There’s never been a better selection of independent and specialist food stores in Dublin, with somewhere to satisfy almost any culinary craving, curiosity or cookbook you may own. In part two of our favourite grocers series, here's our pick of the new and old on the Southside of the city that we love a good potter around (i.e. spending far more money than planned).
Lennox Street Grocer
This sibling-run, super friendly Lennox Street Grocer on leafy Lennox Street has become an institution in Portobello. Their products - everything from oils and vinegars to antipasti and wine - is thoughtfully chosen, with plenty of support for local makers. Sandwiches from Greenville Deli are available during the week, along with an ever-changing selection of seasonal quiche and tart specials that always make us swoon when we see them on Instagram. Pastries are delivered daily from Bread 41 (the Morning Buns sell out on the regular so act fast) and are best enjoyed on the bench outside with a cup of Moyee Coffee.
Hero Product: Revolution Ragu. The Upcycle Farm uses nutrient-rich leftover coffee grinds from Lennox Street Grocer to grow the oyster mushrooms that they transform into this tasty vegan sauce.
Brindle Coffee & Wine, Portobello
This quirky little store is a joy to browse, and only a few doors up from Lennox Street Grocer. As well as boasting an excellent wine selection, Brindle stock all sorts of fun merch to load up on (we love the ‘I heart Portobello’ tote bags). There’s dips, pestos, pâtés and pastes aplenty here, many of which are made in-house - be sure to leave with some of their olive tapenade and red onion marmalade. The deck chairs outside are a coveted spot to catch up with friends over a cup of Roasted Brown coffee, and our absolute favourite discovery is their Mixtape Series - a box of wines delivered to your home along with a cheesy Spotify playlist to pair them with.
Hero Product: Brindle Chai Syrup - add some to your baking, tea or a cocktail.
Evergreen, Wexford Street
A pocket of calm on busy Wexford Street, a colourful array of locally-grown fresh fruit and veg welcome you into Evergreen, from donut peaches to organic mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. There are shelves upon shelves of spices and herbs to look through with everything from vegan feta cheese to gourmet preserves in this small but homely space. Coffee comes courtesy of McCabes and there are sweet treats like custard tarts at the counter.
Hero Product: Nirvana Hazelnut Butter - seriously smooth with a hint of vanilla, this nut butter is gorgeous on a piece of sourdough toast. We also love the trippy branding by illustrator Ross Carvill.
A Taste Of Spain, Camden Street
A Taste Of Spain, which also has a branch on Capel Street, is the go-to for all the delicious things that make Spain a food destination - wine, Iberian chorizo, olives, Manchego cheese, paella mix - but it also caters to Spanish people living in Ireland, stocking the snacks, biscuits, breakfast cereals and even some beauty products that they may be missing from home. The wine selection is first rate, and they also put together beautiful, bespoke foodie hampers that make thoughtful gifts. Their ‘New Mum’ hamper in particular is a lovely idea.
Hero Product: Their Bravas Sauce. You can also pick up traditional ceramic tapas bowls here to serve your patatas in.
Liston's, Camden Street
Camden Street grocer Liston’s passion for ‘honest, healthy food’ has made it the perfect pitstop for wine, cheese, charcuterie, ready meals and everything in between. With over 4,000 products on their shelves you’ll be well and truly spoilt for choice. The deli at the back of the store serves sandwiches, food platters and hot foods like quiche and sausage rolls, while pastries come from The Blackpitts Bakery. The artisan chocolate selection will stop you in your tracks.
Hero Product: Fresh Egg Pasta from Rosa Madre, or the Rose & Tarragon Sorbetto from the Dalkey Food Company.
Forest Avenue - Grocer & Deli, Leeson Street
Forest Avenue have always been innovators when it comes to food, and like the restaurant that came before it, their grocer and deli is no exception. The hot food counter has rotating daily specials (comté, mushroom & caramelised onion quiche and New York-style hot dog with pickles when we last visited), there's a dedicated wine shop upstairs, a grab and go area, ready-meal section (suckling pig ragu anyone?) and Little Forrest pizzas in the freezer. They also have an on-site micro bakery whipping up breads, focaccias and sweet stuff like brioche croissants and hazelnut pain aux raisin. There’s lovely canal-adjacent outdoor seating, a stylish nook and counter seating inside.
Hero Product: Housemade spiced pita chips. Use them to dip into some aubergine caviar, guacamole with tomato salsa and cucumber gel or white bean hummus & walnut salsa.
