The Best Guinness In Dublin: 11 Pubs Pouring Creamy Magic

It’s worth approaching any guide to the best Guinness in Dublin with a good dose of scepticism (even this one…).

Personally, I think it’s very difficult to crown one pub as the greatest, for a couple of reasons:

• Reason 1: It all comes down to your experience on the day. A place might do a great pint one week and a poor one the next
• Reason 2: Taste is subjective – what I think is class you might think is just alright

Below, you’ll find where I think does the best pint of Guinness in Dublin, based on many recent visits. Cheers!

The best Guinness in Dublin

Take 20 seconds to throw your eyes over the map above as it’ll give you a sense of where the best pints of Guinness in Dublin can be found.

As you can see, the pubs in the city centre are reasonably close together while the others are slightly spread apart.

1. Walsh’s (Stoneybatter)

You’ll find Walsh’s in Stoneybatter where it does, in my opinion, the best Guinness in Dublin (see the photos above from my most recent visit).

This is a beautifully preserved pub, where stained glass snug doors, dark polished wood, and vintage decor create the perfect setting for a very memorable pint.

When you walk in the main door, turn right and you’ll see a set of doors – this is an enclosed bar that leads to the snug. On quiet Sunday afternoons you’ll sometimes have this all to yourself.

If you fancy a bit of trad, sessions take place on Sunday and Monday nights, kicking-off from 21:00.

Travelling from the city? Take the LUAS Red Line from the city to Smithfield and Walsh’s is a 5-minute walk away!

2. Mulligans (Poolbeg Street)

Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street is one of the most famous pubs in Dublin and it’s known and loved for its colourful history that spans over 200 years.

It began its life as an unlicensed drinking venue until it began serving up pints legally in 1782. Since then, it’s become known for the quality of its Guinness.

Now, the first couple of times that I visited Mulligan’s (pre 2016) I had a very bog-standard pints and consistently bad service (usually from one bloke in particular).

However, I decided to give it another crack in 2021 and I found it a world apart from my previous visits. It has since become my go-to in the city centre.

Tip: Mulligan’s is always busy on Thursday and Friday evenings with the after-work-crowd. Visit on weekend afternoons for a quieter experience.

3. Tom Kennedy’s (Thomas St.)

Tom Kennedy’s Pub stands proudly inside a historic building that dates to the 1750s on Thomas Street (it was the Emerald Hotel in a previous life).

A great pre-Vicar-Street-pub, you’ll discover a cozy, wood-panelled interior with well-worn bar stools that are a welcome sight during the cooler months.

The authentic character that Kennedy’s boasts in abundance gives you a sense of what to expect from its pipes, and by God the pint here is worth the wait.

With a plump, creamy head, zero bitterness and the perfect temperature, this is widely regarded as the best Guinness in Dublin City Centre for good reason!

4. Bowes (Fleet Street)

I have a love/hate relationship with Bowes of Fleet Street. I love it on those often-rare occasions when there’s room to stand, let alone a seat.

However, I’d say (a wild guess) that 8 times out of 10 that I stick my head inside, it’s packed to capacity, and I move sadly on.

This is a small pub a short stroll from Trinity College and Temple Bar with excellent service and even better pints, so it should be of no surprise that it’s popular.

Licensed since 1880, the interior has a cosy, homely feel to it and there’s a lovely snug right inside the door. A wonderful pub with lovely pints.

5. The Old Royal Oak (Kilmainham)

Next up is a bit of a hidden gem a stone’s throw from Kilmainham Gaol – The Old Royal Oak. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and the photo above is testament to that.

The Old Royal Oak is a no-nonsense pub, and I mean that in the best possible sense.

It’s nearly 180 years old and inside you’ll find a fairly bare decor with plenty of finely polished wood veneer.

The Oak is also home to a small, intimate snug that, from what I’ve heard, can be reserved ahead of time. And the Guinness. Well, I’ll let it speak for itself!

Travelling from the city? Take the LUAS Red Line to the James’s St. stop and it’s a 10-minute walk from there

6. John Kavanagh’s (Glasnevin)

Widely regarded as the best place for Guinness in Dublin is John Kavanagh’s (aka ‘The Gravediggers’) in Glasnevin.

Established in 1833, stepping inside feels like traveling back to a time when Dublin’s pubs were simple, unpretentious, and focused on the essentials: good drink and the art of conversation.

The pub exudes an old-world charm with its dark wood paneling, sturdy wooden benches, and frosted glass partitions.

There’s no TV to distract you, it’s dog-friendly, the service is of a standard you rarely experience in pubs these days, and *9 times out of 10, they serve a fantastic pint.

