Dublin has long been celebrated for its historic pubs and cozy cafés, but in recent years, the city’s street food revolution has added a dynamic new flavor to its culinary map. Whether you’re a backpacker exploring Temple Bar, a local looking for a quick bite, or a foodie on a weekend adventure, Dublin’s street food offers affordable, diverse, and authentic meals on the go.
As someone who has lived in Cork and visited Dublin many times—often on food-focused trips—I’ve sampled street food across the capital, from hipster markets to immigrant-owned food trucks tucked away near Grand Canal Dock. This article combines first-hand experiences, up-to-date research, and expert insights to help you discover the best street food in Dublin today.
🏙️ A Brief Look at Dublin’s Street Food Evolution
Until the early 2010s, Dublin wasn’t widely known for its street food. Most people relied on sit-down restaurants or late-night takeaways. However, economic challenges and growing global culinary influences sparked a rise in:
- Pop-up stalls
- Food markets
- Mobile food trucks
- Cultural food festivals
Fáilte Ireland and Dublin City Council have since supported these ventures through funding and food-focused events like the Dublin Flea Market and Eatyard, making it easier for local chefs and entrepreneurs to bring their food directly to the streets.
🌍 What Makes Dublin’s Street Food Unique?
1. Multicultural Influence
Dublin’s growing immigrant population has deeply enriched its street food offerings. You’ll find:
- Mexican tacos
- Korean fried chicken
- Syrian shawarma
- Pakistani biryani
- Irish gourmet burgers
2. Focus on Local, Sustainable Ingredients
Many vendors pride themselves on sourcing Irish produce, such as:
- Clonakilty black pudding
- Glenisk organic yogurt
- Irish Hereford beef
This gives Dublin street food a farm-to-truck freshness not always found in other European cities.
🍴 Top 10 Must-Try Street Food Spots in Dublin (2025)
These selections are based on personal visits, Google Maps reviews, and local food community feedback (like @IrishFoodie on Instagram and the “Dublin Eats” Facebook group).
1. Eatyard (Drumcondra & Other Pop-Ups)
📍 Location: Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra
💰 Price Range: €5 – €12
⭐ Google Rating: 4.5 (1,200+ reviews)
Eatyard is Dublin’s leading permanent street food market. Highlights include:
- Box Burger – juicy, gourmet burgers
- La Cocina Cuevas – authentic Mexican street tacos
- Janet’s – award-winning crispy Korean fried chicken
Personal tip: Try the spicy chicken bao from Janet’s—the perfect blend of crunch and heat.
2. The Big Grill Festival (Herbert Park, seasonal)
📍 Location: Herbert Park, Ballsbridge
🗓️ Usually in August
🎟️ Entry Fee: ~€15
Europe’s biggest BBQ and craft beer festival includes some of the best Irish and international street food vendors.
Standouts from last year included:
- My Meat Wagon’s slow-cooked brisket
- Bahay’s Filipino-style adobo pork belly
- Smokestak (UK guest) – melt-in-your-mouth ribs
3. Dublin Pizza Company (DPC)
📍 Location: Aungier Street
💰 Price: ~€10 per pizza
🔥 Claim to Fame: Wood-fired pizza with organic Irish ingredients
DPC started as a tiny stall and has grown into one of the city’s most beloved pizza joints. Their truffle honey pizza is especially worth queuing for.
4. The Saucy Cow (Vegan Food Truck)
📍 Location: Permanent at Eatyard, often moves
🥦 100% plant-based
💚 Great for vegans and flexitarians
Try their ‘Buffalo Chick’n’ loaded fries—crispy, tangy, and surprisingly meaty for a vegan dish.
5. Masa (Modern Mexican Street Food)
📍 Location: Drury Street
💰 Price Range: €3–€5 per taco
🌮 Authentic, fresh, and full of flavor
While technically a small sit-down restaurant, Masa replicates the casual, quick style of Mexican street taquerías. You can grab tacos to go—especially useful during busy Temple Bar outings.
