyola Group gastropub serving the southside the city's most consistent Sunday roast.
Signature: Sunday roast, Atlantic hake, Sticky toffee pudding
Order: Sunday roast: roast Wicklow lamb with all the trimmings and the sticky toffee pudding to finish.
Tip: Sunday lunch books two weeks ahead; the bar runs walk-ins on the lighter menu Monday to Saturday from 17:00.
Klaw on Crown Alley in Temple Bar, Niall Sabongi's fifteen-seat seafood counter, oysters from Carlingford and a lobster roll the size of your forearm.
Signature: Half-shell oysters, Lobster roll, Crab claws
Order: Half a dozen oysters two ways and the warm lobster roll; finish on the chowder.
Tip: No bookings ever; the counter sits fifteen, arrive 12:00 or 17:00 to be first in. Cash and card accepted.
Leo Burdock on Werburgh Street in Dublin 8, the city's longest-running chipper since 1913, beer-battered cod and chips on greaseproof paper.
Signature: Cod and chips, Spice burger, Fresh ray
Order: Large fresh cod with chips, salt, vinegar and a lemon wedge; add the famous spice burger as a side.
Tip: Closes 21:00 most nights; the queue is fastest at the Werburgh Street original. No seating; walk to Christ Church and eat on the steps.
