If ‘you are what you eat’, then the Irish must be getting better. The Irish food scene is definitely going through an exciting time, as the nation’s chefs continue to reawaken an interest in simple, high quality ingredients. Earlier this year, even the New York Times took notice, declaring that ‘hearty sandwiches are Dublin’s answer to a recession’. These five delis are evidence of the city’s foodie renaissance.
The Pig & Heifer
The Pig & Heifer is almost unanimously considered Dublin’s best delicatessen. Established in 1996 by the son of a butcher, this New York-style deli prides itself on having been the first in Ireland to serve ‘the real pastrami on rye.’ They’re now at three locations in the city, with an additional tapas restaurant in Dún Laoghaire. Their deli offers classic sandwiches like meatballs with melted mozzarella, turkey clubs and a New York Reuben, as well as specialities like their hot Italian hoagie – consisting of Spanish chorizo with tomato and melted blue cheese.
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147 Deli
When 147 Deli came to Parnell Street in 2014, it was welcomed with open arms as a high quality, inexpensive lunchtime spot. It went on to be one of the Dublin delis featured in the New York Times article earlier this year, with owner Barry Stephens telling its author how the recession had forced Irish chefs to ‘think outside the box.’ Stephen’s idea of creating an affordable place to get an amazing sandwich has worked out remarkably well. They also serve what have been called the best doughnuts in Dublin here from Thursday to Saturday, made by Dublin Doughnut Co.
Grocery Store, Dessert, Pastries, Fast Food, Street Food, Vegetarian, $$$
Fresh-baked bread at Fallon & Byrne | Courtesy of Fallon & Byrne
The Fallon & Byrne food hall and wine shop on Exchequer Street is a firm favourite with Dublin foodies who love to cook, stocking only the purest, best quality ingredients, from freshly caught fish to seasonal fruit and vegetables. At their deli counter, the same ethos is applied – using simple but delicious ingredients to make their sandwich selection, fresh every morning. They use only free-range chicken in their menu, alongside aged Irish Angus beef and Howth-smoked salmon.
Grocery Store, Bakery, Dessert, Pastries, Fast Food, Street Food
The family-run Donnybrook Fair deli benefits from a Ballymaloe Cookery School-trained head chef, the Irish gold standard of culinary training. Naomi Gillespie runs the kitchen of the original Morehampton Road premises like a well-oiled machine, ensuring that their shelves are always stocked with tasty treats. The company has opened four sister stores over the past ten years, bringing organic fruit and vegetables, Irish pasture-reared beef and lamb, and fresh baked goods to Dublin residents.
Founded in 1979, The Hopsack in Rathmines is one of Dublin’s oldest and best health food stores. It has become a go-to for Dubliners with finicky dietary requirements and those who like to eat ethically and sustainably. Their healthy lunch fare can be delivered across the city in half an hour with Deliveroo. Highlights include their Wild Atlantic Way salad of sea spaghetti, ginger, mangoes and mint, and their spelt pizza slices.
