From the plethora of Coldplay nights, to the elusive tickets nobody managed to get for Oasis, with a capacity of 82,300, a significant percentage of Dubliners (and beyond) will find themselves heading to Ireland's largest stadium at some point in the next year, and have you really gone anywhere if you haven't sampled the direct vicinity's delicacies? And if you're going early in the day to join a pit queue or secure a good spot, we've rounded up the best cafés in walking distance to make sure your stomach is full and your caffeine levels are appropriate for the scrum...
(Twitter: @crokepark)
Coffee / Brunch
Russell Street Bakery - 4 min walk to the Hogan Stand
For the butteriest almond croissants, pain au chocolats, and New York pistachio rolls, head to Russell Street Bakery for a caffeine and pastry injection you'll still be thinking about when the band comes on stage. There's always something fresh out of the oven, and with Imbibe coffee there isn't a better cup in the vicinity. Grab a quiche or baguette for later to ensure you don't get hangry mid-show. Read our two minute review here.
Cloud Café - 14 min walk to the Hogan Stand
If you're heading to Croke Park from the North Strand side, Cloud Café is a great spot to get your feed on. On weekends their breakfast runs all day so you'll have plenty of options including a full Irish, massive sandwiches and power bowls. Their bread is from Firehouse Bakery in Delgany (slay), and their coffee is Cloud Picker (double slay).
Two Boys Brew - 19 min walk to the Hogan Stand
Hands down some of the best brunch in the city, never mind the Northside, Australian inspired Two Boys Brew is the perfect spot to load up on chilli eggs, toasties and affogatos pre-show. Their pork shoulder benny is what ancient historians would coin the "breakfast of champions", and their cajun fried chicken burger is ginormous. Make sure to grab a pastry and takeaway coffee for the walk.
Dinner
Wallace's Asti - 4 min walk to the Hogan Stand
Get your soakage on at pizza and pasta joint Wallace's Asti, a very short hop from the stadium. You'll find Sardinian pasta plates like fregola ai frutti di mare, and malloreddus (small shell pasta with tomato, onions, PDO San Gavino saffron, sausages and dill), There's two different pizza bases here - the classic Neapolitan, or the rectangular Black Pinsa, the latter made using an ancient roman recipe with a blend of wheat, rice and soya flours, proved for 72 hours before baking. Between the pinsa's increased digestibility and the activated charcoal in the dough there should be no mid-gig slump either.
El Grito - 8 min walk to the Hogan Stand
Hidden in plain sight in a Georgian house on Mountjoy square, you'll find the place to go for proper corn tortilla tacos and margs for days. El Grito is a great option when you're looking to get a proper feed in before a gig, without having to break the bank, which will be music to your ears after remembering how much your tickets cost.
Juno - 8 min walk to the Hogan Stand
One of the shorter walks from Croker, Juno on Dorset Street might just look like a boozer, but it's so much more than pints pints pints. Their fun cocktail menu needs to be explored, and their food menu leans into Irish fast food with refinement. The hot fish sandwich uses fresh hake from Sustainable Seafood Ireland, their dry aged smash burger is topped with maggi onions and a Dubliner cheddar sauce, and their (unmissable) battered sausage houses black pudding and thyme. Any of these options beats hastily homping chipper versions down your throat while en route to the stadium. Read our once over here.
Shouk, 9 min walk to the Hogan Stand
It's just a short stroll to Croke Park from one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Dublin. Shouk's vibrant menu is filled with shawarmaa, arayes and whole chargrilled veggie plates, and whatever you do, don't skip the mezze starter - the falafel and dips will have you weak at the knees and the flatbread, oh the flatbread... If going with a group their Middle East feast is a no brainer - at €35 a head, your gang will eat like kings. Book well in advance. Read our once over here.
Brut Wine Bar - 9 min walk to the Hogan Stand
Right next door to our pals in the previous paragraph, Nelly's by day transforms into Brut Wine Bar from 17:30 on Friday and Saturday nights, and often extend these hours when gigs are on. They specialise in organic and biodynamic wine and have a small plates menu that is giving girl dinner - think Irish cheese boards, various delicious items on breads and antipasti. Perfect for when you don't want to over eat before all the bopping you're bound to do at the gig.
The Seafood Bar - 18 min walk to the Hogan Stand
Spanish plates with a focus on local produce make us huge fans of The Seafood Bar. The clams with garlic and salsa verde is a Grade A knockout, their sizzling gambas are bouncy and juicy in all the right places, and the paella portion is uncharacteristically generous for the capital. With only 10 indoor seats, these will book up fast, but there's also standing room outside if the weather's not inclement. Read our once over here.
Eatyard at The Bernard Shaw - 18 min walk to the Hogan Stand
If you're with a gang and need a pre-gig crowd pleaser, Eatyard at The Bernard Shaw is your man. With wood fired sourdough pies from Village Pizza Dublin, dumplings, bao and rice bowls from Janets, Brazilian hot dogs from Gaucho’s Dog, or a very tasty cheeseburger from Nice Burger, the veggies, vegans and straight up picky eaters will find something to wet their whistles.
Knead Pizza & Bottle Shop at the Cat and Cage, 20 min walk to the Hogan Stand
If a decent bottle of wine is your pre-gig sauce of choice, Knead Pizza & Bottle Shop at the Cat and Cage will sort you out. Upon entry, take a swift right and head up the stairs to scan their wines by the bottle that can be enjoyed in the pub sans corkage. Their pizza menu is varied with decent vegan options, but whatever you do don't skip the mac and cheese suppli. One of the further afield options, but perfect to walk all the carbs off. Or, if the food coma has properly set in, you could always hop on the 16, 33 or 41 bus...
