12 Delicious Foods to Taste in Ireland
Think you know Irish cuisine? Hint: It's more than just fish and chips. In fact, some of the American menu items we consider Irish aren't Irish at all. Food in Ireland is known for being hearty and comforting, often featuring locally sourced ingredients like potatoes, cabbage and kale along with meats and seafood like salmon and lamb. While many foods to try in Ireland are based on simple, wholesome ingredients, Irish cuisine is packed with flavor that can easily be replicated in the kitchen.
So, while you might enjoy corned beef and cabbage come St. Patrick's Day, check out these 12 foods that are truly Irish. Perhaps you'll try one of these recipes at home to hold you over until you visit the Emerald Isle!
1: Irish Stew
Irish stew is a classic food in Ireland, a simple one-pot dish with deep roots in Ireland's culinary history when ingredients were limited to what was locally available. Irish stew became a staple in Irish culture as a practical way for households to make the most of their meats and vegetables. It has adapted throughout the years with numerous variations by region and personal preferences.
This dish is made with root vegetables and either lamb or mutton, potatoes, carrots, onions and parsley. In Ireland, it's sometimes called "ballymaloe." Irish stew became popular in the early 19th century during harsh economic times, since all it took to make was a hanging pot, an open fire and a few easy and inexpensive ingredients. Today, Guinness stout is often an added ingredient for extra depth of flavor!
2: Irish Soda Bread
One of the most popular foods to try in Ireland is Irish soda bread. A bread that doesn't require any yeast, Irish soda bread is instead made with baking soda and buttermilk. In Northern Ireland, it's also called "farl," with the bread cut into slices and baked on a griddle. In Southern Ireland, Irish soda bread is baked in round tins with a cross carved into the top of the loaf. Traditionally, this cross was said to ward off evil spirits and allow the bread to bake evenly.
You can learn a lot from Irish soda bread. Its simplistic preparation shows the resourcefulness of the Irish when they had to endure hard times and rely on locally available ingredients. By swapping yeast for baking soda, creating the bread was much easier. While the basic recipe remains a constant in many Irish households, variations have emerged throughout the years, with ingredients like raisins and dried currants added to create a sweeter rendition.
3: Shepherd’s Pie
The main ingredients in this comfort food are ground lamb cooked in gravy with onions, carrots, celery and a mashed-potato crust on top (and also sometimes on the bottom). In Ireland, shepherd's pie is sometimes called "cottage pie," and was considered a delicacy back when the potato was first introduced to Ireland in 1589 as an affordable piece of produce. Today, it remains a beloved family dish that showcases the simple yet satisfying nature of Irish cooking.
4: Colcannon
Colcannon is a creamy mix of mashed potatoes and cabbage or kale, usually served with bacon, ham or sausage and fried eggs. This dish is traditionally associated with fortune-telling customs, particularly around Halloween. Historically, trinkets were sometimes hidden in the dish, with each item foretelling different aspects of the finder's future — a coin for wealth, a thimble for continued singlehood or a ring for marriage within the year. These playful traditions reflected the communal nature of Irish dining and celebration.
5: Boxty
This dish is typically served at breakfast along with bacon or sausage and eggs and is similar to a potato pancake. It's usually made with grated potatoes, flour, salt, pepper and oil. It can also include onions, butter, milk or cheese. The mixture is then pan fried until golden and crispy. There's even a traditional Irish rhyme about boxty that speaks to its importance in Irish culture: "Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan; if you can't make boxty, you'll never get your plan!" This saying reflects how cooking skills were historically valued in Irish households.
6: Barmbrack
A sweet and "speckled" loaf, this is a bread containing fruit (usually raisins). Traditionally, it was served with afternoon tea as a snack. Each slice of "brack" would be buttered before eating. There are fascinating traditions surrounding barmbrack, particularly at Halloween. One custom involved baking various items into the loaf, with each item symbolizing something different for the person who found it in their slice — a coin might indicate prosperity, a ring could suggest marriage, while a pea might predict travel in the coming year. This playful custom-made sharing barmbrack an entertaining social activity.
