http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34462 I suggest a trip to scenic Howth and the village of Malahide on the north side or the equally pretty Dalkey and Killiney on the south side of the city. If you like seafood, indulge in Dublin Bay’s finest in King Sitric restaurant in Howth or Guinea Pig in Dalkey village. Advanced booking is recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24453
They're very different places, but both excel in their field.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24453 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22249
For a good pint in a unique pub, check out Grogan's. An arty, down-at-heel pub frequented by those in the 25 - 85 age group, good conversation and a nice pint are guaranteed. If you're feeling peckish, they do ham and cheese toasties.

Another great pub is Peter's pub at the end of the road. Recently refurbished but thankfully left looking the same as always, only better! Great barmen.

For something a little more modern, try the South William. Three floors, funky music, cool people, great pies! It's a late bar too which means you can drink away until 2am or so.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22249 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22248
The Larder on Parliament Street - good food, reasonably priced, nice atmosphere.
Gruel, Dame Street - laid back place with very tasty hearty food.
Pintxo's, Eustace Street - good value tapas bar, right in the centre of Temple Bar.
Boccaccios ice-cream parlour - authentic Italian gelato. Not cheap but delicious.

There are a number of decent places very near the Temple Bar area:
Byblos, Andrew Street - delicious Lebanese food at good prices.
Havana Tapas, Georges Street - great value, good mojitos.
Yamamori Sushi, Ha'penny Bridge - huge portions of good Japanese food.
SoHo, Georges Street - good selection of classic dishes at reasonable prices. Good for a group as there is something to suit everyone.
The Port House, South William Street: Dark, intimate, romantic tapas spot. No reservations taken. Put your name down and head to Grogan's across the way for a pint.
Fallon and Byrne: Those on a budget should forget the (very good) expensive restaurant upstairs, grab what you want at the hot counter in the food hall and bring it downstairs to the wine cellar where they have lots of wines by the glass. Alternatively, order the fish stew from the wine cellar menu.

For lunch:
Cafe Odessa, Dame Lane - my fave spot for brunch in the city.
Queen of tarts, Cows Lane - have the potato and red onion tart. Yum. Try to resist the cakes and pastries.
Avoca food hall, Suffolk Street - go down to the basement where they have a great selection of Irish food to eat in and take away.
Nude, Suffolk Street - owned by Bonos brother, good spot for a pit stop.
Dunne & Crescenzi, South Frederick Street - authentic Italian food and great capuccinos which are strangely hard to find in the city.
La Maison des Gourmets, Castle Market: cute French cafe tucked away in a side street between the Powerscourt Centre and Georges Arcade. Great croissants.

Suburbs:
The Cheese Pantry, Upper Drumcondra Road: If you are staying in the area, pop in here for a pie.
Anderson's Creperie, Carlingford Rd, Drumcondra: All day breakfast crepe. Just what the doctor ordered.
Jo Burger, Rathmines: Delicious giant sized burgers.

Outside the city:
Johnnie Foxes, Dublin Mountains: Yes, it's touristy but you'll hear plenty of Dublin accents. A perfect place for a pint on your way back from a Wicklow hike. To stick to the budget, have the seafood chowder and a bowl of mussels to share.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22248 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22130
The coffee is good, the hot chocolate strong, the sandwiches fair, the soup middling. The cinnamon buns are meant to be delicious, but as I hate cinnamon I didn't try them.

The ambiance, however, is brilliant. The wall are utterly covered in posters advertising gigs (often serving to show you what you've missed), the music is eclectic but relaxed, the customers the eclectic but relaxed and the staff lovely.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21929 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21929 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21428 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18883
I can recommend Dohney & Nesbitts pub, a very traditional pub and great fun and then across the street is Toner Pub, different crowd, but again traditional. Stayed in Baggot Court Townhouse and then for a change moved to Fitzwilliam Square and stayed at Fitzwilliam Townhouse, great places to stay, Georgian buildings and, most of all, good value.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18883 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18744
There's a DJ booth in the corner and the crowd is young and hip. Alcohol is available and they have a great South African beer. Costs around €12.50 a burger and €5 a beer so not cheap, but is good value. Open quite late on the weekends.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18744 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18743
The main problem is that for the same money you could get a decent enough meal elsewhere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18743 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17643
It's 30 yards from the sea. Go for a walk along the seafront first, afterwards, or even during!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17643 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16929 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16929 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12967 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12967 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12695 The menu is available on the website.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12695 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11985
It's like going out in a market town in England on a Friday; raucous; loud; packed with fools and too much drink. But it also has some of Dublin's best pubs, live music, galleries and restaurants.

It's rare that the sense of violence, which always seems a wrong look away in London, is felt here.

I wouldn't recommend Temple Bar at night for someone in search of a quiet drink, or a civilized time. The puddles of vomit and p!ss ensure that, but it is great fun if you're in town for a laugh with a group of friends.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11985 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11809
Its a massive space with exposed brick and palms. The service is iffy, but the atmosphere is great and mercifully there isn't any music, a rarity these days.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11809 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11784
Great value early bird menu between 6-8pm. Often quiet, but fills up on the weekends.

No bookings taken.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11784 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11781 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11781