Do you have an upcoming trip to Dublin and wondering what the best foods in Dublin are that you need to try? You’ve come to the right place.
The Irish capital is famed for its diverse culinary scene influenced by a range of cultures that have made their way to the city’s shores and left their footprint. And let’s just say the people of Dublin aren’t complaining.
You’ll find that almost all traditional Irish dishes are served in Dublin. All of which are crafted with fresh local ingredients grown by farmers in the suburbs and throughout the country.
Ireland is well known across the globe for its agricultural sector, so you’re guaranteed some of the finest dishes wherever you go.
In this article, you’ll find a detailed list of the foods you should eat while you’re in Dublin, from well-known plates to secret specials you’ve never even heard of.
Are you exploring more of Ireland? Don’t miss out on our guide to all of the best places to visit in Ireland.
Food Tours in Dublin
If you want to sample the best food in Dublin, you should consider taking a food tour.
Explore the city with a knowledgeable local guide who is passionate about their city and its food culture. These are our top picks for exploring the foodie side of Dublin.
- Delicious Walking Food Tour: This tour will explore the food history of Dublin and Ireland as a whole. You’ll sample both food and drink from around Dublin while walking through the different neighborhoods of the city. The tour lasts three hours. Book a spot here.
- Locally Guided Walking Food Tour: This food tour will take you to five different locations around the city where you will sample savory and sweet dishes and learn all about their history here in Dublin. You’ll escape the tourist spots on this tour and head to places only locals know about. Book that tour here.
- Local Food Tour: Explore unique places around Dublin on this 3-hour food tour. You’ll make a total of 8 stops, sampling food and drinks from locally-owned places that are preserving Irish food culture. Book onto this local food tour here.
What Foods to Eat in Dublin
Here you’ll be able to see the main foods to try in the Irish capital, including starters, main courses, and sweet treats.
1. Irish Soda Bread
Served alongside pretty much anything and everything you order out in a restaurant, Irish soda bread has long been a side snack to complement some of the most famous dishes that have come out of the country.
No home in Dublin is complete without a batch of soda bread.
The recipe for Irish soda bread varies depending on the person that bakes it, but the usual one includes white flour mix, brown bread mix, baking soda, salt, egg, butter, and a drop of milk.
Once it’s all mixed it together, it will be thrown into the oven for 45 minutes, and the end result is simply heaven.
You can choose from various topping options, including butter, jam, marmalade, cream cheese, or whatever else you want. Don’t feel pressured to do so; a lot of people eat it plain and still thoroughly enjoy it.
Best food to try in Dublin.
2. Leek And Potato Soup
Nothing will warn you up more after being drenched by the Dublin rain quite like a bowl of leek and potato soup.
Often served as a starter, particularly on many pub grub menus in traditional Irish restaurants, you could be served this with some Irish soda bread, as we’ve mentioned above.
If you’re a vegetarian, leek and potato soup will be right up your alleyway. It’s made with butter, potatoes, onions, sliced leeks, vegetable stock, whipped cream, and some milk.
Sometimes it will be served with chicken, so make sure you mention to the server if you want it as a vegetarian version.
3. Irish Breakfast
An Irish Breakfast is as hearty as it gets when it comes to food in Dublin. The idea behind this feast came from filling up farm workers after a long day’s work, and it’s now more popular than ever.
Whether you’re at a restaurant in a hotel or attending a cooking class, it will be on the menu in some shape or form.
So, what makes an Irish breakfast? Well, the recipe varies on the chef, and there are quite a few takes on the dish, but the typical recipe includes rashers (bacon), sausages, fried eggs, beans, hash browns, tomatoes, white pudding, black pudding, mushrooms and a good old cup of Barry’s tea.
Bear in mind that sometimes an Irish breakfast won’t be served with all of the above, but a lot of restaurants will give you to add extras if you wish.
People from Dublin don’t call an Irish breakfast by its name; they usually refer to it as a fry-up, so if you see that on the menu, it means the same thing.
A fry-up Dulbin-style.
4. Boxty
Often chosen as an alternative to the Irish breakfast, boxty is just another typical example of what Dublinners can craft out of a potato.
