McGrattans Pub

You'll find this proper Dublin pub down a narrow Georgian lane off Fitzwilliam Square, where the city's office crowd mingles with locals who've been coming here for decades. The dark wood interior and snugs feel genuinely lived-in rather than designed, and the barstaff actually know their regulars' orders. The food goes well beyond typical pub grub – think proper fish and chips that don't disappoint, decent steaks, and Irish stew that tastes like someone's granny made it. It's nothing revolutionary, but it's done right. The pints are well-pulled, and you can actually have a conversation without shouting over terrible music. Open from half-ten in the morning, it draws the breakfast crowd before transitioning into a proper local for the evening shift.