Shopped ‘Til We Dropped At Grafton Street
There’s no place in Dublin quite like Grafton Street. I remember quite fondly when my family would head to Grafton Street when I was a lad, and my parents would buy us some of the comfiest and cutest clothes imaginable.
Grafton Street also hosts a wide variety of buskers. These are fun forms of entertainment while you peruse the shopping district. I, myself, love the musicians, but I can’t quite stand the sight of mime buskers as they give me the creeps.
If you’re looking to head to Grafton Street, then I’ve got the guide for you. I’ll share everything you’ll need to know when traversing one of Dublin’s most popular shopping districts! I’ll even throw in a few tips to make your experience even more enjoyable!
What Is Grafton Street Known For?
Grafton Street is one of Dublin’s most popular shopping districts in the city centre. Here you will find high-end shops, fanciful restaurants and coffee shops, and even entertainment in the form of street buskers.
Best Time To Go To Grafton Street
The best time to visit Grafton Street is around lunchtime, as this is when most shops and restaurants are open. While there will be quite a few people there, it is the most optimal time to visit if you want to score a good seat at a restaurant or cafe.
Things To Know About Grafton Street
Address: Grafton Street is a 500-meter street stretching from St. Stephen’s Green’s northwest corner all the way to College Green. It is located near tourist spots such as St. Stephen’s Green, Trinity College, and Merrion Square Park.
Operating Hours: While you can access the street at any time of the day, most of the pubs and restaurants on Grafton Street open at around 12:00 PM.
Parking: There is no parking on Grafton Street. There are, however, car parks available around the area, such as Grafton Car Park at Clarendon Street and Q-Park St Stephen’s Green at Glover’s Alley.
Accessibility At Grafton Street
Accessible Restaurants: Most of the restaurants and cafes on Grafton Street offer outdoor seating or are easily accessible by those in a wheelchair.
Pedestrianized Street: The entire street is pedestrianized during the hours of 11:00 AM to 6:00 AM, which allows easier access for visually impaired and physically impaired individuals to traverse the shopping district.
Accessible Shops: Most shops on Grafton Street are accessible for wheelchair users as the entryways are wide enough to accommodate them and there is ample room inside them for them to traverse.
Tactile Guidance Strips: There are tactile guidance strips located throughout the entirety of Grafton Street, which allow visually impaired individuals to traverse the shopping district without difficulty.
Accessible Public Toilets: There are accessible public toilets available on Grafton Street from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
How To Get To Grafton Street
Car: While you can drive to Grafton Street via St. Stephen’s Green or the R138, it isn’t advisable as the street is pedestrianized from 11:00 AM to 6:00 AM. If you do plan to drive, we’d suggest heading to St. Stephen’s Green and walking to the street instead.
Dublin Bus: Grafton Street is easily accessible via the Dublin Bus system. Here are a few of the routes that pass by or are near Grafton Street.
| Dublin Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 9 | College Green Stop | Monday to Friday:6:20 AM – 11:20 PM Saturday:6:50 AM – 11:15 PM Sunday:9:30 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 11 | Dawson Street Stop | Monday to Saturday:6:30 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:9:15 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 37 | Dawson Street Stop | Monday to Friday:5:35 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:6:30 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:9:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 38 | Dawson Street Stop | Monday to Friday:6:10 AM – 11:15 PM Saturday:7:45 AM – 11:15 PM Sunday:8:45 AM – 11:15 PM |
| Route 39 | Dawson Street Stop | Monday to Friday:6:22 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday:6:45 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday:8:47 AM – 11:02 PM |
| Route 40 | Dawson Street Stop | Monday to Friday:5:35 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:6:35 AM – 11:15 PM Sunday:8:20 AM – 11:15 PM |
| Route 68 | College Green Stop | Monday to Friday:6:30 AM – 10:25 PM Saturday:6:35 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:10:15 AM – 10:30 PM |
| Route 122 | College Green Stop | Monday to Friday:6:30 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:7:05 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:8:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 123 | College Green Stop | Monday to Friday:6:10 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:7:00 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:8:20 AM – 11:30 PM |
Bike: While you can bike to Grafton Street if you head to St. Stephen’s Green or College Green, you will have difficulty finding a parking space. It’s best to park your bicycle either at Drury Street Car Park, at Trinity College, or at St. Stephen’s Green.
