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This month, I’m sharing two excellent restaurants that, for me, are great examples of contemporary Irish dining, plus my 24-hour food guide to Cork. You may already have seen the video version if you follow Delicious Dublin Tours on Instagram.

And further down, there’s some Delicious Dublin Tours news too, including the launch of a brand-new Stoneybatter Food Tour.

Mamó

You may have seen my recent Reel from Howth, that charming fishing village that makes such an easy escape from Dublin. Naturally, great food was my main motivation for heading out there, and I was very happy to finally make it to Mamó.

Located on Harbour Road, the restaurant has outdoor seating, a lovely counter downstairs that would be ideal for a small group, and a beautiful dining room upstairs. I genuinely can’t remember the last time I saw white tablecloths in a restaurant. Somehow, here they feel elegant rather than stuffy.

The à la carte menu is available at both lunch and dinner, and choosing was difficult because almost everything sounded appealing.

We started with delicious nibbles, including the signature cod chip (€9), followed by Boyne Valley cheese beignets, which were essentially little bites of pure cheesy happiness. And I have to mention the roasted chicken butter, which was completely insane.

Had it been dinner, we might have been tempted by the Higgins Côte de Boeuf with Bordelaise jus, béarnaise and crispy potatoes (€95). At lunchtime, though, I went for the Cáis na Tíre agnolotti with sprouting broccoli, maitake and Roscoff onion (€34), while Mr Delicious Dublin ordered the lamb loin, shoulder and kofta with grilled leek and tzatziki (€36).

Both dishes were packed with flavour, confident without being overcomplicated.

Service was warm and attentive, and we were lucky enough to have owner Jess there that day, which naturally made the whole experience feel even more hospitable.

Mamó is a beautiful restaurant and well worth the trip to Howth. If you can’t make it out that way, keep Margadh, its sister restaurant at the RHA, on your list too.

Website: www.mamo.ie

Mr Fox

I’ve mentioned before that Mr Fox is one of my favourite places in Dublin for a celebratory meal, so when our 10th wedding anniversary came around recently, it was an obvious choice for date night. We’ve actually been together for 21 years!

The restaurant was particularly busy for a Thursday evening, but it still had that intimate, slightly tucked-away atmosphere I’ve always liked about it. You’re in a basement, after all.

A few months ago, Mr Fox announced a new chef and patron, Adam Jordan, whose experience includes Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Greenhouse and Chapter One. I also like the fact that the restaurant offers both an à la carte menu and a chef’s set menu (€73).

We were sent a complimentary snack of their 48-hour sourdough, which they’ve been making themselves since Covid, with a deeply savoury parmesan custard and cep butter.

We then shared the beef tartare on hash brown with gochujang emulsion and horseradish (€10), followed by a pork croquette with burnt apple sauce, gribiche and crispy wakame (€16).

For mains, I went for the spaghettini with lobster, vanilla bisque and kumquat (€35). It sounds like there’s a lot going on, but the sweetness of the lobster and vanilla worked beautifully with the sharp citrus hit from the kumquat.

Mr Delicious Dublin chose the roasted duck with confit leg, apricot, baby turnip and ancho chilli (€36), which was rich and well balanced.

Dessert was an elegant citrus posset with Earl Grey, white chocolate and Irish strawberries (€11). It was one of those desserts you almost don’t want to disturb with a spoon. Almost.

Everything we ate delivered in terms of both flavour and presentation. The service was friendly and attentive as always, and once again we left saying that Mr Fox remains one of our favourite restaurants in Dublin.

Website: www.mrfoxrestaurant.ie

24 Hours in Cork

Once again, this is the written version of a Reel I posted on Instagram after spending 24 very delicious hours in Cork.

Here are a few recommendations worth saving for your next trip to the Rebel County.

Good Day Deli

I know the phrase hidden gem gets thrown around far too often, but Good Day Deli really does deserve it.

A casual visitor to Cork could easily miss it completely. It’s tucked away inside the beautiful walled gardens of Nano Nagle Place, and on the day I visited, with sunshine and temperatures in the mid-20s, it felt like stepping into a little oasis.

Getting a table outside made it an even better lunch stop.

The menu focuses on sustainable, local and organic produce across breakfast, brunch and lunch, and I had to try their famous fish tacos (€24.50).

They use Ballycotton Irish hake and Blanco Niño tortillas, topped with smoky chipotle and lime aioli, cabbage slaw, onion, jalapeño and coriander. Mine was perhaps a little enthusiastic on the aioli, but the fish itself was beautifully cooked and the whole plate was fresh, generous and full of flavour.

They came with green leaves and excellent chunky paprika chips, and it was such a substantial lunch that dessert was no longer an option.

The staff were lovely too, taking the time to explain the menu and where the ingredients came from.

A top-notch café experience in one of Cork’s loveliest settings.

Good Day Deli also has a sister business, Nádúr Deli, serving baked goods, sandwiches and coffee at weekends from an 18th-century building at Nano Nagle Place.

Website: https://www.gooddaydeli.ie/

The Butter Museum

Next stop was one of my favourite museums in Ireland, The Butter Museum on O’Connell Square in Shandon.

It stands on the site of the former Cork Butter Market, which operated from 1769 to 1924. If you have even a passing interest in Irish food history, or simply love Irish butter, it’s absolutely worth a visit.

It’s a small museum, but it manages to tell a much bigger story, from ancient bog butter and domestic butter-making to the Cork Butter Exchange and, eventually, the international success of the Kerrygold brand.

One thing that’s been added since my last visit is a tiny gift shop. Sadly, there’s no online version yet.

They also run butter-making demonstrations on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12 noon.

Website: www.thebuttermuseum.com

The Glass Curtain

The Glass Curtain is a Michelin-recommended restaurant on MacCurtain Street and another very good example of modern Irish cooking.

The setting is relaxed and informal, although the pricing leans more towards fine dining.

The à la carte menu is designed largely for sharing, from snacks and starters through to larger dishes, so it’s probably not the easiest place for a solo diner. There’s also a €90 tasting menu if you’d rather let the kitchen take over.

I started with a delicate scallop tartare on a shiso leaf (€6), followed by a much richer plate of house black pudding with apple and walnut ketchup and pickled radicchio (€18).

There was lamb saddle and belly with courgette and jus gras, and for dessert, local strawberries with ricotta ice cream and oat biscuits.

Solid cooking, very good service and definitely somewhere I’d return to.

Website: https://www.theglasscurtain.ie/

Luna Bakery

Just before heading to Cork, I saw Darina Allen post about a newly opened artisan bakery in Cork city centre, which was perfect timing.

Luna had only opened about a week earlier, so naturally I had to investigate.

It’s a beautiful coffee shop and bakery, and a sister business to Luna Coffee + Wine in Killarney. The interior is bright and contemporary, but what really catches your eye is the counter piled with baked goods.

There were sausage rolls, sandwiches, scones, cinnamon buns, cookies and plenty of laminated pastries.

I went for a Killarney honey and sea salt croissant with a flat white. Crisp, buttery layers with just enough sweetness from the honey and that little salty finish that makes you immediately want another bite.

Definitely one to watch.

Website: https://www.lunacoffeewine.ie/

The English Market

I am deeply envious of Corkonians for having The English Market.

I also feel slightly ashamed whenever food-tour guests ask me whether Dublin has anything similar.

The market dates back to 1788, and although it has faced plenty of challenges over the centuries, it’s still operating and thriving more than two centuries later.

Honestly, I enjoyed it even more than I remembered from my previous visit.

There’s a brilliant mix of traders and a genuinely lived-in feeling to the place, with older Cork locals buying meat from long-established butcher counters alongside visitors photographing stalls overflowing with produce.

Some personal favourites include the fermented drinks and foods from My Goodness (and I’m very far from vegan), the French and Irish cheese and charcuterie at On the Pigs Back, and the sandwiches and produce from Toonsbridge Dairy.

But really, there are far too many good things under that roof to mention them all.

Website: https://www.corkcity.ie/en/english-market/

Delicious Dublin Tours News

Stoneybatter Food Tour

I’m delighted to be launching a brand-new food tour as part of the Delicious Dublin Tours range.

Following a special tour I created for the Stoneybatter Festival, I’ve decided to make the Stoneybatter Food Tour a regular monthly experience.

The first tour will take place on Sunday 27th of September at 2pm.

As a local resident, I’ll be bringing guests to five independent food businesses, while sharing the stories of the people behind them, the neighbourhood and its local food history.

The Stoneybatter Food Tour will run on the last Sunday of every month, with a break from November to February. Dates for 2027 are already available to book.

To celebrate the launch, use code STONEY15 for 15% off.

Book here:
https://deliciousdublintours.com/experiences/stoneybatter-food-tour-2/

Summer Staff Party

We recently celebrated our Delicious Dublin Tours summer staff party with a very special Guinness experience. The day included a fantastic private tour of the former home of Arthur Guinness, a behind-the-scenes look at the Guinness Brewery production facilities, and, of course, a visit to the iconic Guinness Storehouse.

It was a brilliant opportunity to spend time together as a team while experiencing Ireland’s most-visited tourist attraction from a whole new perspective. We left buzzing from the experience, and full of fascinating stories and insights to share with our guests!

Join a Delicious Dublin Food Tour

Whether you have visitors coming to town or simply want to rediscover Dublin through a food lover’s lens, our Original Food Tour is a wonderful introduction to Dublin and the history of Irish food.

Along the way, we visit independent businesses, taste a mix of Irish food and drink, and explore some of the stories that have shaped the country’s food culture.

Book here:
https://deliciousdublintours.com/experiences/delicious-dublin-food-tour/

Final Bite

Thank you so much for reading.

As always, I’d love to hear about any great meals, food finds or recommendations you’ve come across recently. And if you visit any of the places mentioned above, do let me know what you think.

You can reply directly to this newsletter or find me on Instagram:

@kettyquigley

@deliciousdublintours

Until next time,

Ketty

Welcome to all the new subscribers who have joined since my last post. I’m guessing you’re here for my promised Bilbao and San Sebastián food recommendations.

