Spitalfields

Spitalfields really has the feel of a ‘proper’ Irish pub, one where you’ll find the locals with a Guinness in hand at the bar and the warmest of welcomes from Declan Maxwell, winner of The MICHELIN Guide’s Service Award in 2023. He and his team run the place with both charm and efficiency, providing wonderful hospitality which is ideally matched by the simple, honest cooking that doesn’t skimp on flavour. There are subtle global influences to be found on the menu, yet it remains Irish at heart.

From the outside, Spitalfields looks like any other gorgeous Victorian pub in Dublin where one Guinness turns into four and you promise to invite the barman whose name you forgot to your future wedding.

Spitalfields is nestled inside what was once an old Dublin drinking den. The draw is the combination of cuisine, atmosphere and profound hospitality.Credit...Ellius Grace for The New York Times

Depending on who you ask, Spitalfields is either a classy gastropub or a casual fine dining restaurant. Whatever label you want to put on it, this southside Dublin spot should really hit the perfect spot on your palate. Start off a three-course meal here with a plate of unctuous jamon Iberico de bellota paired roasted squash or a beef cheek and oxtail Parker house roll smothered in bone marrow gravy, before moving on to tea-smoked line-caught Kilkenny trout and/or the inventive cock-a-leekie pie, a dish derived a Scottish soup that has magically materialized as a delicious plus-sized pie.

When converting Spitalfields in the Coombe into a restaurant, the owners kept the cosy pub vibe intact, including the beautiful big dark wood bar, flanked by traditional bar stools which have been reupholstered in bottle green. The bar offers a direct view to the open kitchen, making it the clear choice as you tuck into the clever takes on old school classics, like devilled eggs and cock-a-leekie pie. Their smoked Ballymakenny potato side is up there with the best side dishes in the city.

Fusing classic pub interiors with Michelin-mentioned food, Spitalfields stands alone as a place where fine diners sit alongside those just stopping in for a pint – it’s unpretentious, welcoming and authentic, with gourmet cuisine that far surpasses the run-of-the-mill pub grub expectations you might have for a spot like this.

Sorry, you need to accept cookies from Instagram to view this content. The pie at Spitalfields is to die for. Imagine a beautiful bronzed layer of quilted pastry draped over a rich mix of chicken, leeks, Hen of the Woods mushrooms, and prunes livened up with a splash of madeira, and you’ll sort of get the picture.

Spitalfields is more like a cosy living room with better food. Expect rich, meaty dishes, clever takes on old-school favourites, and a wine list that pairs perfectly with everything. There’s also a snug, and yes, you should ask for it.