Dublin is often the first stop on an Ireland itinerary, but too often, visitors rush through it.

Gráinne Lawlor wants you to slow down, sit down, and taste the city. Through her company, Flavour Trails, she offers food, whiskey, and storytelling tours that highlight the heart of Dublin: its people, its history, and it's incredible local flavor.

Dublin's Best Food & Whiskey Tours

After years working abroad and then for a local tour company, Gráinne Lawlor took the leap and bought the business she loved. Today she runs Flavour Trails, offering unforgettable food, whiskey, and storytelling tours in the heart of Dublin.

What makes her tours stand out? It's the way she and her team weave history, culture, and pure craic into every stop. And she’s not just serving up bites and sips, she’s dishing out insights only a local (and a very well-fed one at that) can offer.

This article is based on Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 282 featuring Gráinne Lawlor, owner of Flavour Trails in Dublin.
Use the player below to listen or scroll to continue reading the article and get resource links.

Make Time for Dublin

Gráinne isn’t originally from Dublin, but she’s fallen hard for the capital – and for good reason.

Dublin is incredibly walkable, filled with warm, helpful people, and home to some of the best free cultural experiences in Ireland. From galleries and museums to impromptu pub storytelling sessions, the city doesn’t charge you to soak in the culture.

And the best part? You can start your sightseeing early, be in bed at a reasonable hour, and still pack in a full day of fun.

Skip Temple Bar, Head Here Instead

Temple Bar might be famous, but it’s also famously overpriced. If you’re after real music and a more authentic vibe, Gráinne recommends:

• The Cobblestone in Smithfield (near Jameson) for nightly live music and great atmosphere.
• O’Donoghue’s off St. Stephen’s Green, where musicians actually want to play.

Both spots offer nightly tunes without the tourist mark-up.

Top 3 Picks for Things to Do in Dublin Glasnevin Cemetery – A place where Irish history lives on. Pair it with a pint at The Gravediggers and a bowl of coddle. Tufting Dublin – Create a souvenir you’ll actually want to bring home. It’s fun, surprisingly affordable, and a bit addictive. Pearse Lyons Distillery – Whiskey inside a church with a pot still on the altar. They also offer a gin-making class and loads of storytelling.

And a bonus: Silverworks, where you can forge your own claddagh ring or Christmas ornament. Gráinne swears even the skeptical men get into it.

3 Fabulous Dining Experiences in Dublin

• Splurge: Chapter One – A white tablecloth experience that’s worth every euro. Multi-course tasting menus and a warm, professional staff.
• Casual: The Seafood Café in Temple Bar – Great for happy hour oysters and run by a seafood legend.
• Grab-and-Go: Try a spice bag from an authentic Chinese-Irish takeaway on Camden or Capel Street. Vegetarian options available!

Flavour Trails: More Than a Food Tour

Flavour Trails tours are never rushed. Think three courses, three stops, and stories that stick with you. The food tour is their most popular, showcasing Irish dishes the way locals eat them – served with history and humor.

Then there’s the whiskey tour – six samples across three locations, covering all three styles of Irish whiskey (yes, that’s a thing). Add in food pairings and education, and even non-whiskey drinkers walk away fans.

The newest offering? A storytelling tour filled with folklore, pub etiquette, and colorful characters. Drinks and snacks included, of course.

How to Book Flavour Trails Tours

If you want to support local (and skip those hefty third-party booking fees), head straight to flavourtrails.ie.
You can also find these tours on Viator: The Irish Food Trail, The Whiskey Trail, or The Storytelling Trail.

Follow FlavourTrails on social:

• Instagram: @thewhiskeytrail.ie and @irishfoodtrail
• TikTok: @flavourtrails
• Facebook: Flavour Trails

Pro Tip: Buying Whiskey in Ireland

Gráinne’s best whiskey-buying advice? Don’t buy what you can find at home – opt for bottles that aren’t exported. The duty-free shop at Dublin Airport is one of the best around, but if you want help deciding, head to The Celtic Whiskey Shop or The Corkscrew. They’ll ship it for you, too.

Your First Tour in Dublin

If you're landing in Dublin and not sure where to start, consider booking a Flavour Trails tour on your first day. You’ll get over your jet lag, get a feel for the city, and gather recommendations from locals who don’t take commissions – just pride in sharing the best of their city.

Gráinne and her team aren’t shy about giving honest advice, whether you're wondering where to eat or what to skip entirely. It's the kind of insight you just can't get from a guidebook.

The post Flavour Trails in Dublin: Food, Whiskey & Stories You’ll Want to Savor appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.