40 cheap eats rooms in Dublin, editor-picked. the best low-budget rooms in Dublin: the places editors actually return to. All Dublin food.
Vada ★ 4.8
stoneybatter · 30 North Brunswick Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
Vada on Brunswick Street North in Stoneybatter, the zero-waste neighbourhood cafe that took over the V-Face site, plant-forward small plates and house-made.
Tip: Counter and small tables; book ahead for dinner Thursday to Saturday. House water kefir brewed in-house from kitchen byproducts.
Bread 41 ★ 4.7
docklands · 41 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 H308
Bread 41 on Pearse Street in Dublin 2, Eoin Cluskey's organic sourdough bakery and cafe since 2018, the city's most polished cardamom bun and laminated.
Tip: Cardamom buns sell out by 12:00 on Saturdays; arrive 09:00 to be first. The cafe sits twenty in the back room.
Scéal Cafe ★ 4.7
portobello · 82 South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08 FC62
Scéal Cafe on South Circular Road in Dublin 8, Shane Palmer and Charlotte Leonard-Kane's Dublin counter near Leonard's Corner, the bakery's return.
Tip: Pastries sell out by midday on weekends. Counter sits eighteen plus a small outdoor terrace.
3fe Grand Canal ★ 4.7
docklands · 32-34 Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 TD58
3fe Grand Canal in Dublin 2, the flagship of Colin Harmon's roastery, the city's most polished filter coffee on the south side of Pearse Street's tech.
Tip: Eight 3fe cafes across Dublin; the Grand Canal flagship has the most seating and serves food until 15:00.
Cornucopia ★ 4.7
south-city-centre · 19/20 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
Cornucopia on Wicklow Street in Dublin 2, the family-run vegan and vegetarian wholefood restaurant since 1986, three floors of self-service counters.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive before 12:30 for the upstairs room. The hot plate with three salads runs around €13. Closes 17:00 Sunday, 19:00 Monday to Wednesday.
Soup Dragon ★ 4.6
north-inner-city · 168 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01 V972
Soup Dragon on Capel Street in Dublin 1, ten daily soups, the city's most balanced sub-€10 lunch counter, the Northside's working budget lunch since 1996.
Tip: Counter-only seating; the two-soup combo with bread and a smoothie runs €12. Best after 14:00.
The Fumbally ★ 4.5
the-liberties · Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8, D08 HFF2
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.
Tip: Communal seating; arrive before 12:30 to get the long table to your group. No reservations except Friday Dinner.
Dash Burger ★ 4.5
the-liberties · 6 Kevin Street Lower, Dublin 8, D08 A440
Dash Burger on Kevin Street Lower in Dublin 8, Barry Wallace's 2020 smash-burger room that landed at the top of every Dublin best-burger list.
Tip: Walk-ins only at both rooms, kitchen from 12:00-21:00 daily. The Kevin Street room is small and turns fast at lunch.
Una Bakery ★ 4.5
ranelagh-ballsbridge · 116 Ranelagh, Dublin 6
Una on Ranelagh in Dublin 6, John and Sandy Wyer's bakery sister to Forest Avenue with Tom and Finn Gleeson of Bunsen, the southside's polished pastry.
Tip: Pastries sell out before 12:00 weekends.
3fe Sussex Terrace ★ 4.5
ranelagh-ballsbridge · 7 Sussex Terrace, Dublin 4, D04 NP78
3fe on Sussex Terrace in Dublin 4, the small Forest Avenue neighbour, four-seat counter, the morning 3fe espresso for the southside before work commute.
Tip: Counter only; arrive 09:00-10:00 weekdays. The bun pastry case empties by 11:00 on Saturdays.
Brother Hubbard North ★ 4.5
north-inner-city · 153 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01 V9V0
Brother Hubbard North on Capel Street in Dublin 1, Garrett FitzGerald and James Boland's original Middle Eastern brunch room, the Capel Street weekend anchor.
Tip: Walk-in only Saturday and Sunday from 09:30; the queue starts before doors. Wednesday breakfast is the calm window.
Two Pups Coffee ★ 4.5
the-liberties · 74 Francis Street, Dublin 8, D08 KA43
Two Pups Coffee on Francis Street in Dublin 8, a Liberties counter and brunch room, the southside's strongest cortado and one of the city's brunch references.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive 09:30 Saturday before the queue. Two long tables share with strangers; the window stools turn fast.
The Fumbally Cafe ★ 4.5
the-liberties · Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8, D08 HFF2
The Fumbally cafe on Fumbally Lane in Dublin 8, Aisling Rogerson's open-plan day cafe inside a fermentation hub, the kitchen the Liberties learned.
Tip: Communal tables; walk-in only and bag check at the door. Open 08:00 Tuesday to Saturday; Sunday 10:00-15:00.
The Seafood Cafe by Niall Sabongi ★ 4.5
temple-bar · 11 Sprangers Yard, Fownes Street Upper, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
The Seafood Cafe by Niall Sabongi in Sprangers Yard off Fownes Street, Temple Bar, the open-kitchen seafood bar with the city's largest selection of Irish.
