Looking for a great place to have lunch? Dublin has hundreds of places to eat, from small cafes and take-away stores to gastropubs and restaurants, all in walking distance of Trinity.
Whether you are looking for a place to have lunch with your friends or a quick meal because you didn’t have time to cook, here are some spots you can find around campus that won’t break the bank.
Where should you go for lunch?
You don’t even need to leave campus to grab food! Trinity offers several options right on campus.
In the morning you can get coffee and pastries in the Perch Café, located on the ground floor of the Arts Building. Or you can head to the Forum restaurant at the Business School. They offer a deal of three breakfast items with toast and tea or coffee for only €4.95!
Forum also offers several lunch options including vegetarian alternatives and has a great seating area to enjoy your meal.
Another lunch option and a student favourite is the Buttery, located in Front Square. They offer cheap warm meals and salads as well as a made to order deli bar. It is a great place to meet and catch up with friends between lectures!
KC Peaches
27-29 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
KC Peaches has several locations in the city centre, but the Nassau Street branch is always packed with Trinity students.
They offer a salad bar and a hot food buffet that changes daily and is full of vegetarian and vegan options. They offer a great student discount too and its the perfect option if you are craving some healthy and wholesome food.
Xi’an Street Food
28 Anne Street South, Dublin 2
Another student favourite that brings authentic Chinese food culture to Dublin. Although their main meals are a bit more on the pricier side of this list, the portions are huge and it is great food, so it is worth it.
Another thing this restaurant is famous for is their big bag of spicy chips for only €4!
Carluccio’s
52 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
If you are craving some take-away pasta, this is the place to go. Located close to the Arts Block, Carluccio’s offer pasta options that change daily for around €6-7. For an extra €1.50 you can also grab a piece of freshly baked focaccia!
Mama’s Revenge
12 South, Leinster Street, Dublin 2
Dublin has a wide variety of options when it comes to burritos, but Mama’s Revenge is across from the back of campus, making it the preferred choice amongst science students.
They offer several options including tacos, burritos and bowls and nachos. You can add meat or veg and choose your favourite salsa to go with it, making it a perfect option for everyone no matter their spice tolerance!
World Food Market
Merrion Square, Dublin 2
If you are in the mood to try some different international cuisine, you can head to Merrion Square Park, less than 10 minutes away from campus.
Every Thursday from 11:30am – 2:30pm you can enjoy a healthy and diverse range of food.
They have something for every taste, from Spanish paella to Korean barbeque or traditional fish and chips. And all at a very affordable price!
Lemon Jelly Café
Millennium Walkway, North City, Dublin 1
This café is not the closest to Trinity but deserves a mention for the best crepes in Dublin. Whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer something savoury, their menu offers several breakfast and brunch options, making it the perfect spot for a friend group reunion.
Too Good To Go – Reduced prices for lunch
The app Too Good To Go, which aims to fight food waste from grocery stores and restaurants, has arrived to Dublin.
Each day, restaurants offer – at a very reduced price – a ‘Surprise Bag’ with food still good for consumption but cannot be sold to the public anymore.
If you purchase one, you will have a set time, normally for the next day, when you can go to collect it. Many restaurants in Dublin have signed up for this initiative which is also a great cheap alternative for students!
This is a very reduced list and just a taster of all the lunch alternatives around campus. There are many student budget-friendly places to eat in each neighbourhood so go out and explore!
Though we’d all love to eat out every single day, it’s not always affordable. If you want to save money and make a few meals at home, then check out our blog on How to supermarket shop for groceries like a local in Dublin.
