Dublin’s top concierges share their personal suggestions for the perfect day
DAVID MCNALLY
Set yourself up for the day with breakfast at Seasons Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel, or at Expresso Café in the upmarket Ballsbridge district.
Expresso offers a range of delicious pastries, homemade scones and preserves, fruit salads and granola, as well as a good selection of hot treats.
The Four Seasons can arrange a private guide to take you on a walking tour of the city, beginning with a stroll through the streets and squares of Georgian Dublin. A visit to the unique museum townhouse at Number 29 Fitzwilliam Street gives visitors an insight into life upstairs and downstairs in a genteel 18th century home. Next stop is the National Museum of Ireland with its dazzling array of gold artifacts from the Bronze Age. Trinity College is another must-see, offering an oasis of calm amid the busy city center.
For lunch, sample the French cuisine at two Michelin-starred Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, or Eamonn O’Reilly’s modern Irish menu at One Pico. For something more casual try the lovely brasserie-style Peploe’s Wine Bar and for a pint of Guinness in a traditional Victorian pub, head to the Long Hall, Kehoe’s or Davy Byrne’s.
BEST RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Cuisine: Contemporary French
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21 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2
Chapter One
Cuisine: Classic French
18-19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
One Pico
Cuisine: Classic French with modern touches
5–6 Molesworth Place, Schoolhouse Lane, Dublin 2
BEST SHOPPING
Brown Thomas
For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.
88-95 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Kilkenny Design Centre
For: Handcrafted Irish jewelry, knitwear, Celtic gifts, china, crystal, pottery and glass.
6-15 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
BEST TO DO
Visit the restored 18th Century townhouse at Number 29 Fitzwilliam Street
BEST PUBS
The Long Hall
51 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
Kehoe’s
9 South Anne Street, Dublin 2
Davy Byrne’s
21 Duke Street, Dublin 2
SEAN LALLY
Government Buildings, the National Gallery and the National Museum of Ireland are all on the doorstep of the Merrion Hotel on Upper Merrion Street.
A short walk takes you to the lively pubs, shops and restaurants around St. Stephen’s Green, as well as Grafton Street for designer label hunters. Dublin is a delight to explore on foot, with its medieval and Georgian architecture and a host of attractions including castles, museums, art galleries and theaters.
BEST RESTAURANTS
The Cellar Restaurant
Cuisine: Irish
The Merrion Hotel, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2
BEST SHOPPING
Brown Thomas
For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.
88-95 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
HUEY O’BYRNE
BEST RESTAURANTS
Chapter One
Cuisine: Classic French
18-19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Fallon & Byrne
Cuisine: Modern European
11-17 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2
Odessa
Cuisine: Eclectic
13 Dame Court, Dublin 2
Pichet
Cuisine: French bistro
14/15 Trinity Street, Dublin 2
BEST SHOPPING
Brown Thomas
For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.
88-95 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
BEST TO DO
Private tour of the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery
Bow Street, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7
Private tour of Number 10, the quintessential Georgian townhouse
10 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1
SIMON DUNNE
Enjoy Breakfast in the Morgan Bar before heading off to see the sights of Dublin.
Trinity College, one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attractions is just three minutes walk. Here, stunning scenery along with the world renowned Book of Kells can be seen. Another two minutes or so up the road, you’ll find Dublin’s main shopping promenade, Grafton Street. Hours can be spent here watching the local street entertainment or shopping in famous stores such as Brown Thomas. Relax with some mouth-watering tapas in the Morgan Bar. The evening options are plentiful particularly in Temple Bar, the entertainment heartland of Dublin.
BEST RESTAURANTS
Shanahan’s on the Green
Cuisine: American-style steakhouse
119 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Marco Pierre White
Cuisine: Steakhouse
51 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Elephant and Castle
Cuisine: International
18 Temple Bar, Dublin 2
BEST SHOPPING
Brown Thomas
For: Luxury fashion, accessories, cosmetics and housewares.
88-95 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
BEST TO DO
The Guinness Storehouse Tour
St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8