*Why 9/10: I’ve had many great pints here over the years (see snaps above), but the most recent six at the end of March 2024 were just alright (a prime example of how even a pub famous for pouring the best Guinness in Ireland can have an off-day). With that said, I’d strongly recommend you visit for yourself.

7. Ryan’s (Parkgate St.)

Ryan’s on Parkgate Street, near the Phoenix Park, is a beautifully restored Victorian pub that blends historical charm with modern elegance.

The interior boasts original Victorian features such as gas lamps, whiskey barrels, tea drawers, and traditional snugs, creating a lovely setting for an evening of sippin’.

The walls are adorned with photographs from the past century, including images of the first Grand Prix in the Phoenix Park and the iconic Guinness toucan.

If you fancy a feed, there’s an FX Buckely on-site (you can sample some of the best steak in Dublin!).

Travelling from the city? Take the LUAS Red Line to Heuston and Ryan’s is a 5-minute walk away

8. Kehoes (South Ann Street)

Kehoe’s on South Ann Street is one of the great Dublin pubs and it’s one of several spots on my Dublin pub crawl (a crawl of Dublin’s historic pubs).

Tucked away in the heart of the city, just off Grafton Street, Kehoe’s is a Victorian time capsule that, when it isn’t wedged, is a joy to spend time in.

As you saunter through its doors, you’re greeted by an interior that feels more like a museum than a pub, with its low grocery counter, carved mahogany, and countless nooks and crannies.

If you enter at a busy time, don’t be put off – take the stairs to the upper floor – you’re more likely to get a seat/standing space there.

Related read: Check out my guide to 10 of the best pubs in Dublin with live music (trad pubs running weekly sessions)

9. The Goose Tavern (Drumcondra)

The Goose Tavern in Drumcondra/Whitehall is a bit off-the-beaten-path for many, but this place pours, in my opinion, some of the best Guinness in Dublin.

When you walk through its doors, you’ll find a smallish section on the left, with a bit of seating, and a big seating area in to the right.

The Goose is a traditional pub, with old furnishings, random bits and bobs dotted on its walls and plenty of comfy corners to kick-back in solo or with a group.

I’ve visited the Goose many times now and, regardless of time of day/week, there has always been ample seating and the pints have always been great!

Travelling from the city? The handiest way to get to the Goose is to take the 123 bus to Marino Institute. It’s a 10-minute walk from there.

10. John Fallon’s (The Liberties)

The first of my 5 visits to John Fallon’s in The Liberties was after doing the tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in May of 2022 (it’s a 3-minute walk).

My first thought was ‘How have I never heard of this place’. My second was ‘This is too good to be true’.

Also known as ‘the Capstan Bar’, Fallon’s is one of the oldest pubs in Dublin, turning 405 in 2024.

Stepping into Fallon’s feels like crossing the threshold into another era; the weathered wooden floors and walls bear the marks of generations of drinkers.

The interior is the epitome of what every traditional Irish pub should aspire to look like. Throw in the fact that they pour some of the best pints of Guinness in Dublin and you’ve a winning combo!

11. Gaffney & Son (Fairview)

I popped Gaffney’s in a guide to the best Guinness in Dublin that I published a few years back, and got a load of criticism for it, mainly from those that only visit on match days.

If you can, visit here any time other than when Croke Park is in full swing, and you’re in for a treat. You’ll find it in Fairview, just outside of the city centre.

Gaffney’s interior is dominated by rich, dark wood, with walls adorned with classic framed prints and vintage mirrors. Comfy, upholstered seating areas are plentiful.

My favourite spot is here is via the door on the left – a cozy little nook that fits four or five people. The only thing better than the Guinness here is the service.

Travelling from the city? The likes of the 130 bus from Abbey St. stops right by the pub in Fairview.

More notable pubs for Guinness in Dublin

So, now that I’ve rambled on about where I think does the best pint of Guinness in Dublin, here’s what other people think.

The below are all reliable places for great Guinness in the capital:

1. The Clock (Thomas St.): A no-fuss Dublin pub with a real local feel to it
2. The Harold House (Clanbrassil St.): A great pub with an interior that’s more like a sitting room than a bar
3. Searson’s (Baggot St.): Home to one of the best snugs in Dublin, Searson’s was frequented by the late Patrick Kavanagh during the 1940s
4. Neary’s (Chatham St.): One of the city’s most beautiful pubs
5. The Lord Edward (Wood Quay): A wonderful pub in the heart of the city dating to 1967

The best pint in Dublin City: Where have I missed?

As I said at the beginning, this guide contains where I think does the best Guinness in Dublin City Centre and beyond.

It is by no means an exhaustive list. As a fan of pints, I always enjoy discovering more pubs that serve up great ones.

If you fancy shouting about where you think does the best pint of Guinness in Dublin, the comments are open below!