Top Irish Foods & Restaurants to Try in 2022 | Sarina Swalm

Aug 12

Ireland is known for its beautiful scenery. But we can't talk about Ireland and not mention the famous Guinness and whiskey the locals enjoy with hearty Irish dishes.

Many people visiting Ireland for the first time often wonder what the best meals in the country are and where to try them. In this guide, we've compiled a list of the top Irish foods to try and the best restaurants that serve these dishes.

What Are the Top Irish Foods to Try in 2022?

If you're wondering what the top Irish foods to try on your visit to the Emerald Isle, here are a few of them: Irish stew, Irish soda bread, full Irish breakfast, colcannon and champ, boxty, Irish seafood chowder – the list goes on. We can assure you that you won't regret trying out these meals.

What Food is Dublin Famous for?

Ireland has several mouthwatering and traditional dishes you have to try on your visit to the country. We've prepared a short list of five famous dishes.

1. Irish Stew

This dish is a traditionally made one-pot meal with meat like mutton, lamb, or beef and vegetables like onions, carrots, and slices of potatoes for a bit of thickness to the stew. It's a popular dish enjoyed as dinner, reserved for special occasions like Saint Patrick's Day.

2. Beef and Guinness

The beef and Guinness pie is a delicious traditional Irish beef stew filled with vegetables, beef broth, herbs, and Guinness. The filling is slowly cooked to make the beef tender and allow the Guinness flavor to penetrate the ingredients. A slice of freshly baked beef and Guinness pie goes best with a glass of Guinness beer.

3. Seafood Chowder

Seafood chowder is a traditional creamy Irish seafood soup crammed with prawns, lobsters, salmon, potatoes, mussels, clams, butter, and cream. Enjoy this creamy soup with soda bread.

4. Boxty

Boxty is a famous Irish snack also known as potato dumpling, potato pancake, or potato bread. It is mashed potato mixed with grated potato. It is boiled before frying in butter or baking in an oven. You can eat them either with bacon and eggs or smoked salmon.

5. Dublin Coddle

Dublin coddle is an old dish using leftover ingredients like oats, carrots, potatoes, slices of pork sausage, and bacon. However, when making Dublin coddle as a modern dish, fresh ingredients and the best quality sausages and bacon are used. It's also enjoyed with soda bread.

Where Do the Top Chefs Eat in Ireland?

If you were wondering how to eat like a local on your visit to Ireland, you could take a cue from some of the top chefs in the country.

1. Plur

Plur wood-fired pizza restaurant is a trailer container turned into a pizza place in Clane, County Kildare. They are open from Wednesdays to Sundays. Chef Mickael Viljanen, a chef patron at Chapter One, frequents Plur on Sundays and takes his two daughters with him.

2. Pearl Brasserie

Chef Kevin Hui, owner of China Sichuan, usually doesn't take much time off from his work, but whenever he does, he loves spending time with his mom at Pearl Brasserie, which happens to be owned by two of his friends.

3. Sonflour

Sonflour is a vegan restaurant run by two Italians on Castle Street. They have a small menu of pasta, pizza, and focaccia. However, they make cheese available for their non-vegan customers. Chef Beverly Matthews, the owner of L'Atitude 51 wine bar in Cork especially loves their cacio e pepe pizza.

4. Bierhaus

Chefs David and Jessica Murphy, owners of Kai in Galway City, love the Sunday evening feel at Bierhaus, a neighborhood bar on Harry Street. A small menu of smash burger, hotdogs, and toasted cheese is made available to the locals that day. Dave always orders the grilled cheese toastie, while Jess has her favorite: a double patty burger with cheese, fried onions, and pickled cucumbers.

The Best Restaurants for Date Night in Dublin

Here are our top three restaurants for date nights in Dublin.

1. Etto

Etto, which means "small" in Italian, is a cozy award-winning restaurant in Merrion Row. They offer a small seasonal menu which changes daily.

2. Nightmarket

Owned by a Thai couple, Jutarat and Conor, Nightmarket serves Thai food, focusing on the rustic flavors of Chiang Mai and seafood from Hua Hin.

3. II Vicoletto

II Vicoletto is a classic Italian restaurant that can be found on Crow road, a small street in Temple Bar. Enjoy the intimate atmosphere while dining in this restaurant.

Is Dublin a Foodie City?

Dublin doesn't fall short when it comes to offering a variety of tasty and quality dishes. Visitors can experience Irish classics and fine dining in the country. It's definitely a place to be.

Learn more about Irish classics and the foodie scene.

Sarina Swalm

Sarina is a self-taught cook and self-proclaimed foodie. She enjoys sharing her love of cooking, and sharing new recipes. When Sarina isn’t traveling she enjoys her home base in New York, NY with her Labrador Retriever, Bailey.