Irish cuisine.
Start with a taste.

WHAT TO EAT

Local dishes, explained.

These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Irish stew

A slow-cooked meat-and-vegetable dish; recipes and meat vary.

Planning estimate: €16–25

Where to look: Traditional Irish pubs serving food

Find Irish stew in Dublin ↗Find Irish stew in Galway ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Seafood chowder

Creamy fish or seafood soup, often served with brown bread.

Planning estimate: €10–17

Where to look: Seafood cafés and Irish restaurants

Find Seafood chowder in Dublin ↗Find Seafood chowder in Galway ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Soda bread

Bread raised with bicarbonate, served with breakfast or soup.

Planning estimate: €3–6 for a portion

Where to look: Bakeries and cafés

Find Soda bread in Dublin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Boxty

Potato-based pancake associated with Irish cooking.

Planning estimate: €14–24

Where to look: Irish-speciality restaurants

Find Boxty in Dublin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Irish beef

Compare lunch sandwiches with more expensive steak dinners.

Planning estimate: €15–30 for casual lunch

Where to look: Featherblade

Find Irish beef in Dublin ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Fish and chips

Freshly fried fish with chips, eaten in or taken away.

Planning estimate: €13–20

Where to look: McDonagh’s, Quay Street

Find Fish and chips in Galway ↗Find Fish and chips in Cork ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Oysters

Order by the piece or portion; ask for origin and current price.

Planning estimate: €15–30 for a small plate

Where to look: Galway seafood restaurants

Find Oysters in Galway ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Brown soda bread

A common companion to soups and breakfast.

Planning estimate: €3–6 per portion

Where to look: Bakeries and cafés

Find Brown soda bread in Galway ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Irish seasonal cooking

Local produce and seafood interpreted in contemporary menus.

Planning estimate: €25–50 for a meal

Where to look: Ard Bia at Nimmos

Find Irish seasonal cooking in Galway ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Chowder

A seafood soup, often creamy; check shellfish and dairy ingredients.

Editorial planning allowance: €9–15; verify current menu.

Where to look: Quinlan’s Seafood Bar

Find Chowder in Cork ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Spiced beef

A Cork-associated cured beef speciality, often bought from market butchers.

Editorial planning allowance: €6–12 for a sandwich-sized lunch; verify current menu.

Where to look: English Market traders

Find Spiced beef in Cork ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Soda bread and local cheese

An easy picnic combination; buy only what you can keep chilled.

Editorial planning allowance: €6–12; verify current menu.

Where to look: English Market

Find Soda bread and local cheese in Cork ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Seasonal Irish main

Choose a fish, meat or vegetable main using local produce.

Editorial planning allowance: €22–36; verify current menu.

Where to look: Market Lane or Jacobs on the Mall

Find Seasonal Irish main in Cork ↗

GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE

Find restaurants by city.

Different places. Different flavours.

Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.

Plan your food budget.

Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.