IND to DUB: A Hoosier Guide to Dublin Food and Drink

Indianapolis travelers rejoice as the new direct to Dublin route opens Europe back up to Hoosiers. Starting May 3rd, 2025, Aer Lingus will be operating the route four times every week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), just in time for another European Summer. 

Though many of us will have onward connections, don’t rule out a stopover in the Irish capital. This historic city is bursting to the gills with world-class food and drink that’ll tantalize midwestern palates. While you pour over guidebooks, we thought we’d offer some suggestions from a neighbor, as well. Here are the standouts and recommendations for your next trip to Dublin: 

Tour the Town

Although slightly larger in area to Indianapolis, Dublin’s metro area is walkable and easy to navigate, with the River Liffey cutting through the center of the city. Historic Georgian buildings stand characteristic and pristine, fading into modern high rises toward the river’s mouth into the North Channel. A trail runs the length of the city center along the river, and some mornings, you’ll catch rowing teams making their way down the water. There are many tours to guide visitors through the historic points of Dublin, including one where each passenger is given a viking helm as they ride on a longship-shaped bus, but a wonder through the streets is also in the cards. 

You’ll have heard that the Guinness Factory Tour lives up to its own reputation, even as TikTokkers try their hand at splitting the G and celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Kardashian rep the brand. Thankfully, supply of the stout are slowly catching back up to demand, and there’s no fresher pour than the Guinness you’ll get in Dublin. The tour itself takes you through the brand’s 250 year history and its production. A bit more off the beaten track would be the Ultimate Donut Tour, which takes you on a two hour walking tour of the city and its various donut shops (of which there are many). For those interested in Irish folklore, we love the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland, which is volunteer run and keeps the tradition of storytelling alive.

Ease into Your Morning

Go for a traditional Irish breakfast (or modernized brunch) at somewhere local like Blas Cafe, or the renowned Brother Hubbard. The Irish breakfast is marked with a white pudding (a fatty sausage made with oats and pork trimmings), alongside eggs, back bacon (thicker than our American strip bacon), link sausage, and potato bread (flat like pita but more spongy, usually pan fried). Finish off with brown sauce for the authentic experience– this tastes similar to an A1 steak sauce, it’s just a little thicker. 

Dublin’s bakery boom leaves no shortage of gorgeous glossy pastries and lovingly leavened loaves. The likes of Russell Bakery near Croke Park stadium, Fable Bakery near Trinity College, or newcomer Elliot in the Markets district offer cases of savory and sweet handheld treats. If you’re looking for lighter fare, we love the upstairs seating at Shoe Lane Coffee, and the window seat at Kaph is great for people watching over a Noisette and pastry sourced via local Irish bakery Opera. 

Dining Out

For lunch, Cornucopia offers a wide variety of flavorful soups and sandwiches, coffees and teas. A staple of Wicklow Street, originally opened their doors in 1986, and have been a staple on Wicklow Street, Cornucopia has sired two cookbooks on Vegan cooking. In Temple Bar is Loose Canon, a popular wine and cheese stall which can be perfect for pre-dinner drinks and charcuterie, but also serves up a sinfully delicious Irish Cheese Toastie. The sandwich oozes with three types of local cheese and spring onions to balance the flavor. Order it with a glass of their riesling for a decadent bit of people watching at their outdoor tables.

As an international city, Dublin has no shortage of global dining options, most of which culminate around Capel Street, north of the river. Vietnamese pho and boba restaurant Aobaba is a favorite to locals, with outdoor patio seating on the pedestrianized thoroughfare. 

For Dinner, Dublin has a host of world-class options. Bag your first Michelin-star experience with Chapter One (where a three course lunch tasting menu comes in at 90 euros; dinner starts at 175). In Ballybough, Juno Bar and their restaurant concept, Hera, share a space for a curated lunch and dinner menu to pair with their craft cocktails. Some highlights? The Broccoli fritti, which is sized for sharing but will have you feeling selfish, and pan roasted silver hill duck breast with orange puree.

Back toward the Temple Bar area, the Market Bar and Restaurant offers an escape from busy streets in a gorgeous reclaimed market warehouse. Their selection of tapas includes some pinch hitters, like the seared pork belly and rib-eye steak. Be aware: these plates are served tapas style, but they’re generously portioned. One main and one side will do just fine. 

Grab a Drink

In the winding pedestrian thoroughfares of Temple Bar, start with a glass of wine and charcuterie at the aforementioned Loose Canon before hopping to the Bar With No Name, a speakeasy style cocktail lounge with a rotating seasonal menu. This summer, they’re mixing up a Limoncello Spritz with a sprig of Basil, perfect for manifesting some Irish sunshine. 

You could throw a stone and hit a traditional Irish pub in Dublin (a practice we wouldn’t recommend unless you want to get into a brawl in the street), but we’ve personally sat for pints at The Black Sheep on Capel Street, which has an abundance of patio seating and carries a wide variety of local drafts.