It’s a restaurant that gets viral based on the popularity of one dish, and then you go to the establishment and find that you like every single one of their dishes. I’ve been listening to the tale of one plate… spicy, crunchy, and covered in a signature sauce… for months now, which has made the town’s rumor mill turn. I kept hearing that this particular dish, the notorious chicken wings, was proof that Elephant and Castle Dublin had somehow succeeded in bringing actual New York City comfort food right into the corner of our city. I was skeptical, but curiosity finally got the upper hand. I went ahead and decided to devote this series of blogs to seeing if they live up to the hype.
The offer here is not even a great meal; it’s an ambiance. The Elephant and Castle Dublin restaurant blends the indulgence of the American variety with that cozy, homey Irish atmosphere. It’s actually the perfect spot for a comfortingly warm lunch, an everyday dinner, or even hours spent nibbling with friends. I asked if that welcoming ambiance was felt throughout all of their locations, or if the magic only occurred where the myth originated.
I am starting here at their most famous outlet, looking forward to putting their mythical reputation to the test. Join me on a tour of each branch to see if this chain can provide the coziest food experience in Dublin.
Elephant & Castle Dublin is a local legend for wings and burgers
Temple Bar
It was a soggy afternoon when I found myself daydreaming about New York City times, and, oops, before I knew it, the overwhelming desire to have some hot chicken wings suddenly struck me. After listening to numerous debates on where to find Dublin’s best wings, one place finally swiped my vote. This venue is highly rated 4.3 on Google with over 4,296 reviews and 4.0 on TripAdvisor with 3,687 reviews, and so I went straight to Elephant and Castle Dublin.
It’s directly on 18-19 Temple Bar, which is our exceedingly well-known tourist attraction street. The atmosphere is quirky, warm, and has a good American diner feel to it, which is a plus. They offer a huge variety of American comfort food like burgers, fries, and club sandwiches.
Of course, most importantly, their Irish food options and veggie options are nowhere lacking, so it’s an all-around place. The best part? I didn’t have to wait too long for my favorite spicy chicken wings. And trust me, it was worth the wait. The chicken wings in particular were just so good that I brutally guarded the clean plate so I could make use of every single drop of leftover sauce.
The chicken was crispy outside, tender inside, and the sauce hit all the right notes. The waitress was very cooperative, attentive, and respectful since the moment I entered, even going as far as helping me order a dessert of ice cream and waffles, which was a surprise. The service was superb, friendly, attentive, and hospitable from start to finish.
Their wings are a must-order. I just couldn’t resist and ordered one for takeaway too! I would definitely recommend this place for the absolutely fantastic taste of food, friendly environment, and excellent service. If you are in Temple Bar and you haven’t visited Elephant and Castle Dublin yet, what are you waiting for?
Rathmines
After my encounter in Temple Bar, I was in Rathmines meeting some friends and, while looking for a place to eat, I found Elephant and Castle Dublin is there too! Having already known the wonder, I proposed we head there and persuaded my friends we should. It is located on 272 Rathmines Road Lower and has a great 4.4 Google rating with 2,030 reviews and a 3.8 rating with 340 reviews on TripAdvisor.
The place was really nice and cozy, and we were lucky enough to secure a spot right away. I came mostly to enjoy an evening with friends and try a taste of that renowned wings again, but also to convince my friends of the hype. And lo and behold? They are now all fans too! Overall, the dining experience was truly superb.
We had a couple of dishes, and they were all nice, but the chicken wings were to die for, rich in flavor. The chicken schnitzel was delicious as well. There was a vegetarian with us, so the waitress recommended the cauliflower wings. My friend was ecstatic; there was a good portion, and they were fantastic in taste.
She even mentioned that their veg burger was the first time she had enjoyed having such a delicious vegetarian burger. Even I, who never like salads, found the Elephant House Caesar salad to be tremendous. The service was really good. The host was warm, cheerful, and prompt, and made the whole experience fantastic for us.
Our glasses were never empty, and her work attitude also made the dining experience enjoyable for all in the group. While the food does appear pricey, the portions are enormous, and the incredible flavor definitely makes up for your wallet. It was a dining experience where both the food and service complemented one another, so Elephant and Castle Dublin is somewhere I’m really keen to go back to!
North Wall
I decided that my dad needs to taste those heavenly wings; I can’t enjoy them alone for a lifetime, it’ll be a crime. That’s how I ended up visiting the Elephant and Castle North Wall branch at 82 N Wall Quay. Here, too, they are holding up on their rating game. 4.2 rating with 528 reviews on Google and 4.0 rating with 103 reviews on TripAdvisor- which I’m not surprised as their food lives up to their name. The food here hasn’t disappointed me yet.
At the North Wall branch, they have an outdoor sitting option, which is really cool with good vibes. The atmosphere inside is also pretty damn good, art on the walls, music, lighting, spaciousness… 10 out of 10. My dad and decided to sit in the back open patio. Oh- make sure you sit if the weather permits you.
The chicken wings, as usual, really are a signature here, with perfect heat and spice. The beetroot goat cheese salad is rich and light. I, who don’t even want to think of salads—they might make me a fan of their salads at this point. I had a very good elephant sandwich with pastrami, highly recommended! Not the cheapest place though, about 25 euros per person.
Right off the bat, the waiter was extremely nice and thoughtful, going as far as offering to let my dad sample the buffalo sauce for the wings in case it was too spicy. The staff is friendly and attentive, which makes your experience nice. You might think sitting outdoors can give you slow service, but nope, not them! I highly recommend Elephant and Castle Dublin if you want good food with good vibes.
Sandyford
My last stop for Elephant and Castle Dublin was at Unit D4, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin. It has a 4.1 rating with 896 Google reviews and a 4.1 rating with 181 reviews on TripAdvisor. I had high expectations for my last spicy wings adventure. Do they really keep up their quality of food in every branch? Let’s find out.
A very quiet and classy restaurant in Sandyford, Dublin! The restaurant is nicely decorated with classic and sophisticated decoration, which gives a very posh vibe, and it’s also very spacious. It’s a good place to have fun with your friends or bring your family.
The Wings are a must, as I know they never fail to impress. This time, I treated myself to the lovely blue cheese dip (make sure to order extra sauce because you’re gonna be a fan of it). You will not regret it, and you will not leave hungry! I also ordered pasta. Every spoonful was a delightful balance of fresh ingredients, rich textures, and just the right amount of seasoning. It’s easily one of the best I’ve had.
Big shoutout to the staff from Sandyford- super welcoming, attentive, and on point with everything. You really made the experience even better. You can just literally look around and see the faces of the customers, and you’ll immediately know this is a good restaurant.
Final thoughts on Last bite at Elephant and Castle Dublin
As I pushed my chair back and glanced around one last time, I realized why Elephant and Castle has become such a local favorite. It’s not just about their famous wings or hearty dishes. Every bite felt familiar yet exciting, like a memory you didn’t know you were missing. So yes, this won’t be my last visit.
I would go back there in a heartbeat. The wings? Still thinking about them. Elephant and Castle is one of those places that turns into a story you’ll tell your foodie friends about. So, it’s your time to be a storyteller of Elephant and Castle Dublin to your foodie friends and claim the spotlight. You can get more savory updates on our Facebook and Instagram. So, hit the follow button now!