The local area has lots of cafés, formal and casual restaurants and gastro pubs to suit all tastes, special diets, personal food preferences and budgets. Expect to find lots of locally-sourced produce and, with the sea right beside us, expect to find just-caught fish on lots of menus! Here are a FEW suggestions for food, drink and local entertainment.
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel – Restaurants and Bars
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is next to our Holiday Apartments. It’s a great place to drop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. PJ’s Restaurant at the hotel has had many accolades and articles printed for its fabulous array of fresh foods and its wide range of culinary dishes. Its Sunday brunch is particularly popular. You can drop in for breakfast too, from 7:00 to 10:00hrs. The Grill Restaurant is a popular spot with both locals and guests. It offers authentic Irish cuisine using locally sourced produce. The Hotel also has two bars – The Library Bar and The Dungeon Bar.
Finnegan’s Pub | Sorrento Road, Dalkey
Finnegan’s is a wonderful family-owned pub. It’s a favourite spot of both Bono and is also the pub and restaurant where Michelle Obama and her daughters dined during the family’s Irish visit in 2013. It serves lunches every day and has won many awards. Everything from the Finnegans kitchen is home-made, using only natural and free range ingredients. The stylish bar features an exciting cocktail list and an extensive wine list. They also stock a very wide range of whiskeys.
The Guinea Pig | Railway Road, Dalkey
The Guinea Pig is a wonderful fine-dining restaurant located in the centre of Dalkey. It opened almost 60 years ago and has hosted many celebrities through the years including John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Bono, Enya, Maeve Binchy, Liam Neeson, Sir Cliff Richard, Meryl Streep and many more. The family-run restaurant specialises in seafood and fresh fish dishes, including locally caught crab and lobster. However, its menu extends beyond fish dishes and it caters all lovers of great food. Expect a luscious display of desserts, excellent cheeses and an extensive wine list
The Queens Bar and Steakhouse | Castle Street, Dalkey
The Queens in Dalkey is an historic pub, established in 1745. It offers year round appeal to locals and visitors alike. Whether it’s curling up with an Irish coffee by a warm fire or basking in summer sunshine on the award-winning terraces, this pub offers the very best of service, ambiance and value. Although The Queens was licensed to dispense alcohol from 1787, its origins date back even further to medieval times when Dalkey was the commercial port of Dublin. They also have a new steakhouse getting good reviews.
The Magpie Inn | Coliemore Road, Dalkey
The Magpie Inn in Dalkey is a cozy, warm and welcoming pub. They have a wide selection of interesting craft beers, an extensive wine list and serve locally sourced food from artisan producers. They aim is to appeal to both drinkers and diners. Their menus change regularly and, depending on the season, expect to find everything from wild game and aged steaks to a wide selection of fresh seafood.
The Club | Coliemore Road, Dalkey
Established in 1840, The Club, Dalkey has a long and distinguished history. The pub and restaurant is family-run with a warm and inviting atmosphere. They offer a full carvery lunch between 12.30 and 15.30 and also provide early bird and à la carte menus. The Club was a favourite social haunt of the late and great Hugh Leonard.
The Corner Note Café | Coliemore Road, Dalkey
The Corner Note Café in Dalkey is a charming bistro offering a wide range mouth-watering dishes including maritime dishes like Salmon Benedict and Seafood Chowder. It’s also one of Dublin’s best breakfast venues. They serve Breakfast/Brunch from 8:30 and lunch is available right through until 17:00. Closed Mondays.
Biddy’s Cottage | Coliemore Road, Dalkey
For something different, enjoy an evening of traditional Irish storytelling with tea and cakes in Biddy’s Cottage. This is a traditional and truly authentic Irish Cottage in the heart of Dalkey. Here you will step back in time and experience Irish life as it would have been centuries ago. Biddy, a renowned artist, foodie and storyteller will serve you tea and her famous oatcakes, before she bequiles you with the stories of Dalkey and the island.
As you sit by the fire you will see the little red dresser full of speckled delph, the settlebed sitting snugly in the corner, the ‘skeehogue’ or potato skib, where dinner was eaten from a basket on the knee… and cooking instruments now forgotten in a world of technology. Various St. Bridget’s crosses are hung over the doors and dresser to bring good luck and protect good people! Voted the #1 quirkiest thing to do in Dublin. Limited to 8 people, so booking essential.
Cavistons Food Emporium | Glasthule Road, Sandycove
Caviston Food Emporium is just 3km (a seven minute drive) from Fitzpatrick Castle Holiday Homes. It is a famous epicurean force – a wonderful restaurant, a deli, a fish and poultry shop… and more. If you want a culinary adventure par excellence, dine at Caviston’s Seafood Restaurant. The atmosphere matches the food and excellence and customer-satisfaction is always guaranteed. The cooking, like the staff, conveys a passion for food and hospitality, which makes the whole experience special. The restaurant sits besides its impressive food hall.
Johnnie Fox’s Pub | Glencullen
For something different, visit Johnnie Fox’s in Glencullen – 14kms (a 20 minute drive) from Fitzpatrick Castle Holiday Homes. It is one of the oldest pubs in Ireland, renowned for its traditional entertainment and its position as the highest pub in Ireland. Its award-winning seafood kitchen is open every day from 12:30hrs. There is live entertainment nightly and it also has a dinner and ‘Hooley Show’ – bookable online.