There are also two different Dublin Bikes stations near Grafton Street. One is at Molesworth Street, while the other is located at Clarendon Row. Both are a short walk to Grafton Street.
Luas Tram System: There are two different Luas Tram System stops near Grafton Street. Both of these stops are on the Green Line, and they are St. Stephen’s Green Stop and Dawson Stop.
Taxi: Grafton Street is quite well known among locals, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to head there via taxi. You will have to get off near Grafton Street as cars aren’t permitted on the street.
Shops At Grafton Street
Grafton Street is Dublin’s premier shopping district. As such, you’d expect some unique shops to be found here. Thankfully, Grafton Street hosts quite a few different establishments for you to choose from and shop at!
Brown Thomas
Media Credit: Brown Thomas Instagram, Brown Thomas Facebook
Website: https://www.brownthomas.com
Address: 88 Grafton Street, Dublin, D02 VF65, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 605 6666
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Friday:
- 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday:
- 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday:
- 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Brown Thomas has been on Grafton Street since 1848 and has become a beloved fashion brand in Dublin City. Here you will find clothes and accessories for men, women, and even children. They also sell appliances and home decor made by popular brands.
Weir & Sons
Media Credit: Weir & Sons Instagram, Weir & Sons Facebook
Website: https://weirandsons.ie
Address: 96-99, Grafton Street, Dublin 2, D02 WR12, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 677 9678
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Saturday:
- 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday:
- 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Weir & Sons has been with Grafton Street for 5 generations, and is a family-owned business. They are well known for their incredible watches, jewelry, and other accessories.
They are also known to sell Silver and Leather accessories, as well as antiques, fine China, and glassworks.
River Island
Media Credit: River Island Instagram, River Island Facebook
Website: https://www.riverisland.com
Address: 102-103 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, D02 KV79, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 514 3890
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday:
- 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday:
- 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
River Island has been on Grafton Street for over 60 years. Here, they sell a wide variety of fashion pieces and are known for their sustainability. They sell pieces for men, women, and children, all of which were made with sustainable practices in mind.
Card Gallery
Media Credit: Card Gallery Instagram, Card Gallery Facebook
Website: https://www.cardgallery.ie
Address: 31 Grafton Street, Dublin, D02 YY42, Ireland
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday:
- 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday:
- 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Card Gallery has been in Grafton Street for over 30 years and has been providing customers with an extensive range of high-quality and appropriate greeting cards and partyware, alongside wonderful gifts and souvenirs.
They are one of Ireland’s longest-established Greeting Card shops and are well beloved by the community. They have also recently opened up an online store to allow their customers to buy from them wherever they are.
Holland & Barrett
Media Credit: Holland & Barrett Instagram, Holland & Barrett Facebook
Website: https://www.hollandandbarrett.com
Address: 75 Grafton Street, Dublin, D02 YV32, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1800 901 595
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday:
- 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Thursday to Friday:
- 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday:
- 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Sunday:
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Holland & Barrett is your one-stop shop for all things healthy. The shop is run by health specialists who help customers in choosing items such as natural health supplements, vitamin tablets or gummies, natural beauty products, and more.
Holland & Barrett has been helping Dublin’s denizens to make healthier choices and gives them all the information they need to ensure they can live a healthier life.
Restaurants At Grafton Street
Grafton Street isn’t just a shopping district. It’s also filled with bars, pubs, cafes, and restaurants for you to head to after a day of perusing through the shops. Here are some of our favorites when heading to Grafton Street.
