Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
A glass of hot coffee with Irish whiskey, a teaspoon of brown sugar and a layer of softly whipped cream floated on top. Hot under cold, sweet then bitter, the Dublin afterparty drink.
Irish coffee was formalised by chef Joe Sheridan at Foynes flying-boat terminal in Co Limerick in 1942, serving a hot coffee with Irish whiskey to American passengers diverted by Atlantic weather. Stanton Delaplane took the recipe to the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco in 1952, where it became the city's signature drink. Every traditional Dublin pub now serves a version; the Brazen Head, Davy Byrnes and The Palace Bar pour the city's references.
3 editor picks for Irish coffee in Dublin, ranked by editorial score. All Dublin signature dishes · Irish coffee across every city.
Also in: San Francisco.
The Brazen Head on Bridge Street Lower in Dublin 8, established 1198 as Ireland's oldest pub, the present 1754 coaching inn serves Irish stew and trad.
TipFood served until 21:00 daily; nightly trad music sessions from 21:00. The back snug holds eight; the courtyard runs summer only.
The Palace Bar on Fleet Street in Dublin 2, a Victorian pub since 1843, the literary watering hole of the Irish Times pressroom, with a hundred-bottle.
TipThree rooms; the upstairs parlour is the whiskey room. Tasting flights of three for €18 Tuesday and Wednesday.
Davy Byrnes on Duke Street in Dublin 2, the moral pub since 1798, the Joycean Bloomsday stop for a Gorgonzola sandwich and a glass of Burgundy.
TipBloomsday on 16 June fills before 11:00; the back room sits forty. Seafood plates run all day.
Irish coffee makes more sense with someone from Dublin explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Embark on a delicious journey through Ireland’s rich culinary heritage with our authentic Irish food and drink tour.
1h 15m
Learn how to craft the perfect Irish Coffee with Jameson Black Barrel at the Bow St. Distillery in Dublin. Enjoy a tasting of 4 cask strength whiskeys and savor 2 excl...
Guided tour · 1 hour
Discover the 300 year history of The Church, a former 18th century church which was converted into a bar in the mid 2000s and finish it off with an Irish coffee demonstration.
