Moss Lane — Restaurant in Dublin

I’ve heard of the Dublin pub experience: friendly patrons ready to buy you a pint, warm bartenders always down for a good conversation and will tease you relentlessly - and after my first trip to Dublin and hopping around to at least 2 dozen pubs, I can fully confirm that you will never be lonely in a Dublin pub.

These are sacred spaces for friendship, laughter, relationship, and deep conversation - and none of that is more true for Moss Lane.

My first night there I hopped into Moss Lane looking for food. It was less crowded since its slightly off the beaten path. I didn’t eat there since I they don’t serve classic pub fare (I did eat there later in the week, the pizza is exceptional!) But immediately the owner Shane and bartender Daniel poured me a Guinness and struck up a conversation, of course lighting me up for sticking out like a sore thumb with my painfully obvious west-coast USA style. But Shane treated me with the highest level of hospitality i’ve ever experienced in an establishment.

I sat for 2 or 3 hours chatting with the bartender Daniel, a student my age at Trinity College. A lifelong Dubliner, he gave me inside tips on where to go that week, where the best food was, the best Irish beers that didn’t start with a G, etc… but also about all kinds of things. I made it a habit to swing by almost every night to hang out, drink far too much beer, meet some of his old friends, and even be included in on a few lock-ins. Little did I know this place would start a friendship which would last far beyond my week-long business trip.

Thankful to stumble in here, it made my time in...

During our recent visit to Dublin, my wife and I decided to pop into Moss Lane Bar for lunch. The experience turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip across Ireland.

We were immediately greeted by Shane, the owner, whose warmth and humor were as inviting as the cozy ambiance of the bar itself. Shane's passion and extensive knowledge of Irish whiskey truly shone through as he introduced us to various distilleries and offerings. What started as a casual lunch evolved into an enlightening mini whiskey tasting session, where Shane deftly guided us through the complex world of Irish whiskeys.

Surprisingly, even my wife, who usually doesn't prefer whiskey, found herself enjoying the samples. Shane's recommended tasting method seemed to make the whiskeys more approachable and enjoyable.

As for the food, it was nothing short of fantastic. The margherita pizza was delicious, but the standout was undoubtedly the meatball sandwich. Shane shared that they had recently revamped the bread for the sandwich, now using a pizza crust made into a pocket and sliced. This innovative approach not only enhanced the texture but also perfectly complemented the complex marinara sauce and the outstanding cheese selection used in the sandwich.

Our initial plan was just to have a quick lunch, but thanks to Shane's hospitality and the exceptional food and drink, our visit to Moss Lane Bar became a memorable part of our journey through Ireland. This place is a must-visit for anyone looking for a warm welcome and a genuine taste of Ireland's...

I discovered this place when I started working nearby recently. I am absolutely in love with it. Every time I have been there the same gent is working the bar--seems like he might be the owner?--and he is always hustling to give everyone in the joint the best service possible. If tourists visit, he is giving them tips on the best places to see where they are staying, the best way to get to the next attraction on their list, or offering to take their picture for them. The bar has a large Irish whiskey selection, and he'll set up impromptu tastings for people and delight with his extensive whiskey knowledge. As I sat there recently a local came in looking for work. Even though he wasn't hiring, this kind man redirected this fellow to some places nearby that he thought might have positions available. All while making sure everyone, at the bar and at tables, gets served as quickly as possible.

For food, Moss Lane offers a small selection of Italian stuff: pasta, pizza, and some appetizers. I asked if he could make one of the pizzas with no cheese (as I observe a vegan diet), and he was very accommodating, even offering to add some sun-dried tomatoes and onions to the pie to "jazz it up a little." The pizza was excellent - seems likely they have a legit pizza oven on site.

The inside of Moss Lane is a beautiful wooden interior and well-kept traditional pub seating.

I highly recommend Moss Lane--if you can't enjoy yourself here, there may be something...