San Sebastián had been on my food travel list for years, but both the pandemic and motherhood altered my plans, and it took me about six years to finally book the trip!

The late American chef and food writer Anthony Bourdain was talking about San Sebastián being the best place to eat in the world long before food influencers showed up with their selfie sticks and Instagram Reels. He mentioned it in several of his food travel shows (A Cook’s Tour (2001), No Reservations (2008) and Parts Unknown (2017)), highlighting that San Sebastián had one of the highest numbers of Michelin stars per capita in the world.

In recent years, food influencers have been posting videos of all the pintxos spots to try in San Sebastián. Topjaw, which has more than a million followers, was there earlier this year, which I believe added so much to the hype that some of the places now have queues of people wanting to try the dishes they recommended.

Pretty much every food enthusiast I know has been to either Bilbao or San Sebastián, so I arrived armed with a solid list that combined their recommendations with my own research. I wasn’t interested in trying any Michelin-starred restaurants. I just wanted to eat as many pintxos as possible (small appetisers, often served on a slice of bread and usually eaten standing at a bar with a drink in your other hand) and drink Txakoli (a slightly sparkling dry white wine) because I’m a woman of simple pleasures.

I felt that going for pintxos in some places was the equivalent of going for pints in a busy Irish pub. You have to elbow your way through the crowd and fight for the staff’s attention, except there’s no real queueing system. Most bars seem to be famous for one particular pintxo, something they do exceptionally well, which gives you the perfect excuse to do a pintxos crawl.

The thing that struck me most was how efficient the bar staff were everywhere I went, even in the places that are clearly overrun with food tourists. Even with my broken Spanish, people were always friendly and courteous.

I based myself in Bilbao for longer because it feels less touristy and is cheaper in terms of accommodation. Here’s my list of places I’d recommend, although I already know I’ll have to go back to try some of the spots that were closed during my visit.

Bilbao

Perro Chico

With a temperature of 45 degrees on my first day there, I wasn’t up for a full pintxos crawl, so I headed to Perro Chico, a craft beer bar serving Asian food.

It’s located near the Nervión River and has some seats outside, while the interior features exposed brick walls and mosaic-tiled floors.

They have a selection of local craft beers, many from Basqueland, one of the Basque Country’s best-known craft breweries.

The food has an Asian influence, with pad Thai, pho and noodles on the menu. The pork shoulder Bánh Mì was decent, but the beer was the highlight.

Website:

https://www.perrochicobar.com/

Pintxos

El Globo

This popular pintxos bar came up several times in people’s recommendations. I actually visited their El Globo Diputación location (close to the main shopping area) on a food tour and their Plaza Nueva location (the more touristy one) in my own time.

There’s a huge selection of pintxos, but they’re particularly famous for their spider crab gratin pintxo. They also have an award-winning potato and truffle gratin version.

Website:

https://www.barelglobo.es/

Gure Toki

This was my favourite pintxos bar, located on one of the corners of the busy Plaza Nueva in the Old Town. Not only did it have the most interesting flavour combinations, it also had the best-looking pintxos. It felt more contemporary than many of the other places I visited.

The cheese soup with quail egg and mushroom was incredible and an absolute must-try. When I was there, I noticed a Michelin plaque from 2020, so they used to be included in the guide, and I can understand why.

Website:

https://www.guretoki.com/

Other places that were recommended to me

Café Iruña

It’s known as one of Bilbao’s most traditional cafés (open since 1903) and has beautiful Mudéjar-inspired décor. However, when I got there, most of the pintxos had already sold out, and the ones that were left looked like they’d been sitting there for a while, so I didn’t try the food.

Website:

https://www.cafeirunabilbao.net/

Café Bar

Another place that came up repeatedly in recommendations. It’s a popular pintxos bar on Plaza Nueva, but it was sadly closed for holidays during my visit.

Website:

https://bilbao-cafebar.com/

El Puertito

I didn’t make it to this oyster bar, but my foodie colleague Kevin recommended it. If you love oysters, it’s a must-visit. You can try oysters from different parts of the world, including Ireland and, of course, France.

Website:

http://elpuertito.es/

Michelin Guide

While there are 12 Michelin-starred restaurants in Bilbao, including one in the Guggenheim Museum, I decided to keep things casual with lunch at one of the city’s four Bib Gourmand restaurants.

Al Margen

Al Margen is located along the river, just across from Mercado de la Ribera and next to San Antón Bridge. It’s a casual restaurant with contemporary décor.

I went for the Bib Gourmand tasting menu, priced at €50 for three snacks and seven courses. The food was simple but beautifully executed, using seasonal produce. The vegetarian dishes were particularly impressive.

Website:

https://restaurantealmargen.com/

Speciality Coffee

Baristas Club

This cosy speciality coffee shop is located in the Old Town and is a great spot for a caffeine fix or breakfast.

They have a selection of filter coffees, espresso drinks, matcha and other teas. The food menu ranges from healthy porridge, smoothies and açai bowls to a variety of toast toppings, pastries and brunch dishes.

I particularly enjoyed the Iberian toast, sourdough topped with grated tomato and acorn-fed Iberian ham. The flat white was excellent too.

Website:

https://atbaristasbilbao.com/

Dupla

This speciality coffee shop felt a little more Gen Z in terms of both the décor and the menu. They definitely want their food to end up on Instagram.

It’s also in the Old Town, close to the river. I had a good flat white and toast with tomato and jamón (not quite as good as Baristas Club’s, although I did ask for it without avocado). They also offer pastries, bagels, toasts and healthy bowls such as açai or yoghurt with granola.

Website: https://www.duplabilbao.com/en

Arvo

This is the speciality coffee shop to visit before or after exploring the incredible Guggenheim Museum (which was originally my reason for visiting Bilbao).

It was hopping when I visited. Their coffee is roasted in the Basque Country by Old Town Coffee, and they serve espresso, filter coffee, cold brew, matcha and seasonal drinks.

Although I didn’t eat there, I spotted some tempting sweet treats, including Basque cheesecake, along with breakfast, brunch and sandwich options.

Website:

https://arvobilbao.es/

Food Shopping

Mercado de la Ribera

Mercado de la Ribera is located in the Old Town beside the river estuary, housed in a beautiful building with stained-glass windows. It’s one of the largest covered markets in Europe, with food stalls spread across several floors.

It’s well worth visiting in the morning to watch locals queueing for meat, fish and seafood. It’s exactly the kind of market Dublin lacks, somewhere people can buy quality fresh produce to cook at home.

There are gastrobars on the ground floor, but local guides warned me that they aren’t where locals eat and don’t really serve authentic food.

Website:

https://mercadodelaribera.biz/

La Quesería

I loved this little cheese shop, whose motto is “Cheese, wine and rock’n’roll.”

Located on a busy street in the Old Town, it has a fantastic selection of local and international cheeses, natural wines, craft beer (I even spotted cans from Ireland’s Whiplash Brewery), crackers, chutneys, chocolate and plenty of delicious edible souvenirs.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_queseria_bilbao/?hl=en

Traditional Desserts

Arrese

This traditional pastry shop has several locations around the city, where you’ll find classic Bilbao desserts alongside other confectionery.

La Carolina is a custard tart made with shortcrust pastry and topped with meringue, chocolate and egg yolk.

The pastel de arroz (rice tart) was originally made with rice flour, although it no longer is. It’s essentially Bilbao’s answer to the Portuguese pastel de nata.

Website:

https://arrese.biz/

Botxito

This is a lovely little shop dedicated to the Bollo de Mantequilla, a traditional milk bun filled with butter.

You’ll find the classic version alongside variations with flavours such as chocolate and passion fruit.

Address: Kapelagile Kalea 3, Ibaiondo, 48005 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain.

San Sebastián

After spending a few days in Bilbao, I moved on to San Sebastián (it's only a 1.5-hour bus ride). While Bilbao won me over with its laid-back atmosphere, edgier feel and slightly more local vibe, San Sebastián is undeniably one of Europe's great food cities. Yes, it's busier and more touristy, but there's a reason people travel from all over the world to eat there.

Pintxos Bars

La Mejillonera

I visited this old-school pintxos bar, dedicated to mussels, during a food tour. I was delighted because it had also been recommended to me by Kevin.

Don’t be put off by the kitsch pictures of the dishes on the walls, they’re part of the charm.

The cold mussels in a vinaigrette dressing were particularly tasty. We also tried Padrón peppers, mussels in tomato sauce and their award-winning patatas bravas.

It felt like a truly authentic spot where you ditch your dirty napkin and empty mussel shells into the dedicated space along the counter.

Website:

https://cerveceriaslamejillonera.es/

Bar Desy

This place has featured in countless Instagram Reels and is located in the Gros neighbourhood, close to Zurriola Beach.

It was obvious that plenty of people had come specifically for its famous Txuleta burger (ideal if you like your beef rare), served with cream cheese in a soft brioche bun. It was absolutely delicious.

The Basque cheesecake, however, was a little underwhelming in my opinion. It simply hadn’t spent long enough in the oven.

The place is tiny but has a great atmosphere and a few seats outside. They also serve some excellent local craft beers.

Website:

https://bar-desy.locallya.com/

Bar Sport

I managed to visit Bar Sport when it was extremely busy, yet it was still surprisingly easy to order.

I tried the two pintxos they’re best known for: the silky smooth curried sea urchin cream and the grilled foie gras (I’m French, I couldn’t resist).

Once again, the staff were incredibly efficient and the prices were very reasonable considering it’s located in one of the busiest parts of the Old Town.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barsport_ss/?hl=en

Gandarias

Another Old Town institution that came up repeatedly in recommendations, particularly for steak.

There’s both a seated restaurant and a standing bar with an extensive pintxos menu.

I particularly enjoyed the rib-eye skewer with fries. It was basically a mini steak frites.

Website: https://www.restaurantegandarias.com/en/

Places I Didn’t Get to Try

A few places that came highly recommended were unfortunately closed for holidays during my visit:

• Bar Néstor, famous for its steak.

• La Viña, widely regarded as one of the best places for Basque cheesecake.

