Horned Frogs heading to Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic this August can explore the Irish capital through its signature culinary combinations. From coastal haunts to historic quarters, these spots are worth the detour.

1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse

Signature Dish & Recommended Drink
Irish oysters paired with Guinness Original Stout

Why the Pairing Works
This duo, dating to 1837, marries the sea-kissed sweetness of the oysters with Guinness’s roasted malt notes and creamy texture. The stout’s slight bitterness cuts through the oysters’ richness while its creamy carbonation cleanses the palate between bites.

While You’re There
Tour the seven-story Guinness Storehouse to trace the operation’s journey from Arthur Guinness’s humble four-acre site, leased on New Year’s Eve 1759 for just £45 annually, to what became the world’s largest brewery by 1880. Cap your visit at the top-floor Gravity Bar, where sweeping windows frame panoramic views from the Dublin Mountains to Howth Head.

Johnnie Fox’s Pub

Signature Dish & Recommended Drink
Irish lamb stew with a Mattie’s Mule

Why the Pairing Works
This hearty dish finds its foil in a lively Irish twist on the Moscow Mule. The cocktail’s bright acidity and spicy zing lighten the savory stew and awaken the taste buds. Mint garnish adds herbaceous freshness that complements the stew’s root vegetables.

While You’re There 
Catch the Hooley Show, Johnnie Fox’s traditional music and dance performance that brings Irish culture to life in an intimate setting. The venue itself, founded in 1798 and perched in Glencullen, calls itself Ireland’s highest pub. 

Beshoffs Sea Grill

Signature Dish & Recommended Drink 
Cold seafood platter paired with Laurent-Perrier Champagne

Why the Pairing Works  
This showstopping spread of crab claws, prawns, mussels, oysters, smoked salmon and crab aioli finds a classic match in Champagne. The wine’s bubbles and crispness elevate the indulgence of each element, while mineral notes enhance the seafood’s natural saltiness. 

While You’re There 
Grab Beshoffs’ famous beer-battered cod and chips to go, then head to Howth Adventures for a boat tour with views of Howth Head and Ireland’s Eye, and chances to spot seals and puffins.

FIRE Steakhouse Restaurant & Bar Dublin

Signature Dish & Recommended Drink 
Ciaran’s whiskey-infused steak paired with a smoked old-fashioned

Why the Pairing Works 
The strip loin soaks in spirits for 24 hours before spending 30-plus days in the dry ager. Midway through aging, the beef gets a balsamic treatment, which adds sweetness and reinforces those whiskey notes. The tableside-smoked old-fashioned, made with Dublin’s Own whiskey, mirrors the steak’s complex flavors.

While You’re There 
FIRE Steakhouse is in the historic Mansion House on Dawson Street, the residence of Dublin’s lord mayor and site of the first sitting of Dáil Éireann, Ireland’s parliament, in 1919. After dinner, walk a couple of blocks to Kehoes, an 1803 pub where mahogany partitions and original Victorian fixtures preserve its 19th-century character.

B Bar at Clayton Hotel Burlington Road

Signature Dish & Recommended Drink 
Irish sirloin steak paired with Chateau Puynard “The Steps” Bordeaux 

Why the Pairing Works 
Aged for about 15 months in French oak barrels, the Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend offers rich dark fruit aromas. According to Executive Chef Finbarr Higgins, the Irish beef has a mild character that complements the wine’s earthy depth without overpowering it. “It’s all about terroir,” Higgins said. “Our land is perfection for beef, and Bordeaux wines are getting the right terroir to match the meats.”

While You’re There 
As an official partner of the Aer Lingus Classic, Clayton Hotels welcome visiting teams and their fans. Fuel up for game day at the sprawling breakfast buffet, featuring Irish staples such as Galway sausages, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, and a selection of fresh fruits and artisan cheeses.

Afterward, take a short ride to the National Botanic Gardens, where nearly 50 acres of Victorian-era glasshouses and themed gardens offer a peaceful escape in the Glasnevin neighborhood.