Where to go for Brunch In Dublin

Brunch - the most important meal of the week. We’ve approached it here as a holistic exercise - it’s not just about the food, it’s also about the location. Is there a sea walk nearby to blow the cobwebs away? Or a salvage yard to go searching for that one-of-a-kind piece? Or a sunny patch of pavement where you can people-watch from behind soothing sunglasses? Brunch is about leisure. This should be a meal without stress, and possibly with a daytime cocktail or two. With that in mind, here are the best brunches the suburbs have to offer to save you the trek into town, and yes there's a whole section on Dublin 8 -we don't make the brunch rules...

(If you're set on heading into town, here are the best brunch options in the city centre)

Northside

Little Washer, Glasnevin

An Italian leaning wine bar by night, Little Washer serves brunch from 9am on weekends (with pizza options kicking in from midday). The baked eggs with fennel and sausage ragu is the one to go for here, covered in a shower of aged parmesan and served with ciabatta toast. Follow it up with a stroll around the Botanic Gardens and you’ll be fit to face the week ahead.

Two Boys Brew, Phibsborough

Kevin and Taurean of Two Boys Brew opened up the now iconic Dublin 7 café back in 2016 inspired by their time in Berlin, Copenhagen and Australia. They're still pumping out some of the best brunch on the Northside, with dishes like eggs benedict with slow cooked Irish beef cheek; soft scrambled eggs with herb infused feta; and a magnificent french toast. They're also pouring some of the best coffee in the area and are eternally busy - brunch starts at 9am so get there early if you want to avoid getting hangry in the queue.

3fe, Phibsborough

Now becoming something of a cookie cutter operation, 3fe’s first suburban Northside location is right next to Two Boys Brew - an interesting move. Their menu is now the same across all locations, with easy going options like the breakfast bap, chorizo hash, and granola and yoghurt, but you can't deny the coffee is great.

Bang Bang, Phibsborough

Slightly off Phibsborough’s main drag, just behind Dalymount Stadium, nestled among the 1890s red brick houses is Bang Bang, home of the legendary brunch burger - a Dublin brunch right of passage. Their specials change daily, with an option each for carnivores, veggies and vegans, they pour Silverskin coffee and all the sweet stuff is homemade. Great food, banging tunes and friendly staff - what more could you ask from brunch.

Slice, Stoneybatter

Stoneybatter is heaven for food loving D7 dwellers, but for brunch Slice is where it's at. All-day brunch is served seven days a week, with the most tantalising flavour combinations that outshine the vast majority of other brunch menus, everywhere. There's additional outdoor seating, and it's the brunch spot to be on a cracking day. Last summer they were serving watermelon Aperol Spritzes and we're still not over it.

Social Fabric Café, Stoneybatter

Another point on the scoreboard for Stoneybatter is Social Fabric, located in an old post office now transformed into a friendly, community focused space. Their brunch menu is a rundown of the classics, with some tasty twists - Turkish eggs are made with spicy nduja sausage, and eggs benedict comes with two perfectly crispy-fried cuboid potato cakes. They serve reliably good Cloud Picker coffee too, so drop by for a flat white, a good feed, and a wander along Stoneybatter’s main drag.

Two Pups, Fairview

2023 was a good year for brunch seekers in Fairview when the revered Two Pups in Dublin 8 expanded across the Liffey with a slightly smaller premises and a more brunch forward menu than the original. Aside from their twin brioche breakfast bun creations (The McDivil - scrambled egg, mustard mayo, gherkins and a sausage patty, and The Boldy - egg, miso aioli, cheese, chives and caramelised onion) they serve other brunch friendly options like açai, granola and burritos. Freshly baked pastries are now supplied by their own Bold Boy Bakery.

Póg, Clontarf, Howth & Malahide

Póg is a protein pancake palace, with a full menu of sauces, toppings and premium add ons for their signature stacks. If that's not your bag there's also the wallet busting avocado on toast (sixteen of your finest euros), breakfast brioche and açai bowls. Although they started in the city centre, the last couple of years have seen them expand to the specifically seaside North Dublin suburbs of Howth, Malahide and Clontarf.

Orani, Blanchardstown

Orani in Blanchardstown might not be the first spot you think of for brunch, but trust us, it should be. They describe themselves as "Asian Fusion" with dishes like Orani eggs Benedict with a miso hollandaise, and quinoa taco pancakes, but the owners' Filipino roots have thankfully spilled onto their brunch menu too. Orani is the place to try popular Filipino breakfast staples Longsilog - sausage with garlic rice and a fried egg - and Tapsilog - an all-day breakfast dish with beef tapa, fried egg, garlic fried rice and fresh vegetables.