• Ganbara, one of Anthony Bourdain’s favourites.

La Cuchara de San Telmo, famous for its suckling pig, had enormous queues outside, which put me off trying it.

Sit-Down Restaurant

Gerald’s Bar

All the hipsters who, I suspect, had watched Topjaw’s video on San Sebastián were queueing outside this restaurant before it even opened for dinner.

Thankfully, I’d booked a table on the recommendation of the lovely Tom, owner of Vice Coffee.

This Australian-owned restaurant in the Gros neighbourhood was turning lots of people away while I was there.

I was excited to try their steak tartare, which sadly wasn’t on the menu during my visit.

The only downside, as a solo diner, was that I couldn’t try much of the menu because the dishes are designed for sharing.

What I did eat, however, was bursting with flavour: courgette in escabeche with anchovies served alongside sourdough bread, followed by a huge dish of grilled runner beans with juicy tomatoes, pistachio pesto and ricotta.

This is definitely somewhere I’d recommend visiting with a group.

Website:

https://geraldsbar.eu/

Coffee

Simona Coffee Club

I completely fell for this speciality coffee shop near Zurriola Beach in the Gros neighbourhood.

It’s a spacious café with contemporary design serving single-origin coffee, breakfast, brunch and homemade baked goods.

I tried the granola and banana bread on separate visits, and both were excellent.

My only regret is that I didn’t try their Basque cheesecake, which looked fantastic.

They also have two other cafés in different parts of San Sebastián.

Website: https://simonacoffeeclub.com/en/quien-es-simona/

I hope you enjoy my recommendations!

All I can say is that I already want to go back and explore more. Both cities are a food lover’s paradise, and I know there are still plenty of places left for me to discover.

If you know anyone planning a trip to Bilbao or San Sebastián, I’d really appreciate it if you shared this newsletter with them.

Join a Delicious Dublin Food Tour

Whether you have visitors coming to town or simply want to rediscover Dublin through a food lover’s lens, our tours are a wonderful way to explore the city’s food scene and the stories behind it.

You can find all our upcoming tours here:

https://www.deliciousdublintours.com

Final Bite

Thank you so much for reading.

As always, I’d love to hear about any great meals, food finds or recommendations you’ve come across recently.

If you visit any of the places mentioned above, do let me know what you think.

You can reply directly to this newsletter or find me on Instagram:

@kettyquigley
@deliciousdublintours

Until next time,

Ketty

It feels like much longer than a month since my last post.

Looking back through my camera roll, I realised just how much food I’ve managed to squeeze into the past few weeks. As usual, it’s a mix of old favourites and new discoveries that I hope will inspire your next lunch, dinner, picnic, pint or food adventure around Dublin.

The Infamous Bacon & Pear Sandwich at The Pepper Pot

I’ve mentioned The Pepper Pot before because it’s one of my favourite lunch spots in Dublin. The food is consistently excellent and it’s tucked away inside the beautiful Powerscourt Townhouse Centre.

Last month, I brought two Swedish food writers there during a private food tour. They met owner Marianne Kilcoyne, who shared the story of how she and a friend opened the café in 2010 after completing the Ballymaloe Cookery Course and working in cafés around Dublin. They started during the recession on a shoestring budget, using mismatched crockery borrowed from family members and serving simple food they genuinely loved: Victoria sponge, egg mayo sandwiches and proper home baking.

Sixteen years later, it’s one of the busiest cafés in the city.

And then there’s the bacon and pear sandwich.

Do I even need to introduce it? Poached pear, salty bacon, Hegarty’s cheddar, mustard mayo, organic salad leaves and the softest, pillowy white bread imaginable. I had one after a recent tour and was reminded just how good such a simple sandwich can be.

The Pepper Pot celebrated its anniversary this week. I’d rather not calculate how many bacon and pear sambos I’ve eaten there over the years. The answer would almost certainly be embarrassing.

Website https://www.thepepperpot.ie/

The Boxty Platter at Gallagher’s Boxty House

We work with Gallagher’s Boxty House on our food tours, and I think Dubliners overlook some of Temple Bar’s independent businesses because of the area’s reputation for tourist traps.

That’s a shame because places like Gallagher’s are exactly the sort of family-run businesses we should be celebrating.

The restaurant opened in 1988, long before Temple Bar became synonymous with overpriced pints and hen parties. Owner Pádraic Gallagher is one of the most passionate advocates for traditional Irish food you’ll ever meet. Chef, brewer and academic, he’s spent decades championing Irish ingredients and culinary traditions.

If a restaurant can survive and thrive in Temple Bar for almost four decades, it’s clearly doing something right.

The restaurant celebrates boxty, a traditional potato pancake associated with the north-west of Ireland, alongside recipes inspired by 18th- and 19th-century Irish cooking.

I recently stopped in for lunch and ordered the Boxty Platter, which is a brilliant introduction to the many forms boxty can take. My favourite element is always the boxty fries, strips of boxty pancake deep-fried until crisp and dangerously addictive. They should really be served with a warning.

I also revisited one of my favourite dishes on the menu: the corned beef boxty dumplings with cabbage, kale and parsley sauce. Comfort food at its finest.

And if you’ve ever wondered why corned beef features on the menu, Pádraic co-authored a fascinating paper on the history of Irish corned beef with food historian Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire.

Website https://www.boxtyhouse.ie/

A Fallon & Byrne Picnic at the International Literature Festival

I’ve always loved a picnic.

Whether it was grabbing a baguette, some cheese and a bottle of wine when I lived in Paris or sitting by the canal when I first moved to Dublin, eating outdoors has always felt like one of life’s simple pleasures.

Thankfully, my three-year-old son seems to be developing the same appreciation.

Back in May, we spontaneously picked up a few treats from Fallon & Byrne and headed to the International Literature Festival in Merrion Square.

One of my favourite options is their Al Fresco Formaggio Box, packed with Irish cheese, charcuterie, grapes, onion marmalade, smoked almonds and crackers. We supplemented it with fresh baguette, pesto, hummus, tabbouleh salad, Irish strawberries and cans of wine (the latter were strictly for the adults).

When the weather cooperates, this city can be heaven.

Website https://www.fallonandbyrne.com/

PSA: Tartiflette Crisps Have Arrived in Smithfield

This is an important public service announcement.

I’m a huge fan of the French crisp brand Bret’s, which produces some wonderfully eccentric flavours. Some are very French — Camembert, rotisserie chicken and côte de boeuf — while others take inspiration from further afield.

In recent years I’ve only spotted a small selection in Fallon & Byrne, but recently I discovered that Fresh in Smithfield has started stocking them too.

Most importantly, they had the Tartiflette flavour.

For anyone unfamiliar with tartiflette, it’s a glorious Alpine dish of potatoes, Reblochon cheese, lardons and onions. Essentially, everything that makes life worth living.

Remarkably, the crisps genuinely taste like tartiflette.

Other flavours included honey and mustard, pesto and mozzarella, and salt and vinegar.

Website https://freshthegoodfoodmarket.ie/

The Fish Burger at Fish Shop

The recent spell of good weather triggered a serious fish and chips craving.

I headed to Fish Shop on Benburb Street and somehow managed to secure a seat in what remains one of Dublin’s smallest and best seafood restaurants.

I found myself squeezed between American and French tourists on a solo late lunch, which felt entirely appropriate.

I ordered the fish burger with chips, which I first tasted in 2014 in their shack at the back of Blackrock Market when I used to blog on French Foodie in Dublin.

Fresh fish in light batter, excellent tartare sauce and proper chunky chips. It’s still the place I recommend whenever visitors ask me where to find the best fish and chips in Dublin.

Website https://fish-shop.ie/

Pints and a Toastie at Grogan’s

A few members of the Delicious Dublin Tours team recently met up with our former colleague Ross for pints at Grogan’s.

What can I say about Grogan’s that hasn’t already been said?

It’s one of Dublin’s great pubs, full of history and character.

Whether you’re sheltering from the rain inside or sitting outside on Castle Market on a sunny day, Grogan’s always feels like the right place to be.

As we felt peckish after a few pints, we ordered the famous toastie: ham, cheddar, tomatoes and red onions in buttered sliced pan.

A pint of Guinness and a toastie at Grogan’s must surely rank among Ireland’s most iconic food and drink pairings.

Website http://www.groganspub.ie/

Pig’s Head Carnitas at 777

Vegetarians, look away.

Before parenthood entered the picture, 777 was one of my favourite restaurants in Dublin.

I’ve spent many Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesdays and Sunday brunches there over the years.

For some reason, I hadn’t been back since around 2019.

Recently, after a few pints with fellow Delicious Dublin Tours guides Kevin and Sinéad, we found ourselves looking for food and decided to eat there on a whim.

I immediately suggested the pig’s head carnitas.

The dish arrives dramatically, with the whole pig’s head briefly presented before disappearing back to the kitchen to be transformed into tender carnitas served with all the trimmings: guacamole, pickles, salsa and tortillas.

It’s crispy, fatty, melt-in-the-mouth and so flavoursome.

At €64, it’s also surprisingly good value when shared between three or four people.

The meal felt like a lovely blast from the past — a reminder of why 777 used to be one of Dublin’s trendiest restaurants.

Website https://777.ie/

Banco: Stoneybatter’s Latest Opening

I can’t write this newsletter without mentioning Stoneybatter’s newest opening: Banco.

The latest venture from Roberto Mungo, the man behind Grano and A Fianco, has brought a slice of Italy to Manor Street and, judging by the queues during its first week, Dubliners were very excited about its arrival.

What I particularly like about Banco is that it feels genuinely different from many of the bakeries that have opened in recent years. The space is beautifully designed — I’m especially fond of the “I Loaf You” print — and you can watch the bakers at work through a glass panel while deciding which pastry to order.

On my various visits, I sampled a pistachio and orange pastry, a cornetto filled with custard, and a focaccia romana. Unlike the thicker focaccia many of us are familiar with, this Roman-style version is thinner and filled like a sandwich. I opted for the mortadella version, packed with black pig mortadella, burrata and tomatoes.

