Exploring the Liberties: Food
The Teeling Distillery is located in the heart of old Dublin, the Liberties. It’s an area buzzing with amazing food, drink and culture that’s still somewhat unexplored for a lot of Dublin visitors. Over the course of this blog series, we aim to unearth some of those interesting and hidden gems that make our local area a place we’re proud to call home.
A Culture of Food
This first post will focus on the food culture in our neighbourhood. There is a strong tradition of using local produce to create amazing food in the area, something that is reflected in the many local cafés, markets and restaurants. Our very own Phoenix Café located here in the distillery embraces this, serving up artisanal coffees and teas from local producers and a range of delicious sandwiches, salads and hot food.
Local Markets
Very close to home there are two fabulous markets situated either side of the distillery, the Green Door market and Dublin Food Co-op. Both markets produce amazing, fresh, organic produce from local suppliers. The Dublin Food Co-op has a vegan-friendly café which serves an extensive range of delicious vegan food, while the Green Door market serves up a variety of hot food alongside fairtrade teas and coffees.
Fumbally Café
Just down the road is the Fumbally Café, one of Dublin’s best renowned spots for lunch and brunch. They have a beautiful menu with equally gorgeous specials every day. Naturally, it tends to be quite busy and there can be substantial queues, but it’s worth the wait!
Some of Our Favourite Coffee Shops
The Dublin coffee scene has really exploded over the past few years, with a wealth of artisan roasters popping up all over Dublin. The coffee suppliers for our Phoenix Café, 3fe played a major part in the popularisation of specialist, locally roasted coffee and along with the likes of Badger & Dodo and Cloudpicker supply a lot of the local coffeeshops. The revival of the local Meath Street and Francis Street has attracted amazing cafés such as LEGIT Coffee Co. and Two Pups Coffee, serving delicious coffee and equally delicious locally produced artisan food. LEGIT Coffee Co. provides a great creative space for working on projects, while Two Pups has a more relaxed atmosphere surrounded by vintage clothes, live music and cosy furniture. For those with a sweet tooth, Dublin Cookie Company has a range of unique cookies nearby on Thomas Street.
Dining Out in the Area
If you’re hungry for something a bit more substantial in the area, look no further than the south part of Clanbrassil street close to the canal. It’s an area bursting with restaurants of all styles and cuisines, so you’ll find something no matter what you’re craving. Bastible is a charming restaurant on Leonard’s Corner with a refined seasonal menu expertly crafted by renowned head chef Barry Fitzgerald. Across the road is Gaillot et Gray, offering a simple but delicious French twist on a pizzeria. The pizzas are reasonably priced and freshly baked with a variety of tasty French inspired toppings. Gaillot et Gray also serve an inviting range of baked goods in the morning if that’s what you’re after.
Continuing south on Clanbrassil Street towards the canal, 57 The Headline Bar offers a varied gastropub menu that’s excellent value . Combine this with one of the best craft beer selections in Dublin, as well as an extensive gin menu and it makes for a fantastic offering. Last but by no means least, MVP is a dog-friendly, traditional pub with a modern twist. Their food offering consists mainly of baked spuds (potatoes), with various toppings. Simple but extremely satisfying, especially on a cold or rainy day. While you’re there, be sure to check out their fantastic range of cocktails (they have some lovely Teeling based ones) and keep an eye out for events, there’s always something fun going on!
We’ve covered of some of our favourite food places in the local area, however we’re only scratching the surface of what’s on offer. If you’re planning a visit to the distillery and you have some time on your hands, have a wander around the area, there’s so much to be discovered!