A Wedding Guest's Guide
Dublin,
Ireland
History, pints & the best craic of your life
The Emerald Isle awaits you
We're so glad you're joining us in Dublin. Here's our personal guide to the very best the city has to offer — pubs, food, history, and a few hidden gems we love. Sláinte!
Must-See Sights
History & CultureGuinness Storehouse Book Ahead
Iconic Experience · St. James's GateA seven-story journey through the history of Ireland's most famous export, ending at the stunning Gravity Bar with a complimentary pint and 360° views of the entire city. Even non-beer drinkers find it unforgettable. The most visited attraction in all of Ireland — and for very good reason.
Kilmainham Gaol Book Ahead
Museum · Inchicore RoadOne of the most moving experiences in all of Ireland. This 18th-century prison held the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising before their execution — a pivotal chapter in Irish independence. The guided tours are exceptional, led by passionate guides who bring history to life.
Dublin Castle
Historical Landmark · Dame StreetA living museum at the heart of the city, Dublin Castle served as the seat of British rule in Ireland for 700 years. The beautifully preserved State Apartments are still used for official government functions today — meaning you're walking through history that's still alive.
Trinity College & Book of Kells Book Ahead
Historic University · College GreenIreland's oldest university sits right in the city centre. The Long Room library — a breathtaking barrel-vaulted hall of 200,000 ancient texts — is one of the most beautiful rooms in the world. The 9th-century Book of Kells, housed here, is genuinely jaw-dropping.
The Little Museum of Dublin
Museum · St. Stephen's GreenA small Georgian townhouse on St. Stephen's Green built from over 5,000 objects donated by ordinary Irish people. The guided tours are full of wit and warmth — the guides here are consistently rated as some of the best in the whole city.
Phoenix Park
Park · West Dublin · FreeOne of the largest enclosed urban parks in Europe — bigger than Central Park. Wild fallow deer roam completely freely throughout the grounds. The moment you spot your first deer grazing calmly among the trees, you'll understand why Dubliners love this place so deeply.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Museum · Custom House QuayWinner of Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction award. This interactive museum in the beautiful CHQ building tells the story of the millions who left Ireland — and their extraordinary impact on the world. Deeply moving if you have any Irish heritage in your family.
Irish Whiskey Museum
Museum & Tasting · Grafton StreetRight on Grafton Street, this interactive museum tells the story of Irish whiskey with small guided groups and a tasting session at the end. Far more personal than the big distillery tours. Try the whiskey blending experience to create your own bottle to bring home.
The Pub Trail
The True Dublin ExperienceThe Cobblestone
Traditional Pub · Smithfield Village · €A fiercely loved local institution that the neighborhood rallied to protect when developers threatened it — and for very good reason. Every evening, traditional Irish musicians gather not to perform but to play for each other, creating something gloriously informal and authentic. No food, no stage, no cover charge. Just Guinness and pure trad music. This is the real Dublin.
Mulligan's
Classic Pub · Poolbeg Street · ££Said by many Dubliners to pour the single best pint of Guinness in the city. Little has changed here since James Joyce set one of his Dubliners stories in this very pub over a century ago. No frills, no tourist traps — just outstanding stout and 250 years of history soaked into the wood.
The Brazen Head
Ireland's Oldest Pub · Bridge Street · ££Dating back to 1198, The Brazen Head claims the title of Ireland's oldest pub. A warren of low-ceilinged rooms and a courtyard fill with live music most evenings. The Irish stew is warm, hearty, and exactly right after a long day of sightseeing.
The Temple Bar Pub
Iconic Pub · Temple Bar · £££Yes, it's touristy — and yes, drinks are pricier than the locals' spots. But the iconic red facade, electric live music, and wall of 450+ whiskeys make it worth a stop. Think of it as buying an experience as much as a drink. Arrive early and let the evening unfold.
Where to Eat & Drink
Brunch · Bites · Fine DiningBrother Hubbard
Our Brunch Pick · Capel Street & Harrington Street · ££Our top brunch recommendation in Dublin — and one of the most consistently praised spots in the city. Brother Hubbard serves a creative Middle Eastern-inspired menu with dishes like Moroccan eggs, pulled lamb flatbreads, cardamom buns, and tahini brownies that people travel across the city for. Praised by Time Out, Condé Nast Traveler, and every Dublin local worth their salt. Warm, relaxed, and genuinely delicious.
