Top Irish Food in Dublin and Cork

Top Irish Food in Dublin and Cork

Before finishing her trip to Ireland, Queen Elizabeth II made sure to visit the English Market in Cork, a gourmet haven since 1788. Other Irish gastronomic delights enjoyed by the royal visitors were freshly poured Guinness and a sumptuous state dinner of fresh Irish produce.

Ireland’s reputation as the ‘good food island’ is growing, so be sure to sample some of our culinary delights when you visit. The fabulous Taste of Dublin festival is on from 9th to 12th June, so no excuses!

The Best of Irish Food

The rolling green Irish countryside is not just nice to look at; it also produces the best dairy and meat products you will ever taste. Being an island, we also have fantastic fresh seafood and fish, so there is something for all tastes in Ireland.

To wash it all down? OK, so we don’t have the weather for producing wine (yet!), but we are justly famous for our great beer and whiskey – Guinness, Kilkenny, Jameson, Bushmills – the list goes on.

Favourite Irish Food

When in Ireland, don’t miss these tasty treats:

Irish Stew (or close relation Guinness Stew, getting two Irish specialities in one dish…)
Fish & Chips – they always taste best when you can smell the sea air
Locally produced cheeses (mmmmmm……)
Coddle, colcannon, champ and boxty – can you guess what the common ingredient is?

Places to Eat in Dublin and Cork

Eating out in Dublin or Cork need not be expensive. There are tonnes of special offers around, especially ‘Early Bird’ menus, where you can get three-course meals in great restaurants from €15! Check out the greatest food spots in Ireland for the latest bargains and restaurant reviews.

Staff Favourites

We’ve made lists on website of our favourite places to eat in Dublin and best takeaways that are close to your Celtic Hostel. Here are some of our all-time favourites:

Elephant & Castle, Temple Bar – chicken wings to DIE for
Stoop your Head, Skerries – worth the short trip to this fishing village to eat the freshest fish in Dublin
Kim Chee, Parnell St – umami heaven, so cheap and so tasty
English Market, Cork – good enough for a Queen!

All of our Celtic Hostels have fully equipped self-catering kitchens, so why not be adventurous and try making some traditional Irish dishes yourself, with local ingredients?

Not feeling adventurous? Don’t worry, we have negotiated amazing discounts for our groups with the best local restaurants and we can organise full board and half board packages at amazing rates – just ask!