I made a lot of poor financial decisions during Freshers’ Week last year. I joined too many clubs and societies for the sake of a ‘freebie,’ and those €2 admission fees pile up quickly. I scribbled my name down for something called ‘DUBES’ in exchange for a free powdered doughnut. This is the dark side of the Freshers’ Fair that no one likes to talk about. When my inbox was routinely flooded with unsolicited updates from every organisation on campus, I knew I was my own worst enemy. So I’m here to stop incoming first years from making the same mistake, or at least to attempt to weaken the power that free goods hold over us students. It is possible to buy things in this city at affordable prices — one just has to know where to look. Here are 15 places to buy lunch near campus for under €5/€10 and you won’t have to pledge allegiance to any society (hopefully!). I don’t expect the advertisement of FREE DOUGHNUTS at the Freshers’ Fair to be any less enticing, but at least they won’t be our only form of sustenance.
The following places are grouped under headings based on the description you most identify with, because just like the Irish weather and your hunger levels, food cravings are of course always subject to change and sometimes soup in the Buttery just isn’t going to cut it.
For the rusher: Your lecture was at 2pm. Right bang in the middle of lunch. It’s 2:15 and you’re still planning on making it but you’re hungry and need to grab something quick. The Perch, the Buttery, the Forum; these places on campus are dealing with rush hour queues. Your only option is to venture off-campus … but where? A toastie from either KC Peaches or Costa on Nassau St are two straightforward choices. KC Peaches also offers 50% off its hot food counter in the last hour; the ideal inducement for staying a bit later at the library. For €5.95, Costa’s Cheddar Tomato toastie is heated in store and perfect for taking on the go. For those poor souls feeling hunger pangs from the depths of the Stem dungeons, Camille and Bread41 on Pearse St. are two possible options. Though better known for its pastries, Bread41 also offers a range of focaccia slices at €6, from the Pizza to the Leek-walnut pesto-cheese bread. Camille offers a 15% student discount and if you visit on a Wednesday between 12-4pm avail of their 2 for €10 deal. Be warned if bringing your Camille back to campus you’ll have to pass by the windows of the Trinity gym but hold your head up high and tuck into your spice bag shamelessly, the gym will always be there but this deal won’t be.
For the hungover: You’ve just left Diceys and realised that the buses aren’t running because it’s 3am on a Tuesday. Luckily, you know a place. You wake up under a desk in Kinsella Hall surrounded by the sound of PhD students furiously typing. Your stomach growls. You won’t survive a long journey. With their €5.50 tub of creamy pasta from 12-2pm, Carluccio’s on Dawson Street was made for this exact scenario. There are usually two or three different pasta dishes to choose from and if you can’t pick one you can even opt for a mix. Mama’s Revenge on Nassau St. is also great if you fancy a few more vegetables but still need something substantial to shake off the hangover shivers. The baby burrito costs €6.50 and with a student card, a regular costs €8.50. A €7 Pad Thai or €4.50 portion of spring rolls from Yum Thai on Duke St. should also do the trick.
For the veggie: Tang on Dawson St. will already be familiar to most plant-based veterans but I still feel the need to draw attention to their €8.25 protein-filled flatbreads. Slightly further afield, in George’s Arcade one will find €8 falafels at Umi Falafel (15% off for students) and authentic Manakeesh flatbreads from €7.50 at Zaatar. For €5.50 soups that come with bread and fresh fruit, head to Soup Dragon on Capel St. — the Roasted Red Pepper, Tomato & Goats Cheese is a must-try.
For the pizza-lover: Sometimes the cravings hit and all you want is a piece of triangular-shaped food (or rectangular-shaped, in which case head to Mani on Drury St. for a slice of Roman-style pizza starting from €6.50). Need I mention the B word? Just in case, Bambinos, established in 2020, is already becoming an institution and after tasting their €4.50 cheese slice one can understand why. Perhaps lesser known, Prince in Temple Bar offers a 10% student discount and many different flavours starting with the classic margherita for €4.50. A slightly longer journey but worth it to experience what locals call ‘authentic New York pizza,’ DiFontaine’s Pizzeria near the Ha’penny bridge serves slices from €5.50.
For the radical budgeter: You probably didn’t expect to find M&S in this paragraph but if you want to feel full for less than €3, the Tomato & Onion focaccia bread from their bakery section on Grafton St. is a great option. There is usually a decent selection of salads and sandwiches to be found on their shelves as well at discounted prices. You can save food and money in supermarkets across the city with these yellow sticker deal savers.
Life was simpler when we were still young enough to avail of those ‘kids eat for free’ deals. So hopefully this list will make eating meals out in Dublin a bit more enjoyable and a bit less financially hazardous. And if you spot someone this year at the Freshers’ Fair signing away all their free time in exchange for a slice of Domino’s pizza, say nothing. It’s a scary world out there
Disclaimer: Please note that this author accepts absolutely zero responsibility for any food poisoning, indigestion, or peculiar cravings that might ensue. Take this advice at one’s own risk.