Tip: Oyster happy hour daily 16:00-17:00 with around €1 off each shuck. Walk-in counter; the bar dining lets you watch the kitchen work.
Dash Burger ★ 4.5
the-liberties · 6 Kevin Street Lower, Dublin 8, D08 A440
Dash Burger on Kevin Street Lower in Dublin 8, the Barry Wallace counter that opened in 2020 as Ireland's first dedicated smash burger room.
Tip: Order the double smash with skin-on fries; walk-ins only, no reservations. Small room, faster turn at lunch.
Umi Falafel Georges Street Arcade ★ 4.5
south-city-centre · South Great George's Street Arcade, Dublin 2
Umi Falafel inside George's Street Arcade in Dublin 2, the vegetarian Lebanese counter doing the city's most credible falafel, freshly fried chickpeas.
Tip: Three Dublin Umi locations; the Arcade branch is the south-city pick for a sub-€12 lunch. Counter and tables; takeaway runs fastest.
The Bretzel Bakery ★ 4.4
portobello · 1A Lennox Street, Dublin 8, D08 RK23
The Bretzel on Lennox Street in Portobello, Dublin's only Jewish-tradition bagel and rye bakery since 1870, kosher-style classics and a working sourdough.
Tip: Six bagel varieties baked twice daily; the second bake at 14:00 is the quietest collection window.
Vice Coffee Inc ★ 4.4
north-inner-city · 54 Abbey Street Middle, Dublin 1, D01 E2X4
Vice Coffee Inc on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin 1, inside the Wigwam bar and venue, the small-batch specialty roaster pouring espresso and filter.
Tip: Counter inside Wigwam; the bar's coffee bar runs daytime hours. Closes 17:00 weekdays.
Twist Bakery ★ 4.4
temple-bar · 5 Bedford Row, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 E393
Twist Bakery on Bedford Row in Temple Bar is a Dublin 2 artisan bakery and cafe with slow-fermented sourdough, croissants and morning specialty coffee.
Tip: Counter is busy from 07:00 weekdays; weekends open at 08:00. Walk-in only and limited seating, so plan for takeaway.
Honest to Goodness ★ 4.4
south-city-centre · George's Street Arcade, Dublin 2
Honest to Goodness in George's Street Arcade in Dublin 2, three-stool sandwich counter, the city's reference for a slow-cooked pulled pork sandwich at lunch.
Tip: Three stools and standing only; the sandwich sells out before 14:30. Breakfast sandwich runs until 11:00.
Tang ★ 4.3
south-city-centre · 32 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, D02 X663
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. Priced at €.
Tip: Two-floor venue; the basement is the table service room. Walk-in only at lunch; book the basement for weekend brunch.
Sano Pizza ★ 4.3
the-liberties · 1-2 Exchange Street Upper, Dublin 8, D08 XW7D
Sano Pizza on Exchange Street Upper in Dublin 8, the wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria with a Caputo flour spec, the city's most credible margherita pizza.
Tip: No bookings; arrive at 17:30 to walk into a table. Counter and tables sit twenty inside.
Musashi Noodles and Sushi Bar ★ 4.3
north-inner-city · 15 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01 E1C0
Musashi on Capel Street in Dublin 1, Northside's regular Japanese noodle and sushi counter, the city's most reliable sub-€15 ramen and tuna nigiri lunch.
Tip: Three Capel Street locations within a block. The original 15 Capel sits busiest at lunch; the IFSC branch is quieter for dinner.
Soup Dragon ★ 4.3
north-inner-city · 168 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01 V972
Soup Dragon on Capel Street in Dublin 1, a fifteen-seat Northside cafe running ten daily soups, the city's most balanced sub-€10 lunch you can find.
Tip: Walk-in only and counter seating only; arrive before 12:30 or after 14:00 to find a stool. Takeaway runs all day.
Umi Falafel Georges Street Arcade ★ 4.3
south-city-centre · South Great George's Street Arcade, Dublin 2
Umi Falafel inside George's Street Arcade in Dublin 2, the vegetarian Lebanese counter doing the city's most credible falafel on freshly fried chickpeas.
Tip: Counter and a handful of tables inside the Arcade; takeaway runs fastest at lunch. Other Umi branches sit on Mary Street and Rathmines.
The Green Door Bakery ★ 4.3
stoneybatter · 91 Manor Street, Dublin 7
The Green Door Bakery on Manor Street in Stoneybatter, the village's go-to morning bakery for freshly baked croissants, cinnamon buns and bread.
Tip: Sells out by midday on Saturdays; arrive before 10:30 if you want the morning bun warm.
The Bald Barista ★ 4.3
south-city-centre · 68 Aungier Street, Dublin 2
The Bald Barista on Aungier Street in Dublin 2, a two-floor specialty espresso bar with sweet treats and upstairs seating, the south-city centre's reliable.
