Hi all - my family (5 adults, kids 7, 9, 11) will be in Dublin for just one overnight next Saturday. I have been to Ireland before but this is a first for my family. I want to have a nice dinner (not too expensive, but nice, and I'm allergic to fish, just FYI) and then go to a local pub where family can go and maybe a local band would be playing. Not a tourist trap place. We're staying in Swords near the airport, but are willing to take a cab wherever to get a good meal and fun pub. Thanks so very much!
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3225 posts
Good restaurants in Dublin, Gallagher’s Boxty and The Pig’s Ear.
Good pub, The Gravedigger and The Brazen Head.
Posted by
Florida
509 posts
One of our best meals in Dublin was at Matt the Thresher's, near St. Stephens Green. Reservations recommended. Note, seafood is their specialty, but there is a "from the land" section on the menu. Not cheap, but we thought it was a good value considering the food quality and upscale but energetic ambience. http://mattthethresher.ie/ (Good photos on the website.)
A block or so away is a pub we enjoyed: Chambers Pub. See website for music listings. https://www.chamberspub.ie/ (If Matt/Thresher doesn't look inviting, I should add that we also ate at Chambers one night, splitting the generous and excellent fish/chips.)
Neither place seemed particularly touristy. It's a nice neighborhood, considerably less raucous than Temple Bar. Plenty of cabs available in the evening. The Ireland experts will likely have many more suggestions.
Posted by
1172 posts
I will echo diveloonie on the Boxty House and the Brazen head. Another great dinner was at Cleaver East which is in the Clarence Hotel
Posted by
Portsmouth
5261 posts
I'm not sure you're going to be able to enjoy the pub and music. Children are only allowed in pubs until 21:00 which unfortunately is the time when most music gets played.
Posted by
4 posts
Try Rustic Stone (or Rustic on the Stone) or Winding Stair for dinner. So good!
Posted by
4 posts
Try Rustic Stone (or Rustic on the Stone) or Winding Stair for dinner. So good!
Posted by
Indianapolis, IN, USA
154 posts
In Dublin there is a place called Lemon Crepe which is a bit off Nassau Street. I ate there because several people had recommended it to me, and I could get a vegetarian option. There were quite a few young people/families with children there which is why I thought your children might like this casual restaurant. Also, there is an upscale food hall/market/restaurant called Fallon and Byrne on Exchequer Street. I purchased some food items there and noticed they offered quite a few options that might make everyone in your group happy.
Not sure about trad music at a pub on Saturday night for children to attend, but if you have the time I saw several pubs that offered trad music sessions on Sunday afternoons where I would think children would be welcomed. We visited quite a few pubs for evening music sessions and I can't remember seeing children in attendance.