Dublin’s Best Dessert Spots: Donuts & Ice Cream Gems

A trip review of Dublin, Ireland almost always will include which bars to visit – and yes, we have a list we’re happy to share with you (just ask!). But once you’ve finished your fish ‘n chips and downed a pint of Guinness, where do you go for dessert?

We’ve got you covered with our take of the best desserts in Dublin.

Our Take on the Best Desserts in Dublin

There are plenty of Dublin dining options, especially around the Temple Bar area. Quick note, Temple Bar is both the name of a famous bar and the name of a lively district in the city. As we wandered around the Temple Bar area, two places stood out to us as a perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth, offering up some of the best desserts in Dublin.

Where to Find the Best Donuts in Dublin

Donuts are no longer just a breakfast item, and for us, they haven’t been for years. Off Beat Donut Company Dublin is an over-the-top, delicious donut shop that was started in Dublin back in 2016. These donuts are large and quite filling. No need to order a dozen, as you’ll have enough sugary, doughy goodness with just one; maybe two.

For our treat, three donuts really stood out. The Caramel Crunch is dipped in caramel and then topped with homemade crumble and milk chocolate. They top this masterpiece with a chunk of a Twix bar. Next up for us was The Homer donut. For fans of the TV show The Simpsons, it is just as you’d expect. A large donut with a pink strawberry glaze and sprinkles that would make Homer Simpson drool.

For something different and quite wonderful, we also had a Chocolate Orange donut. A basic ring donut that they top with orange curd then dip in milk chocolate and decorated with orange icing and a slice of a chocolate orange candy. It is a very interesting combination for a donut and it worked beautifully.

They offer a wide selection of donuts, including seasonal and specialty items. If you prefer a more traditional donut, they have that as well. The Boston Creme and the Happy Hippo both looked fabulous for instance.

Off Beat Donuts originated in Dublin, though they have started offering franchising globally. They do have several locations in the Dublin area and throughout Ireland, including the original location that we visited on Pearse Street in Dublin.

Donuts are made throughout the day on-site, so you always have a chance to experience a fresh, delightful donut. Their goal is to revive the traditional Irish bakery in Dublin and create the ultimate donut experience, and for our perspective, they are succeeding.

Murphy’s Ice Cream: A Local Favorite Near Grafton Street

We had multiple people tell us and read a few Dublin food guide recommendations direct us to check out Murphy’s Ice Cream.

Murphy’s Ice Cream has been around since 2000, but it has built a strong reputation by staying true to their roots – handcrafting ice cream in Dingle, Ireland. A big part of their success lies in the ingredients they use. Murphy’s Ice Cream features natural flavorings and milk from the rare, indigenous breed of Kerry cows which adds a unique richness to their ice cream.

Their Dublin location is located on Wicklow Street, near the famed Grafton Street shopping area. The quaint little shop is a perfect diversion from shopping, and they also have locations in other parts of Ireland.

Murphy’s Ice Cream Dublin rotates their flavors on a regular basis. During our visit, the board featured a dozen different options. While smooth chocolate offered a more traditional choice, there were also more adventurous flavors like butterscotch, fresh Irish strawberry, and mango. There is definitely something for everyone. And if you fall in love with a particular flavor, you can even try making it at home using recipes from their blog.

Their two most popular flavors are Dingle Sea Salt ice cream and Irish Brown Bread ice cream. We opted for a scoop of each. The ice cream is especially creamy – definitely a highlight that scored high marks from us. While the sea salt and the brown bread flavors weren’t quite as bold as we expected, they were still very enjoyable. For us, the jury was split on which flavor was the best so purchasing the combo with a scoop of each was the perfect solution.

The Sweet Side of Dublin Ireland: Dessert After the Pints

There’s no shortage of dessert spots in Dublin and across Ireland, but we think Murphy’s Ice Cream—and Off Beat Donut Company—are both solid options worth considering to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Planning some time in Dublin? Check our day trip options, including a trip to Belfast or Monasterboice.