7 must-try dishes at Taste of Dublin 2025
Running from 12-15 June, the foodie festival features demos from chefs, oodles of stalls to shop directly from the producers and, of course, a medley of food stalls serving up lip-smackingly good grub.
So if you're heading to the festival this year and don't know where to visit first, we've rounded up our pick of the dishes we simply won't be missing out on.
Shaku Maku - VIP Grill, €12
This Palestinian spot always impresses with its Middle Eastern fare. But their Icon dish for this year's festival has already been singled out as exceptional, winning the Best in Taste award for 2025.
It's an indulgent trio of chicken taouk, lamb kofta, and kibbeh meshwi skewers (lamb and bulgur patties stuffed with pistachios) on chilli bread, with a side of sumac-onion-parsley salad and a spicy pomegranate molasses drizzle. Big on flavour, texture and a mini feast, make this one a priority.
Bar Italia - Cacio e Pepe, €7
With grey skies on the opening day of Taste, there's never been a better reason to grab a bowl of pasta. Bar Italia is an institution by now and renowned for its skilful takes on Italian classics.
We'll be queuing up for a bowl of their classic cacio e pepe, a creamy dish made with lashings of black pepper and served with fresh gnocchetti - small potato gnocchi that are made in-house.
The Salt Project - Burren Beef 'n' Hash Browns, €11
Focusing on 'hyper local' Irish food, with an emphasis on low waste and sustainability, The Salt Project has some of the most innovative menu items at the festival. Each one takes inspiration from a different province, spotlighting the local produce and producers from the region.
Our pick, however, is the Connaught dish: slow-cooked pulled Burren beef on crispy Green Earth organic potato hash browns, finished with a summery Sásta Peach & Haba-nero drizzle.
Nomo Ramen - Chahsu Croquette Dogs + Yuzu Mayo, €7
Dedicated to bringing the highest quality Ramen in Dublin, Nomo Ramen is a slightly more elevated take on ramen but still incredibly comforting food. Their ramen broth is simmered for eight hours every day, and every ingredient is laboured over.
While the ramen would be a good shout on a cloudy day, we're intrigued by the Chahsu Croquette Dogs + Yuzu Mayo, made with Japanese-style braised pork belly and served with a punchy citrus mayo.
Daata - House Black Daal, €7
When it comes to vegetarian options, Daata has you covered. The Pakistani restaurant has been running since 1999, specialising in authentic regional dishes. Their House Black Daal sounds especially luscious: whole urid lentils slow-cooked for 48 hours in ghee, fenugreek, tomato purée, cream, and Daata's special garam masala. It's served with pilau rice and sounds like a hug in a bowl.
Chimac - Fried Pickles with Pickleback Mayo, €7
After all that eating and drinking across the festival, you might be craving something small but mighty. Enter: Chimac's fried pickles. Fried pickles are a classic American fair food, and when paired with their pickleback mayo - a vinegary, vibrant and rich addition - they become a summery snack, perfect for between big bowls of food.
Bovinity - Bangers N' Mash, €7
Bovinity has gone from strength to strength since opening in 2022, winning praise for its unfussy take on a classic steakhouse. Varied cuts, sumptuous sides and exceptional beverages are all guaranteed in their Capel St restaurant.
Unsurprisingly, the team has gone big for Taste this year, serving up their spin on bangers and mash: Dexter beef sausage, Dijon tear-drop peppers and creamy mash, all topped with a 48-hour bone gravy.
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Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Izz Café team on their new book, favourite recipes, Cork, and Palestine
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Even through the pandemic, their star still rose, entailing an expansion of the premises last year, and when travel restrictions eased, diners flocked there from all over Ireland. However, it is Israel's ongoing genocidal onslaught on Gaza that has placed Izz Cafe and the couple front and centre, and both are active campaigners for Palestine. Eman's recent Coffee for Palestine drive, created with co-campaigners Clare Condon (Good Day Deli) and Deirdre Breen (Studio Boon) aimed to raise €5,000, and topped out at €100,000. The cafe is the spiritual HQ for the especially passionate Cork Palestine Solidarity campaigners. Izz and Eman Alkarajeh pictured at Izz Café, Cork City, as chef Habib Al Ostaz pours traditional Palestinian coffee. Picture Chani Anderson. On a gloriously sunny afternoon in Izz and Eman's back garden in Bishopstown, we and Habib are drinking Palestinian coffee, grazing on Palestinian treats. 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I feel very guilty, making food in a place where food and everything else is so easy to get while they cannot. Even if I send money, food is too expensive. And you cannot protect them — I cannot handle that. "They love to hear about me. They say, if you are OK, we are OK. And that's … It just doesn't make any sense, I still feel [their situation] in my heart. They can't feel safe like I do just walking in the street. In the market, I think about how they can't go to the market. Even if they do, there is no market, nothing to buy. "The most painful thing is we are all on the same planet but in an absolutely different situation. I haven't seen them in nine years now, and I want to see them again.' 'And we are his family as well,' says Eman softly. 'When I moved to Ireland,' says Habib, 'and found all the [Palestinian] flags everywhere, it made me feel more comfortable. I didn't know it then but I am the luckiest man on earth — they moved me to Cork and I didn't know that I would be in this restaurant with these people, but that's God's plan, and I'm so thankful — but I am still stateless.' A glimpse into the kitchen at Izz Café, Cork City, as Iman Alkarajeh prepares a traditional Palestinian cake featured in Jibrin. Picture Chani Anderson In a few days, Izz will return to the West Bank to see family. But even as an Irish citizen since 2023, Israeli authorities still impose stringent restrictions on entry. Even the book's title could prove contentious. 'I think they are not happy with the name,' says Eman, 'Jibrin was [the first Palestinian town occupied by the Israelis in 1948] where my family came from [before they were forced into exile in Jordan].' While they dream of peace, freedom, and sovereignty for Palestine, Izz and Eman view Cork as home. 'Cork people are very supportive,' says Izz, 'very kind, very social. They approach you. 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Irish Independent
3 days ago
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Artist creates cling film scene of starving child in Gaza and Irish famine on Grafton Street
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