We were there in March this year and got both food and music in The Brazen Head (Dublin's oldest pub), along near Merchant Quay. The music started about 9 pm, and we enjoyed listening to the 3 guys in the smaller bar: good mix of songs and tunes. May depend what night you're there for what music is on offer. The bigger bar also had live music and food, but pretty overdone on the amplification. Also tried the one over the road from it, O'Sheas: great box player, but also far too loud for my liking.
I gather the Cobblestone is good for music, but not sure if they do food too.
Temple Bar area may be best avoided.