Bruxelles
Media Credit: Bruxelles Instagram, Bruxelles Facebook
Website: https://bruxelles.ie
Address: 8 Harry St, Dublin 2, D02 KX36, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 677 5362
Price Range: €10 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Monday:
- 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
- Tuesday to Wednesday:
- 11:00 AM – 1:30 AM
- Thursday:
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- Friday:
- 11:00 AM – 2:30 AM
- Saturday:
- 10:00 AM – 2:30 AM
- Sunday:
- 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Bruxelles is heavily influenced by Irish heavy rock and offers live music and TV sports to all its guests. Bruxelles has become synonymous with Dublin’s music scene and has become a beloved addition to Grafton Street.
Here you’ll enjoy a cold beer, loud and enjoyable terrace banter, while surrounded by warm and cosy decor. They offer 3 different bars inside the establishment, each with its own inspirations within the Irish music scene.
Kehoe’s
Media Credit: Kehoe’s Instagram, Kehoe’s Facebook
Website: https://kehoesdublin.ie
Address: 9 Anne St S, Dublin, D02 NY88, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 677 8312
Price Range: €10 – €20
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Thursday:
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM
- Tuesday:
- 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 10:30 AM – 12:30 AM
- Sunday:
- 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Kehoe’s has been with Grafton Street for over 100 years. As one of the oldest pubs in Dublin, it is a place full of laughter and fun, with many merrily drinking within its walls.
Keho’s offers a traditional Irish pub experience paired with modern amenities.
The interiors reflect its origins during the Victorian era, and this is beautifully paired with its mahogany doors and stained glass windows. You’ll be served delicious food by friendly staff, and you can enjoy a good pint while you sing happily with other guests.
Bewley’s
Media Credit: Bewley’s Instagram, Bewley’s Facebook
Website: https://bewleysgraftonstreet.com
Address: 78-79, Grafton Street, Dublin, D02 K033, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 564 0900
Price Range: €10 – €20
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday:
- 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Bewley’s has been on Grafton Street since 1927, and has served the residents of Dublin some of the finest cups of tea and coffee that you can find in the city. This is Dublin’s most iconic and beloved cafe, and you’ll be daft to miss it on your visit.
Many famous people from Ireland’s literary and artistic scene had frequented this cafe during its lifetime. Some of the most notable being James Joyce, W. B. Yeats, and Samuel Beckett.
Bunsen
Media Credit: Bunsen Instagram, Bunsen Facebook
Website: https://bunsen.ie
Address: 3 Anne St S, Dublin 2, D02 YR63, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 652 1022
Price Range: €10 – €20
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday:
- 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Thursday to Saturday:
- 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Bunsen has some of the best burgers in Dublin, and they just so happen to be located in Grafton Street. Here you will find some of the best hamburgers in the city as they use authentic Black Aberdeen Angus as the restaurant’s beef of choice.
Bunsen offers a traditional experience with no frills or fusses when it comes to their service. There’s simply something special and delectable with a burger that’s been made with the finest and freshest ingredients sourced from high quality local suppliers.
McDaids
Website: https://mcdaids.menu-world.com
Address: 3 Harry St, Dublin, D02 NC42, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 679 4395
Price Range: €10 – €20
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday:
- 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Thursday:
- 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 AM
- Sunday:
- 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
McDaids is a beloved literary pub in Dublin and is considered one of the most iconic ones out there. With its distinctive Victorian exterior, you will feel as if you’re blasted into the past as the old-style interior is paired with the typical old school bar stools.
McDaids is beloved by Irish poets and novelists as many of them, such as Patrick Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien, and Liam I’Flaherty, frequented the pub, and it’s also said that Brendan Behan based many of the characters of his books on regulars of the pub.
Where To Stay When Heading To Grafton Street
There are quite a few places where you can stay that are in or around Grafton Street. Don’t worry, even if the area is quite popular among locals and tourists, you’ll still get a good night’s rest when staying at any of these hotels.
