5 Best Full Irish Breakfasts In Dublin Right Now
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Unsplash
Ah, the full Irish —or what your Ma’ would call the “cooked breakfast” or your nanny might refer to as a ‘fry-up’. The ultimate Sunday morning after-Mass reward for bellies that grumbled their way through the ‘Peace Be With You’ of it all, anticipation high. A glorious spread of porky goodness on the plate with eggs done just the way your mam thought was right. It’s a feast fit for Brian Boru, or at least for those lucky enough to snag a pig over a cow back in the day.
Despite the hipster avo toast trends, the full Irish breakfast still reigns supreme, albeit with a few modern twists. Sure, it’s not an everyday affair anymore—calories and all that—but when the craving hits, nothing else will do. Bed and Breakfasts and hotels proudly peddle it to eager patrons, alongside its continental and veggie cousins.
Why the enduring love affair with this artery-clogging delight? Well, for starters, it tastes good. Then like all of our cultural classics, it’s nostalgic. The sizzle of bacon, the snap of sausage, the creamy yolk of a perfectly-fried egg. Simpler times when we didn’t quite know pork was a class-one carcinogen.
Or remembering college days of nursing hangovers with copious cups of tea—there’s a sense of camaraderie that comes with the full Irish. It’s a ritual, a tradition, a thing we fight the British over who invented (we have the white pudding and potato farls to prove it is an independent cultural institution). It’s a nod to our past, a celebration of our present, and a damn good excuse to eat like the Celtic kings of yore, even if it’s just for a morning.
So here are 5 spots in Dublin that sling the best full Irish far in town right now.
Kingfisher
Wanna kickstart your day harder than a double espresso? The Kingfisher’s got your back on Parnell Street. Their Irish breakfast game is strong. Next-level, traditionally strong. It’s like they’ve got a PhD in morning munchies. From the breakfast sambo loaded with crispy bacon, eggs, and quality sausages to a cup of breakfast tea so good it could make a grown man weep, they’ve got it all. And the pièce de résistance? An all-day full Irish breakfast that comes with a few chips that’ll have you licking your plate clean.
Queen of Tarts
Queen of Tarts on Cow’s Lane is like the Iron Man of Dublin breakfast joints, standing strong for over 25 years. Founded by Regina and Yvonne Fallon, these pastry queens know their stuff. It’s easy to forget they have a champion porker on their menu because they do cake so well. But from Irish porridge that’ll warm your soul to a full Irish that’ll leave you feeling like a champion, they’ve got the goods. Plus, they’ve got outdoor seating perfect for some prime people-watching.
Beanhive
Beanhive isn’t just about Instagram-worthy latte art – although, let’s be real, that’s worth the trip alone. They also serve up an all-day-long full Irish breakfast that’s the stuff of legend. Two sausages, two pieces of bacon, a fried egg, beans, toast, and your choice of drink, all for €16. They even cater to vegans and vegetarians, so everyone can get in on the grease-covered goodness. Plus, they always nail the dippy egg, which you can’t say for everyone.
Metro Café
Metro Café on South William Street is where you go when you need a breakfast that’s as extra as your personality. Their Metro Special is a beast of a meal, with scrambled eggs, streaky bacon, cherry tomatoes, relish, and buttermilk pancakes drenched in golden syrup. It’s like something out of a diner dream, and we’re here for it. Plus, it’s super affordable and is as much a place to be seen as Grogan’s.
Lovinspoon
In a world of TikTok-fueled “hidden gems,” Lovinspoon is the real deal. This classic local spot is queer-friendly, builder-friendly, and tourist-friendly all rolled into one. They deliver top-notch breakfast and lunch at prices that won’t break the bank. The black pudding and the sausages particular slay, in my opinion. Their Veggie Breakfast is a steal at €8.95, making it the perfect fuel for your day of adventures in Dublin.
Bring your appetite, full Irish enthusiasts – and maybe a napkin or two.
