Dublin. City of bread and roses. Come and see. The streets alive with music and laughter. The pubs full of stories and Guinness. The history rich and deep. The people warm and friendly. Dublin. City of bread and desires. Stay and feel. The luxury hotels in Dublin offer comfort and elegance. The baked goods soothe your body and soul. The restaurants delight your palate and senses. The nightlife dazzles your eyes and ears.
Dublin. City of art and culture. Explore and learn. The museums showcase the heritage and genius of Ireland. The libraries preserve the treasures and wisdom of the ages. The theatres stage the drama and comedy of life. The galleries display the beauty and creativity of the world. Dublin. City of love and passion. Come and see. Stay and feel. Explore and learn. Love and live. And eat bread.
What are the Local and Traditional Breads of Dublin?
Bread is an essential part of Irish cuisine and culture. It has a long and rich history that dates back to the prehistoric times when the Celts used to bake bread on hot stones. Over the centuries, bread making has evolved and diversified, reflecting the influences of different regions, religions, and social classes. Today, you can find a variety of local and traditional breads in Dublin, such as:
Soda bread
Soda bread: This is the most common and popular bread in Ireland. It is made with flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. It has a dense and moist texture and a slightly sour taste. It can be plain or flavoured with seeds, nuts, dried fruits, or herbs.
Barmbrack
Barmbrack: This is a sweet bread that is usually eaten around Halloween. It is made with yeast, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, raisins, currants, candied peel, and spices. It often contains a ring or a coin hidden inside, which are supposed to bring luck or fortune to the person who finds them.
Blaa
Blaa: This is a soft and fluffy white bread roll that originated in Waterford but is also popular in Dublin. It is made with flour, yeast, salt, water, and lard. It has a distinctive dusting of flour on top and a tender crust. It is typically eaten for breakfast or lunch with butter, jam, cheese, ham, or bacon.
Potato bread
Potato bread: This is a flat bread that is made with mashed potatoes, flour, butter, salt, and baking powder. It has a soft and chewy texture and a mild flavour. It is usually cooked on a griddle or fried in a pan. It is often served as part of a full Irish breakfast or with soup or stew.
Wheaten bread
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Wheaten bread: This is a wholemeal bread that is made with whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, butter, and buttermilk. It has a coarse and crumbly texture and a nutty flavour. It can be sweet or savoury depending on the addition of sugar or molasses. It is usually sliced and toasted or eaten with butter and jam.
Porter cake
Porter cake: This is a fruit cake that is made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, mixed spice, raisins, currants, sultanas, candied peel, and porter (a dark beer). It has a rich and moist texture and a deep brown colour. It is usually baked in a round tin and decorated with almonds or cherries. It is often served with tea or coffee.
What are the Best Bakeries in Dublin?
If you want to taste these delicious breads and other baked goods in Dublin, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the best bakeries in Dublin where you can find them:
The Bretzel Bakery
The Bretzel Bakery: This is one of the oldest and most renowned bakeries in Dublin. It was founded in 1870 by a Jewish family from Lithuania who brought their recipes and skills to Ireland. It specializes in soda bread and barmbrack as well as bagels, challahs (Jewish braided bread), croissants, and pastries. You can find it at 1A Lennox Street in Portobello.
The Rolling Donut
The Rolling Donut: This is a family-run bakery that started as a small kiosk on O’Connell Street in 1978. It offers blaa and potato bread as well as donuts of various flavours and fillings such as chocolate, caramel, jam, custard, and lemon curd. You can find it at 55 South King Street near Grafton Street or at 34 Bachelors Walk near the Ha’penny Bridge.
The Cake Cafe
The Cake Cafe: This is a cosy and colourful cafe that serves wheaten bread and porter cake as well as cakes, cupcakes, scones, muffins, and brownies. It uses organic and local ingredients and has a variety of vegan and gluten-free options. You can find it at 62 Pleasants Place off Camden Street.