The Shelbourne
Media Credit: The Shelbourne Instagram, The Shelbourne Facebook
Website: https://www.marriott.com
Address: 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 663 4500
Price Range: Starts At €735
The Shelbourne is one of the most well-known hotels in the city, as it’s one of the few 5-star hotels in Dublin. It’s located near St. Stephen’s Green and has been in the city for almost 200 years.
The hotel is famous for its significant role in the cultivation of Irish artistic, culinary, literary, social, and political traditions, and served as the backdrop where the 1922 Irish constitution was drafted by Michael Collins, which you can find 2 original copies inside.
The Westbury
Media Credit: The Westbury Instagram, The Westbury Facebook
Website: https://www.doylecollection.com/
Address: Balfe St, Dublin 2, D02 CH66, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 646 3300
Price Range: Starts At €560
The Westbury is another of the 5-star hotels that is located near Grafton Street. Here you will find luxurious and spacious rooms that have been designed with comfort and elegance in mind.
Most of the rooms here offer a magnificent view of the entire city, and while it is close to Grafton Street, none of the hustle and bustle of the outside will penetrate the comfort and peacefulness of your rooms.
The Merrion Hotel
Media Credit: The Merrion Hotel Instagram, The Merrion Hotel Facebook
Website: https://www.merrionhotel.com
Address: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 603 0600
Price Range: Starts At €696
The Merrion Hotel is located opposite the Irish Parliament. As one of Dublin’s premier 5-star hotels, it is located in the heart of its city centre and offers a unique and pampered experience to all its guests.
This is also a perfect choice for those looking to indulge themselves with a visit to the Merrion’s 2-star Michelin Restaurant. Their facilities are also top-notch and offer modern amenities that will surely make your stay a comfortable and enjoyable one.
Brooks Hotel
Media Credit: Brooks Hotel Instagram, Brooks Hotel Facebook
Website: https://www.brookshotel.ie
Address: 62 Drury St, Dublin 2, D02 TV06, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 670 4000
Price Range: Starts At €209
Brooks Hotel has indulged itself with Dublin’s love for the arts and has been steadfast in promoting and showcasing it as part of the hotel’s charm. Close to Trinity College and the Dublin Writer’s Museum, it’s a good place to stay when heading to Grafton Street.
As a 4-star hotel, Brooks offers a unique blend of elegance and simplicity that you simply cannot find anywhere else in Dublin. Their rooms are spacious, air-conditioned, and are perfect for those who want a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Grafton Street Studios
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Website: https://www.graftonstreetapartments.ie
Address: 70 Grafton Street, Harry St, Dublin, D02 AP68, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 443 3920
Price Range: Starts At €136
Grafton Street Studios is located at the heart of Grafton Street and offers cheap accommodation to those who want to fully indulge themselves in everything the shopping district has to offer.
Here you will find a spacious studio apartment that is perfect for those looking to stay for a long while in the city. Their apartments are also fully equipped and furnished, and are a great alternative to those looking for a homey feel to their hotel rooms.
Tips When Visiting Grafton Street
We’ve gone to Grafton Street quite a few times, and we’ve learned quite a bit from them. Here are some of our tips, as well as a few we learned from fellow locals and tourists, on how to make your visit to Grafton Street that much better.
| Ride Public Transport Public transport is the way to go when heading to Grafton Street, as private vehicles are not allowed anywhere inside the street itself. Learning the Dublin Bus routes or the Luas routes will surely make your stay in Dublin far more rewarding. Enjoy The Busking There are instances when you will find buskers at Grafton Street. They are the perfect form of entertainment, and you should indulge yourself in listening to one or two of the performances, as these are some of the most talented people in Dublin. Arrive As Early As You Can Grafton Street can get pretty packed, even during weekdays. As such, if you’re looking to snag a seat at a restaurant, cafe, or pub, we’d highly suggest you arrive just as they open to ensure you’ll have the best seats and the best views. Go Pub Hopping Grafton Street is home to many beloved bars and pubs. If you’re looking to have a unique experience, we’d suggest looking at and availing a pub hopping tour, as that is one of the best ways to experience Grafton Street and the surrounding area. |