Toni’s in Dublin: A Surprise Italian Feast for Our Last Night in Ireland

After a lovely afternoon visit with our aunt in Bray, we found ourselves back in Dublin, rumbling stomachs and all. The DART dropped us off near Tara Street—right in the thick of the city’s busy, touristy buzz. We had every intention of grabbing one final traditional Irish dinner, something hearty to mark our last night in Ireland.

But then, as travel magic often goes, we stumbled upon a cozy little Italian spot tucked away from the noise—Toni in the Temple Bar area.

Charming, quiet, and full of that comforting aroma only a real Italian kitchen can produce, it was an instant yes from everyone. We quickly agreed: this would be our final meal in Ireland.

In true family travel style, we ordered a spread of dishes to sample and share. It’s our favorite way to eat—encouraging the kids to be curious and try new things without the pressure of having to finish a whole plate of something unfamiliar. There was something for everyone: pasta, calamari, and of course, our “safe dish”—a cheese and mushroom pizza that was devoured almost instantly.

Dinner was slow, satisfying, and screen-free—thanks to our go-to dinnertime tradition: UNO. It’s a small ritual now, pulling out a card deck while we wait for our food. It’s fun, it keeps the kids engaged, and best of all, it sparks those easy, positive moments of connection we always hope for at the table.

We left Toni full and content, both in body and spirit. As far as last meals go, this one couldn’t have been more perfect.

A great part about being in cities, like Dublin, is we walk everywhere. After dinner, we enjoyed a nice stroll back to our Aunt and Uncle’s house while enjoying all the sights and opportunities to take silly picture’s.