This dish is a potato-based pancake made from mashed potatoes; it’s actually quite similar to a hash brown, only some would argue it’s much nicer, but we’ll let you be the judge of that when you arrive.
If you order boxty out at a restaurant, you’ll usually be given the option to have it served with either eggs or salad; some places will give you both, while others may make you pay for both as an add-on.
One of the best restaurants in Temple Bar, “Gallaghers Boxty House,” serves some of the best of the famous dish in all of the city center. You have to try it when you’re there.
5. Colcannon
Do you like mashed potatoes? Well, you’re going to love Colcannon. This dish is simply mashed potatoes but with some added ingredients that are sure to make the flavors explode in your mouth.
Whenever a mother from Dublin can’t decide what to make as a side to complement a slice of meat, she usually goes with Colcannon; it’s a good old reliable that most people like.
A bowl of Colcannon is typically made up of mashed potatoes, butter, scallions, and cabbage. You’ll notice it straight away from its light green color. It may not look too appealing, but wow, it tastes amazing.
There are lots of great restaurants to explore in Dublin.
6. Barmbrack
Often eaten around Halloween time, Barmbrack is a popular baked goodie that holds a tradition in many Dubs’ hearts.
During the Halloween season, this sweet bread with raisins is baked, but in the mix will be a ring. Whoever gets the piece of bread with the ring will receive good luck in the future.
Barambrack, sometimes referred to as “Brack”, is mainly sold in the month of October in Dublin, but some bakeries will sell it all year round.
Although it would be hard to find one that sells the treat with the ring inside of it regardless of the time of year. This is mainly because of safety reasons, they don’t want to be liable for someone choking on a ring.
7. A Dublin Coddle
Oh, coddle, Dublin’s most famous dish made with sausage, potatoes, onions, and chicken/vegetable stock. This dish isn’t for everyone; the look of it would turn some people off alone, but if you can put it past you, let’s just say you’re in for a treat.
There’s been a huge debate over the years as to what color coddle should be; some will argue white, others will argue brown, but the only difference is what type of stock is used, and they both taste pretty much the same as each other.
Getting your hands on some coddle in Dublin can be tricky because a lot of places don’t sell it as it’s more of a home-cooked meal. Thankfully, in and around the Temple Bar area, you’ll be able to find it as the eateries there cater to the tourists who fancy trying the Dublin City specialty.
Explore the many side streets to find great restaurants and bars in Dublin.
8. Irish Stew
As you’re probably starting to notice a trend with these recipes, everything has potatoes in it, and an Irish stew is no different. There’s nothing more heartwarming than a nice bowl of Irish stew in the evening.
Comprising of potatoes, carrots, garlic, herbs, beef stock, and some root vegetables, a bowl of Irish stew will put a smile on anyone’s face. To enjoy stew the way the dubs do, you should order a side of Brennan’s bread and use it to soak up all the sauce left in your bowl. If the restaurant you’re eating at doesn’t serve any, soda bread is equally as enjoyable.
9. Shepherd’s Pie
A list of foods to try in Dublin wouldn’t be complete without mentioning shepherd’s pie. Often made with the leftovers from a larger feast like a Sunday dinner, Shepherd’s Pie has been a staple of Irish culture.
The standard way to make Shepard’s pie is by adding layers of Irish beef, carrots, and peas and topping it off with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. It’s then put into the oven to crisp and served in squares, similar to lasagne.
Some chefs will opt to put cheese on top of Shepard’s Pie, so if you’re not a fan of cheese, be sure to ask the server for none to cover yourself.
Guinness counts as food, right?
10. Black And White Pudding
Black and white pudding often comes with an Irish breakfast when you order it somewhere. Before you get confused, let me say that this isn’t a dessert; it’s a type of Oatmeal sausage made with cereal grain and animal fat.
The only difference between black and white pudding is that black pudding is made with pigs’ blood. It may sound disgusting, but it tastes unbelievably good.
If you want to try some black or white pudding, you’ll have to head out for breakfast somewhere in the city because that’s the only time it’s sold.
A little tip for anyone traveling on a tight budget, as we all know how expensive Dublin is, go to one of the delicatessens in the city; they serve black and white pudding crispy rolls as well as Irish breakfast-styled rolls too. You can ask for whatever filling you like; they’ll make it for you once they have the products.