Eat Smart: Top 5 Cheap & Healthy Lunches Near ISI

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when you’re trying to fuel your brain for the classroom a healthy lunch will recharge your mental energy and help you study more efficiently.

Obviously your first stop is the ISI cafe where a healthy lunch will cost you under €5. However, we realise you might want a bit of variety and thankfully Dublin has a wealth of restaurants that offer tasty and affordable dishes from all over the world. We’ve compiled our “Top Five” international lunches near ISI that are under 10 euros.

Boojum (Mexican)

Boojum is the “big enchilada” of the Dublin Burrito scene. Opened in 2007 by a husband and wife team who were fanatical about Burritos; it’s safe to say that they introduced the phenomenon to the people of Dublin. Since Boojum, several other Burrito and Tex-Mex joints opened up around the city and guacamole has become as much a stable food as the Irish potato. Student cards will buy you a huge Burrito and a drink for €6.50.

Umi (Middle-Eastern)

If you arrive in Umi at lunchtime you will probably have to share your seat with a stranger, just make sure they don’t want to share your lunch. The kitchen provides Palestinian and Lebanese style falafel, fresh Baba Ghanoush, spicy Patata Hara or heapings of Tabouleh to name but a few. Arrive before 5 pm and you can avail of their “Special Offers Menu” for €7.

Govindas (Indian)

For €5.75 you can buy a “small” plate the size of your head in Govindas. Govindas have vegetarian restaurants all around the world and there are two extremely popular ones in Dublin city. Order the mixed plate and you can sample five or six vegetable dishes for the price of one in the most relaxing and calming atmosphere off O’Connell street.

Boteco (Brazil)

Boteco offers fantastic food at crazy low prices in a welcoming environment. Monday to Friday they offer a €5 buffet with everything from Strogonoff de Frango to Beringela Parmegiana, as well as some sweet pastries and muffins for dessert. Boteco has definitely played a key part in introducing some Latin culture to Dubliners.

Kokoro (Japanese)

If you’re looking for something a little lighter, but equally as healthy, Kokoro offers bento boxes, noodle dishes and healthy Japanese soups for takeaway prices. Arrive in the evening and they knock down the prices of any of their leftover sushi, as everything they sell is freshly prepared every day.