Char’s Picks for Where to Eat And Drink on Culture Night
Words: Hannah Lemass
Words: Hannah Lemass
Culture Night 2025 is upon us, and for one magical evening, Ireland transforms into a playground of discovery and creativity. Now in its 20th year, this celebration is set to be bigger than ever, with 1,700 free events nationwide. In Dublin alone, there are hundreds of activities showcasing the rich heritage and culture of our vibrant city.
With so much going on, it can feel overwhelming deciding where to go and, more importantly, where to eat and drink to fuel your cultural adventures. Don’t worry, we’ll sort you out with some of the best food and drink pit stops around the city. Dublin is divided into various quarters for Culture Night, so we’re taking a look and hand-picking our favourite spots in each zone for you to check out.
Here’s our guide to keep you well-nourished and in the spirit of exploration!
Temple Bar & Creative Quarter
Temple Bar is well worth a stop on Culture Night. It’s so much more than the paddywhacked tourist trap many see it as. It’s a true hub of creativity in Dublin and, as such, it’s really popping off on Culture Night. You can jump into an acting class at the Gaiety, catch Capitalism: The Musical at the Duck Theatre, camp out in Meeting House Square for the slate of music acts that will be taking the stage, or pop across the road to tour the State Apartments at Dublin Castle. You’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of events and also for food and drinks.
Quick and Casual
Saucy Cow, Crane Ln
This vegan restaurant is where you come when you want a big, dirty feed. It’s over-the-top, fully loaded comfort food that will satisfy everyone, even your meat-eating friends. The menu is packed with fun, experimental burger joint favourites. Any of the staple hangover foods you can imagine and crave are here, just vegan-ified including spice bag hash browns, loaded fries, and burgers galore.
A Proper Sit Down
Daruma, Parliament St
This is a Japanese restaurant that is full of cosy charm. It’s izakaya style, so the menu reflects what you would find at a bar in Japan. Dishes are small bites like meat skewers, nigiri and sashimi, and small plates like fried chicken and croquettes. Everything is designed to be the perfect pairing to a few drinks, and it’s just right for sharing with your Culture Night gang.
Just a Drink
Palace Bar, Fleet St
Temple Bar is full of pubs, but the best one has to be The Palace. It’s a classic historic venue that is absolutely stunning. They pour an excellent pint and specialise in whiskey too. Try to get a seat in the snug if you can. It’s the perfect spot for a little pit stop.
Liberties and Historic Quarter
In this quarter you can tour the historic Marsh’s Library, listen to a choral performance at St Patrick’s Cathedral, catch comedy or traditional Mongolian music at the Wood Quay Amphitheatre, or get an after-dark experience at the Guinness Storehouse. There’s no shortage of food options too.
Quick and Casual
Space Jaru, Meath St
This is a casual Korean spot with a mix of traditional dishes like bulgogi, dak-galbi, and Korean-style fried chicken or burgers. Perfect for quick but super hearty meal in-between stops.
Proper Sit Down
Spitalfields, The Coombe
Spitalfields looks like a pub but it’s actually one of the city’s best restaurants. With dishes like Iberico pork schnitzel, barbecued sea bream, and cock-a-leekie pie on the menu, it will set you up well for a long night of exploring.
Just a Drink
Lucky’s, Meath St
Lucky’s on Meath Street is one of the best pubs in the Liberties, with a great selection on tap and a lovely buzz. They also have Coke Lane Pizza out the back if you’re peckish too.
Monto & North Georgian Quarter
This quarter is one of Dublin’s most fascinating areas, brimming with history and character it offers a true blend of Dublin’s past and present. There’s so much to explore on Culture Night from walking tours of the beautiful Georgian architecture to settling in for An Evening of Art and Live Music at the Hugh Lane Gallery.
Quick and Casual
Pho Kim, Parnell St
This family-owned gem on Parnell Street is criminally underrated. It’s among the best Vietnamese food you’ll find in Ireland. Their selection of Pho, BBQ meat dishes, and traditional omelettes are incredibly vibrant and flavourful. It’s also a perfect choice for a group because they really have something for everyone, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options on the menu.
Proper Sit Down
Mr Fox, Parnell Sq
Chapter One isn’t the only posh spot on Parnell Square. Mr Fox is a welcoming, romantic restaurant that serves a set menu with an emphasis on seasonality and quality and changes monthly. It’s a fancy place, so this is the choice if you want to make an occasion of your night out.