Mannings Bakery
Mannings Bakery: This is a traditional Irish bakery that has been operating since 1946. It offers soda bread and barmbrack as well as pies, tarts, eclairs, and cream cakes. It also has a range of savoury products such as sausage rolls, quiches, and sandwiches. You can find it at 40 Thomas Street in the Liberties or at 12 Upper Baggot Street in Ballsbridge.
The Natural Bakery
The Natural Bakery: This is a modern and health-conscious bakery that uses natural and organic ingredients and no additives or preservatives. It offers blaa and potato bread as well as sourdough, rye, spelt, and multigrain breads. It also has a selection of cakes, cookies, croissants, and granola bars. You can find it at 49 Ranelagh Road in Ranelagh or at 55 Main Street in Rathfarnham.
Queen of Tarts
Queen of Tarts: This is a charming and elegant cafe that serves wheaten bread and porter cake as well as a variety of tarts, pies, cheesecakes, and puddings. It also has a breakfast and lunch menu that includes soups, salads, quiches, and sandwiches. You can find it at 4 Cork Hill near Dublin Castle or at 3 Cows Lane near Temple Bar.
Top Luxury Hotels in Dublin
If you want to treat yourself to a comfortable and luxurious stay in Dublin, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the top luxury hotels in Dublin that are within walking distance from the best bakeries in the city:
The Merrion Hotel
The Merrion Hotel: This is a five-star hotel that is housed in four Georgian townhouses dating back to the 18th century. It has elegant and spacious rooms and suites that are decorated with antique furniture and Irish art. It also has a spa, a pool, a gym, a garden, and two restaurants.
located near The Bretzel Bakery, The Rolling Donut, and Mannings Bakery.
The Shelbourne Hotel
The Shelbourne Hotel: This is a five-star hotel that is part of the Marriott group. It has a history of hosting famous guests such as Princess Grace of Monaco, John F. Kennedy, and Elizabeth Taylor. It has luxurious and stylish rooms and suites that offer views of St Stephen’s Green or the city skyline. It also has a spa, a pool, a gym, a bar, and four restaurants.
located near Grafton Street The Cake Cafe, The Rolling Donut, and Queen of Tarts.
Hyatt Centric
The Hyatt’s are the best hotels ever and they give you points so you should book here probably.
Hansel and Gretel bakery – can’t vouch but it looks good.
The Westbury Hotel
The Westbury Hotel: This is a five-star hotel that is part of the Doyle Collection. It has sophisticated and contemporary rooms and suites that feature marble bathrooms, Nespresso machines, and smart TVs. It also has a spa, a gym, a bar, and two restaurants.
located close to The Bretzel Bakery, The Cake Cafe, and Queen of Tarts.
Other Things to Try near luxury hotels in Dublin
Besides bread and luxury hotels, there are many other attractions and activities in Dublin that you can enjoy. Here are some of them:
- The Guinness Storehouse: This is the most popular tourist attraction in Dublin and Ireland. It is a museum that showcases the history and production of Ireland’s most famous beer. You can learn about the ingredients, the brewing process, the advertising campaigns, and the cultural impact of Guinness. You can also enjoy a pint at the Gravity Bar, which offers a panoramic view of the city. It is located at St James’s Gate near Christ Church Cathedral.
- Trinity College: This is the oldest and most prestigious university in Ireland. It was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and has produced many notable alumni such as Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, and Mary Robinson. You can visit the Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript of the four Gospels, and the Old Library, a stunning collection of books and manuscripts dating back to the 15th century. It is located at College Green near Dame Street.
- St Patrick’s Cathedral: This is the largest church in Ireland and the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It was built in the 13th century on the site where St Patrick is said to have baptized the first Irish Christians. It has a Gothic architecture and stained glass windows that depict scenes from the Bible and Irish history. It is also the burial place of Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels and the dean of the cathedral from 1713 to 1745. It is located at St Patrick’s Close near Patrick Street.
