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Dublin Food guide: 10 Things you should eat in Dublin

Stoneybatter, Dublin – By William Murphy – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stoneybatter_-_Dublin_-_panoramio_(2).jpg

Dublin is home to live music, never-ending pints of Guinness, cultural events, local gigs, friendly locals, and just short drives to the coast, day trips, and the Wicklow Mountains. One thing that tourists may not think of immediately when it comes to visiting Ireland is the food. 

Okay, okay 鈥� Ireland has come a LONG way in recent years. Before, when you used to go here for a holiday, you would be lucky if there was even one vegetarian option on the menu. Oat milk? Unheard of. Anything besides mash, veg, and meat was blasphemous. 

Now, the Irish have updated their ways and figured out how to navigate the 21st century while still staying true to their roots. Plus, we love the classics. Who doesn鈥檛 love Bangers and Mash, Guinness Stew, and a good ol鈥� Irish fry-up for breakfast? 

Let鈥檚 check out the 10 things you MUST try when you come to the Emerald Isle on your upcoming vacation! 

Irish Stew

Irish Beef Stew – By A Healthier Michigan from Detroit, United States – Irish Beef Stew, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=101187445

This one鈥檚 a classic. The perfect lunch or dinner for a cold winter day, Irish stew is filled with minced meat or diced mutton, bacon, potatoes, onions, and carrots. The perfect blend of foot vegetables and meat makes this a filling and hearty meal to have with a pint of Guinness while staring outside at the bleak sky and dark clouds. Maybe stay in the pub a bit longer, eh? We recommend getting a massive bowl at The Brazen Head.

Boxty Pancakes

Boxty – By Original uploaded by DavidBailey (Transfered by Di谩doco) – Original uploaded on en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11040953

Boxty pancakes are actually not as filling and heavy as American pancakes 鈥� and they are more of a savory dish than a sweet brunch option. This traditional potato pancake is made with cooked mashed potato, flour, and fresh milk. That鈥檚 it! This simple recipe may not sound like much, but add sour cream, butter, or sugar to these pancakes, and you will have a savory breakfast or snack.

We recommend pairing pancakes with eggs, bacon, black pudding, and tomato slices for a lovely addition to the typical fry in the morning. Check out The Gallaghers Boxty House for some of the best 鈥渂oxties鈥� in the city!

Colcannon

Colcannon – By VegaTeam – Colcannon, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84663750

Surely you have seen Colcannon before 鈥� but you might have called it potato salad. You are mistaken. Colcannon is the Irish version of 鈥榖ubble鈥� and鈥� squeak.鈥� Okay, now you are even more confused! 

This dish is just a complicated name for mashed potato with cabbage or kale. The perfect side dish to eat with a filling cut of meat or soup, Colcannon is a Dublin staple. Check out Oliver St John Gogarty Restaurant on Anglesea St. for a main course of Colcannon. 

Seafood 

Mussel dish – By Charles Haynes from Hobart, Australia – Mussels, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35251196

Dublin is not known for its seafood, but it should be! With close proximity to the water, it is no wonder that the seafood here is fresh and tasty. We recommend heading to Rosa Madre for an Italian twist on some of the classic Irish dishes.

Black and white pudding

If you see sheep in the green pastures on the side of the road as you take the coach bus from Dublin Airport to the city center, you may feel a bit bad about this one. This dish is made from blood, meat, fat, oatmeal, and potato fillers. Yes, you read that right 鈥� blood. If you aren鈥檛 too keen on eating an animal鈥檚 blood, try the white pudding 鈥� the rest is the same. And honestly, both are really good! Head to The Pig鈥檚 Ear for a high-end version of white and black pudding.

Soda bread

Stout and soda bread – By Jon Sullivan – http://pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?mat=pdef&pg=6122, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108358

Many Irish people may feel like this is too chewy and too heavy, but it is a welcome alternative to the flimsy white bread that so many Americans have with their sandwiches. Slices of white bread with Irish butter with soup is the perfect lunch on a cold day. Head to Fallon & Byrne for a loaf of soda bread to enjoy in the comfort of your own apartment! 

Barmbrack

Barmbrack – By Solo Beckett – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95611651

This one is a hit or miss. If you like rich desserts, this could be your new favorite food. If sweet bread with dried fruits in the middle doesn鈥檛 sound like your cup of tea, maybe look elsewhere. However, This type of bread works well as a sweet mid-afternoon snack to have with a whole milk latte or cup of tea with two sugar. We recommend trying Thunders Bakery to get a loaf of Barmbrack for your hotel room.

Guinness

Did you really think we could get through this entire list without mentioning what Ireland is really famous for? Guinness is why people come here 鈥� well, there are tons of more reasons too. But Guinness really takes the cake, with the foamy top, crisp finish, and great memories that come after a few pints. 

Once you visit Ireland, you will not be able to go anywhere else without making sure they know how to pull the perfect pint. For a fun experience that offers extensive views over the sprawling city, we recommend heading to The Guinness Storehouse for a creamy pint and a memorable afternoon.

Irish Coffee

Irish coffee – By Frettie – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6085443

If you had one too many Guinness last night, an Irish Coffee could be the perfect way to wake up in the morning and have a little hair of the dog. Made with one shot of Irish whiskey, this coffee drink can be exactly what you need to get out of bed. Try this strong drink at Vice Coffee on Abbey Street. 

Coddle

Coddle – By Coddle head at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25318429

Last but not least, we have coddle. No, that鈥檚 not what your parents do when you ask them for money. Coddle is a traditional Irish meal that is basically made of leftovers 鈥� but perfectly combined to make a hearty and filling dinner that we could eat every day of our lives. Made with sausage, bacon, potatoes, and onions and cooked to perfection, this meal is ideal for a winter visit to Dublin. Head to Hairy Lemon for live music, a bit of craic, and coddle.