Top Tips: Dublin
Monday, March 8, 2010 at 10:59PM 
These tips for Dublin come courtesy of travel writer and Dubliner Fiona Hilliard who writes about Dublin car hire for award winning car rental site, ArgusCarHire.com.
Restaurants:
Budget: Green 19, 19 Lower Camden Street Dublin 2.
This funky little newcomer has set itself apart from the competition by offering all meals for €10 a pop. Portions are generous, the atmosphere is decidedly chilled and you can actually tell a lot of thought went into the brunch, lunch and dinner menus.
Green 19 also offers you the chance to purchase the art you see on the walls.
Oriental: Koh, 7, Jervis St, Millenium Walkway Dublin 1
Set in the Italian quarter, not far from the famous Halfpenny Bridge, Koh provides a fusion of oriental cooking and cocktails in luxurious surroundings. Try to book a comfy booth if dining with a group.
Push the Boat Out: Shanahan’s, 119 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Shanahan’s on the Green - Stephen’s Green Park being the green in question, has long been Dublin’s restaurant of choice for those looking to splash out on a nice slap-up meal. The menu is especially famous for surf and turf dishes. Look out for the wooden rocking chair once owned by President John F. Kennedy.
Pub Grub:
Davy Byrnes, 21 Duke Street, Dublin 2
Located on Duke Street, just off Grafton Street, Davy Byrne’s has a long history of serving fine pub grub that stretches all the way back to the days of James Joyce and his famous Ulysses. The seafood is especially good.
Cafés:
Café Leon, 33 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2
This French inspired café/brasserie on Exchequer Street has a cosy, open log fire during winter and pleasant on-street terrace seating during the summer months. A great place to go for an after-dinner coffee or dessert.
Butler’s Chocolate Café, 24 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2
You’ll find these dotted around a few corners of Dublin. They’re recognisable by their bright yellow awnings and long queues (always a good sign). Butler’s hot chocolate is a must.
Shopping:
Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin 2.
Brown Thomas’ Grafton Street flagship store is the last word in luxury goods, designer make-up, perfume, bags, shoes…you get the picture.
Cutting –Edge Irish Design:
Cow’s Lane Market, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Cows Lane market takes place every Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm. It can be found on Cows Lane and indoors within the old Viking Centre. The market is the biggest and best designer market in Dublin, offering both handmade and original designs from established and up-and-coming designers.
Outskirts:
Dundrum Town Centre is home to Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and high-end designer fashion outlets as well as enough cafés and restaurants to keep so-called “yummy drummies” (the local fashion pack) in their skinny lattés and sushi.
Nightlife:
Whelan’s, 25 Wexford Street, Dublin 2
Whelan’s or “Way-lin’s, as Lisa Kudrow calls it in “PS I Love You”, is home to Dublin’s rock, trad and alternative scenes. Visiting acts play upstairs or outback, while traditional Irish music sessions get going in the main bar.
Traditional Irish Session:
O’ Donoghues, 15 Merrion Row, Dublin 2
This Baggot Street pub is legendary in terms of traditional Irish music sessions. It tends to fill up quickly, so it’s always worth arriving early to ensure you get good seats.
Celeb Spotting:
Krystle, 21, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2
Venture in here any night of the week and you’re sure to bump into off-duty models, footballers or maybe even Colin Farrell.
Lillies Bordello, Adam Court, Grafton Street
Dublin’s premier celebrity hangout. As you can imagine from the name, this place is all red walls, gilded mirrors and velvet sofas. VIPs can be spotted upstairs in the Piano bar belting out a tune or two.
Don’t Miss:
Hugh Lane Gallery: Charlemont House, Parnell Square North Dublin 1.
Artist Francis Bacon’s chaotic, paint-spattered studio moved here following his death and was carefully reconstructed to look exactly as it did when he was alive and kicking.
Reader Comments (1)
Just to add two must see exhibitions in Dublin - Guinness Store House and The Old Jameson Distillery . Ireland would not be the same without Guinness and old Jameson ...