Where to shop for food in Dublin

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Holidaymakers looking for freedom and independence will undoubtedly choose to manage the food themselves during their stay in Dublin. But it’s not easy to know where to go shopping without strangling your budget or sacrificing the quality of future meals! So here’s a quick roundup of the best places to eat well without sacrificing your wallet or your stomach!

Shopping in Dublin

The choice between supermarkets, small shops or local markets

Dublin is a pretty dynamic city, so you’ll be able to take advantage of the many shops located in the city center, easily accessible by bus or on foot! So there’s no need to leave the capital for the local supermarkets! All you need to do is plan ahead and pack a backpack or shopping bag to carry your groceries home.

Another major advantage is that most of the major stores are open 7 days a week, and some even 24 hours a day! So don’t panic if you run out of milk or sugar on a Sunday: you should be able to find what you’re looking for in the city!

Generally speaking, there are 3 choices for food shopping:

you can use a supermarket such as Tesco, Dunnes Store, Supervalue, Lidl or Aldi,
you can call on small mini-markets such as Spar, Londis or Centra,
Or you can simply shop at local markets, or with local artisans (more rare, but often a pleasant surprise: the quality of the products is excellent).

Admittedly, rates are generally more expensive than in France or Belgium. Nevertheless, the quality can be good, especially if you buy fresh.

Above all, don’t hesitate to buy local: Ireland’s terroir has an excellent reputation, and its products are sometimes more affordable than imported foodstuffs. And don’t forget to try Irish cheeses, black pudding, white pudding, local fish and their famous Kerry lamb!

What you need to know

Be careful, however:

Meat and vegetables are often of better quality when purchased from a small shopkeeper or market. Supermarkets offer decent products, but they can sometimes be disappointing.
supermarkets are very busy, which can cause stock problems: you may not find everything on your shopping list. Don’t hesitate to do more than one if you need to, or to alternate between supermarkets and markets.
fish are also much better at local markets. You can be sure of their freshness. (and it’s 100 times better than frozen fish, and often more economical).
Organic is a growing trend in Ireland, but you won’t find it on every shelf of a supermarket: prefer the market too, if you’re interested in local production methods.
Also remember to carry change: the Irish tend not to use pennies. In such cases, they prefer to round off. To avoid being tricked, always remember to have a few euros in your pocket. (Otherwise, your credit card will do).