Airside Diners
It's what everyone loves to hate - the half stale bread roll wrapped in meters of plastic, stuffed with yesterday's ham and tomorrow's tomatoes, with a dash of dead lettuce on top. Airport food is not normally renowned for its taste, originailty or freshness, but thankfully things have come a long way on the food front in Dublin airport since the days of the dodgy bread roll.
While the general food hall in Departures houses all the ususal suspects from McDonalds to Starbucks, you're better advised to look for the less recognisable brands when selecting your fodder. For the healthy option, Zumo's juices and smoothies are great insurance against the all too common jet lag - the right dose of vitamin C just before a flight can help keep you feeling sane. At Cafe Ritazza the coffee is the real italian job, and the ciabattas, toasted paninis and mezzalunas tastle like proper food, not cardboard cut outs. On a similar note, an aptly named outlet, The Real Food Company, sells pastries, homemade sandwiches and salads that are freshly prepared on site. The hot food selection includes a traditional Irish breakfast and the soup of the day is normally a good bet during the cold winter season.
But the best bits are always the ones that are harder to get to. When you finally make it through the truly thorough security check (expect to remove shoes, belts and almost everything else), there are quite a few decent places to eat airside.
Butler's Chocolate Cafe (one of a chain) does the best coffee you'll find anywhere in Dublin, with a decadent yet complimentary chocolate on the side. Soho Cafe in Pier D, while a little heavy on the plastic packaging, serves some very edible salads and snacks. The Brasserie is good for a pizza and other hot food. Don't expect gourmet dishes in this airport - unlike at Heathrow, there are no champagne and oyster bars tempting the weary traveller to indulge. For a hot tip - head to Wright's of Howth, a good quality delicatessen just inside the security gates, and get a take out of the freshest sandwiches in the vicinity. Unless you're travelling business class, they certainly beat anything you are likely to get once on board the plane.