Mums are sometimes really difficult to buy for, especially when they insist on not being fussed over. They often say they’d be happy with a simple gift like some flowers or a candle, but do we really believe them? Roses wilt, and your poor mum probably has a stash of Yankee Candles from three birthdays ago that she’s struggling to get through. If you ask us, there’s really no trumping spending quality time with your mam to make her feel like the queen she is. So to serve up some inspiration, we’ve come up with 10 things to do with your mum this Mother’s Day in Dublin, from spa days to candlelit concerts and more.
1. Start the day off on the right foot at one of the finest breakfast spots in town
What better place to kick off the Mother’s Day celebrations than at an unbeatable breakfast joint? Whether your mammy is a bruncher with a sweet tooth or more of the savoury persuasion, there’re plenty of breakfast spots in Dublin that have everything she could ever wish for. If you’re looking for a place with all the brunch classics, Joy of Chá and Lemon Jelly Cafe are some of your best bets. Expect stacks of pancakes, avocado toast, bagels and of course, the full Irish breakfast complete with white and black pudding.
📍Joy of Chá, 10 Essex St E, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 TF24
📍Lemon Jelly Cafe, Millennium Walkway, North City, Dublin 1, D01 Y027
2. Recharge batteries with a spa day
If your mum’s been swept off her feet lately, she’s probably in need of a bit of R&R. Luckily for her, Ireland’s capital is full of relaxing spas that are the perfect spots for a good pampering session. Located in the heart of Dublin, The Buff Day Spa is a haven of tranquility and calm that offers a much-needed respite from the everyday chaos of city life. Massages, mud wraps, hydrafacials, skin peels and many more rejuvenating treatments are offered here, and you can even get a professional mani and/or pedi if the cuticles need some TLC too.
📍52 King St S, Dublin 2, D02 HP68
3. Treat your mum to one of Fever’s hottest plans
On the hunt for a meaningful gift for your mam? Our friends at Fever have you covered. From immersive exhibitions to guided tours, concerts, tea parties and more, there’s a whole host of unforgettable experiences and events that Fever offer. The annual bouquet of flowers can get a little samey after a while, so this Mother’s Day, pull out the stops and treat your mum to something extra special by giving her the gift of experience. After all, the memories made at these experiences are sure to last a lot longer than a box of chocolates ever will.
🎁Check out all of Fever’s fabulous experiences taking place on and around Mother’s Day in Dublin here.
4-7. Take your mum out for dinner
Taking your mam out for a nice meal is sometimes all you need to keep her happy. Whipping up a tasty dish at home is always an option, but a fancy dinner in a top-notch restaurant is probably going to go down much better, especially if your culinary skills aren’t up to scratch.
🦞Seafood spots
Being so close to the coast, Dublin is home to many superb seafood restaurants. Places like The Seafood Café by Niall Sabongi and Hemmingways are a seafood lover’s paradise, their menus packed to the brim with delicious delights from the deep blue. We’re talking oysters, lobsters, crabs, shrimps, prawns and more.
🍕Italian restaurants
Take a quick stroll through the city, and you’ll probably find an Italian restaurant on every other street. The majority serve up the typical Italian crowd pleasers that we all know and love, from authentic pasta dishes to mouth-watering pizzas boasting tonnes of yummy toppings. Known for their delish NY-style slices, Bambino is one of our favourites, and it was even awarded “Best Pizza” by The Irish Times’ Food Oscars in 2022.
🍜Chinese restaurants
If your mum is more in the mood for some Chinese cuisine, there’s a host of restaurants boasting authentic recipes from Beijing and beyond. Sizzling stir-fries, delicate dumplings, delicious dim sums and more are prepared by expert chefs inside some of Dublin’s finest Chinese eateries including M&L Szechuan Chinese and Yangs Chinese Restaurant,
🍣Sushi spots
When the sushi cravings get too real, take your mum to one of the city’s best sushi restaurants for some fresh sashimi, uramaki and more. From high-end sushi spots to cosy omakase counters, Dublin is home to loads of unbeatable eateries that celebrate the beloved Japanese cuisine. Takara Ramen & Deli Sushi Bar is a place your mam’s sure to love if she’s into traditional sushi.
8. Surprise your mum with tickets to a magical Candlelight concert
This Mother’s Day, skip the gift clichés and treat your mam to an experience she’ll really remember. At these candlelit concerts, gifted musicians swoon audiences with stunning renditions of songs by the likes of ABBA, Coldplay, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and many more. You can also treat the family matriarch to a concert that pays tribute to powerful women in music such as Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Adele. Not sure which concert she’d like most? Spoil her with a Candlelight gift card and let her decide for herself!
🕯️Get tickets to this series of Candlelight concerts here.
🎟️Treat your mum to a Candlelight gift card.
9. Splurge on a shopping spree
Most mums wouldn’t say no to bit of retail therapy come 10 March. Dublin’s shopping districts have something for every mam out there, from boujee boutiques to grand department stores and everything in between. Grafton Street and Henry Street are the city’s most popular shopping stretches, but if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten track, George’s Street Arcade is a bohemian shopping spot with loads of hidden treasures inside. Each stall sells something different, but you can expect vintage clothing, jewelry, artwork, books, collectible items and things of that ilk.
10. Take your mam to cloud wine at a wine bar
With a glass of bubbly in hand, you can kick off the celebrations and make a toast to your mum inside one of Dublin’s wonderful wine bars. La Cave and Ely Wine Bar are two wine watering holes that serve some of the best gifts of the grape in the city. Both spots have a fabulous selection of rosés, whites and reds as well as an abundance of fizzy options like Prosecco and Champagne to choose from. Whether your mum is a wine connoisseur or a casual vino fan, she’ll be in her element at any of these wine havens.
📍 La Cave, 28 Anne St S, Dublin 2, D02 DX39
📍Ely Wine Bar, 22 Ely Pl, Dublin 2, D02 AH73