Vegan Dublin – the ultimate tour

Sitting on the mouth of the River Liffey, the Irish capital oozes charm, tradition and rich history. Hidden in plain sight, its underground vegan scene is slowly making its way to the surface. Tucked away in yoga studios and down side-streets, an abundance of plant-based cafes are waiting for you to forget what you know and open your mind to a world free from animal produce. Here to help, is our ultimate guide to a mouth-watering vegan tour of Dublin city. 

Just off O’Connell Bridge, overlooking the river Liffey, is your answer to healthy and indulgent guilt-free snacking. Póg Café is home to a much loved vegan afternoon tea complete with all your favourites and a little glass of champers. Take a seat in the small eatery, surrounded by the rustic aesthetic and pink lattes of Instagram dreams. Tuck in to some vegan banana bread and wash it down with a fresh turmeric and ginger juice. In the summer, sit outside and bask in the sunshine as you watch the city rush by. 

Local favourite, Blazing Salads, is a multi-award winning, family-run grab and go in the centre of the city. Not only does it do what it says on the tin, this vegan whole-food deli satisfies all your lunchtime needs, with an impressive salad buffet, hot food counter and sweet treats handmade daily on site. Everything is priced by weight, so grab a container, fill up to suit your appetite and enjoy the health kick in every bite. Make sure to try the vegan samosas and caramel bites - I promise you won’t be disappointed! 

Dublin’s only 100 percent vegan café, Happy Food, is hidden inside YogaHub’s studios and is the ultimate in vegan brunching. Head off the beaten track, channel your inner yogi and indulge in all your favourites. Order vegan scramble made from chickpeas and tofu bacon to fulfil all your breakfast desires – you won’t even know the difference! If you’re after something a bit more substantial, try the burger bowls and specialty Sloppy Joes. Proving that going vegan doesn’t mean morphing in to a rabbit, Happy Food won’t let you down and is a definite must to add to your list of vegan cafes and restaurants in Dublin. 

A haven for junk food lovers, this next one is the ultimate in vegan diner-inspired cuisine.  New to the scene, the fully-vegan eatery is the brainchild of Moodley Manor, the pioneering couple in meat alternative production, and is located just off Watling Street. Prepare for monstrous burgers, onion rings galore and a selection of deserts from vegan bakery, Buttercream Dream. You haven’t completed the BEAST experience without trying their Chick-Hun burger – vegan fried chicken covered in hot sauce topped with vegan bacon and slaw. You’ll be rolling out of the joint while simultaneously planning your next visit. 

Nestled in the heart of Ranelagh, this little hub is taking veganism to the suburbs. Beginning as a touring food truck feeding the plant-based party-goers at festivals such as Longitude and Electric Picnic, Garden of Vegan opened its sit-down doors after succeeding at crowd-funding. Founded by singer, Sharon Shannon, the venture is predicted to be such a success they already have five more restaurants rearing to go in the pipe line. 

Starting its life in the artisan coffee industry,  Urbanity has shifted gears and become a leading player in the Dublin vegan restaurant scene. Follow a red neon coffee sign down an alley off Smithfield Square, and you’ll come face to face with the minimalist, bright airy space sitting in the bottom of the Glasshouse building. Enjoy picture-perfect acai bowls during the day and seasonal speciality menus at night. Demonstrating it can do both, this slow roast coffee shop turned humble evening eatery is just getting started! 

In the game since opening its doors in 1986, Cornucopia is the true pioneer of plant-based eating in the capital. Self-service casual dining offering up hearty portions of home-cooked veggie and vegan meals, the food you’ll eat in this place is worth the out-the-door queues. Making its home inside two Georgian buildings, the ethically focused business strives to fill your stomachs with wholesome goodness and satisfy your sweet-tooth with its 100 percent plant-based bakery. You can even sip on a glass of vegan wine while you’re at it.

Heading to Dublin soon? Make sure to tag us in your photo of the best vegan cafes and restaurants in Dublin using the hashtag #ryanairstories for a chance to be featured on Ryanair’s social media channels.

Flights to Dublin

- Lucy Norris