Tip: Counter on the ground floor; the seating and toilet are upstairs. Outdoor tables at the front. Closed on Saturday and Sunday in most weeks.
Kaph ★ 4.3
south-city-centre · 31 Drury Street, Dublin 2, D02 Y684
Kaph on Drury Street in Dublin 2, an upstairs flat-white room over a Drury Street boutique, the southside's regular specialty espresso bar with quiet booths.
Tip: Two floors of stools; the upstairs window seat has the best Drury Street people-watching. Closes 17:30 weekdays.
Eatyard ★ 4.3
drumcondra-suburb · Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Eatyard by Cross Guns Bridge in Drumcondra, the Bernard Shaw's open-air street food yard that moved north from Portobello, five rotating vendors including.
Tip: Arrive 17:00 Friday for a picnic table before the post-work crowd. Vendor line-up rotates weekly; check the Eatyard site mid-week.
Honest to Goodness Market Stall ★ 4.3
north-inner-city · George's Street Arcade, Dublin 2
Honest to Goodness in George's Street Arcade in Dublin 2, the Glasnevin market kitchen's city counter, the pulled-pork sandwich Dublin queued.
Tip: Three-stool counter inside the Arcade; the pulled pork sells out by 14:30 weekdays. The breakfast sandwich runs until 11:00.
Sano Pizza Stall ★ 4.3
the-liberties · Temple Bar Food Market, Dublin 2
Sano Pizza at Temple Bar Food Market in Dublin 2, the Sano Pizzeria weekend stall, wood-fired margherita slice on Caputo dough every Saturday in Meeting.
Tip: Saturday only on Meeting House Square from 10:00. Arrive by 12:00 for first bake.
Musashi Capel Street ★ 4.3
north-inner-city · 15 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01 E1C0
Musashi on Capel Street in Dublin 1, Northside's reliable Japanese noodle counter, the city's most reliable sub-€15 tonkotsu ramen and donburi lunch order.
Tip: Three Capel Street locations within a block. The original 15 Capel sits busiest at lunch; the IFSC branch is quieter for dinner.
Bunsen ★ 4.2
south-city-centre · 36 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, D02 PW56
Bunsen on Wexford Street in Dublin, the chef-built burger that built a five-shop Dublin chain on one menu of beef, cheese and fries, the city's reference.
Tip: One menu, no specials; the smallest tables turn fastest. Late till midnight at the Wexford Street flagship.
The Cake Cafe ★ 4.2
portobello · 8 Pleasants Place, Dublin 8, D08 N6DN
The Cake Cafe at Pleasants Place in Dublin 8, Michelle Darmody's south-side bakery tucked into the Daintree Building, the city's go-to brunch tart and scone.
Tip: Walk through Daintree shop to reach the courtyard cafe. Twenty seats only; book Saturday brunch a week ahead.
La Cocina Cuevas ★ 4.2
drumcondra-suburb · Eatyard, Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
La Cocina Cuevas at the new Eatyard by Cross Guns Bridge in Drumcondra, the Mexican stand that followed Eatyard north, a trompo of pork al pastor.
Tip: Eatyard runs Thursday to Sunday from 12:00-22:00; order three tacos to share, the al pastor with pineapple is the menu reference.
Hanleys Cornish Pasties ★ 4.2
temple-bar · 3 Merchants Arch, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 TD74
Hanleys Cornish Pasties at Merchants Arch in Temple Bar, the city's only dedicated Cornish pasty counter since 2009, hand-crimped pasties baked fresh.
Tip: Traditional steak, gourmet specials and vegetarian or vegan options; open until 03:00 Friday and 04:00 Saturday for the post-pub Temple Bar crowd.
Bunsen ★ 4.2
south-city-centre · 36 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, D02 PW56
Bunsen on Wexford Street in Dublin 2, the chef-built five-shop Dublin burger chain doing one menu only: beef, cheese, fries, milkshakes, the city's burger.
Tip: One menu, no specials; the smallest tables turn fastest. Late till midnight at Wexford Street.
Bunsen ★ 4.2
south-city-centre · 36 Wexford Street, Dublin 2, D02 PW56
Bunsen on Wexford Street in Dublin 2, the chef-built five-shop Dublin burger chain with one menu only of beef, cheese and fries, the city's burger value.
Tip: One menu only; the smallest tables turn fastest. Late till midnight at the Wexford Street flagship.
Hanleys Cornish Pasties ★ 4.1
temple-bar · 3 Merchants Arch, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 TD74
Hanleys Cornish Pasties at Merchants Arch in Temple Bar, the city's only dedicated Cornish pasty counter since 2009, hand-crimped pasties baked.
Tip: Traditional steak pasty, gourmet specials, vegetarian or vegan options. Open late Thursday to Saturday; cash and card.
Leo Burdock ★ 4.0
the-liberties · 2 Werburgh Street, Dublin 8, D08 R6D9
Leo Burdock on Werburgh Street in Dublin 8, the city's longest-running chipper since 1913, beer-battered cod and chips on greaseproof paper.
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.