Taste Testing: Donuts in Dublin
One week later and I’m finally writing about my trip to Dublin. When I was visiting, I definitely didn’t think I’d be writing this post! This subject came as kind of a shock. When I think of the food and drink of Ireland, I think of beer, whiskey, and maybe some potatoes. But certainly, not donuts. Yet, here we are and I’m about to tell you all about four donut shops I taste tested in Dublin!
1. Off Beat Donut Co.
After getting settled on the first jet-lagged day, we stumbled through the confusing Dublin streets in the Temple Bar district (yes, it’s a district and an actual bar and yes, it’s confusing if you don’t know that ahead of time). It was about 7pm on a Friday so it was packed! Soon, we came across Off Beat Donut Co. and after a full day of travel I deserved a donut. I didn’t want to pass up this chance, but little did I know, there were SO MANY donut shops around Dublin!
Spoiler for almost all of my donut experiences: I’m a sucker for a chocolate frosted donut. So, it was no surprise that I ordered their Nutella ring.
Now, I don’t know if it was the jet lag or the fact that I ordered a bakery item at the end of the day but I was pretty disappointed in this donut. Mostly it just tasted like it had been sitting there all day. I have a feeling that had I gone at a “normal” donut eating time, it would have been better! They did have a huge (and beautiful) variety of donuts. I’m sure under normal circumstances this donut would have been amazing!
2. The Rolling Donut
This is where the donut obsession started to kick in (not that I wasn’t already obsessed). Our hotel was a couple blocks east of this main street called O’Connell. We ended up walking on O’Connell just about every day. Every time we walked by The Rolling Donut kiosk. It was this tiny little hut but the sweet smell of dough and sugar poured out from the little windows. They were making fresh donuts to order with sugar, cinnamon sugar, or chocolate toppings. Surprisingly I ordered the cinnamon sugar donut at 80 cents a pop.
This donut was touched by the gods. It was warm and perfectly fried. I loved it so much that later in the week I went back and got six donuts for the flight home! I highly highly recommend.
3. The Natural Bakery
I was in Dublin for the international combustion symposium so I was consistently refueling on tea to make it through the long days of presentations. I popped into this bakery for some caffeine but of course, they had donuts. And of course, I had to have one. Once again I went for the chocolate frosted one and also a chocolate muffin because I don’t believe in limits for chocolate.
I’d have to say this was the most satisfying chocolate donut. Could be because the only other one I’d had up until that point was on day one of jet-lag. Could be because I just spent hours in a conference. But, it was absolutely delicious! It was for sure, the best chocolate one I had in Dublin and it wasn’t even in a specialized donut shop!
4. Loops and Coffee
On our final day in Dublin we did some final sightseeing and shopping. We stumbled upon one last donut shop and by now it was tradition. These donuts were beautiful with perfect chocolate drizzles and perfectly placed cookie crumbs. They also had some fun donuts like the cookie monster eating a cookie! I went for another chocolate frosted one, this time with a Chips Ahoy cookie on top.
The Chips Ahoy donut was super delicious! It definitely felt more like a dessert since there was a literal cookie on top but it was great nonetheless!
I was happily surprised to find so many donut shops in Dublin! Have you ever discovered unexpected types of food when traveling?
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What a wonderful way to enjoy Dublin. I am surprised about so many donut shops. One thing is certain: if I, in my old age, were to eat those luscious pastries, I would have heartburn that would last for weeks!
So glad you had fun.
That’s what Tums are for! Sometimes the consequences are worth it 😀
Ummm yessss pleaseeee! I would fly to Dublin just for these donuts <3
I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t be worth it 😀
Yummy! I had no idea they had such amazing donuts in Dublin. That cookie monster one is just adorable!
Me neither! It was a great surprise. That whole shop had the cutest ones!