[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places to Go Shopping in Dublin

Shopping in Dublin is the perfect place to find unique and interesting items for every budget.

Dublin is home to an impressive array of shopping destinations. You can find a mix of department stores and open-air markets on both sides of the River Liffey. It’s not just the city’s historic streets and friendly people that make it noteworthy, but its vast selection of shopping options. Here, you can find whatever you’re looking for, whether bargains or the latest fashion and homewares.

In addition to the shopping, you’ll also find plenty of delicious local cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, there’s something for everyone. So, if you’re in Dublin and looking for a great shopping experience, these landmarks are worth checking out.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Dublin

1. GRAFTON STREET

Grafton Street is the perfect destination for that shopping in Dublin. It is a bustling thoroughfare with a plethora of different stores, ranging from high-end boutiques to regular high-street retailers. At the top of the street is the St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, which offers an eclectic mix of shops. As you make your way down the street, you’ll be entertained by buskers and street performers vying for your attention. At the end of the street is the iconic statue of Molly Malone, accompanied by a friendly leprechaun. 

If you’re looking for a more relaxed shopping experience, you can take a rooftop view of the city from the top floor of Marks and Spencer’s cafe. You can also admire the flower stalls set out along the street. Grafton Street has something for everyone, so it’s well worth a visit.

2. Cow’s Lane

Cow’s Lane may not boast the same selection as other Dublin streets, but it still has plenty of wonderful shops to explore. Fashion lovers will be delighted by the knitted and leather items available at stores like Scout and Thundersolas.

The Gutter Bookshop is a must-visit for bookworms. Its remarkable collection of books is sure to keep you entertained during your stay. After picking out a great read, you can grab a bite to eat at nearby cafes such as Tamp & Stitch, The West End, or The Bakery Temple Bar.

3. BROWN THOMAS

Brown Thomas is renowned for its luxury shopping experience in Dublin. It offers its customers an upmarket selection of clothing, accessories, and cosmetics. In addition, the sister shop BT2 is located on the opposite side of Grafton Street and caters to a younger, more mass-market clientele.

The stores also provide customers with ‘The Restaurant,’ an exclusive eatery managed by celebrity chefs Domini and Peaches Kemp. It is the perfect place to relax after a long day of shopping, offering drinks and food to satisfy any craving.

4. Liberty Market

Located in Dublin’s southern inner-city suburbs, Liberty Market has been operating since 1973. It is famous for its bustling atmosphere and a great place to get a good deal. The market has a wide range of local stalls selling children’s clothes, footwear, jewelry, and cosmetics.

Right next to the market is Meath Street, home to a great selection of restaurants and bars. A visit to Liberty Market is a great opportunity to get a glimpse into the everyday life of Dubliners.

5. POWERSCOURT TOWNHOUSE CENTRE

The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is an upmarket boutique shopping destination in a magnificent Georgian townhouse once owned by the Powerscourt family. It has maintained its original charm and character and now offers a range of exclusive retail and design outlets with a bright and airy interior.

Shoppers can browse through fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, antique vendors, and more. There are also several cafés to enjoy lunch in. If you are looking for a special treat, the center also offers hair salons, make-up, and beauty salons.

6. GEORGE’S STREET ARCADE

George’s Street Arcade is an iconic shopping center in the heart of the city. Originally purpose-built in 1881 as a Victorian shopping center, it has undergone numerous reconstructions and hand changes. However, despite these changes, it has managed to keep its unique atmosphere.

In the Street Arcade, you will find a diverse range of items at affordable prices. There is a mix of boutiques, vintage clothes shops, food markets, quirky collectible stalls, cafes, and a record shop. Many of these shops and vendors come and go, but the overall atmosphere and vibe of the arcade remain the same – random, diverse, and cool. Here, you will be able to find things that you might not be able to find elsewhere.

7. TEMPLE BAR MARKETS

Temple Bar is a popular tourist destination, but the weekend brings even more to the area. On Saturdays, Meeting House Square hosts the Temple Bar Food Market, which offers a variety of goods, such as cheese, seafood, and freshly baked goods. In Cow’s Lane, the Designer Mart has 20 stalls full of Irish handmade crafts and designs. Lastly, the Temple Bar Book Market is held in Temple Bar Square on Saturday and Sunday, providing vintage books and vinyl for book and music fans.

8. CLERY’S

Clery’s is a long-established department store located on Dublin’s famous O’Connell Street, dating back to the mid-19th century. The store is well-known for its iconic double-faced clock hanging outside the entrance, which has become a popular ‘rendezvous’ spot for Dubliners and people from the country.

Clery’s offers a mix of upmarket and more affordable products. In particular, The Warehouse section of the store provides customers with affordable, glamourous evening and occasion wear. There is also an in-house nail bar, so customers can enjoy a pampering manicure without leaving the store.

9. Arnotts

Arnotts is one of Dublin’s premier department stores, having opened its doors in 1843. It is renowned for its opulent fashion retailers, beauty products, and homewares. Visitors can expect to find over 700 international brands spread across seven sprawling floors and designer boutiques and jewelry stores.

The department store also features numerous restaurants and cafes across the first three levels. Here, visitors can take a break and enjoy a brewed coffee or a meal.

10. MOORE STREET

Moore Street is a Dublin landmark, famous for its open-air fruit and vegetable market. It is Dublin’s oldest food market and is open Monday to Saturday. The market consists of dozens of stalls offering fresh fruit and veg at competitive prices, and the locals have come to expect some good-natured banter. 

Behind the market area, Moore Street also has a selection of ethnic shops catering to various international communities, such as African and Asian shops. When shopping here, be prepared to drive a hard bargain and pick up a range of delights.

11. HENRY STREET

Henry Street is the main hub of north-of-the-Liffey shopping. The street is full of shopping malls, high street stores, and Arnotts, Dublin’s oldest and largest department store. This store evokes the commercial past and present within its walls. 

It’s common to find stalls selling hats and handbags, and sometimes women pushing prams filled with fresh cherries. Just behind Arnotts on Middle Abbey Street, visitors can find the Epicurean Food Hall. This food hall offers a wide range of foreign cuisines to sample.

12. DUNDRUM TOWN CENTRE

The Dundrum Shopping Centre has become the premier suburban shopping center in the county. It offers a wide range of stores and restaurants, so you can easily spend the entire day here. House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols provide high-end department store products, while more niche boutiques, sports supply shops, and baby stores guarantee that everyone is catered for.

Not only does the center offer a great selection of shops, but it’s also designed to be a pleasant and comfortable experience. The center is bright and airy, and with the Mill Theatre and mini-golf park nearby, there are plenty of activities for adults and children to enjoy in the evening. There’s even a cinema if you need an extra dose of entertainment.