When we decided to visit Ireland, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect from the meals. One friend who’d been there told us that the food was spectacular. Many others lamented the bland food they’d experienced. Honestly, we went in a bit jaded and ended up enjoying some of the best food we’d eaten on vacation, anywhere.
The difference between say, Italian meals and Irish pub food, is the style. Italian meals have a little gourmet flair, compare to US food. The meals offered up at pubs in Ireland are more along the lines of comfort foods. In a country that tends toward being a little chilly, these hot, cozy meals just feel right.
Here’s a very cool thing: Irish pubs and restaurants (and other eateries) all take allergens very seriously. Menus note every potential allergen in each dish, and some places even had a binder full of ingredients that customers could peruse to make sure they were not eating something they shouldn’t.
So, what were the highlights for us? SO many! But here are TK of our favorite meals that we enjoyed while we traveled through Ireland near Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and surrounds.
Pub Foods to Try in Ireland
Just about every meal you order in Ireland will come with brown bread. This is a hearty, grainy bread that is the perfect accompaniment to the savory soups and pies that are prevalent on every menu.
You’ll also see potatoes and other root veggies on the menu – a lot! – as part of a dish or a side dish.
Guinness is readily available, but you’ll also find a nice selection of wine and cocktails – and of course, Irish coffee!
From the Land
Driving through the countryside of Ireland offered bucolic views of cattle and sheep grazing on green pasture. These local meats are readily available at Irish pubs and restaurants.
Guinness Beef Pie
Beef and root vegetables in a flaky pie crust? What’s not to love?? The addition of Guinness gives the gravy a deep, rich flavor. This might also be served with a potato mash topping rather than in a crust. Either way, it’s a winner!
Curry
In the latter part of the 20th century, Ireland saw the rise of immigrants from Asia. In just a few short decades, seasonings like garam masala and curry became a staple. Chicken curry is a common menu item, and it’s done well. It’s milder than an Indian curry, but flavorful and delicious.
Our group ordered curry several times throughout the trip and every bowl was deemed a winner.
Cottage Pie
As far as we could tell, the cottage pie isn’t a lot different from the Guinness beef pie that is so common on almost every pub menu. The gravy is slightly different. In this case? The brown gravy with toasted peppercorns that comes with the cottage pie had all of us swooning. Highly recommend dipping your chips in any leftover gravy. This was one of the favorite dishes from the trip.
From: The Dark Horse in Athlone
Lamb Stew
When this bowl of lamb stew was put in front of me, it was more like a thin soup. Not what I was expecting. As I ate, though, the mashed potatoes on top melted into the rich broth, making it a thick stew that was absolutely fantastic.
From: The Creamery in Bunratty. Right next door to Bunratty Castle (which was closed when we were there), this large pub was the only repeat restaurant during the trip. The first meal was so good that we made a special trip to dine there a second time.
Bangers and Mash
This traditional dish varies from pub to pub, but it remains simple. Sausage served over mashed potatoes in a puddle of gravy. The flavor of the sausage and the gravy are a key component to making a simple, delicious meal.
From the Sea
With so much coastal access, there is plenty of fish on menus in Ireland. There’s just something lovely about dining near the sea and enjoying the fruits of the ocean.
Seafood Chowder
This thick and creamy seafood chowder was exactly what a blustery day on the coast called for. Coupled with a green salad, it was the perfect light lunch.
The Monk in Ballyvaughn served up a really good meal, but note that there is simply not much to see or do in this little hamlet.
Fish and Chips
The comment we exchanged the most when discussing the fish and chips in Ireland is that the batter was light and fluffy and not greasy at all. The portions of fish were always very generous and tender. Definitely make sure you try this classic menu item at least once!
From…Italy
Some things are surprising when you’re out discovering the world. This was one of them!
Pizza
There were a couple of long days that had us looking for an easy meal that we could bring back to our lodging. Pizza is always the answer, right? And surprisingly, the Irish do pizza quite well! It’s not something I’d say is a must-try for an Irish dining experience, but if you find yourself in a pinch, know that you’re going to have a nice meal if you opt for pizza!
