Known for its rich history, medieval castle, literary heritage and live-music scene, Dublin is a vibrant city that should already be on your list of places to visit! But did you know it’s also a vegan-friendly city too, offering everything from healthy bowls to tempting pastries and saucy burgers? To make your visit to Ireland’s capital city easier, our Digital Communications Manager, Victoria Smith, has put together this list of her seven favourite vegan-friendly places to eat. Enjoy!
Located on Wicklow Street, this family-run canteen-style restaurant offers a rotating menu of delicious plant-based soups, salads and mains. On the counter, you’ll find hearty dishes such as enchiladas with black beans and vegan cheese, Keralan curry with veggies, Mediterranean vegetable and Puy lentil lasagne, and a creamy tofu and cauliflower pie. Once you’ve selected your main, you can then choose two accompanying salads from the variety on offer. These can range from panzanella and coleslaw, to creamy baby potato and walnut, and even a Greek-style salad with vegan feta. Alternatively, you can build your own salad bowl or opt for the soup of the day with fresh bread.
This brightly coloured diner, located in the central hub of Temple Bar, is all about generous servings and comfort food. Their brunch menu includes everything from tofu scramble and soya-chorizo burritos to breakfast muffins stacked with plant-based patties and eggs, vegan bacon and plenty of plant-based cheese and sauces. For lunch and dinner, you can tuck into their full menu, with highlights including oyster-mushroom popcorn ‘chicken’ bites, loaded waffle fries, a big wap burger (a plant-based version of the McDonald’s Big Mac), and a caesar wrap filled with southern-fried chicken-style pieces, plant-based bacon, sourdough croutons, vegan parmesan and lashings of homemade caesar dressing. And if you still have room for dessert, don’t miss the Biscoff cheesecake – it’s a winner!
This tiny, unassuming bakery and coffee shop on Aungier Street is a plant-based haven. Featuring a counter piled with delicious plant-based baked goods – from fluffy cinnamon rolls to gooey double chocolate and marshmallow cookies – anyone looking for a sweet treat in the city will not be disappointed! If savoury is more your vibe, you can also tuck into freshly prepared wraps and sandwiches, such as the Korean BBQ Wrap with homemade marinated seitan strips, gochujang and sesame dressing, shredded cabbage and spring onions, or the Reuben Sandwich with seitan slices, cheese, sauerkraut and homemade Russian dressing. While it may not actually be a trap, this little plant-based haven will certainly keep you coming back for more.
Celebrating a special occasion in Dublin? Then Glas is the place to go! This upmarket vegetarian and vegan restaurant champions seasonal vegetables and local produce to create innovative dishes everyone will enjoy. Indulge in a three-course meal that could include a starter of spiced carrots with pea hummus, scallion yoghurt, and crispy cabbage, followed by a main of glazed Roscoff onion with colcannon mash, dill mayo, and pistachio crumble, and a dessert of rich bread-and-butter pudding with celeriac caramel and pear sorbet. What’s more, the menu is entirely gluten-free, and Glas also has a selection of vegan-friendly wines and cocktails for those who fancy a tipple.
With four outlets in Dublin, Umi Falafel is the perfect pitstop for sightseeing around the city. The 100% vegetarian menu offers fresh and authentic Middle-Eastern food, from mezze dishes to bowls and wraps packed with crispy falafel and hummus with all the salad trimmings. Craving something more? You can opt for the plant-based shawarma – a pocket or wrap packed with marinated meat-alternative strips, lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, red cabbage, flat parsley and vegan chilli-garlic mayo.
Try the Veggie Challenge!
Join the ProVeg Veggie Challenge and try eating more plant-based for 30 days. It’s better for your health, better for the planet and better for animals. Get a healthy start with your personal Challenge. We’ll help you along the way with free tips, recipes and support.
One of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Dublin, Govinda’s serves home-style Indian cuisine at affordable prices. Their buffet-style counter service means you can try a bit of everything, with plenty of vegan options to choose from. Tuck into their house dal as well as the delicious tofu and vegetable-based dishes they have on offer, such as tofu tikka masala and saag aloo, with accompanying rice, and the option to add sides such as vegetable samosas or salad. The eatery also offers vegan desserts, such as a blueberry pie and a carob brownie. If you love home-style cooking, Govinda’s is the place to be!
Though not 100% vegan, this sourdough doughnut chain has a variety of plant-based options. Gone are the days of basic flavours such as jam and custard – at The Rolling Donut, you’ll find vegan cookies-and-cream, caramelised biscuit, Ferrero Rocher, pistachio vanilla and blueberry crumble varieties, plus many more! Just make sure to pop in early to avoid disappointment; they often sell out early, especially on weekends!
Dublin: a must-visit for foodies
There are plenty of plant-based eateries and vegan options to explore across Dublin, and my top seven represent just a small taste of what’s on offer. If you’re looking for a travel destination that offers everything from affordable eats to fine-dining experiences and a sweet treat to finish off, book a trip to Dublin today. You won’t regret it!
For more plant-based travel recommendations, check out our guides to Prague, Paris, Berlin, Budapest, London, Madrid, New York, Cape Town, Chiang Mai and Amsterdam.
Let us know if we’re missing any of your favourite spots in Dublin! E-mail us at [email protected]
Victoria Smith
International Digital Communications Manager
