Close by is Synge Street, one of the leafiest of Dublin's inner city. It featured in the Irish film Sing Street and was the home of many notable Irish people including George Bernard Shaw and tv presenter Eamonn Andrews. Also, the lesser known William Mulholland who as a civil engineer brought water to Los Angeles allowing the city to expand and develop.
Other notable residents include Mary Black and Frances Black, two of Ireland's most famous musicians; one of the world's most famous fictional characters - Leopold Bloom; artist Harry Kernoff; John Mitchel; Harry Boland and Jack Butler Yeats. Not so long ago you would have been a near neighbour of one of Ireland's most famous artists Louis Le Brocquy who lived at No. 28 Ovoca Road.
So it can be said that Portobello has always been a desirable place to live, perhaps no more so than today with its mix of traditional and modern.
Right on Leonard's Corner at the south west corner of Portobello and not more than a few minutes walk away is one of Dublin's most exciting restaurants, Bastible.
The 1-star Michelin restaurant offers seasonal dishes throughout the year and was featured by the New York Times as a standout attraction in the district.
Of course nearby Camden Street and Richmond Street have plenty of restaurants, pubs and shops to keep everyone occupied and the closer Leonard's Corner and Clanbrassil Street is filled with eateries of every persuasion from the fine pizzas in Gaillot et Gray to Bistro Takeaway for traditional Irish chips.
Right beside artisan tea and coffee place Wall & Keogh sits the brilliant Picado, Ireland's finest Mexican pantry run by Lily Ramirez-Foran and her Irish husband Alan. They run cooking classes and supper clubs (including for vegetarians) as well as stocking all of those hard to find Mexican cooking ingredients.
Portobello Harbour was opened in 1801 and acted as a proper harbour on the canal system including for customs and distribution.
Portobello is without doubt a fine place to live Ovoca Road is one of the finest parts of the quarter.
It's a short walk to the city centre, to Saint Patrick's Cathedral park and the quiet Iveagh Gardens with its well-known waterfall.
And for some of the best bread in Dublin, try Portobello's Bretzel Bakery.