Murphy's Ice Cream
Ice Cream · Wicklow Street · €A beloved Irish institution originating in Dingle, Kerry. Murphy's uses local Irish dairy and wild Atlantic sea salt to make some of the most distinctive ice cream you'll ever taste. Flavours like Dingle Sea Salt, Irish Brown Bread, and Brown Butter are unlike anything you'll find anywhere else. An absolute must for a sweet stop on your walk through the city.
Bambino Pizza
Pizza · South William Street · £Dublin's cult-favourite pizza spot — tiny, buzzy, and absolutely packed for good reason. Bambino serves exceptional New York-style slices from a small counter in the heart of the city. Crispy, foldable, loaded with great toppings, and impossible to walk past without stopping in. Cash and cards accepted, no fuss, no frills — just brilliant pizza.
Loose Canon Sandwich Shop
Sandwiches & Wine · Drury Street · £A brilliant little spot on Drury Street that's part cheese shop, part natural wine bar, part extraordinary sandwich counter. The sandwiches here are the stuff of local legend — proper, generous, loaded with great Irish cheese, charcuterie and seasonal ingredients. Also a wonderful place to grab a glass of natural wine in the afternoon.
The Vintage Kitchen Book Ahead
Modern Irish · Poolbeg Street · ££A tiny, intimate restaurant that punches well above its weight. Reviewers who've eaten at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe rank it among the very best meals they've had. The seafood chowder and duck are legendary. People go back the next day.
Gloria Osteria Book Ahead
Italian Fine Dining · Westmoreland Street · £££The most talked-about restaurant in Dublin right now. A grand, beautiful space serving extraordinary Italian cooking. The lobster and caviar spaghettoni and the cacio e pepe are reportedly life-changing. One of the highest-rated restaurants in all of Ireland.
Mr Fox Book Ahead
Modern European · Parnell Square · £££An underground restaurant serving some of the most creative food in Dublin. Bluefin tuna with ponzu, Lambay crab with horseradish velouté, cod with green curry — each dish is a work of art. An elegant, intimate setting that turns any evening into a proper occasion.
Old Mill Restaurant
Traditional Irish · Temple Bar · ££For the quintessential Irish meal — Guinness beef stew, colcannon mash, lamb, and brown bread — the Old Mill delivers with warmth and authenticity right in the heart of Temple Bar. Great for groups, generous portions, and a menu wide enough for everyone.
Trocadero
Dublin Classic · St Andrew's Street · ££The oldest restaurant in Dublin — a beloved institution for generations. The atmosphere is utterly unlike anywhere else: theatrical, warm, covered in celebrity portraits, with a whiskey list that could keep you occupied for weeks. The staff here are legendary for making every guest feel like their night is worth celebrating. Crab and saffron risotto, chicken supreme, and Duncanon monkfish are the plates to order. Go on a Friday or Saturday for the full buzzing experience.
Good to Know
Practical tips for a smooth and wonderful stay
Getting Around
Dublin city centre is very walkable. For Kilmainham Gaol or Phoenix Park, pick up a Leap Card for Dublin Bus — far cheaper than taxis and easy to use.
The Weather
Pack layers and a compact waterproof jacket — always. Dublin weather is famously changeable. A sunny morning can turn rainy by afternoon, and locals take it completely in stride.
The Craic
"Craic" (pronounced "crack") is the Irish word for fun, lively chat, and good times. When someone asks "what's the craic?", they're checking in on how you're doing and whether you're having a good time.
Tipping
Not as expected as in the US. 10–15% at sit-down restaurants is standard. In pubs, tipping bar staff is not customary, though always appreciated on a big round.
Currency
Ireland uses the Euro (€). Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, including most pubs. ATMs are plentiful around Grafton Street and O'Connell Street.
A Perfect Pint
A proper Guinness takes about 119.5 seconds to pour — a two-part pour with a settle and top-up. Never rush the bar staff. Good things come to those who wait.