Bunsen is the newest addition to the Wexford Street food trail and it promises authentic, American-style hamburgers with the perfect arrangement of beef, bun, cheese and toppings. Proprietor Tom Gleeson went through 12 different prototypes before settling on his current recipe and it's an excellent combination. Expect perfectly cooked Aberdeen Angus beef, oozy cheese, a soft bun and crunchy fried, all served on a classic red, plastic tray with a milkshake. The décor is very much in the minimalist camp but the concentration is definitely on the food and expansions in the coming months look to be very exciting. A typical meal will only cost you at most 15.
Tucked away on the corner of South Lotts Road and Upper Grand Canal Street is a small restaurant serving what is arguably the best pizza in Dublin. Paulie's is always packed to the brim and serves up delicious wood-fired pizzas cooked to an authentic Neapolitan recipe. They use only approved flour, tomatoes and slow-proved dough cooked to perfection at 450 degrees celsius. If pizza isn't your thing never fear, there are plenty of delicious Italian main courses and pasta dishes with just as much attention to detail worth trying. Mix this with an intimate, bustling atmosphere, great music and outdoor seating with a canopy and blankets for cooler evenings and you've got a winning combination.
Located in the leafy suburb of Ballsbridge and overlooking the Grand Canal, Keshk specialises in Middle Eastern and Egyptian cuisine. The standard is excellent, the portions are hearty and the costs are incredible reasonable. It's also BYOB to sweeten the deal and make sure your pockets aren't too light upon leaving. If you want to bring the taste of the Middle East to your own home Keshk offer a collection service for some of their delicious dishes. Their Baba ghanouj is a must-try for those who haven't before and their lamb is super tender and delicious. Well worth it if you're staying in the area.
Located on bustling Camden Street, it would be easy for Neon to get lost in the abundance of asian restaurants that line either side of the road. The concept and execution however put them a cut above the rest. With chic d�cor and long, sharing tables you order at the till and with lightning fast service even in rush hour you'll find a large, hearty portion of your dish of choice. Neon also deliver to the local environs and seeing as their in-house meals are served in takeaway boxes you'll be having a very similar experience to those in the restaurant proper.
Saba is another top-quality Dublin Thai restaurant that skews more towards Thai and Vietnamese cooking. Saba has won numerous awards and has been featured in the Bridgestone Guide for best restaurants in the country. Their head chef at their Clarendon restaurant has previously cooked for the King and Queen of Thailand. Saba also has a series of farm co-ops in Thailand and fresh fruit and vegetables are flown from Bangkok to Dublin each week, the rest of the produce used in the food is sourced locally and ethically. Their Saba to Go restaurant is in Rathmines and promises a taste of these delicious dishes fast.
Kanum Thai is another great Thai take out establishment that has weathered the recession surprisingly well. Founded in 2009 by brothers Marc and Niall Fitzharris, Kanum began as a single restaurant and take out service in Ballsbridge and has since opened another restaurant in Rathgar. Kanum only use Irish meats and Irish seasonal vegetable where possible. With over 80 dishes to choose from there are plenty of options, including vegetarian to keep everyone happy and a range of spices for those with a more delicate palate. Kanum also has stalls at many of the local farmers markets on Spencer Dock, Mespil Road and Sandyford.
Bombay Pantry is one of Dublin's longest standing takeaways but has managed to stay both current and dedicated to quality over its 15 years in the business. Starting as just one small shop in Glenageary that sought to provide top quality Indian food to go, Bombay Pantry now has 7 shops scattered across the city and seeks to maintain a high standard across them all. The handmade street food portions are particularly delicious and the meal for 2 is great value, with some street food dishes on offer as well as two curries, a naan and a portion of rice. For those who want to try a bit of everything there are small plates to sate your indecision.
Rotana's speciality is Lebanese Halal cuisine and was voted one of the Irish Food Guide's best restaurants in Ireland this year. Famed for its falafel and baklava, Rotana now offers a takeaway delivery service if you can't manage to drop into their restaurant by the canal in Portobello. Their mezze plates are real winners, with a number of Lebanese treats like stuffed vine leaves, Fatoush salad, Baba ghanouj and much more. Their 'Manakeesh' or flatbreads with various toppings are also a winner with halloumi and a lamb and tomato topping as the stand-out combinations. Top it off with some of the Lebanese specials and you'll be well and truly satisfied.
Camile is one of the stand-out Asian take out establishments in Dublin. The competition may be fierce, but Camile is a fully Irish owned business that takes its inspiration from the glamour of the 1930's Asian Art Deco movement. Many of the chefs have trained in 5 star hotels in Thailand and insist on using only fresh, quality ingredients to create their unique sauces. The style is described as 'pan-Asian' with aspects of European cooking to be found in their recipes. Their catchment areas are broad, from Dún Laoghaire to Phibsborough and taking in the South Circular Road, Sutton and Rathmines. No matter where you are in the city you'll likely find one nearby.
