If you’ve spent any time in Dublin, you’ll know the spice bag isn’t just a takeaway option — it’s a local find on a tired evening to us Dubliners. Crispy fried chicken, golden chips, and a fiery seasoning mix of salt, chilli, garlic, and peppers. It’s the kind of comfort food we order after work, on a night out, or to cure a hangover.
But not all spice bags are created equal. Some are greasy disappointments, while others hit that perfect balance of crunch, heat, and flavour. I’ve made it my mission to track down the best spice bag in Dublin, and here’s where you’ll find them — from well-loved takeaways to casual sit-in spots serving spice bags worth the hype.
Here’s Where You’ll Find The Best Spice Bags in Dublin!
Xian Street Food Dublin
Earlier this week, after completing some tasks in the Grafton Street area, I finally stopped off at Xian Street Food at 28 Anne St South, Dublin 2 — a location I’d heard talked about forever as serving one of Dublin’s best spice bags.
It was busy, but the vibe was nice and the staff were efficient, securing me a seat without too much of a wait. It’s that type of informal, counter-service place where you sit down first if you’re dining in, then order at the counter — traditional Dublin fast-casual style.

Naturally, I made a beeline for their famous Xi’an Spice Bag. Crispy shredded chicken, golden chips, onions and chillies, all mixed in their home-made spice mix — spicy, salty, greasy goodness. The portion was enormous, plenty big enough for two to share, but I wasn’t giving mine up. It came with the added bonus of table condiments like chilli oil and sriracha, so you could dial up the heat to your taste.
I also grabbed a side of Hot and Sour Dumplings, which arrived swimming in a tangy, spicy broth and were every bit as satisfying as promised. Next time, I’m keen to try their Crispy Chilli Chicken too, which looked like the spice bag minus the chips.
The vibe here is fast-paced, no-frills, and packed with regulars who clearly know it’s one of the city’s top spots for late-night spice bag cravings. You’ll spend about €10–20 per head, making it a solid shout for a budget-friendly Dublin eat.
If it sounds to your taste and you’d like to check it out for yourself, you can reach them at +353 1 677 8953 or just stop by — the kind of place that’s always best visited in person.
San Sab Drumcondra
Last Saturday, after I met up with a university friend, we walked up Drumcondra Road Upper looking for a casual bite and wound up at San Sab Drumcondra — a place he promised had one of the best spice bags in Dublin with Thai flavor.
The ambiance was energetic but casual, dressed in bright hues and lively tunes playing softly in the background. The staff was attentive from the start — warm, prompt, and really sound. We had ordered a table and had ordered their highly-recommended San Sab Spicy Bag, with Tom Yam soup, Thai Pork Ribs, and a dish of Singapore Noodles.

And trust me, that spice bag was banging. Chunks of tender chicken all juicy and coated in an extra-crisp batter, all seasoned with salt, pepper, and chillies, with a just-right sting. It’s not some run-of-the-mill city-centre greasy spice bag either — this one was lighter, crisper, and full of real taste. The Tom Yam soup was all crunch and fragrance, the pork ribs all crispy on the outside and yielding on the inside, and the Singapore noodles all pleasantly smoky from the wok.
What was particularly impressive was how cheap it was. Three of us enjoyed hearty servings for about €15 per head, which is good value these days. The spice bag alone would get me back — quite possibly one of the crispiest and juiciest versions available in Dublin.
You’ll find San Sab Drumcondra at 84 Drumcondra Road Upper, D9 C2W0, and it’s well worth a detour if you’re craving Asian street food classics with a solid Dublin spice bag in the mix. Give them a ring at +353 1 699 1099 or drop Zoe a line at zoe@sansab.ie. I’ll definitely be back for round two.
X Spice Chinese Takeaway
A while ago, following a lengthy conversation of a day in the office, I nipped into X Spice Chinese Takeaway on Sussex Street in Dún Laoghaire — directed by a local colleague who promised me they served the south Dublin suburbs’ best spice bags in the city. No kidding, it was the works.
The premises themselves are your no-nonsense, spotless takeaway spot with some chairs in between to wait. Staff were nice and friendly, chuckling a bit as I placed my order. I had their famous spice bag and added a Nasi Goreng box for good measure.