Baa Baa, Chapelizod

This sweet spot in Chapelizod reopened recently with a makeover to their interior, and they’re still serving the most beautiful plates around. Baa Baa's dishes are an explosion of colour and texture, like the crispy rosemary panko halloumi bowl with tabbouleh, pomegranate and pickles, or the acai coconut bowl loaded with nut butter, granola and fruit. With true attention to eating the rainbow, this is a slightly healthier option too - although nothing tastes overly virtuous.

Dublin 8

3fe, Clancy Quay

Here to help us heal from the tragic loss of Storyboard, 3fe’s latest opening in the old Storyboard site in Islandbridge has all the usual 3fe dependables, along with their reliably excellent coffee. Sit down for the Dirty Gertie, 3fe's version of the full Irish, followed by a leisurely walk around the Memorial Gardens and a rummage through Mac’s Warehouse. The perfect Sunday.

Riggers, Inchicore

A beyond decent brunch spot on Emmet Road, Riggers is slinging the classics with avocado toast - their version has pineapple pico de gallo and feta - and fluffy stacks of pancakes with dulce du leche creme anglais and whipped mascarpone. Nab yourself a seat outside come summer and enjoy the micro sun trap that seems to manifest around brunchtime, as you watch the world go by

Flower and Bean, Cork Street

Brightening up a fairly quiet stretch of Cork Street is Flower and Bean, a space with a slightly DIY vibe and a mountain of charm. Brunch is served in beautiful enamelware, and they’re very child friendly (are the unbreakable dishes a coincidence? We think not), running regular meet ups and competitions for families with kids. A special mention here for the doughnuts - soft pillowy balls of light, enriched dough filled with seasonal fillings and rolled in crunchy sugar.

Daddy's, Rialto

Daddy’s have recently changed ownership, but seem to be keeping up the good work bringing their modern Irish dishes to the people of Rialto. They do an all-day brunch menu on the weekend, and have a few brunch style dishes on their weekday menu too, including the now iconic bacon egg and cheese croissandwich and Turkish eggs with thick yogurt and spiced butter. Decisions, decisions...

The Fumbally, Fumbally Lane

Some of the best chefs and food entrepreneurs in Ireland have ‘graduated’ from The Fumbally, which operates a non-hierarchical kitchen, allowing everyone the equal chance to create new menu items. This freedom has paid off for both the employees and the café, with a queue of hopeful young chefs waiting in the wings to get their shot. The result is an ever evolving menu of exciting, seasonal and imaginative dishes - no wonder there’s usually a queue to beat.

ALMA, Portobello

Another Portobello diamond, ALMA is a family operation, with the name stemming from the four initials of the children, and you’ll usually see one or more of them on the floor. ALMA’s creations always sound a little bit nutty on the page, but their flavour driven dishes hit every delicious note. Try their Korean take on the traditional Argentinian choripan with Argentinian style sausage and kimchi, and their fluffy buttermilk pancakes with dulce-du-leche and orange mascarpone. Special shoutout to their adorable merch - we want that Brunch Club t-shirt BAD.

Groundstate Coffee, The Liberties

This café roastery based in the Liberties, Dublin 8 works with small growers for their coffee beans and roast everything in small batches in-house. They're keen to use quality local suppliers and are nailing it with McNally Farm, Firehouse Bakery and Pigs on the Green are all on their roster. Overnight oats are a popular order, but they also have weekend worthy dishes like brioche brekkie buns and spicy chorizo eggs. Grab a bag of their excellent coffee to take home on your way out the door.

Bibi's, Portobello

This quiet but buzzy little spot has been open for years, but never feels dated. The menu shifts seasonally but always includes some timeless Bibi’s brunch classics - we find ourselves returning again and again for their squash eggs with silky sweet slices of roasted butternut squash, garlicky yogurt, chilli oil and perfectly poached eggs, with perfect sourdough toast

Southside

Two Fifty Square, Rathmines

With three outposts across South Dublin, Two Fifty Square serve brunch out of their recently renovated Rathmines location, a pleasantly bright and high ceilinged space. It’s the perfect spot if you’re the kind to compulsively photograph your food (guilty) as the overhead light makes every plate look amazing, not that they need help. The menu is a rundown of well-realised reliables, with a particularly pretty avo toast and picture perfect corn fritter with halloumi and herb oil.

Grove Road, Rathmines

Located right at Portobello Bridge, snag a window seat here for peak people watching as you sip your flat white. Grove Road serves brunch all day on the weekends and even have a smaller brunch menu that they serve all day during the week, so you don’t need to wait until the weekend to enjoy their avocado and feta smash toast with properly crispy bacon.

Mad Yolks, Rathmines

Brothers Hugh and Eoin O’Reilly of Mad Yolks expanded from their Smithfield location to Rathmines back in 2023, which we're sure the locals were very happy about. The menu is the same as their Smithfield spot, with free-range egg sandwiches, homemade hash browns and chilled mimosas. Flavour combinations are ace, and you should prepare to leave with a newfound grá for eggs. You'll never, ever, need to eat an Egg McMuffin again. Read our once over here.

