For some of us, Christmas is less about the presents and more about the food we can indulge in as part of the celebrations.
Aside from the feast of turkey, ham and all the trimmings on the day itself - as well as the prerequisite nibbling in the days that follow - one of the true joys at this time of year is seeing so many cafes launching their takes on the festive flavours of the season.
From evermore inventive takes on the hot chocolate, to the classic Christmas sandwich - meat-heavy, veggie or vegan - and the mouthwatering cakes, Yule logs, mince pies and more, we are spoiled for choice in Dublin when it comes to festive specials.
Here, we've rounded up our top picks of the best on offer at the moment. Try them before they're gone!
Urbanity, Smithfield
Every year this chic cafe and roastery holds their much-anticipated Chrimbo Sambo Slam, with the four cafe chefs facing off against one another with their own festive creations. Making it extra fun, visitors get to choose the winner by voting with their orders. Follow along in the next few weeks to see which contenders make it to the final. This week's selection features a smokey pulled pork sambo with walnut stuffing, and a ham and Brie croquette topped with saurkraut. Available on weekdays from 12pm - 3.30pm.
Perkys, Raheny
This quaint neighbourhood cafe packs a serious punch when it comes to their Christmas offering. There are no less than two festive sandwiches, a meat-heavy one and a vegan one. The traditional sambo is packed with roast turkey, ham, stuffing, caramelised red onion marmalade, mayo and cranberry sauce, while the vegan one has nut roast, caramelised onion, cranberry sauce and vegan mayo. But what really caught our eye was the marshmallow-topped Christmas hot chocolate.
Elliots, Phibsboro
This elegnat micro bakery frequently sells out of its Basque cheesecakes, Italian maritozzi and pastries in a normal week, so expect these festive treats to fly off the shelves. Among the offerings is their quince pies, a spelt pâté sucrée stuffed with quince, clementine marmalade, toasted almonds, brown butter and brandy soaked fruit. You'll also find delicious Paris-brest filled with hazelnut cremeaux and stem ginger cookies.
Brother Hubbard, Capel St and Portobello
Stalwarts of the glam brunch for years now, Brother Hubbard always impress with their Christmas offerings. As well as festive pastries and a mighty Christmas sambo of their own, filled with turkey and sausage meatloaf and a Brussel sprout and cranberry slaw, they're serving up decadent Christmas-inspired French toast. The luscious dish is topped with caramel apples, chestnut creme, cranberry compote and spiced almond crumble.
Cloud Picker, Dublin
As one of the country's best coffee roasters, it's no wonder the team at the Pearse St location is serving up some standout festive drinks. Made in collaboration with Bean and Goose chocolatiers, this sumptuous hot chocolate has taste notes of dark chocolate and toffee. Be sure to pick up a pastry while you're there.
Fairmental, Grand Canal
This inventive cafe in Grand Canal has been experimenting with their pickles and hot sauces since opening, and their take on the Christmas sambo is typically - and deliciously - unique. The turketta sambo includes rolled turkey breast, a spicy ndjua stuffing, cranberry labneh, relish and chicken stock, and is perfect for the Christmas sambo fanatic looking for something different.
Doughboys, Charlotte Way
For those of us who have spent years dreaming of Ross's Thanksgiving turkey sandwich with the "moistmaker" from Friends, Doughboys have given us the next best thing. Their hearty Christmas sambo comes with house roast turkey, honey mustard ham, spiced red cabbage, stuffing, cranberry and orange sauce and - wait for it - a gravy dip. We'll say no more.
Two Pups, Fairview
The Northside iteration of the exemplary Dublin 8 cafe, Fairview's Two Pups has been slinging out perfect coffees and moreish sandwiches, stew and bakes since opening this year. Their Christmas sambo is a veggie delight, with potato and Brie gratin, Ssiced apple chutney and Brussel sprout stuffing, while meat eaters can add on a few shavings of their baked ham.
Two Boys Brew, Phibsboro
If you want your Christmas spread to be a little extra special this year, why not order some freshly baked mince pies from Two Boys Brew? As well as serving the sweet treats up daily - complete with their homemade mince meat and flakey pastry - you can order your boxes from either TBB or sister cafe Milo's. Each box contains six pies and can be collected from 4 December until 23 December. The last day you can order mince pies for collection is 21 December.
Chimac, Aungier St
What do you do if Christmas sambos just aren't your thing? Chimac, the beloved Korean fried chicken restaurant, has the answer. The team are putting an entirely new spin on festive specials by offering Christmas croquettes, hand made with their won sriracha caramel ham, gochujang turkey and stuffing béchamel.
Milo's, Drumcondra
Owned by the team behind Two Boys Brew, Milo's is also fully on the Christmas specials train. As well as a generously filled Christmas toastie, loaded with ham turkey and stuffing, they're also serving a pillowy Mince Pie Brioche made with their mince meat recipe, creme pat and an all-butter brioche.
Daddy's, Rialto
The endlessly stylish Daddy's cafe has an endlessly stylish menu to match, and their Christmas offering is no different. Their own Christmas sambo returns, but instead of the usual ham and turkey filling, the team have opted for spiced beef, a Dublin tradition. It's paired with McNally's Brussel sprout, horseradish and cranberry slaw and Nigel's herb and apple stuffing.
Bread 41, Pearse St
Trifle-inspired croissants, housemade mince pies with citrus peel, whiskey and brandy, cranberry and walnut sourdough... Bread 41 doesn't just have one festive treat, they have more than you could imagine! Top of our list are the trifle croissant, filled with Sherry syrup and raspberry jam, and the Christmas savoury danish, qith house made cranberry sauce, herby sourdough stuffing, bechamel sauce and oozing Cooleeny cheese. The team have also knocked our socks off with their annual gingerbread village, which this year includes gingerbread people with limb absences, as they fundraise for the NRH Foundation and Reach charities.
Baa Baa, Chapelizod
This cute cafe in the heart of Chapelizod is known for their edible festive gifts, so be sure to drop in for homemade cookies and more for your loved ones. While there, why not sample their take on the Christmas toastie, with Organic sourdough, Derg cheddar, Wicklow Brie, cranberry and pear ham, honey roast ham and sage butter?
Strand Fair, Sandymount
This buzzing neighbourhood cafe is stocked by some of the best producers in the country, including Greenville Deli, who provide the decadent Christmas sambos. Their offering includes roasted turkey, hand carved ham, sage and rosemary stuffing, brie, pickled red cabbage, cranberry sauce and mustard mayo on sourdough and is just the thing to keep you warm during chilly walks.
Proper Order, Smithfield
Tucked away between Smithfield and Stoneybatter, this chic green cafe serves up both perfect coffees and hot drinks and inventive bakes from its bakery, No Messin'. As part of the Christmas menu, you can find their "Hot Roddy", a delicious spiced apple punch made with apple syrup and apple juice. If you're craving a treat, you can try your hand at nabbing some of their highly coveted mince pies before they sell out.
Mr French, Erne St
New to the scene, Mr French has come in strong with its Christmas sambo offering. The Christmas Sleighter is a weighty beast of a sandwich, ensuring you won't go hungry at lunch time. It's filled with cranberry mayo, rocket, roast turkey, honey mustard ham, stuffing, smoked cheddar and turkey and stuffing flavoured crisps for added bite.
3fe, various
Come for the coffee, stay for the food at these stalwart cafes dotted around the city. This year, the 3fe team have introduced a festive bap, filled with a turkey and sausage loaf, mustard mayo, cranberry relish and a moreish herby stuffing, all held together in a light brioche bap.