6. Lucky Tortoise (Dumpling Cart)
📍 Location: Temple Bar Market (Saturdays)
🥟 Speciality: Gyoza and bao
💬 Local Love: Dubliners rave about their affordable dumpling boxes.
7. Jaru (Korean Meal Boxes)
📍 Location: Markets & Deliveroo Editions
🇰🇷 Korean-Irish fusion
🥢 Try the Bulgogi Bibimbap with Irish beef
Backed by Bord Bia (Ireland’s food board) and known for high-quality, heat-at-home meal kits, but they also offer grab-and-go boxes at some pop-ups.
8. Little Dumpling (Asian Street Food)
📍 Location: Stephen Street Lower
🥡 Dine-in or takeaway
🛵 Fast service, ideal for a quick office lunch
They serve some of the best soup dumplings (xiao long bao) in town.
9. Bobby’s Banh Mi
📍 Location: Often found at Dublin Market stalls
🇻🇳 Vietnamese-style baguettes
🥖 Classic pork belly banh mi with pickled veg, coriander & Sriracha mayo
10. The Syrian Kitchen
📍 Location: Markets in Rathmines & Blackrock
🫓 Falafel, shawarma, and kofta
💡 They often cater community events and offer hearty, halal options
📊 Dublin Street Food by the Numbers
- Over 500 food trucks & mobile vendors licensed by Dublin City Council in 2024
- A 27% growth in new food startups between 2021 and 2024 (source: Enterprise Ireland)
- 85% of Irish consumers aged 18–34 prefer casual, quick-service dining at least once a week (Bord Bia 2023 Survey)
🧠 Expert Insights
“Street food has transformed how Dubliners eat. It reflects our multiculturalism and appetite for variety.”
— Aoife McElwain, Irish food writer and former editor at The Irish Times
“Dublin’s food trucks are now an essential part of our city’s hospitality ecosystem.”
— Fáilte Ireland’s 2024 Culinary Tourism Report
✅ Tips for Enjoying Dublin’s Street Food Scene
- Follow the Food Trucks on Instagram
Vendors often post pop-up locations and daily menus. - Go Early to Markets
Popular dishes sell out fast—especially bao, tacos, and dumplings. - Bring Cash & Card
Most vendors accept both, but smaller pop-ups may be card-only. - Try Weekday Lunch Markets
Locations like Grand Canal Dock or Mespil Road are less crowded and offer top-tier lunch options. - Ask Locals for Tips
Dubliners love giving food advice. Ask someone in a queue what they’re ordering.
🤔 FAQs
Q: Is Dublin’s street food safe to eat?
A: Yes. All vendors must meet Health Service Executive (HSE) standards. Food trucks are regularly inspected.
Q: Is street food in Dublin expensive?
A: Not really. Expect to pay €5–€12 for a quality meal, cheaper than most restaurants.
Q: Can I find gluten-free or vegan street food?
A: Absolutely! Look for labels or ask the vendor directly. The Saucy Cow, Jaru, and Bobby’s Banh Mi often offer gluten-free and vegan options.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Dublin’s Street Food—A Culinary Passport
Dublin’s street food scene isn’t just about convenience—it’s a culinary passport, offering tastes from every corner of the world. Whether you’re craving comfort food or an adventurous bite, the streets of Dublin have something sizzling for you.
Having tasted everything from falafel in Rathmines to wood-fired pizza on Aungier Street, I can say with confidence: Dublin’s street food isn’t just good—it’s world-class.
Got a favorite Dublin food truck or market experience? Share it below or ask a question—I’d love to hear from fellow foodies! 🍽️
Hi, I’m Tanvir, the founder and author of Explore Ireland Now. With a deep love for Ireland and its rich culture, history, and landscapes, I created this site to share everything that makes this beautiful country worth exploring. Whether you’re a local looking for hidden gems or a traveler planning your next adventure, I provide insightful guides, tips, and recommendations to help you experience Ireland to the fullest.
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