Arriving back in Dublin from Galway, our first priority was lunch. Since The Fumbally was on my must-try-before-leaving-Dublin list, we headed off-the-beaten path to find it.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral Diversion En Route to The Fumbally
We walked down the wide trafficky boulevard where Patrick St. turns into New St. and right past the 800 year old St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Famished and no time to tour the church now, we paused briefly to admire its large adjacent park.
My friend CJ and I had arrived late from Galway, and I knew The Fumbally closed at 5pm and stopped serving at 4pm…so we needed to stay focused on our mission.
Continuing up the boulevard it soon turned more residential and lined with apartment buildings.
Airy Loft Setting Sets the Right Tone for The Fumbally
And as it turned out, The Fumbally is housed in the bottom of one of them.
The Fumbally had interested me because of its reputation for fresh market based food and changing daily chalkboard menu – and it looked like it was housed in a cool space. I had high expectations. The second we stepped inside The Fumbally, I could tell this was a cool spot.
A vast open warehouse space with a twinge of hipster flea market. Vegetables tumbling over wooden crates and woven baskets. A mix of loungey seating and traditional tables with couches set into cozy nooks and tables up on platforms. Chalkboard menu and open kitchen.
The day’s house-baked pastries on exhibit at the register.
Since The Fumbally focuses on the daily market, they don’t have a huge menu – but everything looked good, so choices were tough. We ordered at the counter and were given a chunky wood block with the letter “N” to identify our order.
CJ went for the special sandwich, but I was mesmerized by the chef’s counter sprawled with the daily salads and Mediterranean fare. I was starving and indecisive, so a little bit of everything worked for me.
We found two cushy arm chairs with a low ornate-Moroccan metal table and awaited lunch delivery. My platter arrived spilling over with a Carrot Salad, Grain Salad with Roasted Cauliflower, and – I don’t think it’s going too far to say – the best hummus I’ve ever had. It was a colorful plate of deliciousness.
My friend’s Lemon Thyme Roasted Chicken Sandwich with Fennel Compote & Tarragon Mayo looked tasty to even a vegetarian.
I was floating on a sea of foodie contentedness, when CJ arrived back at the table with her Apple Cake announcing that the desserts were disappearing fast, and only one Lemon Curd Tart remained.
She knew that I’d had my eye on that cute Lemon Tart. I rushed to the counter just in time to secure it.
We lingered a while longer enjoying our relaxing space, out of the Dublin fray. Just taking in the late-afternoon low-key vibe as people worked at laptops, mom’s popped in for a quick tea with their kids, and the late day sun poured in through the large front windows.
It was good to be back in Dublin… and The Fumbally was a nice “Welcome Back.”