It was substantial, delicious and transported me straight to Italy without having to leave Dublin 7.

Banco on Instagram

Food in the Time of Ulysses

Regular readers will know how much I enjoy Ann Marie Duffin’s Instagram account, Bia Duit.

If you have any interest in Irish food history, folklore, old advertisements or forgotten culinary traditions, it’s one of the most fascinating accounts you’ll find online.

Earlier this week, half the Delicious Dublin Tours team attended her latest event, a collaboration with Dublin historian Donal Fallon of the excellent Three Castles Burning podcast.

Held on the eve of Bloomsday, the talk explored food in the world of Ulysses and the Dublin of 1904.

While I was already familiar with most of the food references, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing two of my favourite Instagram accounts and podcasts share a stage.

As an added bonus, the food was provided by Assassination Custard, the famously elusive restaurant that never seems to be open.

I’ve been lucky enough to eat there twice, and both visits were memorable.

If you’re interested in Dublin history or Irish food culture, I highly recommend following both Ann Marie and Donal.

Follow Bia Duit on Instagram

Follow Three Castles Burning on Instagram

Delicious Dublin Tours News

Stoneybatter Food Tour

By the time you read this, I'll be putting the finishing touches to a very special tour I'm running as part of the Stoneybatter Festival.

This weekend’s Stoneybatter Food Tour has completely sold out, which is so exciting!

The tour is particularly close to my heart because Stoneybatter is my neighbourhood. The businesses we’ll visit are places I genuinely spend my own money in, and many of the owners are people I’ve got to know over the years.

What makes Stoneybatter special is that so many of its food and drink businesses are independently owned by people who actually live locally. It still feels like a village despite being just minutes from the city centre.

Alongside plenty of good food, I’ll be sharing local food history and the neighbourhood’s remarkable transformation over the past century.

Join a Delicious Dublin Food Tour

Whether you have visitors coming to town or simply want to rediscover Dublin through a food-lover’s lens, our tours are a wonderful way to explore the city’s food scene and the stories behind it.

You can find all upcoming tours here:

https://www.deliciousdublintours.com

Final Bite

Thank you so much for reading.

As always, I’d love to hear about any great meals, food finds or recommendations you’ve come across recently. If you visit any of the places mentioned above, do let me know what you think.

You can reply directly to this newsletter or find me on Instagram:

@kettyquigley

@deliciousdublintours

Until next time,

Ketty

It’s already mid-May and I’ve been piling up meals out while realising that I haven’t posted here yet. I’ve been wondering whether I’d rather go back to detailed full reviews and send them as I go, or send a weekly newsletter instead of a monthly one. Any feedback would be very welcome.

So here are the meals worth sharing from the past few weeks:

🥪 Brunch at Vada: the tastiest breakfast sandwich

Vada sits on the border of Smithfield, Grangegorman and Stoneybatter, in what used to be vegan junk food joint V-Face. The same owner, Sarah Boland, opened Vada in 2025 as a café during the day, turning into a casual bistro in the evening. They quickly attracted the attention of the Michelin Guide with their restaurant offering and were added to their Dublin listing last year.

I’ve been twice. My first visit funnily involved a halloumi special that arrived with no halloumi in it, quickly rectified. My second visit was a much tastier affair. A post-bathroom-shopping celebration with the husband brought us to Vada for brunch last month.

Vada prides itself on seasonality and sustainability. The brunch menu is short but with solid options like breakfast croissants, mushrooms on toast or sausage rolls, with prices ranging from €7 to €17.

The breakfast sandwich — far from the Celtic Tiger breakfast roll — might be a hefty €15, but it’s absolutely worth it. A satisfying feed for the hungry: a brioche bun filled with an Italian sausage patty, a herby hash brown (which makes it extra delicious), smoked Knockanore cheese and chipotle ketchup. Flavour-bomb and probably the perfect hangover cure.

They also have a number of specials written on the blackboard, which I’d say is largely down to using ingredients from the dinner service. On that visit, I went for the ’nduja baked cabbage with mozzarella, parsnips, croutons, poached eggs and pesto (€17.50). A lot going on in this dish — cheesy, spicy and sweet goodness. I had a refreshing cherry, lemon and ginger kefir alongside it.

The place has beautiful décor with green walls, white tiles and walnut tables, but it lacked a bit of atmosphere. I don’t think there was music, maybe that’s why. Not sure what it’s like during dinner service, where they serve snacks plus small and larger plates (€4–36). But the breakfast sandwich alone makes it worth trying.

Website:

https://www.hellovada.com/

🍕 Mani for a cheap-ish and cheerful lunch

It’s my second time bringing the 3-year-old to Mani since they opened their bigger location on the same street as the original Mani on Drury Street (soon to become Morso sandwich shop). Needless to say, my little one is a big fan and this is probably in his top five restaurants in Dublin.

The décor is Gen Z dream territory: pink walls, funky Italian-themed pictures and Aperol Spritz on tap.

I personally go for the aubergine slice (€7.50) for my toddler because “eat your veggies” (although it’s technically a fruit cooked like a vegetable): aubergine, tomato, basil, fior di latte, parmesan gratin and house-made pesto. I’ve also had the potato slice (€6.50) with sliced Rooster potatoes, rosemary salt and EVOO because I’m a sucker for potatoes on pizza. I’ve been team potato pizza since my teenagehood in France.

And for extra indulgence, the supplì alla Romana (€4.50) is a great morsel of fried tomato rice ball stuffed with melted fior di latte.

Mani is a good option if you need a quick inexpensive lunch on the go, though you just might feel old if you’re over 35 there.

Website:

https://www.manipizza.ie/

🍳 Brunch at Two Pups, or not ordering food from a human being

I found myself famished after fasting for blood tests one morning and wanted something brunchy as I had skipped breakfast and it was close to lunch. So I headed to the Liberties for brunch at Two Pups.

This very popular café opened in 2016 on Francis Street, one of my favourite streets in the city. There’s always a long queue outside at weekends. Since opening, they’ve expanded to Fairview, launched Bold Boy bakery, and transformed into Notions wine bar on Francis Street from Tuesday to Saturday evenings.

Now millennial me had a bit of a shock when I noticed the ordering process. You find a table, scan a QR code and order/pay for your food yourself — something I haven’t really encountered elsewhere in Dublin despite visiting lots of cafés.

No interaction required and your food is simply brought to your table.

I had especially brought a book with me so I wouldn’t be on my phone, but instead had to scroll against my will. The irony.

Now don’t get me wrong — my Turkish eggs (cucumber and dill labneh, poached eggs, crispy chilli and cashew oil, nigella seeds and scallions on sourdough), flat white (€4.40) and cookie (€3.60) were all excellent and one of the best brunches I’ve had in a while.

I’m sure there are very good operational reasons for the QR-code ordering system too, especially in such a busy café. But the modern concept of not ordering food from a human being still left me perplexed — as it did the older French tourist couple beside me.

They ordered their food and coffees through the app and were culturally shocked that their coffees arrived at the same time as their shakshuka (which they had to Google). They sent back their coffee because in la France you drink coffee at the end of the meal.

I’m planning to check out Notions, the wine bar version of Two Pups, soon, which has an incredibly tempting menu. I’m just hoping I’ll order my wine from a person and not my phone.

Website:

https://www.twopupscoffee.com/

🤧 Hera — the meal I never tasted

You know the way you have to reconfirm a booking 24 hours before when you reserve a restaurant online? This actually stresses me out because having a toddler who catches the latest crèche virus at least once a month — and passes it on to me by sneezing in my face — often leads to last-minute cancellations.

I had booked a date night at Hera weeks in advance and was really looking forward to it. I woke up with a slightly itchy throat but nothing else, so the husband and I headed to Dorset Street to check out one of the latest Dublin additions to the Michelin Guide. Great to see Michelin venturing northside by the way.

The building sits at the edge of Dorset Street, where Drumcondra begins, with Hera, the cool gastropub, on the left and Juno, the old-school pub, on the right.

As we were early, we were invited to wait in Juno, which was buzzing with locals. Hera’s appealing snack menu is available there too, with dishes like warm manzanilla olives, smoked cod taramasalata with house-made crisps and French onion croquettes with gruyère and pickled walnut (€3–8). While the pub looks traditional, the snacks definitely aren’t your standard pub fare.

But while waiting for our table, I realised my pint of Guinness tasted like nothing.

My sense of smell and taste were gone.

Sacrebleu (like nobody actually says in France), I found myself in a restaurant for a meal I would never taste. Honestly, this is nightmare material for someone whose life revolves around food.

We ordered:

• grilled Padrón peppers, sea buckthorn, Espelette pepper, dulse and Achill seaweed salt

• grilled white asparagus with beurre noisette dressing, pine nuts, sorrel, preserved lemon and sourdough crisps

• BBQ’d dry-aged tomahawk to share

• yeast butter fried potatoes

• hispi cabbage with harissa butter, kimchi seeds and crispy onions

Sadly I can’t really tell you what any of it tasted like. The husband enjoyed it though. Eating in a restaurant when you can’t taste anything isn’t an experience I want to repeat.

Still, the buzz, the friendly service and the company were lovely. I’ll just make sure I have all five functioning senses next time.

Website:

https://heradublin.ie/

🇮🇪 Tasting menu at Allta: a real sense of place through the plate

Now to one of the best meals I’ve had in this country.

You’ll find Allta in a fairly uninspiring corner of Grand Canal Dock, surrounded by soulless apartment and office buildings.

I had previously visited Allta alone when they had more of a sharing plates concept, but this time I returned with my husband to celebrate my birthday.

It’s a large cool modern space, with a sleek seating and bar area on the left and the restaurant dining room on the right.

They recently introduced a cocktail and seafood bar menu featuring cocktails made exclusively with Irish spirits. I need to go back for the Guinness Extra Stout and oyster ice cream, but this time I was here for the tasting menu.

