Eating out in Ireland is an epicure’s dream come true. Not surprising, considering Ireland is one of Europe’s top gourmet destinations. Eating well is a tradition here and there is an amazing variety of Irish cuisine on offer catering to discerning taste buds. In fact, one of the great pleasures of vacationing in Ireland is the food. An Irish eating experience is as valuable as a visit to a historic site. Once in Ireland, a gastronomic tour of the country is in order. No matter where you are, you are never far away from a restaurant, a pub or food market tempting you.
On top of the list of any Irish cuisine is the hearty Irish breakfast. This is commonly referred to as “the fry” and is always included in your hotel or bed and breakfast package. This breakfast basically includes a combination of sausages, bacon, eggs, black or white pudding, homemade brown bread served with tea or coffee enough to keep you full for the rest of the day.
Other homegrown Irish foods are the boxty, a traditional potato cake and the ubiquitous Irish stew. Smoked salmon with Irish brown bread is also worth a try. Fish and seafood meals are also standard fare in Ireland.
When it comes to drinks, who would leave Ireland without a pint of Guiness? Ireland is home of the world famous Guiness beer.
For the most discerning palate, the place to go is County Cork. It is the gourmet capital of Ireland. The first stop in Cork is the English market on Grand Parade and Princes Street. It is an indoor market with stalls selling traditional Irish cooked foods, fresh produce, dairy products, breads as well as raw ingredients.
No trip to County Cork will be complete without dining at Farmgate Café, one of Cork’s best loved restaurants. it is located on a terraced gallery above the fountain at the Princes Street entrance to the English Market. Specialties here include tripe and drisheen (blood sausage), traditional dishes such as corned beef colcannon (potatoes and cabbage mashed with butter and seasonings) and loin of smoked bacon with champ (potatoes mashed with scallions).
Ballymaloe House in Middleton, County Cork sources its ingredients from its garden and glasshouse and from local butchers and fishermen. Its menu includes Irish Farmhouse Cheese Tart, Poached Monkfish with Tomato and Basil Sauce with Buttered Courgettes and Hot Buttered Lobster. The restaurant is housed in a grand old country house, truly a perfect setting to enjoy yummy traditional Irish food.
Dublin City, being the capital of Ireland has so many restaurants in every price range to choose from. A great way to sample Irish fare in Dublin is to spend Saturday mornings at the Temple Bar Food Market. Here, farmers, fishermen and traders gather at stalls to sell their products.
Leo Burdocks, Dublin’s famous traditional fish and chips take-out shop is a must. It is located right next door to the Lord Edward Pub.
Kilkenny Restaurant and Café perfectly represents what an Irish lunch should be. The quiche is delicious and so with the stew, smoked salmon and casseroles. To complete your Irish eating experience, take a bite of the freshly baked scones, breads and cakes. The café is located inside Kilkenny Shop overlooking Trinity College.
Galway has a vast selection of restaurants that cater to all tastes and budget. It is well known for its pubs and reasonably priced good food. With a harbor located right at the center of the city, only the freshest catch of the day is used. Many concur the oysters at Galway are the best. Along with oysters, fresh Atlantic salmon, lobsters, scallops and mussels are must-eats. Connemara lamb is also another favorite among tourists.
Goya’s Café in Kirwans Lane is a must stop where good lunches are served aside from the palatable home-baked breads, pastries and cakes.
County Limerick is a busy commercial center with a rich history that attracts tourists. Limerick Ham is a local specialty.
Adare, 10 miles off Limerick is home to the Wild Geese Restaurant. This restaurant boasts of warm and friendly ambience vis-à-vis great service. The restaurant uses the choicest ingredients, freshest seafood and produce. Lobster Linguini is a house favorite and the desserts are to-die-for.
The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge in Balligarny, Limerick is an experience of pure gastronomic satisfaction. Imagine being served aperitifs in the library followed by succulent food and after dinner drinks around a warm log fire.
A trip to Ireland will prove to be not only historically informative but a culinary delight as well and as they say “happy eating”.