Best Places To Eat & Drink In Dublin On A Budget

With a vibrant food and drink culture, you will be spoilt for choice when dining out with friends in Dublin. As a student you’re probably looking for the best places to eat and drink in town without breaking the bank.

Luckily, Dublin has you covered with plenty of places to feast on delicious food and drink without spending a fortune.

As locals, here are our favourites to check out:

Boojum

Boojum

You can’t go wrong with Mexican and with 6 stores in Dublin city centre alone, Boojum is a great choice for a quick lunch or dinner. From delicious burritos and tacos to nachos and churros there is something satisfy your cravings at just under €10.

🥙 Menu

📍 Multiple locations in Dublin city centre. Closest to Point Campus; 3 Abbey Street Lower, North City.

Mad Egg

Who doesn’t love fried chicken? Mad Egg has some of the best chicken tenders and burgers in Dublin. With 8 different kinds of dips to choose from – we love the Honey Butter and classic Buffalo. Looking for something sweeter? Mad Egg is famous for its DIY cheesecakes. With tenders just under €10 and burgers from €13, you won’t break the bank.

🍔 Menu

📍 Multiple locations in Dublin city centre. Our closest store is at Jervis House, 6 Millennium Walkway, North City.

Bunsen

Student’s living at Point Campus rave about Dublin’s most beloved burger joint, Bunsen.  

Nothing beats a classic burger done to perfection, that’s why Bunsen offers single or double burgers with or without cheese and a choice of seven toppings.

🍔 Menu

📍 Multiple locations in Dublin city centre. Closest; Bunsen Temple Bar, 22 Essex St E, Temple Bar.

Han Sung

Han Sung is unique located at the back of a Korean grocery store (yep, you read it right). Featuring an extensive menu of mouth-watering Korean dishes like Bibimbap, Kimchi jjigae and Korean fried chicken. With a takeaway / self-serving set up, prices are generally lower than the other Korean restaurants in town.

🍜 Menu

📍 22 Strand Street Great, North City.

Captain America

Opening in 1971, Captain America has long been a Dublin students’ favourite for decades. As the name suggests, Captain America serves classic American food like burgers, ribs and steaks. What makes Captain America a Point Campus student favourite is the special food and drink deals for Dublin’s students with the average main course coming in at €10.95 and cocktails as low as €5.

🍔 Menu

📍 Studying at Trinity College Dublin you’ll find Captain America a five minute walk away at 44 Grafton Street.

Token

What’s the best student option for group dining in Dublin? The answer is always Token. It costs a little more but the experience is truly unique. Think restaurant – bar – retro arcade – pinball parlour all in one. With over 40 arcade and pinball machines at Token, can dine and drink while competing with friend. Our top tip is to always book in advance as Token is typically very busy. But if you are only after a few drinks and games, you should be able to just walk in.

🍔 Menu

📍 Just a 20 minute ride on the Luas from Point Campus. You’ll find Token at 72-74 Queen Street, Smithfield.

The Bernard Shaw

Looking for a casual hang out with friends in Dublin? The Bernard Shaw is a hip bar that’s perfect for a student night out. Besides the in-house menu, they host a unique food market in their backyard where you can find delicious options from cuisines all over the world.

The Bernard Shaw is also music venue with karaoke rooms and plays host to a calendar of quirky events like Comedy Clubs, Drag Brunches and monthly Craft Markets.

🍔 Menu

📍 It’s a bit of a walk from Point Campus but it’s worth it. Find The Bernard Shaw at Cross Guns Bridge, Drumcondra.

The Mongolian BBQ

Want a real BBQ feast without breaking the bank? The Mongolian BBQ offers All-You-Can-Eat lunch from €15.90 (and dinner from €19.90).

It’s a real showcase dining experience, so phones at the ready. You pick your meat, seafood, vegetables, noodles and sauce then hand over to the chef who cooks them in front of you on a teppanyaki-style iron griddle.

🥡 Menu

📍 You’ll find the Mongolian BBQ just across the Liffey in the Temple Bar Area at 7 Anglesea Street, Temple Bar.