My “Spicy Margarita” (€16) with poitín, rhubarb, celery, lacto-fermented chilli, lime and Stillgarden O’Maro didn’t really taste of margarita, but I suppose the point was to make it Irish. The carrot old fashioned (€16) — with peanut, miso, carrot, Killowen rum-made raisin whiskey and yogurt — was an interesting twist on a classic.

The tasting menu was priced at €95 per person and had a four-moment structure celebrating Irish landscape and seasonality.

The décor and atmosphere felt like we weren’t in Dublin at all. The sleek interiors gave New York or London vibes, but the hospitality and menu were unmistakably Irish.

Every single dish was flavoursome and tasted like spring.

Highlights included:

• asparagus ice cream

• citrus and sea urchin ceviche

• an incredible wild garlic custard with BBQ broad beans

• The excellent sourdough bread came with the most addictive shiitake and miso butter — honestly, I could have happily dined on that alone.

• Young Buck and dandelion ravioli with tonka bean

• Comeragh mountain lamb with pumpkin mole and fermented blackcurrant

The only slightly underwhelming dish was the dessert of magnolia ice cream, rhubarb and filo.

The room was filled with couples on date nights, birthday celebrations and what looked like tourists. Nice to see chef-owner Niall Davidson visiting every table — except ours! Though he did say hello from the kitchen when we arrived.

They also probably had the most casual sommelier I’ve ever encountered, which made the whole experience more relaxed and fun.

Dining at Allta definitely isn’t cheap, but it’s one for special occasions and people you really love.

I’d say Allta is a serious Michelin star contender — one that goes beyond the menu to give you a real sense of place.

Website:

https://www.allta.ie/

🥂 When 2 DDT team members go to Phibsborough

Sinéad and I, the two Northsiders of the team, spent a gorgeous evening eating and drinking our way around Phibsborough during Phizzfest, the local festival celebrating the arts, food and community of the neighbourhood every year. Sinéad also writes her own Substack focused on wine and food when she’s not guiding tours with us, so she’s always in the know about what’s worth eating and drinking around Dublin.

We kicked things off with a glass of champagne at Fíon Eile, a beautiful independent wine shop and wine bar.

Then we moved on to pints of Guinness at The Bohemian Bar while listening to our former lecturer, the inimitable Dr Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, speak (and sing of course) about the history of Irish food.

As we got peckish, we ended up at Bunsen for tasty burgers and cans of Whiplash Irish craft beer.

Phibsborough really is one of Dublin’s best neighbourhoods — full of fantastic independent food and drink spots.

Fíon Eile:

https://fioneile.ie/

The Bohemian Bar:

https://thebohemianbar.ie/

Bunsen:

https://bunsen.ie/

🎟️ Join a Delicious Dublin Food Tour

Whether you have visitors in town or just want to rediscover Dublin through a food-lover’s lens, our tours are a great way to explore the city’s food scene and its stories.

Book your spot here:

https://www.deliciousdublintours.com

💌 Final Bite

Thanks so much for reading — I hope you found some inspiration in this month’s bites.

If you visit any of the places mentioned, I’d love to hear from you. Just reply to this email or tag me on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kettyquigley
https://www.instagram.com/deliciousdublintours/

Until next time,

Ketty

Hope you had a lovely Easter.

As always at Delicious Dublin Tours HQ, we made sure to celebrate with Irish-made chocolate. This year we indulged in mini chocolate eggs from Grá Chocolates, made by Gráinne Mullins in Kilchreest, Co. Galway, as well as a beautiful Easter egg from Lorge Chocolatier in Kenmare, Co. Kerry—two brands well worth keeping in mind all year round (because chocolate definitely isn’t just for Easter).

In terms of meals out, it hasn’t been the busiest or most adventurous few weeks. I’ve actually found myself returning to a few all-time favourites once again. I definitely need to tackle my list of places to try more seriously for the next newsletter.

🍷 A Fianco

A Fianco is the sister wine bar to the ever-popular Italian restaurant Grano in Stoneybatter. If I’m being honest, it’s my favourite of the two. It’s much easier to get a table, and the setting is perfect for a date night. Grano, on the other hand, is better suited for small groups or family catch-ups who plan months ahead.

A Fianco is a compact, beautifully designed wine bar, with high stools along the counter and wall, and just a few low seats by the window. The modern design and wine-themed artwork give it a really cool vibe.

I’ve been many times, so it’s firmly on my favourites list. While there are some permanent menu staples, there are always seasonal additions using Calabrian and Irish ingredients.

The menu is built around small plates and snacks (€3.50–€16.50), often involving some form of bread as a vehicle for delicious toppings.

Must-orders for me:

• Deep-fried gnocco fritto with Calabrian black pig mortadella and burrata (€9)

• Spicy meatballs with tomato sauce and Calabrian smoked ricotta (€7)

Other highlights from this visit:

• Pappardelle stuffed with artichoke and potato, mint, thyme butter, and pecorino fondue (€16.50)

• Pane in cassetta (homemade bread) with thyme butter, Calabrian anchovies, and red pepper cream (€9)

• Parmigiana di melanzane (€9)

• ‘Bigne’ – a Piedmont hazelnut choux (€8)

The wine list is entirely Italian, with a strong Calabrian focus, and the staff are always friendly and great with recommendations.

One thing to note: dishes come out quickly, so it’s more of an in-and-out kind of place, especially when busy.

Little scoop: the team behind Grano and A Fianco are opening an Italian “forno” in Stoneybatter very soon (next to L. Mulligan Grocer). Expect breads, sweet treats, and more…

Website: https://afianco.ie/

🍝 Borgo – a family-friendly experience

As a mum to a 3-year-old who loves food, I’m always looking for places where I can bring him without compromising on quality.

I recently returned to Borgo for the third time—this time with him—and it’s a fantastic option for families. The space is generous, they have high chairs, and a great kids’ menu (€10), including a drink, main (pasta or pizzette), and ice cream.

They even provide a pasta-themed colouring sheet and crayons, which is always a win.

Highly recommended if you’re dining out with young children.

Website: https://www.borgodublin.ie/

☕ Flower & Bean

I really wish Flower & Bean was on my side of the river.

It’s a beautiful, welcoming café—though maybe not the place if you’re looking for a quiet, child-free flat white. It’s very family-oriented, with a small play area and lots of little ones about.

I love everything about it:

• The display of homemade baked goods

• The ever-changing floral décor

• The seasonal menu

They serve great brunch dishes (granola, porridge, shakshouka, eggs, pancakes) and sandwiches during the week.

They also host lovely events like silent book clubs, Polish food-themed dinners, and family activities.

More places like this in Dublin, please.

Website: https://www.flowerandbean.com/

🇮🇪 Bia Duit event

I’m a big fan of Bia Duit on Instagram, a page dedicated to Irish food and drink history and advertising.

Ann Marie Duffin, who runs it, recently hosted an event on Irish Easter food traditions in Cleary’s pub, which two of our team members thoroughly enjoyed attending. Alongside co-host Shaun Lavelle, she shared some fascinating Irish Easter customs, and guests got to enjoy three snacks from the couple behind Assassination Custard.

Definitely worth a follow if you’re into Irish food culture—and hopefully there’ll be more events like this to come.

Follow Bia Duit on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biaduit/

🎟️ Join a Delicious Dublin Food Tour

We’re getting ready for the busy season, with some May dates already sold out.

Whether you have visitors in town or just want to rediscover Dublin through a food-lover’s lens, our tours are a great way to explore the city’s food scene and its stories.

Book your spot here:

https://www.deliciousdublintours.com

💌 Final Bite

Thanks so much for reading—I hope you found some inspiration in this month’s bites.

If you visit any of the places mentioned, I’d love to hear from you—just reply to this email or tag me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kettyquigley
https://www.instagram.com/deliciousdublintours/

Until next time,
Ketty

With the brighter days and the kick-off of the food tour season, I’ve managed to eat out a bit more over the past few weeks, which means there’s a little more to share in this issue.

For those of you who are new here — I run Delicious Dublin Tours, where we spend a lot of time talking about Dublin’s food scene and Ireland’s culinary heritage with visitors from around the world. This newsletter is where I share some of the places I’ve personally been enjoying lately.

I’m very much a creature of habit when it comes to restaurants. When I find somewhere I like, I tend to go back again and again. I also believe that if we’re not loyal to the independent places we love, they simply won’t survive — especially in a city like Dublin where new spots seem to open every week.

At the same time, I’m finding the growing number of food chains a bit depressing. The dining scene starts to feel quite bland when the same concepts appear everywhere.

So this month’s list is a mix of long-time favourites and a few exciting recent openings.

🍐 The Pepper Pot

I’ve been a regular at The Pepper Pot for years. It’s often my go-to spot for a late lunch after running a food tour.

The setting in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is beautiful, and the food is reliably good: simple dishes made with Irish ingredients and excellent homemade baked goods served for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

I’ve probably eaten their bacon and pear sandwich a dozen times. I still remember when it cost €5.80 when I first tried it back in 2013. These days it’s €12.50 — which makes me wince slightly — but that’s unfortunately the going rate for a good sandwich in Dublin in 2026.

If I’m particularly hungry, I’ll order it with a mini soup on the side. On healthier days, I just go for the soup of the day with a thick slice of homemade brown bread (€7.50).

They also run daily specials. I recently had a very good chicken milanese with potato salad, though the specials change regularly, so it’s worth checking their Instagram to see what’s on.

My only complaint about The Pepper Pot is the queue. It can get quite long at weekends. That said, it usually moves quickly, so you rarely wait too long for a table.

I also love their recent addition of counter seating, which is perfect for a solo lunch — something I particularly enjoy.

Website https://www.thepepperpot.ie/

🍺 Caribou

Caribou has also become one of my favourite spots for lunch in the city centre.

The mid-century interiors are very cool, they have a great craft beer selection, and the food is easily some of the best bar food in Dublin. The staff are always friendly and accommodating.

It’s also a firm favourite with my three-year-old. We’ve been many times for their Sunday roast as a family. The space is large, they have high chairs, and the atmosphere is relaxed, so you often see couples with babies, toddlers and even dogs.