7: Dublin Coddle
The a hearty meal is a comforting family dish that's perfect for cool evenings. It's typically made with leftovers, like sausage, bacon, potatoes, onions and vegetables, all added to a pan with a little water and covered to steam and slow boil. It originated in Dublin, hence the name, and was supposedly a favorite of famous Irish figures like Jonathan Swift! Dublin Coddle exemplifies the Irish tradition of creating delicious, filling meals from simple ingredients, making the most of what's available without waste.
8: Irish Scones
On our most popular Ireland learning adventures, you will be immersed in local culture, allowing you to experience Irish food and traditions firsthand. Irish scones are among the top breakfast items you will most likely enjoy on any tour of Ireland. These delightful baked goods are made with key ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, milk and sometimes eggs. These ingredients make a simple base that can easily be modified to infuse flavors like raisins, dried currants and berries.
Scones have been part of Irish baking traditions for centuries, making the perfect pairing for breakfast meals and afternoon tea. The recipe has evolved, with various regions making modifications to their preferences. Regardless of the finished recipe, Irish scones are known for their light, flaky texture and can be paired with clotted cream and jam for a truly indulgent experience.
9: Waterford Blaas
Another one of the top foods from Ireland worth trying is Waterford blaas. Blaas are found in the southeastern town of Waterford, where they were introduced by French Huguenots in the 17th century. Rumor has it that when the French brought their baking traditions to this area, the Irish misunderstood their word for flour (blanc) for blaa, giving birth to the Waterford blaa.
Waterford blaas are made with simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast and salt. They are known for having a distinctive white floury crust. The wide selection you can choose from at Irish pubs and bakeries is what makes them a fan favorite on our Western European tours. Blaas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including sausage and bacon, making them a hearty choice for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
10: Black Pudding
Don't get confused. Black pudding isn't the same type of pudding you would find in America. Instead, black pudding is one of the more interesting foods from Ireland, with a long history in Irish cuisine and variations across Europe in areas like Britain and Germany. Black pudding is also known as blood sausage. It is traditionally made with pork blood, fat, a light filler like oatmeal or barley and a variety of spices. Black pudding became popular in Ireland because it was a dish that allowed families to use all parts of a slaughtered animal, serving as an economical way to provide nutritious food with limited resources.
While black pudding may seem unconventional to visitors, it's a beloved dish that's part of any traditional Irish breakfast. It's often sliced and fried until crispy, making it a hearty and flavorful addition to any meal. Black pudding isn't just reserved for the morning. This savory dish can also be prepared for dinner, pairing well with scallions, fish and tangy foods like cheese and other dairy products.
11: Bacon and Cabbage
Bacon and cabbage rounds out our list of must-try foods in Ireland. As the name suggests, the primary ingredients in this dish are bacon and cabbage. The traditional preparation involves boiling the bacon and serving it with a side of potatoes with cabbage. Bacon and cabbage is a comfort food in many Irish households because it uses locally sourced ingredients with simple preparation methods.
To prepare your bacon and cabbage, boil the bacon until it's tender. Toward the end, add the cabbage and boil until softened. Once complete, drain the water and season with any preferred spices and sides, such as hash browns. This dish represents the straightforward approach to Irish cooking that focuses on quality ingredients rather than complicated techniques.
12: Full Irish Breakfast
No culinary tour of Ireland would be complete without experiencing a full Irish breakfast. This hearty morning meal is designed to sustain you through a day of exploration and typically includes several components: crispy bacon rashers, Irish sausages, black and white pudding, grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, baked beans and eggs cooked to your preference. All this is traditionally served with brown soda bread or toast and strong Irish tea.
The full Irish breakfast originated as a substantial meal for farmers and laborers who needed energy for a long day of physical work. Today, it's a weekend treat for many Irish families and a staple offering at B&Bs and hotels across the country. Regional variations exist, with coastal areas often including seafood elements like smoked salmon. Enjoying a full Irish breakfast is not just about the food — it's about experiencing the Irish tradition of hospitality and taking time to savor a meal with good company.
Experience Irish Cuisine Firsthand
There are numerous famous food choices to explore in Ireland, and embarking on learning adventures in Ireland allows you to savor Irish cuisine while understanding how their history and agricultural practices influence what they eat. At Road Scholar, all of our experiential learning programs in Ireland bring you to popular places across the country where you can try popular food in Ireland like the choices listed here.
Want to discover even more reasons to visit Ireland? Get more information about our Road Scholar Learning Adventures in Ireland.
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