Dublin has an ever-growing line-up of top-rated restaurants specializing in contemporary and international cuisine. That said, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be keen to tuck into some traditional Irish dishes during your trip.
I’ve mentioned my affinity for hearty Irish dishes and flavors during my Dublin food tours, and I couldn’t help but notice that few people knew much about the local goods here beyond Guinness and Jameson. As such, I felt compelled to put together this list of the finest Dublin, Ireland, foods that you simply can’t leave the Irish capital without trying!
Traditional Irish Dishes You Can’t-Miss
Irish Breakfast
If there’s one Dublin dish everyone needs to try, it’s an Irish breakfast, otherwise known as a full Irish. This gigantic morning feast is similar to an English breakfast, as it features pork sausages, back bacon, eggs, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
The Irish edition typically includes both black and white pudding, which are pork-based, sausage-like delights that include oatmeal and a slew of spices. For the complete experience, you have to wash your breakfast down with a piping-hot cup of tea!
Where to Try It?
I’ve yet to try an Irish breakfast I didn’t love, but some stand-out spots for me were Keoghs Cafe and Jay Kays Cafe.
Beef and Guinness Stew
Walk into any Dublin pub, and the drink of choice for many will be Guinness. However, Ireland’s famous stout is also a key component of a classic Irish stew. If you’re feeling hesitant, believe me when I say that you don’t have to like Guinness to fall in love with this dish.
Nothing can warm you up on a cold winter’s evening like a wholesome bowl of melt-in-your-mouth meat, rich gravy, and creamy mashed potato. Irish stew has been around for centuries, as locals made the most of readily available produce.
Where to Try It?
Cozy pubs always seem to have the best beef and Guinness stews, especially The Brazen Head and The Old Storehouse.
Soda Bread
I had no idea what to expect when I first tried soda bread, but it certainly left a lasting impression on me. This slightly moist bread is made by swapping out yeast for baking soda, giving it its crispy crust, soft interior, and slightly buttery flavor.
When food was scarce during the Famine, locals relied on baking soda to make cheaper bread, and the recipe stuck.
Where to Try It?
Pretty much every bakery and supermarket in the country whips up batches of this bread daily, and you can’t go wrong with Bretzel or Corner Bakery.
Boxty
You won’t find this dish at many food markets and on typical culinary tours, yet boxty is among the Dublin, Ireland, foods I enjoyed the most. These savory pancakes are made by combining and frying grated and mashed potatoes.
Boxty is native to the west and north of the country and was invented in the 18th century when potatoes were one of the primary food sources for locals.
Where to Try It?
I had my first taste of this snack at Gallagher’s Boxty House, and it can be tricky to find boxty elsewhere in the city.
Barmbrack
Dublin’s food scene has plenty of delectable desserts and sweets, but barmbrack was one that took me by surprise. At its core, barmbrack is dense yeast bread sweetened with raisins, sultanas, and a dash of whiskey.
Barmbrack has been prepared from residual barm or froth from beer fermentation for centuries and is closely associated with Halloween. Traditionally, various items were hidden inside the loaf, most famously a ring that symbolized good fortune for those who received it in their slice.
Where to Try It?
It’s much easier to secure barmbrack in the weeks leading to Halloween. I found some gorgeous varieties in Hansel and Gretel Bakery and Green Door Bakery.
The Best Dining Experiences in Dublin
Photo credit: Pitchet
I gush about the best restaurants in Dublin anytime someone asks me for foodie recommendations for the city. Nonetheless, there are a ton of other incredible dining experiences out there, from no-frills fast food joints to high-end eateries.
In fact, some of the best seafood in Dublin I’ve tried was from grab-and-go spots like Beshoff Bros, while the beef burgers at Bunsen are among the finest I’ve ever tried. If you’re in the market for something more refined, I suggest sampling the innovative Irish dishes at Variety Jones or the French-inspired menu at Pichet.
Provided your schedule allows it, I advise moving out of the center and venturing to neighborhoods like Stoneybatter and Ranelagh. In the former, you can enjoy an exceptional Italian feast in Grano, while the latter is home to some sensational steaks at The Butcher Grill.
Dietary Options: Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten-Free in Dublin
Photo credit: Glas
Dublin’s vegetarian and vegan options seem to only improve with each passing year, and the same goes for gluten-free dining.
Cornucopia has been a hotspot for those with dietary requirements for several years now, and few restaurants can compete with the array of vegan and wheatless dishes here. The super-chic Glas is another haunt that’s revered for its plant-based and gluten-free menu, focusing on local produce and creative plates.
Those looking for celiac-friendly food will find some superb options in brunch spots like Urbanity and stylish spots like PHX Bistro.
Essential Tips for Eating Out in Dublin
- Dublin is among the most expensive cities in Europe, meaning an average, one-course meal in a mid-range restaurant can cost upwards of €20. That said, you’ll likely find prices can be significantly higher than this in select restaurants or lower in more laidback establishments.
- When it comes to dining etiquette and costs in Dublin, it’s standard practice to leave a tip of around 10% of your bill at most sit-down restaurants.
- Many of the most esteemed Dublin, Ireland, food spots book up several weeks in advance, so it’s always best to make a reservation. If you’d prefer to keep your plans a little more flexible, you’ll have a better shot of securing a walk-in during the week.
Sources:
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Dublin food tour: A complete guide to eating in Dublin. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/dublin
Keogh’s Café. (n.d.). Home. Keogh’s Café. https://www.keoghscafe.ie/
Jay Kay’s. (n.d.). Home. Jay Kay’s. https://www.jaykays.ie/?utm_source=HyperZone&utm_medium=organic
Brazen Head. (n.d.). Home. Brazen Head. https://brazenhead.com/
The Old Storehouse. (n.d.). Home. The Old Storehouse. https://theoldstorehouse.ie/
The Bretzel Bakery. (n.d.). Home. The Bretzel Bakery. https://www.bretzel.ie/
The Corner Bakery. (n.d.). Home. The Corner Bakery. https://www.cornerbakery.ie/
The Boxty House. (n.d.). Home. The Boxty House. https://www.boxtyhouse.ie/
Hansel & Gretel Bakery Patisserie. (n.d.). Hansel & Gretel Bakery Patisserie. TripAdvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186605-d4275249-Reviews-Hansel_and_Gretel_Bakery_Patisserie-Dublin_County_Dublin.html
Green Door Bakery. (n.d.). Green Door Bakery. TripAdvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186605-d12688532-Reviews-Green_Door_Bakery-Dublin_County_Dublin.html
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Best Dublin restaurants: A food lover’s guide. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/dublin-restaurants/
Beshoff Bros. (n.d.). Home. Beshoff Bros. https://www.beshoffbros.com/
Bunsen. (n.d.). Home. Bunsen. https://bunsen.ie/
Variety Jones. (n.d.). Home. Variety Jones. https://www.varietyjones.ie/
Pichet. (n.d.). Home. Pichet. https://pichet.ie/
Grano. (n.d.). Home. Grano. https://grano.ie/
The Butcher Grill. (n.d.). Home. The Butcher Grill. https://www.thebutchergrill.ie/
Cornucopia. (n.d.). Home. Cornucopia. https://cornucopia.ie/
Glas Restaurant. (n.d.). Home. Glas Restaurant. https://glasrestaurant.ie/
Urbanity. (n.d.). Home. Urbanity. http://www.urbanity.ie/
Phoenix Bistro. (n.d.). Home. Phoenix Bistro. https://www.phxbistro.com/
