Lunchtime, munch-time! Best delis in Dublin!

Trade in your meal deal in for a scrumptious sandwich courtesy of the best delis in Dublin!

Sandwiches are the life and soul of the Irish mid-day meal. That’s why every Spar and Centra have a deli counter, waiting – nay – preying on hungry souls like you and I who are just looking for a quick, cheap bite to eat. But convenience store sandwiches aren’t our only hope! Dublin is teaming with independent delicatessens that have been serving the hungry community for years. They offer sandwiches, soups, and salads made with artisan breads, home-roasted meats, fresh veg and more that will keep you satisfied till dinner. So if you, like me, are a sando-holic, check out some of the best delis Dublin has to offer!

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The Pig and Heifer

New York City and Ireland have an irrefutable connection, and nowhere is this more prevalent in Dublin’s day to day experience than in deli culture. This cross-cultural conjunction is the heart and soul of The Pig and Heifer, a New York style deli, established in 1996 by Patrick Hyndland. At The Pig and Heifer, proper food is central therefore money is only spent on ingredients rather than marketing and promotion. That ethos is what allows patrons to stop by and grab a €2 cup of coffee and a New York Reuban for only €6.50. The  Reuben features The Pig and Heifer’s claim to faim – real New York-style pastrami with sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and spinach on rye bread. This is a fan favourite across the city as The Pig and Heifer was the first deli in Ireland to serve pastrami on rye. The serrano ham and mozzarella sandwich with tumaca sauce and leaves also comes highly recommended. As well, The Pig and Heifer has a healthy amount of vegetarian options featuring wraps, salads, and sandwiches galore. No wonder they’re one of the best delis in Dublin!

• Address:  6 Guild Court, Amiens Street, Dublin 1 151 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 21-23 City Quay, Dublin 2
• 6 Guild Court, Amiens Street, Dublin 1
• 151 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
• 21-23 City Quay, Dublin 2
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-6pm; Sat: 11am-4pm

147 Deli

An independent deli that is ‘mad about food, coffee and good people…and dogs’. 147 Deli, located on Parnell Street, has some of the most unique sandwich offerings in Dublin. For €6.50 you can get a slow roasted barbeque pork sandwich with homemade barbeque sauce, ruby coleslaw on an onion bap. For 45 cents more you can get a sumac chicken wrap with tabbouleh, feta cheese, and yogurt lemon dressing on a wholemeal wrap. The variety of flavours makes 147 Deli a perfect spot when the crew can’t agree on what they want for lunch. Additionally, for a sweet treat after a sando, patrons absolutely salivate for the doughnuts featuring flavours like key lime pie and lemon meringue. In addition to the food, people love the unpretentious bohemian atmosphere, the friendly staff and the smooth rich coffee which – like the sandwiches – comes at budget friendly prices.

• Address: 147 Parnell Street, Dublin 1
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm; Saturday: 10am-5pm

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Poulet Bonne Femme

Poulet Bonne Femme is maybe not your traditional deli, seeing as their specialty is whole rotisserie chicken, that being said they have some of the best sandwiches in town. Gavin McCarthy and Sara Mitchell opened Ireland’s first rotisserie chicken business in Dublin in 2009. Since then they have been expanding their menu and their presence across the Emerald Isle with locations in Dublin City, Monkstown, Rathcoole, Kilmacanogue, Dunboyne, and Ballsbridge. As far as their carb encased offerings go, Poulet Bonne Femme is famous for their signature rotisserie chicken sandwich served with fresh salad, butter, mayonaise and dijon mustard served on sourdough bread with a little sprinkle if salt and pepper to finish it off. Chicken’s not all that’s on offer though, Poulet Bonne Femme also offers homemade porchetta, roast beef, honey roast ham, and roast leg of lamb all of which are available in sandwich form for under €7!

• Address: 13 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 (in Avoca)
• Opening hours: Mon-Sat:9am-4pm

Oxmantown

Established in 2013 by Connor Higgins and Amie Costello, Oxmantown has been winning over the hearts and stomachs of Dublin one artisan sandwich at a time. This delectable Dublin deli prides itself on supporting other independent businesses in Dublin 7. Their coffee comes from Cloud Picker, Dublin’s first micro roastery on Sheriff Street while the bread for their sumptuous sandos is baked and delivered daily by Arun Bakery. The rest of the menu is made in house including an array of sandwiches, salads, soups, and pastries. Regulars at Oxmantown rave about The Ruby: pastrami sandwich served with sauerkraut, pickles, swiss cheese and horseradish on a rye sourdough bread.  If you’re not feeling a sandwich or prefer a vegetarian/vegan option, the Buddha Box with avocado, quinoa, beetroot hummus, roast chickpeas and pickled onions will leave you feeling full, guilt-free, and healthy.

• Address:  16 Mary’s Abbey,City Markets, Dublin 7 13 Smithfield Terrace, Dublin 7
• 16 Mary’s Abbey,City Markets, Dublin 7
• 13 Smithfield Terrace, Dublin 7
• Opening hours: 8am-4pm
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Doughboys

The Pig and Heifer isn’t the only New York style deli in Dublin. The concept for Doughboys, a must-see sandwich stop in Dublin 2, was conceived by owner Joey Sommers while he was living in New York City in 2012. Sommers fell in love with the Big Apple’s passion for sandwiches and decided to bring a similar sub spot to Dublin in 2014. Doughboys quality is key. This is evident in their fresh baked bread delivered daily, meat roasted in house daily, vegetables cut fresh multiple times a day, as well as small batch recipes of sauces and dressings. Seriously,the only way you’d get fresher food is if you plucked it straight from the farm! Loyal patrons rave about the Club Dough: a club sandwich with house roasted turkey, smoked streaky bacon, smoked applewood cheese, pickled red onion, tomatoes, shredded iceberg lettuce, finished off with a bit of chipotle mayo. What’s more, if you’re not feeling the bread, you can have your sandwich in wrap or salad form! To see more of their menu, click here.

• Address: 5 Charlotte Way, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm; Sat: 11am-4pm

Declan’s Deli

Featuring ‘the best breakfast rolls in Dublin’, Declan’s Deli has been serving the city’s hungry public for decades. This northside eatery keeps things simple and unpretentious with staple items like a fresh ham and cheese toastie or a chicken and bacon caesar wrap for only €3.50. That’s much cheaper than what you’d pay for the same day old wraps at centra or spar. The beloved breakfast rolls colloquially named ‘king of the rolls’ also runs are €3.50, however you can get a sausage in a soft roll for only €2 for a cheap and easy breakfast. There’s no gimmicks or fads at Declan’s Deli, merely good simple food for the cost-conscious consumer. That’s what has allowed this staple Dublin Deli to remain in business for over 30 years. No wonder its one of the best delis in Dublin!

• Address: 34 Bolton Street, Dublin 1
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 6am-3pm; Sat-Sun: 7am-2pm

The best delis in Dublin give the bigger chains a run for their money. They offer high-quality artisan meals at a competitive price for that mid-day meal. Whether you’re into soups, sandwiches, salads or wraps, Dublin’s finest delis have you covered! Have a favourite deli we forgot to mention? Put it in the comments below!

Featured Image: Photo by Angugun Tan