Nick's Picks
in Dublin

My take: Specialty coffee shop on Tara Street, a block from the river and across from Tara Street Station. Two floors, the upstairs is the move with a communal table and a window-bar over the street. Coffee is single-origin from Full Circle, the local Irish roaster, and the pastries are baked fresh daily. We had a cappuccino and a pastry sitting upstairs at the window. Easy stop before walking toward Trinity and the river.

My take: Specialty coffee on Aston Quay, right next to the river and a minute from the Ha'penny Bridge. Small counter setup, casual energy, locals stopping in on their way through the city. We had a cappuccino and the sausage roll. Easy spot for a break before crossing into Temple Bar or walking the south quays.

My take: Café en Seine is on Dawson Street. Massive art nouveau interior, glass atrium, wrought iron, plants spilling everywhere across multiple floors. We came for the brunch but it's just as much a cocktail spot, and the place gets a buzz even in the morning. Come here if you want something more theatrical than a quiet morning coffee, and stay later for the cocktails.

My take: Five floors of Temple Bar pub on Essex Street, with a rooftop terrace that has a retractable roof for when the weather is nice. Live music every night, DJs and a saxophonist on the weekend. We came for the Guinness, wings, and fries, and the rooftop was the spot. No cover charge, which is rare for Temple Bar. Open late, 2:30am most nights and 3:30am on weekends.

My take: Traditional Irish pub on Talbot Street, north of the river and a few minutes from O'Connell Street. We had Guinness, fish and chips and the cottage pie, and the room picked up once the live music started at 9:30. Open fire inside, beer garden out back, two bands playing simultaneously on Friday and Saturday nights. The whole O'Connell Street area is right there if you want to walk after.

My take: Right in the middle of Temple Bar, the famous red-painted corner pub surrounded by the rest of the area's pubs, music, and people moving through the streets. We had Guinness, food, and stayed for the live music. It's touristy, but the pints were great and the food was better than expected. The whole neighborhood is right outside if you want to bar hop after.

My take: Six-course tasting menu on Molesworth Place, just off Dawson Street. The whole menu changes every six weeks with a different theme each time. Recent ones have included Alice in Wonderland, New Orleans, and a fine-dining take on fish and chips. We did the tasting menu and the wine pairing. Fun way to do a structured dinner without going Michelin money, the €60 menu hits around €100 with the pairing. Kehoes is a few minutes away on Anne Street if you want a pint after, the traditional pub with old wooden snugs.

My take: Big chic room on Drury Street with bronze and grey tones and a packed bar, near Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green. We came for the oysters, the Captain's Seafood Tower (lobster, mussels, oysters, prawns, Howth smoked salmon), and the Dover sole that gets filleted tableside. Caviar program too if you want to push it. Noname is a few minutes away on Fade Street if you want a cocktail after, the speakeasy with a hidden entrance.

My take: Italian restaurant on Fownes Street in Temple Bar, but the action is downstairs in the 300-year-old wine cellar with exposed brick and barrel-vaulted ceilings. Family-run since 2006. We had pasta, garlic bread, and wine in the cellar. Easy spot for an Italian break from Dublin pub food. Step right back into Temple Bar after for drinks, the rest of the area is at your doorstep.