The news that Jonathan Anderson is to stage Dior’s pre-Fall 2027 show in Dublin will have come as no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention. The Derry-born creative director’s Irish identity has always been a throughline in his work, and now that he has settled in at the helm of the heritage house, it makes sense that staging the first Dior show in Ireland would be high on the agenda.
But beyond that, Dublin’s cultural cachet has been climbing steadily in the eyes of the world in recent years, thanks in part to the runaway success of musicians like CMAT and Fontaines DC, as well as the armfuls of awards being won by a new generation of acclaimed Irish actors, and the now international obsession with splitting the G. As the fashion set prepares to descend en masse to witness Anderson’s unconstricted Bar jackets and lighter-than-air circle skirts floating through the Old Library at Trinity College come December, discover some of the most stylish places to eat, drink and shop in the city. When you know where to go, 48 hours is just long enough for a taste what makes Dublin so special.
Fish Shop in Stoneybatter.
Head to on Benburb Street for locally caught seafood and a great wine list. Classic fish and chips is the star dish here, but leave room for Kelly’s oysters from County Galway and mussels from Roaringwater Bay in West Cork. Alternatively, with a bit of forward planning and tenacity, you could snag yourself a table at , the cult, phone-bookings-only restaurant regarded by many as the city’s best (and weirdest) weekday lunch spot. With room for just a handful of diners, it serves charming small plates involving everything from tripe and pickled mussels to bitter leaf salad with guanciale. You won’t find a more exciting restaurant in Dublin.
Make the buzzy neighbourhoods of Smithfield and Stoneybatter your first port of call for a good night out. In the on North King Street, trad aficionados cram into the bar for live music, great Guinness and an energetic vibe. On the corner of Queen and Benburb Streets, a well-dressed crowd spills out onto the pavement outside , an audiophile bar with excellent cocktails and craft beer. And if you can wangle your way into the on Little Mary Street (ring the doorbell and hope the proprietor, Shay, likes the look of you), you’ll see what makes it so popular with everyone from Irish novelists to Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift – a cosy, dimly-lit space full of discreet corners, with a good jukebox and a pool table as a bonus.
Elliot’s.
Courtesy of Elliot’s
First stop: one of the bakeries worth standing in line for. On the southside, ’s seasonal Danishes are a must-try (South Circular Road, Dublin 8), while in the north inner city, the queue for baked treats and coffees outside often snakes down Arran Street East, and for very good reason.
A new wave of Irish fashion designers is making the most of the country’s heritage fabrics, like linen, wool and tweed, and combining centuries-old expertise and artisanship with modern cuts. At ’s atelier in Stoneybatter you’ll find covetable pieces of linen clothing that fit seamlessly into a contemporary wardrobe – think voluminous blouses, playful embroidery and dresses with impeccable silhouettes. (Be sure to check her opening hours before popping in.) At ’s appointment-only showroom in the seaside suburb of Dun Laoghaire, the tailoring brand is elevating simple tweed to new levels of luxury. Made using Donegal tweeds woven exclusively for the brand, its impeccable coats have found a die-hard contingent of fans in Ireland and further afield – Claudia Winkleman has worn the brand on location in . You’ll also find a curation in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street. On Drury Street, pop into ’s, a long-standing treasure trove of vintage clothing. It’s a favourite of costume designers – many of Daisy Edgar-Jones’s sundresses were sourced here – as well as chic Irishwomen such as Simone Rocha and Saoirse Ronan. Look for mid-century ball gowns, brocade and suede pieces, or slinky ’90s and ’00s slip dresses.
Loose Canon.
While the Atlantic climate means that most socialising in Dublin takes place in cosy pubs or dimly-lit restaurants, a rare sunny afternoon will see the city’s streets come to life regardless of the time of year. Chief among them: Drury Street, where Dubliners do “Drury duty” in good weather – enjoying a glass of natural wine from or a slice of pizza from while sitting on the pavement, watching the world go by. Around the corner on Castle Market you’ll find , the historic pub with a literary pedigree that today is famed for its cheese toasties (note the jar of Colman’s Mustard on every table), its walls crowded with paintings by local artists. The pub is pretty much always packed, but wedge yourself in at the bar and watch out for musicians and actors, as well as visiting exiled Dubliners for whom it’s often the first stop on any visit home.
Library Street, Dublin 2.
Dublin’s best restaurants exude a certain kind of casual glamour. On Setanta Place, the chic dining room at is a favourite spot for cast dinners when movies are being shot in and around the city. You’ll find what many believe to be Ireland’s best oysters served here. Meanwhile, the updated Irish classics and impeccable martinis at in the Liberties have earned it many loyal fans, including Sarah Jessica Parker, who has holidayed in Ireland for decades now. Be sure to try the cock-a-leekie pie.
Nothing cures a foggy head like a Sunday morning dip. Dublin regulars all have their favourite spot for sea swimming, but hop on the Dart and disembark at Seapoint or Sandycove & Glasthule for a scenic experience that’s suitable for beginners. Once you’re back in the city centre, make time for one final Guinness in one of Dublin’s historic pubs – try the , as namechecked by Fontaines, or the , with its Victorian bar beloved by Bruce Springsteen and Anthony Bourdain.