Moving over in the bed for Bax, our big fat rescue Rottie who opens the door and comes in to join me for snuggles, but only ever at the weekend when I’m not rushing out to the office. How do dogs tell the days the week? I’ve always wondered. He takes up half the bed, while I scroll through Twitter, catch up with the world and reply to comments on social media. Because I work full time in a full on job and spend weekday evenings working OT in emergency accommodation or attending beauty events, I usually completely chill at the weekend, it’s my favourite part of the week by far.
A solo breakfast means I’ve a day of events and meetings so somewhere with Wi-Fi, great coffee and great food is a must. We’re spoiled for choice in Dublin but Brother Hubbard on Capel St have home baked deliciousness on offer every single day and, truth be told, I’ve never met a baked good I didn’t like.
Betlenut in Blanchardstown. Close to my office, this is a relaxed and friendly café, situated in Draoicht Art Centre. There’s always an interesting mix of people, an art display to mosey around, free of charge and some of the finest coffee in Dublin.
The Westbury, always. It took me quite a long time to muster the courage to saunter into the Westbury, charger in hand but the staff are so incredibly welcoming. The Wi-Fi is lightning fast, the guests always an eclectic mix and the atmosphere second to none. It may be #notionseleven but, given the choice, this is my base of operations whenever I’m city centre.
Sprout on Dawson St. Seasonal, local and a hell of a lot tastier than healthy food has any right to be, their Sataysfied Turkey Bowl is TUH DIE FUH!
The Dead Zoo on Merrion St Upper. It’s a branch of the National Museum but kids young and old love the macabre offerings and learning all about the natural history of animals past & present.
Debenhams on Henry Street. With some of my favourite designer lines for a bigger body but also the best Personal Shopper in Dublin (the woman got me into a two piece last year, the first since my Communion!) Ask for Mairead, she’s a miracle worker. I’ll then take mosey down to the fully stocked beauty hall, they have brands to rival Ulta and I spend way more money in there than makes sense as a Beauty Blogger. My Accountant wants me barred!
The Gravedigger’s Haunted Bus Tour from College Green. Whether you’ve lived here all your life or are in town for a jolly, please treat yourself to this underrated joy. The guys on board are some of the most knowledgeable I’ve met about Dublin’s history, not to mention hilarious. They visit some of the most sinister of spots in the city, wedge in a scare or two ( you have been warned) and finish with a pint of the black stuff in the Gravedigger’s pub beside Glasnevin cemetary.
Wilde in the Westubury, (honestly Not Spon). They make one of the finest Irish G&Ts in the city and their menu never disappoints. That and the natural lighting is Instagram gold, don’t @ me.
First up a cocktail in Peruke and Periwig on Dawson St, where watching them create the cocktails is almost as much fun as their creations. A pint in O Donoghue’s cannot be missed, the craic is always 90, especially in the courtyard on match days. We’d finish with Espresso cocktails in the Liquor Rooms under the Clarence Hotel. The Liquor Rooms feels like a vintage Spiegel tent inside and their cocktail menu is second to none.
McGowan’s in Phisboro, this place is a Mozzarella Palace but always good for a bop. It was my Dad’s local back in the day, called the Broadstone at the time, so I’m forever looking out for people that look like me (don’t tell him that!)
Zaytoon on Parliament St. Rough, ready and bloody delicious, you haven’t had a kebab until you’ve had a freshly made, bursting with crisp veggies and enveloped in specialty flatbread kebab in this Persian Mecca.
By far the people. I’ve lived in Dublin for many a moon now and I’m still surprised by just how friendly people are. Strangers strike up conversation on public transport, in bars, in shops, everywhere. Whether it’s offering bus fare when someone’s short or marching shoulder to shoulder at rallies and protests through the city centre, Dublin people are my kinda people.
Brooks Hotel on Drury St, perfectly placed 2 minutes from Grafton Street with parking across the road, this boutique hotel is deceptively deluxe, boasts its own private cinema and always reasonably priced. That and they Irish up your porridge with a drop of whiskey, I mean if that’s not a Céad míle fáilte I don’t know what is.
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