If you want to explore a more local side of Dublin, Stoneybatter is one of the best neighbourhoods to visit.
Just outside Dublin city centre, Stoneybatter has kept its village feel while developing one of the most interesting food scenes in the city. Traditional Dublin pubs sit alongside independent cafés and restaurants, all within a neighbourhood that is easy to explore on foot.
Time Out named Stoneybatter one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world in 2019, but Dubliners knew there was something special about the area long before that.
What is Stoneybatter known for?
Stoneybatter is one of Dublin’s oldest neighbourhoods and has a strong identity of its own.
Its red brick terraces, old shopfronts, pubs and independent businesses give it a very different feel from the busy streets of Dublin city centre.
Once a predominantly working class neighbourhood, Stoneybatter has changed considerably over the years. New restaurants, cafés and businesses have opened, but it still retains the feeling of an urban village with a strong local community.
That mix of old and new is part of what makes Stoneybatter so interesting. A traditional Dublin pub can sit a few doors away from a speciality coffee shop, and both feel completely at home here.
Food and drink in Stoneybatter
Stoneybatter has become one of Dublin’s most interesting neighbourhoods for food.
You will find independent restaurants, cafés, bakeries, pubs and food businesses within a relatively small area, many of them popular with people who live locally.
It is also a good place to see how Dublin’s food scene has evolved.
Traditional Irish food and pub culture are still part of the neighbourhood, but they now sit alongside speciality coffee, artisan baking, international influences and a new generation of independent food businesses.
Because the area is compact, you can experience a lot of it on foot without spending your time travelling between different parts of Dublin.
Things to do in Stoneybatter
Food is only one reason to visit Stoneybatter.
The neighbourhood is beside Smithfield, where you can visit the Jameson Distillery, and within walking distance of Phoenix Park.
The National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks is also nearby, along with historic Arbour Hill.
This makes Stoneybatter an easy area to include in a day exploring Dublin.
Spend the morning or afternoon discovering the neighbourhood and its food, then continue towards Phoenix Park, Smithfield or the city centre.
Take a Stoneybatter Food Tour
We created our Stoneybatter Food Tour for visitors who want to experience Dublin beyond the main tourist streets.
Our guided food tour takes you through the neighbourhood while visiting independent food businesses and tasting a selection of food and drinks.
Along the way, we talk about Stoneybatter, Dublin food history and the people and businesses that have shaped the area.
The focus is on good food, local businesses and understanding the neighbourhood rather than simply moving from one tasting to another.
Who is the Stoneybatter Food Tour for?
The tour is a great choice if you have visited Dublin before and want to see somewhere different, but you do not need to be a returning visitor.
It is also suited to food lovers, people who enjoy exploring neighbourhoods on foot and visitors looking for a Dublin food tour away from the busiest tourist areas.
If you are interested in independent businesses and want to experience a part of the city where Dubliners actually live and eat, Stoneybatter is well worth exploring.
Is Stoneybatter worth visiting?
Yes.
Stoneybatter combines good food, traditional pubs, independent businesses, Dublin history and a strong neighbourhood identity, all within easy reach of the city centre.
If you would like to discover the area through its food, join us on our Stoneybatter Food Tour and explore one of Dublin’s most interesting neighbourhoods.