Green Onions or Pork and Beans? Chop Suey or Peaches? Strange Fruit or Wild Honey Pie? Pre-gig sustenance is a balancing act: go down the stodgy route and your evening (and leppin’ abilities) may be inhibited; on the other hand, a grumbling, half-empty tummy is good for neither concentration nor sobriety levels. We’ve compiled a list of the best places in Dublin city to line your stomach both pre- and post-gig without breaking the bank.
WHELAN’S/OPIUM ROOMS
Neon, Camden Street
Wexford Street and Camden Street offer plenty of affordable pre-gig options, and Neon is one of the best, with a wide selection of Asian curries, noodles, wok and rice dishes for not much more than €10. You'll even get to pull your own free ice-cream cone at the end of your meal – but get there well in advance of your gig, because this place gets very busy and doesn't take advance bookings. Turnaround, however, is usually brisk. Neon17.ie
Green 19, Camden Street
Just a few doors up from Neon you'll find one of the best meal deals in the city. With the vast majority of the main courses on the dinner menu clocking in at €10 – including salads, chicken, pork and burger dishes, along with some tasty veggie options – you'll have spare room (and cash) to try the zingy lemon tart (€5) for dessert. Green19.ie
Boojum, Kevin Street
It has become a hot topic for the hoi polloi of Dublin's gastronomic scene: what is the best burrito joint in the city? For us, Boojum is up there. Is it the special salsa, tasty beans or uber-friendly staff that makes the difference? All of the above. The new branch on Kevin Street will provide you with a tasty casual pre-gig dinner in funky surrounds for less than a tenner. boojum.ie
Bunsen, Wexford Street
Bunsen's menu is not extensive – basically, it does hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, fizzy pop and milkshakes – but the simple approach and ability to cook your burger to order has seen them lauded as one of the best in town. Bunsen.ie
BUTTON FACTORY
The Pieman Cafe, Crown Alley
Temple Bar can be a complete rip-off when it comes to food options, but there are some hidden gems on the cobblestones. The Pieman does honest, hearty and nutritious pies of all descriptions, from chicken, mushroom and Jameson to beef and Guinness, and always a veggie option, too. A pie, side and craft beer for €10? Sorted
Acapulco, South Great George’s Street
Acapulco was in situ long before the hipsters adopted the burrito as their snack of choice. It offers an excellent value early-bird menu (two courses for €16, three for €20) from 5pm-7pm Sunday to Thursday, with delicious enchiladas, tacos, empanadas and more. Acapulco.ie
777, South Great George’s Street
Across the street from Acapulco, the trendy 777 is another excellent value Mexican-themed restaurant that also offers late bites for post-gig patrons (11pm to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays) as well as offers throughout the week, such as Taco Tuesday (two tacquitos for €4). If you're gigging on Sunday, there's also a selection of dinner dishes on offer for €7.77. 777.ie
Bobo’s, Dame Street
From Sunday to Wednesday, this gourmet burger joint offers a €10 meal deal comprising bacon cheeseburger or veggie burger with chips and a drink before 10pm. It is open until 11.30pm (midnight on weekends), too. Bobos.ie
OLYMPIA THEATRE
Skinflint, Crane Lane
Do you like your pizza with a side order of hipster and a sprinkling of minimalist decor? Then Skinflint is for you. The pizzas in this casual eatery are scrumptious, affordable (average price is €11) and filling. We recommend the Mags: new potato, Lavistown cheese, mascarpone, rocket and espelette chilli. Yum. Joburger.ie/skinflint
Umi Falafel, Dame Street
Falafel restaurants are increasingly popular, but this is one of the city's best, and one of the best value, too. Choose from various combinations of sandwiches (€5/€6), salads (€5€5.50; we recommend the Tunisian), and other Middle Eastern dishes, from grilled halloumi (€4.50) to stuffed vine leaves (€5) and baklava (€3) for dessert. umifalafel.ie
Cafe Topolis, Parliament Street
The area around City Hall has lots of Italian restaurants, but Cafée Topolis is probably the friendliest and most authentic and affordable. The early bird (two courses for €14.95) runs until 7pm and offers pizza, pasta, chicken, risotto and meat dishes.
VICAR STREET
Cafe Azteca, Lord Edward Street
The Thomas Street area is alive with NCAD students and street traders by day, but tends to shut down by night. If you're travelling from the city centre to a gig at Vicar Street, the tiny Mexican-themed Cafe Azteca is worth stopping in for a bite. We recommend the tamales (two for €9) and the quesadillas (three for €9.50). It's also BYOW. Azteca.ie
THE WORKMAN’S CLUB
Bison Bar & BBQ, Wellington Quay
If you're heading to The Workman's Club, it doesn't get much more convenient than the rustic Bison Bar, right next door. It's hearty, no-frills barbecue fare, from the ubiquitous pulled pork to brisket, half a chicken and sausage plates, all around the €14 mark. The side dishes (especially the potato salad) are tasty, too. Bisonbar.ie
Di Fontaine’s, Parliament Street
We’ve all been there: the gig is over, you have the munchies and you can’t face a greasy chipper. Luckily, the best pizza joint in town is open late (very late on weekends). This is proper New York-style pizza, served piping hot and by the slice. And in keeping with the music theme, it’s co-owned by the Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
3 ARENA/BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE
Musashi, IFSC
It's worth hopping off the Luas a few stops early if you're going to the 3 Arena; the IFSC branch of Musashi, on Mayor Square, is every bit as good as its Capel Street outlet. There's a wide selection of sushi, noodles and Japanese cuisine for very affordable prices – check out the chicken katsu curry for €13.95 or the wok-fried rice for €11.95 – and you can bring your own wine. Musashidublin.com/ifsc
MV Cill Airne, North Wall Quay
No need to worry about seasickness: the Cill Airne is permanently docked at North Wall Quay. In sight of the 3 Arena, it ticks both the convenient and novelty factors. The no-frills menu offers a variety of steaks, burgers, chicken dishes, salads and seafood chowder (€10.50). Mvcillairne.com
THE ACADEMY/TWISTED PEPPER
Govinda’s, Abbey Street
This restaurant is one of Dublin’s hidden gems, especially if you’re a vegetarian. True, it has a bit of a cafeteria feel to it, but if you’re looking for a pre-gig feed that is filling but nutritious, look no further. A generous serving of Govinda’s trademark paneer dish (highly recommended), curry, dahl or vegetable dish of the day with rice or a side will set you back less than €10.
Epicurean Food Hall, Liffey Street
This place is a treasure trove of international cuisine. You'll find everything from Italian to Greek, Mexican to Brazilian, and Turkish to fish'n'chips vendors here, most of them very reasonably priced: you'll eat well for less than €10. Most kitchens close at 8pm. Epicureanfoodhall.com
Kokoro, Liffey Street
Perfect for a light bite if you're in the area for a gig at The Academy. This small sushi cafe on Liffey Street is open until 7pm and offers hot and cold dishes. We recommend the tofu and pumpkin curry (€6.55) and the sashimi bento (€7.65). kokoro.ie
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