The 2025 Dublin Horse Show, marking its 150th anniversary, takes place from Wednesday, August 6th, to Sunday, August 10th. Attracting more than 110,000 visitors across five days, it remains the largest summer event in the capital. During that time, attendees are expected to enjoy some 40,000 ice-cream cones, 35,000 glasses of wine, 40,000 pints and 15,000 coffees.
Yes, there’s world-class showjumping, dazzling dressage and impossibly glossy horses, but those who frequent the RDS during Horse Show week know that the real draw is often edible. Whether you’re there for a refined sit-down lunch or a casual graze between events, the food and drink offering for this milestone year is more extensive and enticing than ever before.
Planning a visit? Here’s everything you need to know.
For those who like to eat with a seat
If you prefer your lunch with linen napkins and a view of the ring, the Champagne & Seafood Restaurant returns with its signature mix of elegance and indulgence. Expect seafood platters, charcuterie boards, dry-aged meats, and Louis Roederer on ice. It’s polished, elevated and an ideal perch for people-watching over a chilled glass of something sparkling.
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Equally satisfying, though more casual, are the Clyde Restaurant, reliable for a hearty carvery meal; and the Main Hall Simmonscourt 1881 Restaurant, a self-service space well suited to families, grazers or anyone seeking a brief retreat from the crowds.
This year, the restaurants are operated by Gather & Gather, ensuring a focus on quality and crowd-pleasing menus. Family-saver bundles are also available across these venues (excluding the Champagne & Seafood Restaurant), making it easier to feed a group without blowing the budget. After lunch, coffee lovers are looked after in the Simmonscourt Café and the Pembroke Café with a host of trucks also there for that caffeine fix.
Stalls, street food and casual eats
The Band Lawn: Often referred to as the social heart of the Dublin Horse Show, the Band Lawn is the place to relax, soak up the atmosphere and sample some of the best casual dining on offer. Open late and featuring a wide variety of food trucks, bars and live entertainment, it’s a vibrant spot with plenty to explore. Highlights this year include D4 Diner, known for its crisp, hot pizza slices, and Gyro King, serving generously filled wraps with all the trimmings. Big screens ensure you won’t miss a moment of the arena action, even while queuing for tacos.
The Family Area: Located on the RDS Church Grounds, the this area is designed to keep children entertained while providing convenient food options for everyone. It’s home to the Swing Grill, where chargrilled skewers and hearty barbecue flavours fill the air. After something savoury, there’s plenty for the sweet tooth too, with crepes, churros and ice-creams available across the area.
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Bars, bubbles, and people-watching
Several popular bars return for 2025, along with a few newly refurbished favourites. On the Band Lawn, the refreshed Triple Bar offers indoor and outdoor seating with a lively, relaxed pub feel. Nearby, the Ring Bar, also newly renovated, is ideally located beside the Warm-Up Arena, providing easy access to drinks and a great view.
Elsewhere, the Rockshore Bar offers a combination of burgers, pints, and proximity to the grandstand; while the Sky Bar has panoramic views over the Granville Nugent Arena, along with expertly mixed cocktails and a calm escape from the crowd. For something a little more continental, the Angelo Poretti Bar, also on the Band Lawn, serves chilled Italian lager in frosted glasses with a clear line of sight to the Main Arena’s big screen. Other on-site bars worth checking out include the Pembroke Bar, the Pocket Bar, the aptly named Bar and the Lawn Bar.
And finally…
Whether you’re there for oysters or gyros, a long lunch or a quick bite, the food and drink offering at this year’s Dublin Horse Show is varied and designed with every kind of visitor in mind. Tickets to the event are available from dublinhorseshow.com and are priced from €26 for single tickets, with family packages available from €75.
