Please note that this itinerary was assembled in September 2020 and contains footage of hospitality staff wearing visors instead of masks.
As restrictions ease and Dublin reopens, it’s a great time to make a day of it with a trip to the city. With so much to see and do in Dublin’s Stoneybatter & Smithfield neighbourhoods, you’ve got to get out and enjoy it!
Bí URBAN Shop & Studio
Bí URBAN’s Shop & Studio are closing to the public soon. They hope to announce a new location soon.
Bí URBAN is a nature-based social enterprise and community hub located on Manor Street in the heart of Stoneybatter. The space is home to a studio for social creativity and a shop that sells locally-made products. Their goal is to promote health and well-being in the community through the imaginative use of currently neglected resources in the area. Urban ecology is of utmost importance to Bí URBAN’s mission, as they aim to create a green corridor that will connect the Botanic Gardens with the Liffey.
The Bí URBAN shop sells homemade honey, personal hygiene products, masks and hand sanitiser (perfect for the times we’re living in), household products, children’s toys, books, stationery and more. All products have a sustainable focus and are sourced or made by local producers using the best ingredients. A click & collect shopping service is currently available for customers who feel more comfortable shopping online. If you stop by, make sure to say hi to Django, the shop’s resident dog!
Grano
Since opening in December 2018, Grano has become a foodie hotspot and a firm favourite with locals. This authentic southern Italian restaurant, located on Manor Street, is owned by a Calabrian family who put a hell of a lot of heart into their food. Grano is big on food provenance, founded on using fresh, natural ingredients to create a contemporary cuisine that respects the roots and traditions of Italian cooking. This charming little osteria specialises in homemade pasta, with Mamma Roma at the helm teaching staff the craft. The food is rustic and unfussy, with the menu featuring ever-rotating specials alongside staple dishes like cacio e pepe, Calabrian artisanal smoked spreadable nduja sausage, and tiramisu. The all-Italian wine list features organic and biodynamic wines.
Grano is also recognised on the international stage by being included in the Michelin Guide 2020 and honoured at the Irish Restaurant Awards.
During lockdown, they created Grano A Casa, a small line of products made in-house that allow people to recreate their Italian food experience at home. Now they’re open again and eager to welcome diners back, but as they only offer indoor dining, you’ll need to be vaccinated and bring your COVID Green Pass to dine there. We sampled meatballs and bucatini al vongole (a seafood pasta) during our visit, and both were delicious!
Light House Cinema
The Light House is one of Dublin’s most popular independent cinemas. It’s a vibrant cultural space, with 614 seats across four screens, a café and a subterranean bar built into an underground car park framework.
The Light House has received accolades from the Guardian Film Awards and ARTINFO, commending their unique programming style and support for independent filmmakers. Films are screened in crisp digital or 35mm format with incredible surround sound, so you’ll have an epic viewing experience. They’re an integral part of the Dublin International Film Festival, and host screened live events, singalong screenings, and even dog-friendly showings each year. They’re not afraid to reshow old classics either!
Currently, the Light House is screening a mixture of new releases and old favourites, following safety protocols with screenings spaced throughout the day. Moviegoers will have to wear masks during their visit, and you’ll need to present proof of vaccination and photo ID due to current COVID protocols.
Want more?
There’s plenty of other eateries in the area if Italian doesn’t tickle your fancy. L Mulligan Grocer’s is an institution in these parts and serves up the perfect intimate dining experience in the surrounds of a traditional Dublin pub. Token is a bar, restaurant and retro games arcade all rolled into one, and it’s the perfect place to head with a group of mates. Their vegan menu is a real crowd pleaser too. Kerala Kitchen serves up Indian food with a contemporary flair, while Slice and Love Supreme are perfect if you’re looking for coffee and cake.
If you fancy a daytime visit to the area, you could start off with a brunch at Slice followed by a nose around Pender’s Market (open on Saturdays), the Green Door Bakery, and maybe even end the day with a few glasses of uisce beatha by touring the Jameson Distillery.
