The Bottom Line
Pros
- Wide variety of food available throughout the day.
- Convenient city center location between O'Connell Street and Ha'penny Bridge.
- Prices still in moderate range.
Cons
- Can get cramped at lunchtime.
- Typical foodhall atmosphere.
Description
- Converted and covered backyard in the heart of Dublin's north inner city.
- Wide variety of foods available at reasonable prices.
- Communal seating space makes for informal eating but can get very cramped at extremely busy times.
Guide Review - Epicurean Food Hall (Dublin)
The Epicurean Food Hall is one of Dublin's secret places - not for want of mention in guides but for the simple reason that it can be easily overlooked. Located in a converted (and covered) backyard it is accessible from both Abbey Street and Liffey Street. Both entrances are not low-key as such, but they are not glaringly obvious either. Add the fact that the area is not one of the main thoroughfare for tourists and all is explained.
You will, however, find a lively crowd here during the day. From breakfasting bohemians to the lunchtime office crowd, the afternoons then being taken over by students and shoppers. All are drawn in by the wide variety of food available at still moderate prices.
Top picks for breakfast would be itsabagel (bagels of all sorts, imported from New York nonetheless), La Corte (real Italian paninis and coffee served with a flourish) and Christophe (French cuisine with great specials). For lunch or an early dinner try Istanbul, the Turkish kebab stall (generous portions and usually patronized by countrymen, vouching for the quality) and Asian Fusion next door (a very broad ethnic mix) - if you can resist the excellent fish and chips on offer at Leo Burdocks in the Liffey Street entrance. Several cafés cater for "sweet teeth", but the cakes at the tiny Moonstar Café are really recommended.
