Whether you just said, "I do," in the Irish countryside in an OTM Directory Planner Tara Fay–organized bash or you're beginning a larger Ireland and U.K. honeymoon, filled with castles, coastlines, and maybe a few rounds of golf, Dublin is a great place to collect your post-nuptial thoughts and soak in some ancient culture (and Guinness).

When to Go

While locals might say St. Patrick's Day is the most lively time to visit, for a mini-moon, we recommend going anytime from June to August for optimal weather. Americans will also love the U.S. Pre-clearance at the Dublin airport, so traveling back is a breeze.

Photo: Courtesy of The Doyle Collection

Where to Stay

The Westbury Hotel in the heart of Dublin—between Trinity College and St. Stephen’s Green—is our favorite spot. And this year marks the completion of a multi-year top-down interior renovation—all suites and guest rooms have been touched for this new chapter. This editor can personally vouch for the luxurious yet extremely comfortable feel of the Signature Suite and its gleaming bathroom, worthy of a Vogue-esque beauty routine video. (I may have even purchased the tea cups and saucers to bring a touch of The Westbury home.)

The Westbury's Signature Suite. Photo: Courtesy of The Doyle Collection

By the summer, a new fitness space will also be introduced—continuing the hotel's serene vibe of a city sanctuary—with complimentary classes. (If anyone's looking for a more intense, local workout, Barry's is a short walk away—and the locker rooms are nicer than the ones in Tribeca by far.)

Photo: Courtesy of The Doyle Collection

Where to Eat

Ahead of winning the Masters, Rory McIlroy joked when asked why he chose a modern menu over Irish cuisine by saying, "I want to enjoy the dinner as well." And while you can definitely find steak and potatoes and cabbage in Dublin, McIlroy knows he's downplaying how much Irish cuisine's limits have evolved. In The Westbury, you'll find WILDE, offering exceptional local seafood and a fantastic traditional Sunday roast. The restaurant's design is whimsical yet elevated—aim to sit as close to the windows as possible.

For carnivores looking for a true Irish steak, head to F.X. Buckley. We visited the one on Pembrooke Street. Grab a cocktail before sitting down, and do yourself a favor and order the Porterhouse or Irish Ex Dairy Cow Cote De Boeuf, for two—medium rare, always. It's served with beef dripping chips, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables (don't sleep on the mushrooms), caramelized onions, and three sauces. Don't necessarily expect a typical romantic, quiet evening; it was happily happening until closing on a Thursday evening, but it's definitely a locally-loved must-visit spot.

Spitalfields.

An amazing mix of delicious food with a slightly more romantic feel was found at Spitalfields, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand—and a loyal following. Social media will tell you to order the viral Cock-a-Leekie Pie at this pub-restaurant, and while we're sure the love is well-earned, we also have to put in a word for the Delmonico of Beef. The staff makes you feel like you're family, and the decor feels like a neighbor's home—with a quirky yellow duck collection on display.

For a late-night bite, maybe fueled by a few pints, follow the youth to Xi'An Street Food—steps away from The Westbury—for a Tik Tok–approved spice bag. If you think you know Chinese food, you don't. This Irish-Chinese Frankenstein monster-esque bag of fries (chips), shredded chicken, peppers, onions, and spices in a bag is one of those meals not to be consumed fully sober in the light of day, but the rave reviews from locals and tourists alike make it very very difficult to ignore.

Afternoon Tea at The Gallery. Photo: Courtesy of The Doyle Collection

Where to Drink

Tea is served at The Westbury’s Gallery daily and on the finest blue-striped china. Go classic with an Irish breakfast tea or start the party with some bubbly. Either way, The Gallery is super accommodating with dietary restrictions.

Another day, make time for the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. A short walk from the Guinness Storehouse, the brewery tap room continues the Guinness tradition of innovation and has an open approach to new brewing methods, flavors, and types of beer. The taps are designed to change on a quarterly basis and are never repeated, making this a truly unique, one-of-a-kind drinking experience. We tried everything from a natural beer, harkening back to ancient times, to one with a shellfish warning that we couldn't quite make out.

Photo: Courtesy of The Doyle Collection

Later on in the evening, start a date night at the award-winning spot The Sidecar. A modern take on a '30s cocktail joint, the space is probably one of the sexiest spots in the city—it's dimly lit, it's got cozy corners, and it's a great place to flirt with your spouse, dare I say.

Photo: Courtesy of The Doyle Collection

Rivaling the sleek Art Deco interior is the impressive collection of 18 individually crafted cocktails, conceptualized and created by bar manager Oisin Kelly—named 2024 Bar Manager of the Year—and his team. We went with something strong and sweet by ordering the "High Street Hustle."

Then it was pub time. O'Donoghue's is a nice starter pub. It has an indoor-outdoor situation and a lively crowd with a good age diversity, and Mumford & Sons played a surprise set there last year. The Stag's Head, near The Westbury, has a more classic feel and design. It's great for a trip debrief or a riveting game of Monopoly Go.

The Temple Bar.

Let's talk about The Temple Bar because you have to do it once, but don't overstay your welcome, and we strongly suggest getting there within the first two hours of it opening. Once that's out of the way, go to The Brazen Head, known as Ireland's oldest pub, dating back to 1198.

What to Do

When in Dublin, you must visit the Guinness Storehouse. Whether you binged The House of Guinness on Netflix or are just a fan of "the black stuff," it's a fun worthwhile excursion to knock out. Pay a little extra to take a “Stout-ie," and drink your photo on the foam of a pint. Then end the tour at the Gravity Bar with 360-degree views of the city . . . and another pint.

If you're booked at The Westbury, take advantage of its "Behind the Curtain" package for backstage access and tickets to theater productions, plus walking tours of the legendary Abbey Theatre.

For history fans and those who love Sally Rooney novels, especially Normal People, take a trip to Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed. This famous text contains the four Gospels in Latin based on the Vulgate text which St Jerome completed in 384 A.D., intermixed with readings from the earlier Old Latin translation. Then wander up to the Trinity library’s Long Room. Meghan Markle visited this room during a royal tour in 2018 and the first thing she noted was that the busts in the room were all of men. Since she made that comment, there are at least four female busts being created—go Meghan!