Dublin Food Budget
 

Hello fellow travel-lovers!
I am 21 and from the upper left hand corner of Indiana, close enough to pretend I'm from Chicago when I go abroad.
I am traveling to Dublin in September with my two best friends of the same age.
I was hoping maybe someone could offer some insight into how much I could expect to pay for food per day on average? Apparently our hotel boasts a full Irish breakfast, so we won't have to worry about that, but we will need money for lunch and dinner. We aren't necessarily foodies, so we won't be ordering any saffron glazed lamb roulade in a truffle-mango reduction or anything like that, and we aren't really suckers for the "wine with dinner" phenomenon, we will probably just eat "normal" food.
Any replies would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Honestly, it isn't the food prices, it is the darn exchange rate. Those euros are expensive. You can find cheap food everywhere, just remember to add 30% because of the euro vs. dollar.

check out www.valuemenu.ie, which will help you find some good deals in Dublin. Breakfast should hold you well through the day with perhaps a light snack in mid afternoon. Leo Burdock's has the best fish & chips, Around € 8 Euro. I ordered one meal and two of us split it. They are certainly not shy about portions. It is on Christ Church. Many Dublin Pubs serve food at lunch time. On Kevin St-Aungier St.-Wexford St, if you like crepes, try Fafie's Creperie from about €5. There are also a lot of Chinese and Thai take-out places which are inexpensive and filling.

I hope this helps.

Slan Beo,

Bit Devine

I have to disagree at least on my experience with Leo Burdock's. The Hop on Hop off bus drivers may say it's the best, but it was easily the greasiest food I've ever had. I couldn't eat it.

Bill

I think you're in a minority on this one, Bill. Burdock's is a great Dublin institution, highly regarded by the city's natives.

Unlike most guide recommendations, I am fairly confident that the advice given by the bus drivers reflects their genuine opinion.

Withoutwings01: why are you ashamed of being a Hoosier? Do you imagine that the Irish have never heard of Gary or South Bend or Michigan City? We get around, you know.

I promise I'm not ashamed of being a hoosier! Well, I guess I am sad that the Bears lost to the Colts (boo!) and that there was some crazy dude sniping people on the freeway that I work off of. And I guess, I don't want really anyone to associate me with the former murder capital of the world.

:)

I do not underestimate the knowledge of any Irish person, I promise that too! I'm the one who just doesn't know!

mmmm Burdocks - am tempted to pop around there to grab some chips for lunch, but I shall resist!

For lunch you should probably budget about €5-7. After eating a big Irish breakfast you will probably only need a sandwich at that time - there are plenty of places that do take away or eat-in sandwiches, wraps, bagels, salads, etc.

In the evening there are a lot of restaurants that do early bird specials or pre-theatre menus.

There's also a great new pub recently opened - South William on (funnily enough) South William Street. They do fab pies for €8.50 - filling and lovely washed down with a pint!

Forgot to mention that there are lots of cheap but very authentic Asian restaurants around Parnell Street that would be worth checking out.

Hi Withoutwings

I agree with cowboy that Leo Burdocks is really tasty, but there are lots of places to get nice food. I agree with Cailin about getting a sandwich at lunch time, and then in the evening, I would suggest you eat in pubs, the food is much cheaper and just as good as some restaurants, Lunch should cost about €5-7, and pub grub for a main course €13-15.

Another option would be to have a main meal at lunchtime. Lots of the pubs serve a carvey, at lunch, this will cost €8-10. O'Neills on Suffolk st is one of the better ones. The portions are normally fairly big - well by Irish standards !

Dvey Byrnes also does a hot lunch. Its more dinner prices but will set you up for the day. Around Grafton street and Trinity College there are tons of Sandwich places. On Wicklow Street there is a Crepe place and also Munchies whoich is a good sandwich place and not pricey. You can eat in or take out for slightly cheaper and maybe go to St Stephens green on a sunny day. In Temple Bar they have Di Fontaines Pizza next to Eamon Dorans that sells large Pizza Slices for about 3 euro. Its like an american Pizzeria with a few chairs. Also Gruel on Dame street does a great Cheap lunch and dinner. Each day they have a different roast in a roll or pizza slice or salad. Great for dinner too. Its a bit shbby and miss matched in the dining area but do not let that put you off. I had dinner here 2 weeks ago and it was excellent. Also for Lunch is the irish Film Centre in Temple Bar. Good for a coffee or Lunch. On Saturdays go to the temple bar food marker and you can get organic burgers, Crepes, Sushi & Miso, Mexican, Veggie and Spanish food to eat then and there.