Historic restaurant food tour of Dublin Ireland 2025

Following a successful Halal food tour of Scotland’s Edinburgh and Glasgow, FtLion turned its attention to the Republic of Ireland and its capital city of Dublin.

Although smaller in number to London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leicester, Dublin’s Muslim community of some 40,000 offered more than enough variety.

A highlight of this tour was Dublin’s very first falafel shop and one of its best kept secrets, Turkish restaurant Falafel.

Not only is this place part of the Dublin Kebab Club’s Golden Circle, it is also extremely affordable.

With three restaurants – Temple Bar, Coolmine Industrial Estate, and Dundrum – Falafel is one of five kebab shops in the city guaranteed to “serve fresh, Irish, non-processed lamb doner, gyro, shawarma, etc., meat” and “freshly baked (on the premises) bread”.

Of course given their brand name, they are all about their falafels, which, alongside their inhouse sauces, and mocktails, are made from scratch.

Here you can enjoy hummus, baba ganoush, taboulah, kibbeh, and Falafel’s signature dish, the Palestinian Falafel, which is an absolute must.

D’Lepak is a family-run restaurant that’s located in the neighbourhood town of Redcowfarm on Manor Road.

This Malaysian restaurant is run by a charming Malay couple, and has a beautifully conceived conservatory and a prayer room to make it an ideal family destination.

With a mixture of dishes ranging from local favourites to an exciting array of fusion dishes, D’Lepak are reknowned for their wholesome homemade food.

Revolving around Small Plates, Wok items, Curry dishes, plates of noodle and rice, and the restaurant’s Signatures, look out for their Local Favourites and Weekend Specials.

There’s the marrow-based Bihun Sup Tulang Utara soup, in addition to the classic curry dishes, Lamb Rendang and Panang Curry, as well as your Malaysian Nasi, Mee Goreng, and the Nasi Goreng, among others.

There aren’t many quality Somali restaurants in London; so when we heard about the legendary Le Gazin on Dorset Street Upper in Rotunda, it was a foregone conclusion.

This place has the distinction of being the pioneers of Somali cuisine in Dublin with brothers Ali’s and Ahmed’s father having founded this place over 15 years ago.

This place celebrates the rich flavors of traditional Somali cuisine, with beloved staples like Haniid, Lamb Shank, Beef and Chicken Steaks, Suqaar, and Soor.

Although their best seller is the Haniid with a beautifully tender, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, they also do non-meat alternatives like a baked salmon fillet that’s infused in traditional spices and served with rice.

Just don’t forget to try their surprisingly good desserts such as the well-known Malaweh, which is a sweet crepe served with sliced banana, honey or hazelnut, or their crowd-pleasing Tiramisu with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

If you’re looking for the best Halal pizzas, and handcrafted no less, then it has to be the popular Pizza ‘n’ Bites.

With over 20 years of industry experience, and situated in either Finglas’ St Margaret’s Road or Swords ‘ Boroimhe Shopping Centre, this is a hugely popular brand.

Not only do they have a huge range of delectable American-style pizzas, but also irresistible loaded kebabs and handmade burgers made from 100% Irish high-quality meat.

With stuffed crust pizzas such as the signature Cheesy Bite Crust, which is stuffed with gooey cheese, they also do an innovative Bites Crust version that incorporates into the crust a range of delicious fillings.

 

As “Irelands only deep pan pizza” place, Pizza ‘n’ Bites is the one-stop place, especially with their Loaded Kebabs that includes a Smoky Doner Kebab Shawarma.

After award-winning Palestinian kanafeh desserts? Look no further than Kanafeh Kingz which was voted Ireland’s Dessert Outlet of the Year at The Food Awards.

This food outlet has sites at the Hibernian Industrial Estate’s Serla House in Tallaght’s Greenhills Road, and at the Coolmine Industrial Estate in Blanchardstown’s Porters Road.

Specialising in a trio of platters, like the Classic, Nablusi, and Pistachio – each one unique in its own right – this is the place to be for your kanafeh fix.

And with offerings of hot beverages and a traditional Palestinian syrup-soaked semolina cake called a Basbusa, this is worth travelling to try.

Finally, if and when you’re in Hibernian Industrial Estate’s Serla House, then you’ll be remiss not to visit the hidden-gem that is the up-and-coming food truck Tuckk Inn.

They offer five beef burgers with their most popular one being the impressive Belly Buster that’s defined by a triple smash patty, triple bacon, triple cheese, and topped with caramelised onions, pickles, an inhouse Tuckker sauce.

Tuck Inn also offer tenders and wings that boast a crispy exterior, and can be based in half-a-dozen inhouse marinations: Classic Plain, Sweet TK, Buffalo, BBQ, Hot, and Lemon-Piri.

And the above is literally only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Dublin’s vibrant Halal food scene. There’s plenty more to explore; making this a serious holiday destination.