Picado Mexican Pantry, Dublin 8
Lily Ramirez’s extremely ‘grammable Richmond Street store and cookery school Picado has been whole-heartedly embraced by Dublin’s Mexican community, as well as Irish appreciators of real deal Mexican food. Grab a Frieda Kahlo reusable shopping bag and stock up on tacos, tortilla chips, sauces, spices, sweets and every type of chilli you can imagine. Day of the Dead preparations were in full swing when we visited, with colourful pinatas dotted about the store, and we’re looking forward to the return of Lily’s in-store cookery demos and legendary supper club.
Hero Product: Tortilla Cosies - use these stylish, insulated pockets to keep your tortillas nice n’ toasty. They make a great gift for the foodie in your life too.
Asia Market, Drury Street
The family-run Drury Street store, operating here for 40 years now, boasts one of Dublin’s most beautiful window displays with its distinctive Chinese lanterns and pretty Cherry Blossoms in Spring, but there’s plenty more to catch your eye inside. An afternoon ambling around exploring Asia Market's aisles of beers, candies, cooking utensils, sauces and more is always one well spent. Its sister store in Ballymount is even bigger and well worth the trip to the burbs.
Hero Product: So many things - the Lao Gan Ma crispy chilli oil, the Ajinomoto dumplings, the kimchi, every Asian herb, spice and condiment you can think of, all the noodles, and the Japanese Mochi. These doughy balls of sweet rice paste have become a viral sensation on Tik Tok, and the flavours on offer here include coconut, green tea and red bean.
Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8
Part grocer, part gallery and part café, the effortlessly cool Hen's Teeth is one of the few places in the city where you can browse art, vinyl and wine all under the one roof. Smoked almonds and padron peppers are a must-try on the ‘all day treats’ menu, and the lunch and evening menus change regularly to keep diners on their toes - you could find anything from whipped tofu tart with edamame beans to Thai-fried cauliflower with pak choy, peanut & puffed potato when you visit. It all tastes good washed down with a Mikkeller beer or some of their natural wines. Their hot sauce selection is top notch too with an emphasis on the locally-made - try the Smokey Lemon from Ellie’s Kitchen.
Hero Products: The recently introduced G’wan Ireland Hamper - a box of treats from assorted Irish makers like Bean & Goose Chocolate and White Mausu sauces.
Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 2
If you’re looking for something particular, an unusual ingredient or product, chances are you’ll find it in Fallon & Byrne's vast food hall. The choice at all the counters - from cheese and meat to antipasti and wine - is extensive, and the staff are super knowledgeable and helpful. There’s a wide range of baking products on offer, with various flours, sugars and casings - even edible flower packets. If you don’t fancy baking it yourself you can pick up freshly-baked baguettes, sourdoughs, cakes, pastries and coffee here too. Fallon & Byrne is particularly magical at Christmas with its twinkling lights, and atmospheric at Halloween too with a pumpkin patch on display in-store.
Hero Product: The house-made Nam Jing dressing is perfect for giving salad an oriental twist.
Marlowe & Co, Dublin 8
This couple-owned and operated Dublin 8 store Marlowe & Co, something of a community hub, is a wonderful place to spend any amount of time. As well as salads, meats, potatoes and butters, you’ll find prints and fresh flowers. Sweet stuff comes from the nearby Blackpitts Bakery with The Pepper Pot café providing savoury items like sausage rolls. We love the ‘Tenters Triple’ - three items of your choice from the store packed up in a handy, carriable cardboard box.
Hero Product: The always in-demand Pan di Stelle hazelnut cocoa spread rarely stays on the shelf for very long.
The Fumbally, Dublin 8
‘Food and community’ is the ethos in this thriving Dublin 8 café and store, with an emphasis on locally-sourced, all-natural produce. The divine smell of fresh baking from The Fumbally wafts pleasantly throughout with breads, sandwiches and pastries all made fresh daily on-site. Their ‘Fumbally Ferments’ project features a rotating range of fermented foods to sample, and the wine is chosen with minimal intervention and traditional wine-making techniques in mind. You’ll also find your cupboard essentials, fruit and veg, as well as arts, crafts and ceramics to browse.
Hero Product: Their sourdough brioche. Try it with poached eggs, smashed avocado and pickled onions for a breakfast to remember.
Shop Easi, Clanbrassil Street
If you feel a spate of Indian cookery coming on, head to 'International Grocery' Shop Easi on Clanbrassil Street for all the pastes, pickles and frozen parathas you can imagine. There's a good selection of hard to get fruits and vegetables, a Halal butcher, and Eastern European products. Do not miss the Indian mangoes in season from April/May
Hero Product: The mangoes - Alphonso, Bedami, Kesar. Buy whatever they've got by the boxload and savour one each night after dinner - who needs cake. You'll dream of the sweet, floral, perfumed taste again until they're back next season.
Did we miss your favourite southside city grocer? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.
