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Twenty Years of Real Gourmet Irish Burgers: The Bobo’s Story

Back in 2006, a small burger spot opened at 22 Wexford Street, and no one could have guessed it would turn into a Dublin favorite. But Bobo’s was more than just a burger place. It was a promise: 100% Irish beef, never frozen, always fresh. Big 7oz patties made from quality young heifer meat. A promise that’s lasted for twenty years.

This year, Bobo’s celebrates 20 years of serving Real Gourmet Irish Burgers to Dublin—and it’s a milestone worth savoring.

The Beginning: A Neighborhood Diner with a Vision

When Bobo’s opened in 2006 on Wexford Street, the idea was simple: offer an Irish twist on high-end fast food. The founders wanted to serve delicious burgers made from prime young heifer meat in a fun, friendly spot filled with a touch of nostalgia.

The name says it all. “Bó” means “cow” in Irish, and from the start, the restaurant stuck to its promise of Irish beef. Not just any beef—grass-fed Irish steak beef from cattle under 20 months old, supplied by expert butchers who know quality begins well before the burger hits the grill.

Their motto quickly became well known: “We take our grub seriously, but not ourselves.” In those early days on Wexford Street, this attitude helped create a special place—a neighborhood diner where locals turned into regulars, and regulars felt like family.

Growing Roots in Temple Bar

By 2012, Bobo’s success meant they could open a new spot on Dame Street, right at the entrance to Temple Bar. The 50-51 Dame Street location wasn’t just a smart choice—it was meaningful. This was a place that stood firm on quality, ready to welcome locals on their way to work and visitors wandering Temple Bar’s cobbled streets.

Opening on Dame Street brought Bobo’s right into Temple Bar’s lively scene—a place famous for its real culture and unique character. In a neighborhood where authentic Irish experiences count, Bobo’s promise of 100% Irish, fully traceable, never-frozen meat fit perfectly with what Temple Bar stands for.

In 2016, Bobo’s opened their third location on Abbey Street, bringing their gourmet burger experience north of the Liffey. But it’s the Dame Street restaurant that remains the heart of their Temple Bar connection—a place where the district’s energy meets Bobo’s commitment to quality.

What Makes a Bobo’s Burger Different

Step into any Bobo’s, and you’ll see right away—this isn’t fast food trying to be fancy. This is the real deal.

Every burger begins with a big 7oz steak beef patty, much larger than usual, made from 100% Irish grass-fed steak beef, grass-fed lamb, Bord Bia Quality Assured chicken (all born and raised in Ireland), and certified organic Wagyu beef. The keyword? Fresh. Each burger is made fresh to order—never frozen.

The menu offers about 30 different burgers, each matched with handpicked cheeses, homemade relishes, and special sauces to create bold, unique flavors. From the Humpty Dumpty, a longtime fan favorite, to the Conn burger, which became legendary with early customers, every burger has its own story.t Bobo’s never stopped at just burgers. Their well-developed breakfast and brunch menu made them a go-to spot at any time of day. Where else in Temple Bar can you start your morning with a proper Full Irish Breakfast, then return for a gourmet burger lunch, and finish with an evening meal of fresh seafood or salads?

The Retro Charm That Became Iconic

Step inside Bobo’s and you’re taken back in time. The retro decor, blending American and Irish styles, creates a diner atmosphere that feels both familiar and special. It’s comfort without any fuss, quality without any attitude.

The cozy seating, friendly staff who remember regulars’ orders, and the smell of fresh beef on the grill—all these little things matter. In a world full of corporate chains and Instagram-perfect interiors, Bobo’s kept it real. The vibe and the food have always matched, just like they promised from the start.

Twenty Years of Memories

What does 20 years mean in the restaurant world? It means serving generations. The college student who grabbed a quick burger between classes in 2006 might now bring their own kids through those same doors. The tourist who found Bobo’s on their first Dublin trip has come back a dozen times, always stopping by when they’re in Temple Bar.

It means getting through tough times like economic downturns, changing food trends, and a global pandemic—and coming out stronger. It means having staff who’ve grown with the business, some of whom have been there for years, proving that friendly, professional service never goes out of style.

It means tens of thousands of burgers grilled just right, hand-cut chubby chips served hot and crispy, onion rings people still rave about years later, and gluten-free options that show dietary needs don’t mean giving up on flavor.

A Temple Bar Institution

In Temple Bar, where authenticity is key, and locals can spot a tourist trap from a mile off, Bobo’s earned its spot by being consistent. While others come and go, chasing trends or cutting corners, Bobo’s stuck to its founding principles: quality young heifer meat under 20 months old from a master butcher, 100% Irish and fully traceable, and NEVER frozen.

That promise really hits home in Temple Bar, a place built on real culture and true Irish experiences. When visitors ask locals where to find a real meal—not a tourist version but the real deal—Bobo’s is the name that keeps coming up.

The Dame Street spot is the perfect gateway: close to Temple Bar’s cultural heart, easy to reach for office workers and visitors alike, and authentic enough to earn respect from Dubliners who’ve seen it all.

The Next Chapter

As Bobo’s enters its third decade, the vision remains unchanged. Their mission continues: to be the Best Gourmet Irish Burger Restaurant, focusing on quality ingredients, bold flavours, and creating an atmosphere where people genuinely enjoy themselves.

The menu still features those massive burgers alongside chicken, lamb, fish, vegan, and gluten-free options. The commitment to Irish suppliers hasn’t wavered. The staff still greets regulars by name. And that 7oz patty still arrives at your table hot, juicy, and cooked exactly as you ordered.

Twenty years is a massive milestone in the restaurant business—especially in a city as competitive as Dublin, especially in an area as discerning as Temple Bar. It’s a testament to doing one thing exceptionally well and refusing to compromise, even when it would be easier or more profitable.

Celebrating Two Decades: A Special Giveaway

To mark this incredible 20-year milestone, Bobo’s is partnering with Discover Temple Bar for a celebration worthy of two decades of gourmet burgers. We’re giving away 20 x €100 vouchers to lucky winners—that’s €2,000 worth of Real Gourmet Irish Burgers to share with the community that’s supported Bobo’s since day one.

How to Enter: Visit @discovertemplebar.ie on Instagram for full terms and conditions and entry details.

Winners Announced: February 28th, 2026

Whether you’re a 20-year regular or discovering Bobo’s for the first time, this is your chance to be part of the celebration. Twenty winners, twenty years, and countless memories still to be made.

Experience the Legacy

Bobo’s isn’t just celebrating 20 years in business—they’re celebrating 20 years of being part of Dublin’s fabric, of feeding families and fueling friendships, of proving that quality and authenticity never go out of style.

Next time you’re wandering through Temple Bar, whether you’re a local or a visitor, stop by Bobo’s on Dame Street. Order one of those legendary 7oz burgers, cooked fresh to order just like they’ve done for two decades. Taste the difference that 100% Irish beef makes. Experience the retro charm that’s become iconic.

You’re not just grabbing a burger—you’re becoming part of a story that’s been 20 years in the making, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Bobo’s Burgers Restaurant 50-51 Dame Street, Dublin 2 Temple Bar Area Open 7 Days a Week

Real Gourmet Irish Burgers Since 2006


Enter the 20th Anniversary Giveaway: Follow @discovertemplebar.ie and BoBo’s on Instagram for your chance to win one of 20 x €100 vouchers. Full terms and conditions available on Instagram. Winners announced February 28th, 2026.

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