When it comes to late-night snacks and comforting street food in Dublin, few things hit the spot like a hot tray of curry chips. This beloved Irish twist on takeaway uses a base of golden, crispy chips smothered in rich, savory curry sauce. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that locals and visitors alike crave.
Whether you’re fresh off a night out in Temple Bar or wandering the city’s quieter neighborhoods, there are tons of great places to enjoy curry chips as part of a Dublin food tour.
What Are Curry Chips?
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Curry chips are a beloved comfort food you’ll find all over Dublin in nearly every chipper. It consists of thick-cut Irish fries that are exceptionally crispy on the outside, while still being steamy and fluffy on the inside.
Then the whole mass is generously smothered in a warm, mildly spiced curry sauce. The sauce you find in Dublin is sort of a fusion of Chinese-style curry with Irish seasoning, which makes it savory, slightly sweet, and enticingly aromatic.
While you can get curry chips for takeaway just about any time of day, it’s most popular in the evening with the pub crowd who are looking for something to fill their belly after a night of drinks.
Best Places for Curry Chips in Dublin
Most chipper shops in Dublin have some form of curry chips on their takeaway menu, but a few icons stand out for quality, freshness and being open late for the pub crowd.
McGuinness Takeaway
A beloved late-night destination, McGuinness is famed for its rich, flavorful curry sauce that perfectly complements their crispy chips. The casual, no-frills ambiance makes it a favorite among the post-pub crowd.
I appreciate that their menu also caters to various dietary preferences, including a dedicated vegan section. I also like that they do their best to use Irish grown potatoes, which I think lets you taste the richness of the Irish heritage.
McGuinness takeaway service is open late to cater to the pub crowd. On weekends they’ll stay open until 4 AM.
McGuinness (€10–20) – 84 Camden Street Lower, Dublin Southside, Dublin 2, D02 DH36, Ireland.
Rainbow and Kabo
Rainbow and Kabo is a Chinese takeaway that’s known for their perfectly crispy chips smothered in a rich, savory curry sauce. The casual, friendly atmosphere makes it a local favorite.
Their menu is diverse and includes a lot of Chinese food favorites, as well as elevated takes on fast food that reminds me a lot of Chinese takeout in New York City. Their curry chips lean a little more on Chinese flavors, and they have a ton of different sauces to try. I also really liked their garlic chips, which I thought captured the aromatic heat of garlic perfectly.
Just note that they’re only open until 11 PM to Midnight most days of the week.
Rainbow and Kabo (€10–20) – 103 New, Cabra Rd, Cabra, Dublin 7, D07 V8C5, Ireland.
The Hairy Lemon
Photo credit: The Hairy Lemon
The Hairy Lemon combines a lively pub atmosphere with a menu of Irish comfort foods. The eclectic decor and vibrant setting make it a fun spot for both dining and meeting with friends.
Their curry chips are a crowd-pleaser, and I loved the depth of flavor in their rich curry sauce. They also have tons of other pub classics including hearty burgers to let everyone enjoy their own taste.
The Hairy Lemon is open until 11:30 AM to 12:30 AM most days. So, it’s better suited to filling your belly with curry fries and other pub classics while enjoying a pint.
The Hairy Lemon (€20–30) – Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Chimac
Photo credit: Chimac
Chimac is a Korean restaurant that plays nicely with a lot of Irish flavors. The contemporary ambiance and the aromas of Asian cuisine in the air make it a popular spot among food enthusiasts.
Their Massaman curry chips are a standout on their menu and I think they go perfectly with their Korean fried chicken. The thick, hand-cut fries are topped with a rich Massaman curry sauce, free-range chicken, and crunchy peanuts. I really fell in love with this unique foodie twist on the classic curry chips.
Chimac (€10–20) – 76 Aungier St, Dublin 2, D02 XR70, Ireland.
The Stag’s Head
Photo credit: The Stag’s Head
Tucked away on Dublin’s Dame Court, The Stag’s Head is a quintessential Irish pub that blends old-world charm with a buzzy, relaxed atmosphere. Its stained glass windows, dark polished wood, and brass fixtures make it one of the most visually stunning Victorian-style bars in the city.
The menu leans traditional with Irish pub staples like Irish stew, fish and chips, bangers and mash, as well as some of the most flavorful curry chips in Dublin. They showed up at my table hot, crisp, and golden, with a generous slathering of thick, rich curry sauce. I appreciated the sauce’s gentle balance of sweet and savory, with a subtle spice that lingered just enough to keep me going back for another bite.
They’re open until midnight to 1 AM and it’s a good place to end the evening at a reasonable hour with a big basket of curry chips.
The Stag’s Head (€15–30) – 1 Dame Ct, Dublin, D02 TW84, Ireland.
Final Thoughts on Dublin’s Curry Chips
Dublin’s curry chips are more than just a late-night snack. They’re a beloved local tradition that adds exotic flavor to a comforting street food. While the younger pub crowd often think of them as something to soak up the liquor in their bellies at the end of a night out, they’re really so much more than that.
Other than late-night chipper shops, Dublin’s cozy cafés, high-end classic Irish pubs, and Asian restaurants offer a refreshingly flavorful take on what curry chips can be. While curry chips seem simple, they’ll add another layer of flavor to your Dublin food tour experience.
Sources:
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Dublin food tours. https://www.eatingeurope.com/dublin/
McGuinness of Camden Street. (n.d.). McGuinness of Camden Street. https://sitelift.site/mcguinnessofcamdenstreet/
Rainbow & Kabo. (n.d.). Rainbow & Kabo. https://www.rainbowandkabo.ie/
The Hairy Lemon. (n.d.). The Hairy Lemon. https://thehairylemon.ie/
Chimac. (n.d.). Chimac. https://www.chimac.ie/
The Stag’s Head. (n.d.). The Stag’s Head. http://stagshead.ie/