Brother Hubbard, Ranelagh

After blessing Dublin 8, Capel Street, and the good shoppers of Arnotts with their Middle Eastern inspired flavours, Brother Hubbard’s Ranelagh opening delighted residents back in 2022, where they continue to serve up the fundamentals like Eggs Menemen and seasonal french toast. They also have arguably the best vegan brunch option in the city with their Sabiche - roasted aubergine flatbread with creamy hummus, amba sauce and dukkah.

Happy Out, Donnybrook and Dun Laoghaire

We challenge you not to get a coffee from Happy Out when you're going for a walk along Bull Island or Dun Laoghaire pier. Or if the weather is wild or your head is feeling a bit too tender, try their Donnybrook location. In Dun Laoghaire they’ve collaborated with Together Academy in the most stunning spot right on the water in the historic Dun Laoghaire Baths building. Sea views, toasties, and killer coffee. What more could you want out of this little old life.

Juniors, Beggar's Bush

Juniors is owned by brothers Paul and Barry McNeary, who are also behind Paulie's Pizza and Lotts and Co., and it’s been on the go for years, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their brunch has rowed back from American-style to more of a classic offering, with bacon and egg rolls, American-style pancakes, and a full Irish. Good for some recovery after a night on the tiles.

Crudo, Sandymount

Known for their casually incredible Italian dishes, Crudo’s brunch offerings are a textural dream - fluffy ricotta scrambled eggs with toasted Oaksmoke Bakery sourdough and grated salty pecorino cheese, with optional crispy pancetta for the perfect bite. Their characteristically Italian take on french toast (should we say Italian toast?) sounds terrific - a slab of focaccia soaked in amaretto custard and served with whipped mascarpone and seasonal fruit. Deliziosa...

3fe Five Points, Harold's Cross

Far from the first mention of the ubiquitous 3fe on this list, and it's to be expected, as they seem to be popping up on every corner, with no arguments from us. Similar to the other locations, you've got the staples like the fried chicken bap, Boston beans, and chai spiced porridge. It seems like no matter where you are, you can increasingly enjoy 3fe from the comfort of your own neighborhood.

Southbank, Harold's Cross

Much as we might fancy the comfort of an old favourite, we’ve always got eyes open for something distinctive on a brunch menu. That’s where Southbank’s charred cabbage on toast comes in, topped with beetroot hummus, crispy shallots and peanut rayu – you won’t find that anywhere else around town. Fear not if that’s a bridge too far - there are full Irishes and eggs benedicts aplenty too. With an under-12s kids menu available at weekends, it's also a great bet if you’re brunching with little ones.

Hatch, Blackrock

Hatch serve a small but perfectly formed brunch menu, which includes an incredible confit tomato and ricotta toast along with one of the best iterations of the breakfast bap we’ve ever tried. Don’t miss out on their brown butter cookie which scooped a silver medal in the 2023 Blas na hÉireann awards. It's the perfect spot for early birds as they start serving from 08:00 on the weekend, and from 07:00 midweek.

Koda, Deansgrange

Newish opening Koda in Deansgrange has a fairly pork-forward proposition when it comes to brunch. Their standout dishes are the breakfast bap (pork patty, sriracha mayo, fried egg, hash brown), and an incredible looking pork belly with crispy rice and a poached egg. TJ Crowes sausages take pride of place in the Koda grill, and buttermilk pancakes are served with crispy bacon and maple syrup. One for meat lovers.

Bibi’s, Dun Laoghaire

The new outpost of the Portobello institution is the perfect place to enjoy a seaside brunch. Come to enjoy their Turkish eggs or one of their excellent toasties, stay for the view out over the sea. Can we also give a mention to the fact that they always give you the right amount of butter with your toast? (Read: loads). This is a busy one and queues are to be expected.

Riggers South, Sandycove

Sister to Riggers Inchicore, Riggers South was born last summer in the seaside suburb of Glasthule, and unlike some other sibling restaurants, South has a markedly different menu. Our eye was caught by the gochujang chicken and waffles and croissant pain perdu (a particularly rich and custardy bread and butter pudding), and Filet-O-fish girlies will appreciate the crispy fish burger with lime cabbage slaw and fermented mango salsa on a brioche bun.

Overends Kitchen, Dundrum

Sitting on the large Airfield Estate in Dundrum, Overends Kitchen has probably the most locally grown produce around as lots of it is grown on the grounds, and their menus change depending on the harvest. It’s a family friendly spot and designed to be explored and enjoyed by all. You could arrive early and help collect the eggs that will end up in your breakfast, or burn off some of your brunch with a walk around the six acre gardens. Either way, you won’t be disappointed by the garden greens shakshuka, buttermilk fried chicken and waffles, or brioche French toast.