Brunch seems to have replaced Mass in Dublin, as the de facto thing to do in the capital at the weekends.
It comes in all shapes and sizes and although we have already shared the definite list of the best places to eat it we thought we’d drill down and share some of the best individual dishes that you simply have to try.
These will get you through a hangover, give you the kick start you need for a busy day or serve as the perfect accompaniment to a bit of weekend reading.
The Bay – Unusual Pancakes
This dish makes the list because it is unusual and creative and simply delicious for veggies…Savoury buckwheat pancake with panfried halloumi cheese,wild mushrooms,pine nuts,rocket & creme fraiche.
Matt The Rashers – Fry Up
This is one of Dubin’s best kept secrets. As you would expect, the food in a place with “rashers” in the title is going to be all about fry ups. This dish has been known to kill 100s of hangovers in seconds.
Mayfield – Clean Brekkie
Some of us want a fry up at the weekends but you don’t want all the grease and guilt that comes with it. Some nice brown bread, poached eggs and grilled bacon up in Mayfield are about as healthy as it gets for brunch.
Whitefriar Grill – Lobster Eggs
As if eggs benedict wasn’t luxurious enough the mad bastards in here decided to serve it up with a lobster tail. Simply brilliant.
Tasting Menu Forrest Avenue
The 6 course tasting menu in here on a Sunday is one of the nicest things you will ever eat and a completely different lunch experience. Superb and mind blowing.
Winding Stair Seafood Chowder
If you manage to get a window seat in here and a big bowl of their amazing chowder while watching the world go by you will simply forget about all your problems in life.
Coppinger Row – Bloody Mary
This is one of the best liquid lunch options in town and although they serve great food as well, pumping one of these into you before you eat will blast that hangover straight out of you.
Merrion Inn – Roast
The place burnt to the ground recently but thankfully they have opened again and as this has always been known as somewhere to get a good roast, you’ll love what they do. Super food.
Bibis Croque Monsieur
Or to be more precise… an oozy croque Monsieur and fried eggs with spicy roast butternut squash hummous and a rocket, sumac and red onion salad. The food in here is always so different and so exciting at the weekends.
Slice Cafe – Baked Eggs
Eggs can get boring at times but this new cafe just behind Smithfield (sister of Cake Cafe) does the most amazing… Eggs poached in a smoky, spiced tomato sauce with chickpeas, sausage and fresh coriander.
Brother Hubbard – Granola
They have loads of really tasty food in here and most of it is on the luxurious side but in terms of healthy stuff their granola with fruit is about the only brunch option I can have that is good for you and makes me feel like I am not missing out.
The Bakehouse – Coffee And Cake
They have all sorts of baked goods in here but if you’ve had an early breakfast and been out doing something active then treating yourself to a coffee and a big slice of cake is a pretty nice thing to be at on the weekend.
Urban – French Toast
This is way out in Cabinteely but the legend of it is speading far and wide for people to stop in at the weekends. They have loads of lovely sweet stuff but the french toast is light, fluffy and amazing.
Wuff – Pork Sausages
Wuff is a little hidden gem on the Northside of Dublin that has a ton of cool brunch options but their big fat brunch pork sausages have to be tried to be believed.
Chicken Wings – Canal Bank Cafe
Sometimes when you have had a big heavy night all you need is a massive bowl of chicken wings to get you over the excess. There are loads of places to get them in town but these are the best at the weekend in terms of buzz and being among people in a similar state.
Lennox Pancakes
Topped our list recently of the best pancakes in Dublin and you’ll be lucky to get a seat at the weekend but if you do, prepare to have your mind blown.
Butcher’s Grill Fry Up
If you want a high end fry up with incredible simple ingredients then this is the spot for you. You’ll do well to finish it and you won’t be hungry for the rest of the day.
Farmer Browns – Brunch Salad
The word ‘salad’ probably should be banned from brunch totally but this is one that bucks the trend. Typical Farmer Browns style with a huge portion, loads of tasty rustic food and a salad well worth making the list.
Brasserie 66 – Half Roast chicken
One spot that does brunch especially well on the heart of George’s street. So hard to choose what to have on their amazing menu but half a roast chicken from their own rotisserie is a pretty good shout. Comes with lots of awesome sides.
Odessa – quesadillas
The original home of the best brunch in the capital and the place is always buzzing. Get here very early or book if you want a table because plenty of people are in on the secret. Their smoked chicken quesadillas are one of my favorite things to eat in the entire world.