During the week, the menu focuses on sandwiches, small plates and sides, while the weekend menu features their roast dishes at slightly higher prices.

Meat eaters will enjoy the roast beef sandwich with caramelised onions, provolone cheese and confit garlic sauce, served in a baguette with a generous portion of gravy (€18.50).

Vegetarians won’t feel left out either. The mushroom shawarma flatbread is a real flavour bomb with oyster mushrooms, radicchio, whipped feta, pomegranate hot sauce, pickled onion and jalapeño (€15).

If you’re after something more substantial, the steak frites — grilled Irish rump steak with pepper sauce, chimichurri and fries (€25) — is excellent.

The only slightly frustrating thing is that Caribou seems almost too cool to have a website, publish their menu online or take bookings.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/caribou_dublin/?hl=en

🍝 Borgo

The Michelin Guide ceremony for Great Britain and Ireland 2026 took place at the Convention Centre Dublin last month. Many people in the industry speculated that Ireland might receive three Michelin stars (I personally didn’t think so), but Dublin did gain a new star with Forest Avenue joining the Michelin list.

Personally, I’ve always been more interested in the Bib Gourmand category, which recognises restaurants offering good quality food at good value. It’s usually a very reliable list.

One of the newest Bib Gourmand additions is Borgo, an Italian-inspired restaurant in Phibsborough in Dublin 7.

As a resident of Dublin 7, I obviously had to check it out. I’ve visited twice in recent months: once for a lunch date with my husband and once for a catch-up with a friend.

The restaurant itself is very spacious, which means you’re not squeezed in next to other diners like in many city-centre restaurants.

It’s also very family-friendly. There’s plenty of room for buggies, high chairs are available, and there’s a kids’ menu including a drink, pasta and dessert for €10.

The oyster mushroom with stracciatella and Highbank apple balsamic pizette (€12) is perfect for sharing.

The arancini with confit leeks and scamorza, served with charred leek aioli and generous gratings of Cáis na Tíre (€14), is another excellent starter.

There are five pasta dishes on the menu and the portions are very generous. Compared with nearby Grano in Stoneybatter, Borgo almost feels like it serves too much pasta.

My dining companions had the tortiglioni with milk-braised pork ragu (€22), which is deeply comforting.

I opted for the barley medaglioni with porcini ricotta, stracciatella and nameko mushrooms (€24), a lovely stuffed pasta dish with earthy flavours.

I’m not usually a big tiramisu fan, but Borgo’s version is worth ordering (€9), especially if you share it.

Website https://www.borgodublin.ie/

✨ Comet

One of my most exciting recent meals was at Comet, a restaurant I’d been meaning to visit for a while. After cancelling twice, I finally made it there — and I’m very glad I did.

The space has a Scandi feel, with wood panelling, low lighting and an intimate atmosphere. The lighting isn’t ideal for food photos, but it definitely adds to the charm.

The menu is seasonal and ingredient-driven, and honestly we wanted to order almost everything.

We started with snacks of Mount Leinster tart (€8), liver parfait and spicy date (€10), all of which were excellent.

My favourite dish of the night was the savoy cabbage with pistachio cream (14) — incredibly flavourful.

We also had roasted green asparagus with lardo di Colonnata (€18), which was delicious.

The signature dish — quail roasted on toast with vin jaune sauce (€34) — was rich and memorable.

The pommes boulangères (€8) were indulgent, and the grilled lamb with kale shoots and pine nuts (€32) was another highlight.

For dessert we had forced rhubarb with rice pudding (€10), which was simple, refreshing and a perfect way to end the meal.

The service was friendly and relaxed, and overall it felt like a very exciting restaurant.

A perfect date-night spot.

Website https://cometrestaurant.com/

☕ Volumes

Another recent opening I tried is Volumes, a new speciality coffee shop on George’s Quay.

It’s a beautiful and very spacious café with a strong Scandi feel, thanks to its minimal design and clean lines. Walking in almost feels like stepping into a café in Copenhagen.

Volumes was founded by Mark Cashen (of As One), Paddy Kirk (author of the Dublin Coffee Guide) and chef Fionn Dwyer Hyland, and the space reflects a clear focus on coffee, food and design.

One of the nicest features is the open kitchen and bakery, where you can see everything being prepared. Many things are made in-house, including their bagels.

I had the candied bacon bagel with scallion cream cheese (€13), which was very good. I also ordered the hash brown (€6.50), which had great flavours and came with an apricot harissa sauce, though I wished it had been a bit crispier and more golden.

The coffee is great and the food is worth trying, though it is definitely on the pricier side.

Still, it’s a very impressive opening and a great addition to Dublin’s speciality coffee scene.

Website https://www.volumes.ie/

📰 Delicious Dublin Tours News

Last month I was delighted to host a food tour for Irish food historian Dr. Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire and his students from the MA Gastronomy and Food Studies at TU Dublin.

I graduated from the course myself in 2019, so it’s always both an honour — and slightly nerve-wracking — to run a tour for Ireland’s leading food historian.

I’m very grateful to Dr. Mac Con Iomaire for bringing his students on one of my tours each year as part of their Food Tourism module.

🎟️ Join a Delicious Dublin Food Tour

Spring is one of the best times to explore Dublin on foot, and our food tour season is now in full swing.

Whether you have visitors in town or simply want to rediscover the city through a food-lover’s lens, our tours are a great way to experience Dublin’s food scene and the stories behind it.

Book your spot here:

https://www.deliciousdublintours.com

💌 Final Bite

Thanks so much for reading. I hope you found some inspiration in this month’s bites.

If you visit any of the places I mentioned, I’d love to hear from you — reply to this email or tag me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kettyquigley

https://www.instagram.com/deliciousdublintours/

Until next time,
Ketty

First, thank you and welcome to the recent new subscribers. We’ve reached the milestone of 200 — it’s more than I expected, so thank you so much.

Since my latest post about the food spots I visited in Galway at the start of January, it feels like it hasn’t stopped raining in Dublin. My French self just wants to eat melted cheese — preferably Mont d’Or or raclette — in this miserable weather.

In addition to my consumption of gooey goodness, I’ve had some tasty food and drinks over the last few weeks that are worth recommending here. My sick toddler meant another cancelled dinner reservation that I had hoped would make it in, but sure, c’est la vie. Let’s hope it makes it into the next post.

🍸 The Sackville Lounge

The Sackville Lounge is the sister bar of the awesome (best cocktail bar in the country) Bar 1661, which opened last year just off O’Connell Street. It’s a great addition to this side of the river for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail or even just a nice pint of Guinness in a beautiful setting.

Think traditional pub that got a glam makeover, with black leather seats and marble-top tables. It’s small and intimate, perfect for a date night perhaps.

The drink menu is much more compact than Bar 1661’s but of course features their signature Belfast Coffee made with Bán Poitín and cold brew, as well as classic cocktails (Cosmopolitan, Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned…).

I would recommend heading to The Sackville if you’re going for dinner at Mr Fox on Parnell Square or Tang Abbey Street for the perfect evening of food and drinks.

Website: https://thesackvillelounge.com/

🧆 Tang Abbey Street

I’m a long-time regular customer of Tang Abbey Street, probably since day one when they opened in 2018 just around the corner from my old flat. I truly admire Stephen O’Dwyer for running four locations across Dublin (Dawson Street, Abbey Street, Cumberland Place and Windmill Lane) with friendly staff, sleek décor and flavoursome food at great value.

They serve breakfast, brunch and lunch at all locations — some of the tastiest and most Instagrammable food in Dublin.

The Abbey Street location serves dinner on Thursdays and Fridays and, since it is one of our food tour stops, I booked the team in for dinner for our belated Christmas party. Dinner there consists of sharing plates — Middle Eastern flavours made with local ingredients whenever possible.

We had the group menu at €47.50 per person, which was fantastic value considering all the food we got to share (snacks, dips, various plates and a dessert). I’m still dreaming of the pumpkin and brown butter dip served with the fluffiest focaccia.

The kale tempura with chilli lime sauce was moreish, and the hummus with caramelised onion was wonderfully smooth. All the dishes sang together and it’s honestly hard to pick a favourite: halloumi with harissa yogurt and sumac onion, chicken skewer with burnt lemon feta and hot honey, salt-baked celeriac with ras el hanout cream, candied pecan and tarragon, and more.

A really good spot to bring a group for a casual dinner right bang in the city centre.

Website: https://www.tang.ie

🍕 Doom Slice

I’ve mentioned Doom Slice in a previous Substack post, but I think it’s worth highlighting their current special (available until 26th February): The French Onion Slice.

Think French onion soup in the form of a Detroit-style slice. With the dreary weather, it’s the perfect pick-me-up: a gorgeous slice with a white base, caramelised onion, Gruyère cheese, chives, and beef and onion jus for dipping. It’s indulgent and works very well on their lovely deep-dish crust.

I always look forward to seeing what the special is at Doom Slice and truly think that their Spice Bag slice from last year should become a permanent feature on their menu.

Website: https://www.doomslice.com

📰 Delicious Dublin Tours News

💚 Our team eats and drinks in the name of research

What sets us apart from other food tour operators in Dublin is our A-team. We’re a group of food and drink experts with years of experience and knowledge in the hospitality industry between us. We speak the same language: food.

We’re truly obsessed — and when we’re not running tours or working at our respective other gigs, we eat, drink and cook for fun (all in the name of research, of course).

Our Christmas party was the perfect Dublin Northside outing, with pre-dinner drinks at The Sackville Lounge followed by a Middle Eastern feast at Tang Abbey Street.

We also met on the morning of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland ceremony, which took place in Dublin, for one of the Chef Sessions events happening around the city. There was a wonderful collaboration between chef Mark Moriarty, Bar 1661 and Egan’s pub on Aungier Street, where attendees could enjoy Mark’s breakfast muffin paired with a 1661 cocktail for only €25. Not a bad way to start the day.

If you’d like a peek at our outings or behind-the-scenes food tour life, make sure to follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/deliciousdublintours

🎟️ We’re Back — Join a Food Tour

We’re back for a new season of food tours. Don’t worry about the rain — our food tour hosts always bring the sunshine.

