The full Irish breakfast — rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, eggs, grilled tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, and toast — is more than a meal. Done right, it’s fuel for a long day of walking Dublin‘s streets, and a window into how the Irish start their mornings. Done poorly, it’s a greasy letdown.
Here’s where to find the best versions in Dublin, what to expect on your plate, and how to order like a local.
What Makes a Proper Irish Breakfast
A full Irish breakfast should include back rashers (Irish bacon), pork sausages, black pudding, white pudding, fried eggs, grilled tomato, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans, and buttered toast or brown bread. Some places add hash browns or boxty. The key is quality: good sausages with snap, pudding that isn’t rubbery, and eggs cooked to order.
Portions are generous. Most locals don’t eat this every day — it’s a weekend ritual or a post-night-out recovery meal. Expect to pay between $12 and $18 for a full Irish, with coffee or tea extra.
If you don’t want the full spread, most cafés offer a smaller “mini Irish” or let you swap items. Vegetarian versions replace meat with extra mushrooms, avocado, or veggie sausages.
Neighborhood Cafés Worth Finding
In Stoneybatter, Gertrude & Alice on Oxmantown Road serves a reliably good full Irish with Clonakilty black pudding and sourdough toast. The space is cozy, and it’s popular with locals on Saturday mornings — arrive before 10 a.m. or expect a wait.
On Aungier Street near St. Stephen’s Green, The Pepper Pot is a tiny, no-frills spot that’s been feeding Dubliners since 1968. The breakfast is classic and cheap — around $11 — with strong tea and zero pretension. It’s takeaway only now, but there are benches nearby in the park.
For something more polished, Brother Hubbard on Capel Street offers a full Irish with Middle Eastern touches — za’atar-spiced mushrooms, labneh, and house-made sausages. It’s $16 and comes with excellent sourdough. The café gets busy, so book ahead or go midweek.
In Ranelagh, Two Boys Brew on Lennox Street does a stripped-back Irish breakfast focused on local ingredients: Fingal Ferguson’s black pudding, free-range eggs, and homemade brown bread. It’s lighter than the traditional version, and popular with the brunch crowd. Expect to wait on weekends.
Traditional Pubs and Old-School Spots
Some of Dublin’s best Irish breakfasts are served in pubs that open early. The Hairy Lemon on Stephen Street Lower has a full Irish available from 9 a.m. on weekends, with generous portions and a pint of Guinness if you’re feeling bold. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s a five-minute walk from St. Stephen’s Green.
Near Christ Church Cathedral, The Brazen Head — Dublin’s oldest pub, dating to 1198 — serves breakfast in its upstairs dining room. The full Irish here is hearty and old-fashioned, with thick-cut rashers and proper sausages. It’s touristy, but the breakfast itself holds up.
For a no-nonsense local favorite, head to Kavanagh’s (also called The Gravediggers) in Glasnevin, near the National Botanic Gardens. The pub has been run by the same family for generations, and the breakfast — served Saturday and Sunday mornings — is straightforward and filling. Cash only.
What to Skip and When to Go
Avoid hotel buffet breakfasts unless you’re staying somewhere with a strong reputation for food. The quality rarely justifies the $20-plus price tag, and you’re better off walking five minutes to a neighborhood café.
Temple Bar has plenty of places advertising “traditional Irish breakfast,” but most cater to tourists in a hurry. The food is often reheated and overpriced. Stick to neighborhoods like Stoneybatter, Ranelagh, or Glasnevin for better value and quality.
Go early — most cafés serve breakfast until 11:30 a.m. or noon, and the best spots fill up fast on weekends. If you’re jet-lagged and awake at 8 a.m., use it to your advantage.
Pair your breakfast with a strong cup of Barry’s or Bewley’s tea, the Irish standard. Coffee is improving in Dublin, but tea is still the traditional choice with a fry-up.
Where to Go After Breakfast
A full Irish will keep you fueled for hours. From Stoneybatter, it’s a 20-minute walk to Phoenix Park and the Magazine Fort. From Ranelagh, head south to the foothills of the Dublin Mountains for a short hike at Marlay Park.
If you’ve eaten near Christ Church, explore the medieval quarter — Dublin Castle and the Chester Beatty Library are both nearby and free to enter. From Glasnevin, the National Botanic Gardens are a five-minute stroll and worth an hour of wandering.
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