16-05-2025
Best spots in Dublin to enjoy a coffee, drinks, food or a picnic in the sun
With Met Éireann predicting mostly clear skies and temperatures ranging from 17°C to 23°C for the next week, it's the perfect time to get out and explore the city's best spots for a little al fresco indulgence.
Coffee worth the stroll
For a coffee that pairs perfectly with the sunny weather, start your day at One Kinda Folk on Ranelagh or South Lotts Road.
This cozy spot boasts dreamy garden vibes, complete with string lights, creating the perfect ambiance for a flat white on a warm morning.
Clement & Pekoe on South William Street is another favourite, where you can sip on an ice filter while people-watching from their prime outdoor bench.
Another good spot is Goats Gruff at Dublin's Strawberry Beds, a riverside café that takes effort to get to, but rewards you with idyllic views and proper wood-fired toasties.
Happy Out on Bull Island is another reliable coffee spot right by the sea to reward yourself after a stroll on the Clontarf prom or Dollymount strand.
If you're strolling through Francis Street, pop by Two Pups, known for its great coffee and lively outdoor seating when the sun's out.
Sunshine-ready drinks
When it comes to enjoying a drink in the sun, Perch on Leeson Street is one of the city's rare rooftop bars, offering stunning views of the Dublin skyline.
For a laid-back vibe, head to The Big Romance on Parnell Street, where you can sip craft beer, natural wine, or expertly crafted cocktails, all while enjoying the breeze as they open the windows on warmer evenings.
If you're near Rialto, The Circular is a spacious beer garden that's perfect for a pint in the sun.
ADVERTISEMENT
For something a bit more intimate, Frank's Bar on Camden Street is a standing-only wine bar that attracts a lively outdoor crowd, ideal for a glass of wine in the sun.
The Bar with No Name on Fade Street offers one of Dublin's best secret terraces, perfect for an afternoon G&T.
If you're looking for something a bit more adventurous, The Blue Light in the Dublin Mountains serves up one of the best views with your pint. It's a bit of a trek to get there, but the unbeatable view from the benches overlooking the city and creamy Guinness make it more than worth the effort.
Closer to town, Bonobos in Smithfield is a sun-soaked haven of ivy-covered walls and excellent pizza – securing a bench here on a sunny day feels like winning the lotto – because it might be just as hard to get one.
For those heading toward Ballsbridge, The Horse Show House is a hard beat, boasting a massive beer garden.
Food to brighten up your day
Feeling peckish after a sea-swim or seaside stroll? Why not stop in one of the Blackrock markets restaurants and have a refreshing Hawaiian poke bowl at Shake Poke?
For those with a sweet tooth, Slow Food Experience is a mere few feet away and sure to tide you over before you inevitably head for a celebratory ice cream. Flake mandatory.
Wandering aimlessly around town is no excuse to deprive yourself of some of the best cheap eats in town.
For a mostly hands-free lunch head to Asia Market on Drury Street or Aobaba on Capel Street for authentic buns filled with salty and sweet fillings.
Stock up on food and international snacks for later in restaurants disguised as mere shops like Hansung on Strand Street and Super Asia on Aungier street.
If you're looking for something a bit more hearty, Herbert Park Market in Ballsbridge market runs every Sunday and is sure to introduce you to new flavours while always offering what's known and comforting.
Head in for a taste of authentic Polish Pierogies from Lucy pyrizhky & pierogi stuffed with sweet and savoury fillings and more hot food.
If you're looking to make the most of the sunshine while it's there, book a sit down brunch at either of the Brother Hubbard locations, Alma in Portobello or even Cornucopia for a vegan alternative.
A hidden gem in Portobello, The Mushroom Butcher Van offers any food your mind can conjure made from mushrooms, only on Saturdays and Sundays.
Picnic spots for lazy sunny days in the city
Swap out the usual Stephen's Green sit down for a quieter Merrion Square Park alternative. Awash with sunlight but with enough greenery to provide the shade you need, it makes for the perfect alternative on a summer day.
After a stroll through the Camden thrifting scene and a bite in Aoki, it's time to rest your weary legs in the lush greenery of the Iveagh Gardens.
St Patrick's cathedral offers some respite from the buzz of the crowds with its green spaces and benches. Head into the Tram Cafe for some refuge and a well-deserved treat.
Blackrock Park is another alternative slightly off the beaten path and gives you the best of both worlds with its proximity to Blackrock beach and its sprawling green.
Step off the Dart at Monkstown & Salthill station, sit down on the green and enjoy. You've arrived. Monkstown has no shortage of green spaces a stone's throw away from the main lines of transport.
If you're of mind to host a picnic after a dip into the sea, the green just above the Vico Baths in Dalkey and People's Park in Dun Laoghaire make for the perfect backdrop.
The Sunday Market in People's Park has food and jewellery vendors as far as the eye can see.