The spice bag? Unreal. Crisp, golden chicken pieces mingled with crunchy peppers, onions, and chips — all tossed in a punchy seasoning blend with just enough heat to tingle but not torch. Best part? The portion was huge, easily enough for two, maybe even three, and at €10–20, one of the best spice bag in Dublin I’ve had this year value-wise.
The Nasi Goreng was equally as good — stunningly fried rice packed with fresh veg and tender prawns, flavored with a great spicy Indonesian sauce and accompanied by succulent chicken satay sticks and satay dip that was good enough to drink.
It’s the kind of spot you’ll find yourself going back to without even thinking about it — four orders in and it’s been flawless every time. If you’re anywhere near Dún Laoghaire and craving a top-tier spice bag, X Spice is the move. Ring them up at +353 1 284 5011 for collection. I’ll be back soon for a spicy box fix, no doubt.
Scent Restaurant
A few days ago, after a damp, lengthy stroll around Churchtown, I paid Scent Restaurant at 20 Landscape Road — a place I’d heard a couple of locals say has the best spice bag in Dublin. And so it would seem, I believe they might.
The moment I arrived, I was greeted by the most welcoming staff — the lady in charge (who I’m sure must be the proprietor) has this effortless way of making you feel properly cared for. The kitchen was busy, takeaway bags piling up, and yet every customer received a warm greeting.

I had their Shredded Chicken Spice Bag, and it was received fresh, piping hot, and wildly flavored. Crispy flaky chicken with chips, peppers, and onions — all smothered in their own salt-and-chilli seasoning. The portion was generous to the extent of being over-shared at €9.50, which can quite easily be stretched out into two sittings if you have the self-control (which, we admit, I didn’t).
Their Tofu Spice Bag is another gem, a high-quality veggie delight created with the same care and daring seasoning. And while spice bags are the reason for calling here, their Red Thai Curry is also deserving of mention — one that’s rich, aromatic, and packed with soft chicken and veg.
You can expect to spend around €10–20, depending on your appetite, with everything made fresh and quickly turned around. Whether it’s a takeaway treat or a casual dine-in, Scent is now firmly on my go-to list. If you’re nearby, ring them at +353 1 298 9438 — you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spice bag this side of town.
Seven Spice Chinese Takeaway
Last weekend, while meeting up with an old friend in Clondalkin, we called into Seven Spice Chinese Takeaway at Unit 1, St Cuthbert’s Road. I’d heard through the grapevine that they were operating under the radar, serving up one of Dublin’s finest spice bags, so naturally, I had to check it out.
It’s not the kind of place you go for the interior — you order at a hatch window and hang around the car park for your number to be shouted — but honestly, when it comes to a spice bag, it’s what’s in the brown paper bag that matters.

And the interior? Solid gold. Steaming hot chips, crisp chicken pieces, a cracking mix of salt, chilli, and pepper seasoning — not greasy, not overly salty, and well portioned. I ordered the Grand Spice Bag, enough for two hungry people easily, especially when paired with their curry sauce, an absolute 10/10 — rich, thick, and perfectly spiced.
I also tried their chicken cheese rolls upon a friend’s recommendation, and they were the evening’s star. Ribs were slightly dry for me, but nothing a decent dip in that curry sauce could not resolve.
If you’re in the area and fancy a spice bag worth writing home about, give them a call at +353 1 457 9551 or email sevenspiceclondalkin@yahoo.com. I’ll definitely be back for another Grand Spice Bag fix.
Ly Garden
I was in the mood to treat myself and dropped into Ly Garden at Saint Dominic’s Shopping Centre, Millbrook Lawns, Dublin 24. A neighbour swore they’ve got the best spice bag in Dublin, and I’m kicking myself now for not venturing in earlier.
I hadn’t had a spice bag in ages. But a bite of Ly Garden’s and it was clear this was the real deal. Impeccably crispy chicken, golden chips, and that signature salt and chilli seasoning. No grease overload, no limp chips, just the good stuff — loved it. The serving size was spot on, filling without sending you into a food coma.

I also ordered a batch of satay chicken skewers (excellent sauce, by the way) and a king prawn curry for the fridge later. Both winners. The combination deals here are excellent value, and they’re always spot on with delivery — piping hot and on time.
You can expect to pay around €10–20 per head, and for the quality, it’s a great value. If you’re in the Tallaght area and you’re having a craving for the kind of spice bag you’ll remember for all the right reasons, give them a shout on +353 1 459 0820. I’ll be returning for sure, and next time the duck will be going in along with mushrooms.
Bell Pepper
Craving something spicy and warm, I ordered from Bell Pepper on 183 Kimmage Rd Lower, Kimmage, Dublin 6W through Deliveroo. I had heard extremely good things about their spice bag and felt it was time to see what all the fuss is about.
I went for their grilled chicken skewers and spice bag combo deal for €16. When I got the order, I initially thought that the spice bag was a little small for the price, but having taken a bite, I was soon proved wrong. The size of the portion was deceivingly full, and the flavour was truly impressive.