Got visitors in town — or just want to see Dublin through a food-lover’s lens?

Book your spot here:
https://www.deliciousdublintours.com

💌 Final Bite

Thanks so much for reading. I hope you found some inspiration in this month’s bites.

If you visit any of the places I mentioned, I’d love to hear from you — reply to this email or tag me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kettyquigley

Until next time,
Ketty

You probably forgot that you subscribed to this newsletter, which has been neglected since last July. Unfortunately, personal matters got in the way of many food plans last year, with many cancelled dinner plans resulting in not trying as many spots as I wished to.

A new year means a fresh start though, and I’m hoping to post monthly starting from now.

This month’s newsletter brings us to the West of Ireland, to my second favourite city in the country: Galway. I spent 24 hours there and checked out a few places on my list that have opened since my last visit in 2019. There’s a reel on Delicious Dublin Tours’ Instagram account, but I thought I’d write about my recommendations here:

🍕 Lil’ Bros

https://lilbros.ie/

I’m a big fan of Dough Bros, the spot to visit for any pizza lover when in Galway. They have a lovely slice shop right in the middle of Galway, on one of Eyre Square’s corners. It’s great for a quick bite when you don’t want to commit to a full pizza, and all the pizzas on the menu are available by the slice or full.

As I’ve tasted some of their pizzas before, I was intrigued to try the Banh Mi, a vegan adaptation of the famous Vietnamese sandwich in the form of pizza. It consisted of Lil Bros NY Style Tomato Sauce, Vietnamese Marinated Soya Protein, Confit Garlic & Jalapeño Mayo, Pickled Carrot & Daikon, Spring Onion & Fresh Coriander. It was a bit heavy on spring onions, but still a tasty and unusual slice of pizza.

🍽️ Rúibín

https://ruibin.ie/

Located in a stone building overlooking Galway’s docklands, Rúibín is what we call a modern Irish restaurant these days. They’re open for lunch and dinner. They use seasonal and local ingredients, but there’s a mix of international influences on the menu.

Everything was tempting, from Irish flavours like Flaggy Shore oysters or seafood chowder, to dishes with Middle Eastern flavours (Beef & Pork Kofte), and even Korean-style fried chicken. I had a smoked haddock fishcake with creamed Brussels sprouts, soft egg, harissa hollandaise and herb salad (€18), which was perfect for brunch.

🍫 Truffle

https://www.trufflegalway.com/

Going to Truffle is like stepping into an elegant chocolate and pastry shop you would find in France. Sadly, we don’t have this in Dublin, so I’m very envious of the people of Galway.

It is the sister shop of the long-established French bakery Le Petit Délice, and is more sophisticated when you want to buy a really nice treat. They sell macarons, chocolates, and beautiful full pastries. I tried their raspberry croissant, which was a nice change from the regular plain croissant I tend to go for.

☕ Coffeewerk + Press

https://coffeewerkandpress.com/

My go-to for coffee in Galway, Coffeewerk + Press is a beautiful multi-roaster coffe shop located on busy Quay Street. They have a few seats outside if you wish to watch the world go by, or you can sit upstairs in their gorgeous design shop, which looks straight out of a stylish magazine.

🥐 Magpie Bakery

https://www.magpiebakery.ie/

I couldn’t believe the size of the queue just before they opened on a Saturday at 10am. You will find Magpie Bakery in the Cornstore Mall, just across from the great Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop.

The bakery is a very small space—hence the long queue—selling different types of freshly baked sourdough loaves and other bread, and a range of sweet and savoury pastries. The pastries are quite big. I’ve never seen such a huge palmier! The cinnamon bun was truly excellent.

🍳 Ard Bia at Nimmos

https://www.ardbia.com/

I’ve been a few times on previous visits, and I’m glad I went back. The charismatic owner, Aoibheann MacNamara, was there on my visit, so I felt welcomed—her presence filled the room. The restaurant is beautifully designed: it feels cosy and intimate, like sitting in a stylish cottage.

It’s definitely one to visit for brunch when in Galway, with a choice of dishes like granola, pancakes, black pudding hash, kimchi pancake, and chicken bao buns, using seasonal ingredients and interesting trimmings, ranging from €7.50 to €19. The roast shallot polenta cake with mushrooms, spinach, chilli honey, fried egg and whipped ricotta was the most satisfying brunch dish I’ve had in a while.

🧀 Sheridan’s

https://sheridanscheesemongers.com/

This is a wonderful shop for any food lovers. They have a large selection of Irish and international cheeses, cured meats and other artisan food products. Whether you’re looking for nibbly bits for a Galway picnic or buying food gifts, this is the place.

They also have a lovely wine bar upstairs, featuring natural, biodynamic and artisan wines from across Europe. You can enjoy cheese or charcuterie boards, or snacks with wine by the glass or bottle.

We aren’t running food tours at the moment as it’s our winter break, but tours will resume on Tuesday 3rd of February 2026 and we can’t wait to be back.
Got visitors in town—or just want to see Dublin through a food-lover’s lens?

👉 Book your spot now
📸 Follow along: @deliciousdublintours

💌 Final Bite

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you found some inspiration in this month’s bites.
If you visit any of the places I mentioned, I’d love to hear from you—reply to this email or tag me on Instagram:
@kettyquigley / @deliciousdublintours

Until next time,
Ketty

Unlike the days when I used to write about the latest openings on French Foodie in Dublin 13 years ago, I’ve become a creature of habit and tend to stay loyal to the same places—mostly on the Northside of the Liffey, because that’s where I live.

Eating out has become increasingly expensive, and to be honest, I prefer visiting reliable spots that are consistently good.

So, for this edition, I’m giving a few shout-outs to places that have stood the test of time and that I return to again and again.

🥐 Elliot’s

I’m in awe of power couple Amie Costello and Conor Higgins, who own Oxmantown cafés and Elliott’s Bakery. I’ve been a regular customer at Elliot’s in Phibsborough ever since it opened. It’s a takeaway bakery with a small outdoor seating area.

Their sister location on Arran Street has become my favourite bakery/coffee shop in recent months. It gives off serious Copenhagen vibes and ticks all the boxes: communal tables, beautiful decor, friendly staff, great coffee, and delicious pastries.

Their black pudding sausage roll is in my top three in the city, the baguettes are among the best, the cheesecake is creamy goodness, and the pain Suisse is on point.

🍷 Etto

Another food industry couple I admire is Simon Barrett and Liz Matthews, owners of Etto, Uno Mas, and Lena. I often joke that I’m basically giving all my money to the same people—well, that’s because they’re just that good. Their restaurants are some of the best in the city.

I’ve been a fan of Etto since 2014. The casual bistro vibes and consistently excellent food and service keep me coming back.

The menu isn’t always updated online (my only complaint), but they pretty much always have some key dishes: moreish tomato and scamorza supplì, mussels with ’nduja, sweetcorn and samphire, and the steak to share.

My husband and I are suckers for the steak, and on our most recent visit, we loved the Hannan’s Delmonico with bordelaise, served with their divine crispy garlic potatoes, the silkiest béarnaise sauce, and a salad that balances it all out.

Of course, you can’t visit Etto without having one of the most iconic desserts in town: red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone. It may not be the most aesthetically appealing dessert, but it’s indulgent and not overly sweet.

🍺 L. Mulligan Grocer

This is, in my opinion, the best gastropub in Dublin. One of the owners, chef Séaneen Sullivan, has a genuine passion for Irish food and for championing local producers.

They serve an amazing Sunday roast and generally great comfort food (think fish and chips, venison burger…), with a seasonally changing menu.

On a recent date night, we ordered a selection of starters to share—like Irish tapas: the iconic Scotch egg, their version of a Ploughman’s board, addictive black pudding bonbons, and generous dressed chips topped with bacon jam, Dijon mayo, and pickles.

The sweet-toothed will love their sticky toffee pudding.

🍕Small Bites

I enjoyed last month’s Stoneybatter Festival, where Kerala Kitchen had a little street food stall outside their Stoneybatter location. I couldn’t resist one of my favourite Indian snacks: pani puri. These crispy, hollow balls filled with spicy mashed potato and chickpeas, then topped with tangy tamarind water, are absolute flavour bombs. They’re available as small plates on their regular restaurant menu.

I also tried the Street Corn weekly special at Doom Slice. While it’s no longer on the menu, I still have to mention how delicious it was: roasted corn, cheese, chipotle sour cream, pickled onion, and tajin on a slice of pizza. Not bad for €6—I’ll be keeping an eye on their weekly specials!

🎟️ Join a Food Tour This July

Got visitors in town—or just want to see Dublin through a food-lover’s lens?
July is filling up fast, so be sure to book early!

👉 Book your spot now
📸 Follow along: @deliciousdublintours

💌 Final Bite

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you found some inspiration in this month’s bites.
If you visit any of the places I mentioned, I’d love to hear from you—reply to this email or tag me on Instagram:
@kettyquigley / @deliciousdublintours

Until next time,
Ketty

And just like that, May is over—and it’s time for my second newsletter. I’m still figuring out Substack and the format of this newsletter, but I hope you find some of the recommendations helpful.

🦊 Mr Fox

When people ask me what my favourite restaurant is (a very tough question, as dining out is so subjective), Mr Fox always comes up in my top five. It’s owned by Anthony Smith, a sound Dubliner who has been cooking great food with his team ever since they opened in 2016.

I’ve had many celebratory dinners there— a graduation, birthdays, and anniversaries.

After COVID, they switched from à la carte to a monthly changing tasting menu, which they kept doing for five years. More recently, they’ve returned to à la carte. It means I don’t have to reserve Mr Fox just for special occasions anymore.

They now offer a midweek set menu for €65 on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The rest of the week, you can order freely from the menu: snacks (their own sourdough with parmesan and cep butter is a must-order), starters (I loved the octopus hash brown), pasta dishes (available in starter or main size), mains, sides, and desserts.

