Dublin may be best known for its literary history, lively pubs, and pints of Guinness, but the Irish capital also has a surprisingly impressive vegan food scene. Over the last decade, plant-based dining has definitely grown across the city, and new spots are popping up alongside the longstanding vegetarian establishments in the city, proving that traditional Irish fare and innovative vegan cooking can happily coexist.
During a recent trip to Ireland, I had just 36 hours to explore Dublin, so naturally, I spent as much of that time as possible eating. As I wandered the city center, I quickly discovered that Dublin offers far more vegan options than many travelers might expect.
The quality of the options was also very impressive, from perfectly flaky pastries to multi-course dinners, nearly every meal felt intentional and creative. The city’s compact size also made it easy to hop between neighborhoods and fit multiple food stops into a short visit.
11 spots to eat vegan in Dublin
If you’re planning a trip to Dublin and wondering where to eat, these were the vegan restaurants, cafés, and bakeries that made the biggest impression during my short stay.
The Saucy Cow
1 The Saucy Cow
When researching where to eat in Dublin, this vibrant spot kept coming up on the top of every list and once you step inside, it’s easy to see why. With a menu overflowing with comfort-style offerings such as the Big WAP double vegan cheese-coated smashburger, The Space Cowboy fried chicken sandwich slathered in japaleños and spicy barbecue sauce, and Parm Chicken Rolls with smoky vegan bacon, this spot is bringing fried vegan comfort to Dublin like no place else. Make sure to order the salt and chili hashbrowns and wash it all down with a creamy shamrock shake.
Cornucopia
2 Cornucopia
Celebrating 40 years as a vegetarian restaurant is no easy feat, but Cornucopia did just that this year. Started in 1986 by husband-and-wife duo Deirdre and Neil McCafferty, Cornucopia has grown from a health-food shop and café into a sought-after veg dining experience, and has transitioned from being vegetarian to primarily vegan. With a rotating menu that focuses on seasonal dishes and a selection of truly incredible vegan pastry and dessert options (think berry silken torte and chocolate fudge cake), this institution continues to draw in loyal customers with its cozy, well-thought out, plant-forward menu.
Govinda’s Restuarant
3 Govinda’s Restaurant
First opened in 1997, this longstanding vegetarian restaurant has been serving up its classic freshly fried samosas and traditional menu of Indian dishes for over two decades. The Govinda’s Special is always the must-order and features an array of fragrant stewed vegetables plus steaming heaps of basmati rice and a scoop of tender tofu in a savory tomato sauce. Sip it down with a glass of their tropical pineapple coconut punch before wandering back out into the city.
Glas Restaurant
4 Glas Restaurant
If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, make sure you book a reservation at Glas Restaurant, a completely gluten-free and plant-forward restaurant in the heart of the city center. They earned themselves recognization by the Michelin guide in 2022 for their innovative approach to veg dining, and this intimate, thoughtful spot hasn’t slowed down since. Opt for the three-course tasting menu and dive into seasonal dishes such as Saffron Poached Fennel in a chili broth or Grilled Beetroot with potato rosti.
It’s a Trap
5 It’s a Trap
No vegan’s trip to Dublin is complete without a morning stop at this entirely vegan bakery. The warm aroma of cinnamon practically wafts out the door here, and a taste of their popular cinnamon rolls slathered in cashew cream cheese is an absolute must. You might get lucky and get to sample one of their rotating varieties such as a matcha pandan cinnamon roll topped with thick pandan frosting and pistachios.
Twist Bakery
6 Twist Bakery
Newer to the Dublin food scene is Twist Bakery, but this spot has already made some major waves and even catered for longtime vegan celeb Alicia Silverstone while she was filming in Ireland. While they don’t call themselves a vegan bakery, virtually all of their pastries are vegan and the offerings are made entirely without dairy or eggs. Their gorgeously flaky croissants are a must-try, but branch out and try the danishes, cruffins, and mind-blowing Ferrero Rocher cake.
Bambino
7 Bambino
If you’re looking for a vegan slice that rivals the options in New York City, then Bambino’s needs to be on your list. While not a fully vegan spot, the plant-based options leave nothing to be desired. Go for the Vegan Hot Honey Pepperoni slice with melty mozzarella, sliced red chilies, and drizzles of plant-based hot honey. And don’t forget to order the vegan garlic sauce for dipping.
Umi Falafel
8 Umi Falafel
When you’re busy sightseeing, sometimes all you have time for is an easy grab-and-go lunch and this Palestinian-owned falafel chain is your ticket to a super fresh, tasty, and filling meal. I went for the build-your-own bowl and piled it high with crispy falafel, super smooth hummus, stuffed grape vine leaves drizzled with tangy pomegranate molasses, citrusy tabouleh, and tahini sauce.
The Rolling Donut
9 The Rolling Donut
With over seven locations throughout Ireland, and four in Dublin, this doughnut chain makes it easy to get your early morning sweet tooth fix. They offer a selection of vegan doughnuts in tantalizing flavors like caramelized biscuit, Ferrero Rocher, and blueberry crumble. The selction rotates with the seasons, so there’s always something new to try here.
Sarah McLaughlin
10 The Guinness Storehouse
When in Dublin, of course you must visit the Guinness Storehouse and take a tour. The immersive and interactive tourist hot spot (where you can learn to become an expert Guinness taster and master the art of the perfect pour) offers a few vegan options in their roasthouse. Take a break from your tour to grab a flaky vegan sausage roll, or a veggie wrap, and a pint. The historic beer brand famously went vegan in 2017, finally removing isinglass—a fish derivative—from its filtration process so you can split the G to your heart’s desire.
Sarah McLaughlin
11 Groundstate
My last stop was just around the corner from the Guinness Storehouse. This hip café caught my eye, so I wandered in and was pleasantly surprised to find a menu packed with vegan-friendly options. With a focus on ethically sourced coffee and locally sourced ingredients, this sustainability-minded spot serves everything from a smoky tofu sandwich with housemade caraway kraut and fennel-tomato jam to slow-roasted sweet potato miso toast topped with vegan ricotta and basil oil. There’s also a sriracha tofu scramble served over local sourdough, plus a rotating selection of vegan cakes in the pastry case. Naturally, I couldn’t resist a slice of carrot cake for the road.
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Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
