Another 3-day weekend ahoy! and if you’re visiting Dublin or just on the hunt for somewhere new for a lazy brunch or dinner with pals here are some of my current favourites…

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Brekkie/Brunch – Grove Road Cafe, No 1 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin

It’s a little bit of a walk from the main city centre but well worth the jaunt, a quaint little breakfast/brunch spot just along the canal. Now I know we aren’t all porridge lovers but for me this is hands down the best in Dublin – the porridge is served with banana, honey, nuts, chopped apple and cinnamon, being healthy couldn’t be easier! Or for something more savoury opt for the scrambled eggs, chorizo and feta served on sourdough, a very tasty mix of flavours. The only downside is it’s a small venue but that’s part of the charm, so get there early to nab a comfortable nook.

More Lunch than Brunch – The Tram Café, Wolfe Tone Square, Dublin

You may have spotted this place across from Jervis shopping centre, a restored old tram which has been quite the globetrotter! The tram was first built in 1902 in Philadelphia it then spent most of its working life in Lisbon, Portugal, was sold and ended up in a field in Mullah, Co. Cavan, before finally making it’s café debut in Dublin last year! I stumbled across it when I was on the hunt for somewhere to have a quick lunch with my sister. The character and charm of this place really transports you back in time, with nostalgic 1920s music for added effect! We ordered ham and cheese toasties complete with ballymaloe relish and rocket, simple but very tasty, the coffee is also excellent. Plus you have the option to dine al fresco if it’s a nice day in Dublin.

Dinner – Las Tapas de Lola, 12 Wexford Street, Dublin 2

I can’t stop raving about this place, incredible quality tapas and excellent value for money. My top dishes are, “Mejillones Marinera” – Mussels with the house marinera sauce, “Vieiras gratinadas” – Gratin of scallops & white fish and the classic, “Chorizo frito y morcilla” – Chorizo & Spanish black pudding. Plus if you like a tipple there’s a good wine selection but the G’Vine gin and tonic is a winner for me. Make sure you book in advance here as they are always choc-a-bloc at weekends. The owners  and staff are exceptionally helpful and will put you on a waiting list if needs be, then give you a shout if anything frees up.

Dinner – Traditional Irish style! – Gallagher’s Boxty House

I finally got round to sampling this place recently when I had some Australian friends over to visit, they were mad “keen” to try some traditional Irish food. Obviously there are numerous restaurants and pubs across Dublin with signature Irish dishes but I had, up until that point, never actually tasted boxty!…shocking I know! For those living in the dark like me, boxty is basically a traditional Irish potatoe pancake which can be plain or filled with a variety of options. I went for the chicken & smoked bacon boxty, which was delicious and FILLING but having eyed up my friend’s “Gaelic boxty” – Irish fillet beef in a whiskey & mushroom cream sauce, I’ll definitely be sampling that next time round. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and there is nothing kitsch about it, which a temple bar venue could be at risk of, so if you’re visiting and want to sample all local Irish produce this is the place.