In a city that’s no stranger to stellar pub grub and high-end dining alike, Spitalfields strikes an impressive balance. Tucked into Dublin’s storied Liberties neighbourhood, this cozy restaurant manages to bring the best of both worlds: unfussy dishes with serious culinary chops, and the kind of welcoming warmth you’d expect from an Irish pub. While it might not scream “fine dining,” make no mistake — this place has serious ambitions, and it more than delivers.

The Food:

The menu at Spitalfields might look simple at first glance, but it’s packed with surprises. This is comfort food elevated to another level, with a laser focus on seasonal ingredients and thoughtful preparation. You’ll find classic pub fare reimagined — I had the following during my visit:

1. Beef Cheek & Ox Tail Parker House Roll (€ 10)
2. Iberico Pork Schnitzel (€ 30)
3. Blood Orange and Vanilla Super Split (€ 10)

The starters alone are worth the visit. The beef cheek & ox tail parker house roll is an amazing mix of fluffy bun with fully rendered beef cheek and ox tail shred on the inside that basically butters itself out with all of its delicious fat. If Chinese cha siu baos had a baby with French dip, this parker house roll would be its baby because you know I love biting into round foods and dipping them into jus.

For mains, the iberico pork schnitzel is a knockout — crispy, tender, and deeply satisfying. Paired with a fennel slaw, it’s the definition of comfort food done right. The crispy-skinned pork schnitzel cleaves into an incredibly fatty and flavourful pork. Fun fact: the secret to these Spanish-style pigs are the inclusion of acorns in their diet. The best part is the giant glass bowl you get for saucing up your schnitzel. The team here knows people like to preserve the crispiness of their schnitzel so giving the power of pour to the diner was a nice touch.

Desserts are equally strong — if you have room. The blood orange vanilla "super split" is an homage to the "Super Split" orange creamsicle that coloured the childhood of many Irish millennials. Spitalfields took that core memory and turned it into an elegant of flaky ice stained with blood orange atop a dense scoop of vanilla ice cream. Blending is yet again the story of this dessert – if Japanese shaved ice had a baby with the classic Irish dessert ice bar, this super split was the baby and boy did it deliver on flavour.

The Drinks

Spitalfields may be all about casual dining, but their drinks game is serious. The bar offers a solid selection of craft beers, but it’s their whiskey and cocktail offerings that really shine. Irish whiskey lovers will find plenty to keep them entertained, with local and lesser-known labels sitting alongside the classics.

For me though, I am currently on an alcohol detox so this Mikkeller Non-Alc Wheat Ale hit the spot as far as refreshing lager feeling but without the burdens of feeling inebriated after half a can.

The Vibes

Walking into Spitalfields feels like slipping into a well-worn leather jacket: it’s familiar, comfortable, and somehow just right. The space is small, almost intimate, with a lived-in pub feel — think low lighting, wooden tables, and a sense of ease that invites you to linger. The vibe here is all about understated charm. There’s no pretension, and it works. It’s the kind of spot where you could come alone, grab a pint, and find yourself striking up a conversation with the person next to you.

And if conversation isn't your thing, you might instead turn your attention to the open kitchen where everything gets made, cooked, seasoned, and reviewed before it gets sent out the invisible door.

The Service

Service at Spitalfields is friendly and unpretentious, but don’t mistake that for inattentiveness. The staff knows their menu inside and out, and they’re happy to make recommendations without a hint of snobbery. I felt like a regular at the bar even though it was my first visit.

I even had an episode of embarrassment which the staff handled stupendously. I was filming myself eating the house roll when my camera tipped itself over and spilled my wheat ale all over the bar. In a blink, the staff were there, wiping everything down, and even gave a replacement can of wheat ale without charging me. I was seriously touched, and hit them back in the form of a larger gratuity. I chalk this up as a piece of the puzzle to get onto the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand designation.

Final Thoughts:

One-liner: Forward thinking gastropub taking classic pub favourites to a new level with service that makes you feel like a part of the family
Highlight: Beef Cheek & Ox Tail Parker House Roll
Price per person: € 40-80
Would I go back? Yes.