Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [93]
Simon’s Place (Map; 679 7821; George’s St Arcade, South Great George’s St; mains from €4; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat) Simon hasn’t had to change the menu of sandwiches with thick-cut bread and wholesome vegetarian soups since he first opened shop two decades ago – and why should he? His grub is as heartening and legendary as he is. It’s a great place to sip a coffee and watch life go by in the old-fashioned arcade.
Queen of Tarts (Map; snacks from €4) Cork Hill ( 670 7499; 4 Cork Hill; 7.30am-6pm Mon-Fri); Cow’s Lane ( 633 4681; 3-4 Cow’s Lane; 7.30am-6pm) Pocket-sized Queen of Tarts was so popular with its mouth-watering array of savoury tarts and filled focaccias, fruit crumbles and wicked pastries that they opened a bigger version around the corner on Cow’s Lane. Either is perfect for breakfast or lunch.
Lemon (Map; pancakes from €4.25; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun) South William St ( 672 9044; 66 South William St); Dawson St ( 672 8898; 61 Dawson St) Dublin’s best pancake joint is staffed by a terrific bunch who like their music loud and their pancakes good: proper paper-thin sweet and savoury crêpes smothered, stuffed and sprinkled with a variety of toppings, fillings and sauces. There’s a second branch on nearby Dawson St.
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TOP FIVE BITES
Best budget eats – Honest to Goodness (right)
Best brunch – Odessa Click here
Best sandwich to go – Bottega Toffoli (right)
Best lunch – Yamamori Click here
Best splurge – Town Bar & Grill Click here
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Listons (Map; 405 4779; 25 Camden St; lunch €4-9; 8.30am-7.30pm Mon-Thu, to 6.30pm Fri, 10am-6pm Sat) Lunchtime queues out the door testify that Listons is undoubtedly the best deli in Dublin. Its sandwiches with delicious fillings, roasted vegetable quiches, rosemary potato cakes and sublime salads will have you coming back again and again. The only problem is there’s too much to choose from. On fine days it’s great to retreat to the solitude of the nearby Iveagh Gardens with your gourmet picnic.
Honest to Goodness (Map; 677 5373; George’s St Arcade; mains €6; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, noon-4pm Sun) Wholesome sandwiches (made with freshly baked bread), tasty soups and a near-legendary Sloppy Joe, all made on the premises using produce sourced from local farmers, have earned this lovely spot in the George’s St Arcade a bevy of loyal fans who want to keep it all to themselves. No place this good can stay secret for long.
Zaytoon (mains €6-9; noon-4am) Temple Bar (Map; 677 3595; 14-15 Parliament St); Camden St (Map; 400 5006; 44-55 Lower Camden St) If at the end of the night you need something to absorb the booze, then the Middle Eastern delights at this joint are the thing for you. Just don’t expect anything more than what makes up a kebab.
Fallon & Byrne (Map; 472 1000; Exchequer St; deli mains €6-9, brasserie mains €17-28; deli 9am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-6pm Sun, brasserie noon-4.30pm & 6.30-10.30pm Mon-Wed, to 11.30pm Thu-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun) Dublin’s answer to New York’s much-loved upmarket grocery store Dean & Deluca is this food hall, wine cellar and restaurant. The queues for the delicious deli counter are constant, while the chic, buzzy brasserie upstairs hasn’t failed to impress either, with long red banquettes, a diverse menu of creamy fish pie, beef carpaccio and roast turbot, and excellent service.
Larder (Map; 633 3581; 8 Parliament St; mains €6-10; 8am-6pm) This welcoming cafe-restaurant has a positively organic vibe to it, what with its wholesome porridge breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches such as serrano ham, gruyère and rocket (arugula), and speciality Suki teas (try the Gunpowder Green Tea). It’s confident about