Crisp bits of chicken with flawlessly seasoned chips, not greasy at all, and a good hit of heat. It’s easy to see why people rate this as one of the best spice bags in Dublin. Though I must say, a little curry or sweet chilli dip would’ve rounded it off nicely, but I’ll know for next time to add one on the side.
The grilled chicken skewers were solid, too. Delivery arrived right on time, and the driver was courteous, which always adds to the experience. I’ve heard their spicy wok-fried Thai prawns are another crowd favourite, so I’ll probably give those a go next round.
If you’re based on the southside and after a consistently good spice bag, give them a ring at +353 1 485 1881 or drop them a message at info@bellpepper.ie. I’ll be ordering again soon.
Good Work Chinese
After a long afternoon moving a friend’s house in Tallaght, we were famished and in desperate need of some good comfort food. A member of the group recommended Good Work Chinese on Kiltalown Way, Kiltalown, Dublin, and said it had one of the best spice bags in Dublin, which was all the convincing we needed.
We got their large spice bag combo with shredded chicken and curry sauce, which tipped the scales at €17. When it arrived, the first thing that hit us was the size of it. This wasn’t a snack bag — this was a meal for four. The chicken was crispy perfection, with that stuff-your-face-with-it salt and chilli seasoning, and the chips were fresh, golden, and well-seasoned.

The shredded chicken deserves a mention, too. I went with extra spicy as recommended, and it did not let down — tender, spicy, and full of flavor. The curry sauce was thick, creamy, and ideal for dipping chicken and chips in.
No surprise there’s normally a wait here. We waited about 35 minutes before collecting ours, but with food this delicious, no one’s grumbling.
For a best spice bag in Dublin that hits all the marks, quantity, flavor, and spice then this one’s a winner. They can be contacted at +353 1 452 5906, but just be prepared for a brief wait. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Castello Bruno
Last month or so, at last, after my mate Gavin had gone on and on about it, I made it up to Castello Bruno, Drimnagh Road, Dublin 12. He’d sworn to the grave that this place had one of the finest spice bags in Dublin — and you know me, I wasn’t going to let that go to waste.
Ordered my legendary spice bag and threw in a side of salt and chilli chicken balls for good measure. Came piping hot, the portion size was enormous — could’ve fed three of us with no trouble at all. Chicken was crispy, spiced up nicely, and contained a good kick of heat. Chips were golden brown and laced with a generous amount of salt, chilli flakes, and peppers.

The chicken balls were equally impressive — light batter, juicy inside, and plenty of flavour. No sogginess in sight. The staff were cheerful, efficient, and it’s clear why this place has a loyal local following.
Price-wise, you’re looking at about €10–20 per person, solid value considering the portion size. Next time I’m definitely trying their Malaysian fried rice and Tum Yum soup — heard nothing but good things.
If you’re in Walkinstown or nearby, give them a ring at +353 1 455 7347. Spice bag fans, trust me — this one’s a proper treat.
Sunflower Chinese Takeaway
While catching up with a cousin in Templeogue, we thought we’d finally give Sunflower Chinese Takeaway in Orwell Park Shopping Centre a go. I’d been told on more than one occasion that this establishment served up one of Dublin’s finest spice bags, so naturally, it was time to verify if that was the case.
We ordered the spice bag, along with a crispy duck & roast pork dish, and egg fried rice. As soon as I opened the bag, the aroma alone had me sold. The portion was massive, chicken cooked to perfection, crispy, and the chips were drowning in a beautiful salt and chilli seasoning. What clinched it for me, however, was being able to get it with their pecking sauce — thick, tangy, and an ideal partner to the spice bag.

My cousin got the duck and pork combination, which was tender, well-cooked, and came with crispy chips and fluffy rice. Top quality throughout. Prices were in the region of €10–20 a head, more than fair considering the portion size and quality.
The single downside? This place gets busy — and I mean really busy. Expect a bit of a wait at peak hours, but trust me, it’s worth it.
If you’re in the area and craving a proper spice bag, ring them up at +353 1 460 0228. I’ll definitely be dropping by again for a bag and a box next time I’m in the area.
Bottom Line Is
Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, these spots prove Dublin’s spice bag game is stronger than ever. From Xian Street Food’s crispy classic to Good Work Chinese’s massive portions, each offers a solid reason to indulge.
If you want the best spice bag in Dublin, these are the places you need to find. Order a bag, add a tub of curry sauce on top, and thank me later.