Ireland’s food scene is bursting with creativity, local flavour, and a touch of wildness. We are a small country but we pack a huge punch when it comes to food, and I’ve been lucky enough to travel the country and taste the best we have to offer! Here are some of my recent favourite dishes across the country, plus a few wild cards to tempt your tastebuds.
Open Crab Sandwich at Monks, Ballyvaughan
If you find yourself on the edge of the Burren, nothing beats the open crab sandwich at Monks. It’s a generous heap of sweet, fresh crab meat on homemade brown bread, served right on the water’s edge. The view is as good as the food, pure west of Ireland magic. Make sure to say hi to Shauna the manager if you’re in there, she’s amazing!
Prawn Pil Pil at Kitty O’Se’s, Killarney
Kitty O’Se’s is a Killarney favourite for seafood lovers, and their prawn pil pil is a must. Sizzling hot, garlicky, and with a hint of chili, these prawns arrive at your table with more sizzle than a summer BBQ. Dunk the bread, mop up the sauce, and you’ll see why this is a local legend. Pil Pil is very popular in Ireland, but this is by far the best in Ireland and I think it’s down to how gently the prawn is cooked, it’s not overcooked at all.
Duck Fried Rice at Bullet Duck & Dumplings, Dublin
Tucked away on Mary Street Little, Bullet is a tiny spot with big flavours. Their duck fried rice is a cult classic, cooked Hong Kong style: tender roast duck, perfectly seasoned rice, and that hit of umami you crave after a long day. It’s simple, it’s tasty, and it’s always buzzing, definitely not Irish fare, but one of my go to’s.
Kimchi & Blue Cheese Toasty at Maegden, Bushmills
Maegden is a cheese lover’s heaven. Their kimchi and blue cheese toasty is the stuff of legend: thick sourdough, oozy Irish blue cheese, fiery house-made kimchi, and a side of pickles or chilli jam.
It’s bold, it’s funky, and it’s utterly addictive. It’s not always on the menu but if you ask nicely, they should make it for you.
Pizza at Dough Bros, Galway
Dough Bros is Galway’s answer to Naples. Their pizzas are all about chewy, blistered crusts and top-notch Irish ingredients. Whether you go classic Margherita or something more adventurous, you’ll see why there’s always a queue out the door.
Seafood Chowder at EJ Kings, Clifden
A bowl of chowder at EJ Kings is the taste of Connemara in a bowl, creamy, packed with fresh fish and shellfish, and served with brown bread. It’s the perfect pit stop after a windswept walk along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Wild Card Suggestions
Want to push the boat out? Here are a few more picks to see if they make your list:
- Murphy’s Ice Cream, Dingle: Try the brown bread flavour, malty, creamy, and uniquely Irish. They do also have a stout flavour but I think I prefer the real thing in the form of a pint!
- Kai, Galway: A Michelin Bib Gourmand spot with ever changing, seasonal menus-think local crab, foraged greens, and knockout desserts.