Sometimes you need something more than your bog standard ham and cheese sambo at lunch. But then, if you're going for the salad option you also want something that will leave you feeling full for hours afterwards.
So here are some brilliant lunch ideas that seriously tick the box in terms of tastiness...
Sister Sadie
These guys know how to make a mean salad. They only use what’s in season and mix it up with a Middle Eastern twist. Recent options include a salad plate of kale and feta, poached apple, sliced asparagus with dried cranberry and tahini dressing on red cabbage slaw, all for just €5.95.
For a euro or two extra, you can add some of their homemade soup or if you want to make a more meatier plate, throw in some pan-friend chorizo, pulled pork, chicken or ham. Vegetarians and carnivore alike are well catered for in this friendly spot!
The Hopsack, Rathmines
Largely catering to a vegan and vegetarian crowd, this well-known local health store sells a variety of lunch options.
You’ll find freshly made juices, homemade soups and a superfood-inspired salad bar.
The emphasis here is on organic and seasonal, all the options are designed to fill you up and jumpstart your day. Try their quirky ‘Atlantic Way’ salad with seasoned seaweed for a super vitamin hit.
Considered, Drury St
Perfect for a chilled lunch break - grab a window seat and watch the world go by on Drury Street.
They offer a regularly refreshed range of salads, quiches, soups and hot pots. You won't find any wilted iceberg lettuce here though, instead its Moroccan roast carrot with bulgar, mint and pomegranate or yellow beetroot, radish, carrot, parsley, coriander with mustard cider vinegar. Prices range from €5.25 - €7 for a salad or quiche and side salad, which is deadly value for the size of the portions!
Blazing Salads
Also based on Drury Street, there are plenty of slow-burning, fill-you-up options here.
Think low GI grains like bulgur and quinoa, vitamin-bursting veg like beetroot, sweet potatoes and spinach paired with aromatic dressings with tahari (low sodium soy), rapeseed oil or spices. The food may be free from many things (sugar, fat, salt, wheat etc) but it’s jam-packed with flavour and will fuel your afternoon’s work.
Salads, savoury bites, pizza slices and/or soup come in a range of combos from around €5 - €8.
Lolly & Cooks
These guys are probably best known for their humongous cupcakes but their lunch options aren't half bad either.
Grab one of their tasty quiches - sun-dried tomato, feta and spinach or baked ham for only €3.95. This packs a punch and will fill you up for the day (with a room for one of their €1.50 mini vanilla cupcakes for the walk back to the office!).
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