We shared the Chateaubriand for two (€85), which came with generous trimmings: Caesar salad, roasted baby potatoes, Café de Paris butter, and Roscoff onion. Starter portions were quite substantial—we didn’t really need them before the steak. It’s wiser to order a selection of snacks when getting the steak to share, and to go for the starters when you’re opting for the other mains.

The crème brûlée with gingernut was a simple but satisfying dessert at the end, even if it was an unnecessary order.

With a wide-ranging menu and a mix of international flavours, Mr Fox’s new à la carte format is likely more appealing to the general public than the previous tasting menu. It’s been consistently excellent since they opened, and it’s hands-down the best option in the area if you’re looking for something that’s neither too casual nor too fancy. (Chapter One is just around the corner.)

A great place for dinner before heading to the Abbey Theatre or The Gate, and one to pair with post-dinner drinks in Bar 1661 or the Sackville Lounge.

Service at Mr Fox is always wonderful. Ceri, the manager who has been there since day one, is delightful. The staff are consistently attentive and welcoming.

I do hope they bring back the walnut whip and coffee iceberg to the dessert menu—two brilliant examples of food nostalgia done right.

🇫🇷 Forêt

When I heard that John and Sandy Wyer from Forest Avenue, Little Forest, and Una Bakery opened a French restaurant last year, my curiosity was piqued. I haven’t gotten over the loss of Forest & Marcy, which was my absolute favourite when Ciarán Sweeney was the head chef there many moons ago (he’s since gone back to Donegal and is now cooking at The Old Glen Bar).

Forêt is above O’Brien’s Pub on Sussex Terrace and next door to Forest Avenue. As a French person, I personally felt like I stepped into an Irish pub with a very French menu, rather than a French bistro—and that’s perfectly okay, we’re in Ireland, not Paris.

I’ve visited twice: once for a date night and another time for an overdue catch-up with a food-loving friend.

The menu is divided into snacks or petites assiettes (€3–14), starters (€14–16), mains (€26–48), and desserts (€8–14).

On both visits, snacks and starters were the highlights, and the menu varied slightly between meals. They have charcuterie (saucisson and Bayonne ham), a delicious leek vinaigrette (not the sad one you get in a French canteen), and I loved the egg mayo with celeriac on my first visit.

The white anchovy with wet garlic and white peach, or the oyster pastis granita with apple, are more on the lighter and refreshing side—adequate to open the appetite.

The pâté de campagne with cornichons and violet mustard gave me the French feels. The pig’s head ballotine with sauce gribiche and fennel salad was also very satisfying.

The chicken vin jaune with riz à la paysanne seems to be the signature dish, and I preferred it to the rich duck leg with orange sauce and lentils I had on my second visit.

The croissant pudding with Calvados caramel and custard is a must-order—just indulgent enough, and the perfect way to end a meal with Gallic flair.

🥖 Arty Baker

I’ve been following Arty Baker since the pandemic and before Romain Tessier had opened his first bakery pop-up in 2021. Since then, he and his wife Suzanne Hodgkinson have built an empire of five locations: Dalkey, Kimmage, Sandymount, Grand Canal Dock Station, and Blackrock.

It took me a long time to finally try it, but I finally made it to the Sandymount location in May—not only once, but twice.

It’s a modern French bakery, with all the classics (croissants, almond croissants, pain au chocolat, pain Suisse) and not-so-French things like morning buns and bagels. The ham and cheese croissant is excellent if you’re on team savoury pastry.

I was excited to see chocolate marble cake in their selection, bringing back memories of goûter (the snack French kids eat at 4pm). They certainly make one of the best baguettes in Dublin.

🍳 Small Bites

One of my favourite cafés, The Pepper Pot, has been consistently serving great quality food over the years. I tend to order the same old faves, but I recently tried the Turkish eggs, served with their own sourdough, for a change. Various versions of Turkish eggs seem to be a bit of a trend in Dublin cafés at the moment, but the ones from Bibi’s would probably stay my favourite.

One place that’s good for a healthy and tasty lunch during the week is Tiller + Grain. If you’re an Ottolenghi fan, you’d enjoy their flavour-packed salads and treats. I stopped there for a quick lunch—they have a few seats outside, which is a nice spot on a warm day.

In my first newsletter, I mentioned The Dough Bros pizza kit and their Kai collab from last year. Soon after, they announced its return—and it was every bit as good as I remembered. Dutch Gold-braised Connemara lamb and Buckfast hot sauce on a pizza? It works.

🎉 Delicious Dublin Tours News

May marked the 10-year anniversary of Delicious Dublin Tours!

It’s hard to believe that what began as French food tours of Dublin (some of you were there!) became a celebration of Irish food history, introducing thousands of visitors to the Dublin food scene.

The tour has obviously changed over the years due to Dublin’s ever-changing food landscape. Some businesses have shut down or moved elsewhere, but I’ve never tired of meeting people from all over the world—from every continent, in fact.

It survived the pandemic, weathered some personal challenges, and grew into something I’m proud of. Being pregnant in 2022 made me step back and trust others with the business. Now, I’m lucky to work with a fantastic team of food professionals who lead most of our tours.

Here’s to many more years of sharing the love of Irish food! 💚

🎟️ Join a Food Tour This June

Got visitors in town—or just want to see Dublin through a food-lover’s lens?

👉 Book your spot now
📸 Follow along: @deliciousdublintours

💌 Final Bite

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you found some inspiration in this month’s bites.
If you visit any of the places I mentioned, I’d love to hear from you—reply to this email or tag me on Instagram @kettyquigley.

Until next time,
Ketty

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for subscribing! I’m thrilled to be writing here—it reminds me of the good old days of blogging, though I admit I’m a little rusty. My plan is to share personal food recommendations once a month—restaurants, coffee shops, or small producers. Think of it as a light roundup rather than a full review.

Here are a few April favourites :

🐷 The Pig’s Ear

After serving Asian-inspired dishes as The Lotus Eater, The Pig’s Ear has returned to modern Irish cuisine. As an Irish food-history buff, I loved their menu full of literary and historical references—Famine Soup, offal nods in Ulysses, and even a tribute to Jammet’s.

Highlights:

• Boxty with Cáis na Tíre & truffle

• Potato & pork farl with bone-marrow gravy

• “Jammet’s” Mixed Grill

• Tongue-and-cheek kidney pudding

Every dish was delicious, from snacks to dessert. The playlist felt like browsing in Carroll’s Irish gift shop, which wasn’t my cup of tea, and there’s no explanation of the menu’s references from the waiting staff—most diners would miss them on the printed menu. Still, I love the concept and can’t wait to go back!

🥐 Bold Bakery at Two Pups

Two Pups is already a very popular brunch spot, and their new Bold Bakery is another reason to visit. I went on a Sunday—the place was hopping. On a warm day, a Vietnamese iced coffee and a rhubarb-crumble Danish were the perfect treat. They also bake all-butter croissants and pains au chocolat. I absolutely adore their branding (that little boy with a baguette!).

Bonus: they’ve launched an evening wine bar called Notions—can’t wait to check it out 🍷.

🍕 Dough Bros Pizza Kit

My husband sparked lockdown nostalgia by ordering a pizza kit from Dough Bros. I’m still dreaming about their Lamb Shawarma pizza with Kai Galway. In April we tried the Stinger Kit (€46), inspired by Roberta’s in New York—enough to make two Stingers and two Margheritas. They also have a cheese-and-onion pizza in their Galway shops that makes me want to hop on a train!

🍪 Alfajores from Gorditas

If you’ve never tried an alfajor—two biscuits sandwiched with dulce de leche and coated in chocolate—you’re missing out. Gorditas, a small Irish business in Dublin 7, makes some of the best. You can find their boxes at Fresh (Smithfield) and other stockists. Move over macarons—these are perfect with tea or coffee ☕.

🗞 Delicious Dublin Tours News

🎤 Sinéad Meets Phil

My lovely colleague Sinéad was running a food tour on a rainy Saturday when she bumped into Phil Rosenthal of Somebody Feed Phil at Murphy’s Ice Cream. Our guests were thrilled to get a photo with him, and he kindly gifted Sinéad tickets to his Dublin show! Sinéad is a wine specialist and hardcore food adventurer—subscribe to her Substack for insider wine news and the latest on Dublin’s food scene.

You can subscribe to Sinéad’s Substack here:

👉 Sinéad’s Wine & Food Adventures on Substack

🎟️ Join a Food Tour This May

Got visitors in town—or want to see the city through a food-lover’s lens? We’re running tours Monday–Saturday all through May.
👉 Book your spot now

Thanks for reading—these are just quick recommendations. Next month’s bites will include a French restaurant and one of my favourite restaurants. If you visit any of these places, let me know what you think! Reply to this email or tag us on Instagram @deliciousdublintours.

Ketty
Delicious Dublin Tours

Thanks for subscribing!

Hi, I'm Ketty — founder of Delicious Dublin Tours. You might know me from my earlier blog, French Foodie in Dublin. I'm so happy to have you here! You’ve just joined a community of food lovers, curious locals, and travellers eager to discover the tastiest corners of Dublin — one bite at a time.

What to Expect

Each month, I’ll send you:

🍽️ Local food recommendations — from bakeries to fine dining gems I’ve tried and truly recommend.
🇮🇪 Irish food finds — I use many Irish food products regularly and love discovering new ones. I’ll share my favourites with you.
📅 Tour updates & behind-the-scenes peeks — As the proud owner of Delicious Dublin Tours, my team and I have introduced thousands of people to Irish food since 2015. I’ll occasionally share what we’re up to on the tours.

It’ll be casual and delicious — no spam, no fluff.

Why You’re in the Right Place

Whether you’re:
• Living here and always on the lookout for trustworthy recommendations
• Planning your first trip to Dublin and need help deciding where to eat
• Someone who’s joined one of our tours and wants to stay in the loop

…you’re in good hands. I’m here to help guide your next bite.

👉 Come explore with us!
We run small-group guided Dublin food tours Monday to Saturday.

👉 Book your spot here

Thanks again for joining — I can’t wait to share my food finds with you.

Warmly,
Ketty Quigley
Founder, Delicious Dublin Tours