Just a Drink
The Sackville, Sackville Pl
This moody, elegant bar comes from the team behind Bar 1661. They have the most incredible takes on your favourite classic cocktails, you’ll probably want to spend the whole night here making your way through the menu.
Phoenix Park & Museum Quarter
Just a short trot from the city centre is the Phoenix Park and Museum Quarter. You can visit Áras an Uachtaráin, tour the Stillgarden Distillery, or catch some Dublin Film Festival shorts screening at IMMA. This is a broad area to cover, but Smithfield is a great hub for refreshments. There are tonnes of events happening in the immediate vicinity too like live music at the Jameson Distillery from Ispíní na hÉireann and Madra Salach, tours of Brown Bag Animation Studio, and storytelling at Third Space.
Quick and Casual
Tokyo Kitchen, Bow St
This takeaway spot is a little hole in the wall with surprisingly good Japanese options. They have a small amount of standing room to eat in, but it’s more of a grab-and-go spot. A big serving of chicken katsu curry or monkfish stir fry is just the ticket to keep you rolling for the evening.
Proper Sit Down
Sister 7, Queen St
Sister 7 serves Taiwanese small plates in the Fidelity Studio. Their famous prawn toast and enoki mushroom fans are a must and get a cocktail to wash it down. This place would suit a group who either want to grab something light and quick or settle in for a big feast to end the night.
Just a Drink
The Cobblestone, King St North
The Cobblestone is up there as one of the best pubs in Dublin. The atmosphere is unbeatable, the pints are perfect, and there’s live trad pumping every night of the week from the country’s top musicians. This is a cultural experience in itself that you can enjoy any night of the year.
South Georgian Quarter
At the heart of the city, there are events and open doors everywhere you look. Tour the Dáil or the Mansion House, catch an alternative fashion show at GalleryX, or relax for an evening of storytelling, poetry and music at Bewley’s.
Quick and Casual
Mani, Drury St
Roman-style pizza topped with some seriously delicious and creative ingredients. Grab a slice to eat on the move, or take your time: sit out on Drury Street with a few slices, some deep-fried lasagne, and an Aperol spritz or two.
Proper Sit Down
Kaldero, King St South
The culinary and creative control of Kaldero is now in the capable hands of Alex and Richie of Bahay. They’re cooking the most flavourful and exciting Filipino dishes. Every item on the menu is so thoughtfully designed right down to the cocktails. They have cosy intimate two tops or big group tables so whatever your vibe for the night Kaldero is great shout. It’s a where to come if you want to keep things somewhat casual but still feel really special.
Just a Drink
Caribou, Stephen St Lower
Always a winner, Caribou is the buzziest spot in town. They have a fab selection of drinks on tap, and a stellar cocktail list. Inside is a sleek, comfortable aesthetic paradise, with a great sound system. They have tables outside too if you’re more of an alfresco kind of person (ie, smoker).
Trinity and the Docklands
Here is where old meets new and you can really connect to Dublin’s roots. You can pop into EPIC and learn about the history of the Irish diaspora, or visit the newly renovated Boland’s Mill for an evening of music and spoken word featuring performances by Nialler 9, Alison Spittle, David Hynes and Olivia O’Toole. Back up towards the city centre you can catch a photo exhibit at Sweney’s Pharmacy made famous in James Joyce’s Ulysses, pop into Trinity to see the Book of Kells, or listen to remarkable music from the exceptionally talented students of the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Quick and Casual
Dosa Dosa, Grand Canal St Lower
A street food spot serving South Indian classics. Their dosas thin, crispy pancakes filled with scrumptious spiced potato and other fillings are perfect for a quick, flavour-packed bite between stops.
A Proper Sit Down
Library Street, Setanta PL
One of Dublin’s most low-key but beloved contemporary restaurants. Known for sharing plates and a fun, lively atmosphere, it’s the ideal spot if you want your Culture Night dinner to feel like a special occasion.
Just a Drink
O’Neill’s, Pearse St
A glorious example of a classic Victorian pub, it’s cosy and inviting with a very solid pint. There’s plenty of space too, so it’s a great place to stop if you have a bigger group of thirsty friends.
