During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Northern Irish were expelled from the more fertile northern lands by the United Kingdom in a process known as “The Plantation.”
Traditional Irish food: history, typical dishes, and where to try them
Traditional Irish food is an essential part of the country's culture, with dishes that combine history, flavor, and hospitality. I'll tell you how traditional Irish food came to be, which dishes are worth trying, and where to find them. You'll discover interesting stories, practical tips, and delicious options for eating well during your trip.
👇 Here's what this guide includes:
In this guide you will discover:
✅ History of Irish Gastronomy
✅ Main dishes of Irish origin
✅ Recommendations
🌿 This guide was designed to accompany you on your tour of Dublin. It includes dishes you'll see on menus, tips for recognizing authentic food, and recommendations for enjoying local cuisine without overpaying.
What is considered traditional food in Ireland?
Traditional Irish food is based on local products such as potatoes, lamb or pork, butter, oats, seasonal vegetables, seafood, and fish. Its origins are peasant-style, with dishes designed to be nutritious, hearty, and easy to prepare as a family. In coastal areas, the consumption of fish and shellfish was also key to the local diet. Pubs play a fundamental role, as many operate as restaurants and offer homemade versions of typical recipes.
A bit of gastronomic history
Dishes usually considered traditional Irish food
Below you'll find some of the most representative dishes of Irish cuisine. This selection combines traditional recipes that are still popular with other popular options in pubs and restaurants. Some have centuries of history, others have been reinvented over time, but all reflect the spirit of the local cuisine.
Irish Stew
Stew made with lamb, potatoes, onion, and parsley. Carrots, thyme, or chives are sometimes added. It is considered Ireland's national dish and is even featured in international culinary guides.
How to make traditional Irish Stew, explained by the chef at 'Boxty' in Temple Bar
🥔Potato-based dishes
Boxty
Classic dish considered traditional Irish food.
“Boxty is a type of potato cake originating in Irish cuisine. The dish is geographically associated with eastern Connacht and northern Ulster, particularly with counties Leitrim, Donegal, and Cavan.It is traditionally served on Halloween, the eve of All Saints' Day, as a kind of bread. Wikipedia
There are various recipes, but they all have in common the finely grated and fried potato. The most popular version of this dish consists of raw potatoes blended with wheat flour, yeast, buttermilk, and sometimes egg.
Its texture is tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. It's a very traditional dish in rural Ireland and is often served as a side dish or main course.
It is also the name of a great local restaurant called Gallaghers Boxty House“
A super easy preparation to make at home!
Colcannon
Mashed potatoes with cabbage (or kale), butter, salt, pepper, and chives. It's served as a side dish, sometimes with a well of melted butter in the center.
Chef Billy Parisi explains how to make homemade colcannon.
🐟 Fish-based dishes
Fish and chips
A popular dish consisting of battered, fried fish (usually cod or hake) served with thick potatoes. Although it originated in England, it quickly spread to Ireland and is now considered part of traditional Irish cuisine. It's common in pubs and restaurants throughout the country. It's usually served with tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and sometimes peas.
Renowned Gary Eats, giving a great critical review of Dublin's oldest chipper.
Irish Seafood Chowder
Creamy white fish soup (such as haddock or salmon) with potatoes, onion, celery, carrots, and herbs. It started as a humble dish and is now a favorite.
Chef Nial Sabongi, owner of Dublin's Seafood Café, explains how to make a delicious Irish Seafood Chowder.
🍽️ Irish Breakfast
Irish Breakfast
Irish breakfast is undoubtedly part of the repertoire of traditional Irish cuisine. Prepared with sausages, bacon, potatoes, and onions, cooked over low heat.
Chef Neven Maguire teaches us how to prepare a complete Irish breakfast.
Soda Bread
Homemade unleavened bread that has the unique characteristic of being prepared with baking soda. It's usually served with butter for breakfast or with soups.
Black & White pudding:
Cooked sausages made with oats, pork blood or fat, typical of the Irish breakfast.
🥘Other traditional dishes
Irish Beef Steak
The country's beef is renowned for its quality, sourced from grass-fed cattle. It is commonly served in thick, medium-rare cuts, with sides such as potatoes or vegetables. In Ireland, it is customary to age beef for several days to enhance its flavor and texture, a practice less common in other regions of the world.
Bacon and Cabbage
Slices of boiled bacon with cabbage and potatoes. Smoked bacon is sometimes used. It is served with broth from the boil.
Simple explanation for making a traditional Bacon and Cabbage
Coddle
A quintessential traditional Irish dish! Prepared with sausages, bacon, potatoes, and onions, simmered over low heat.
Learn how to make the "Dublin Coddle" at home!
🍰 Traditional desserts
For those with a sweet tooth, we also have some options that are part of what is considered traditional Irish food.
Apple Crumble
Baked apple with a crispy topping, served warm with cream or ice cream.
Bread and Butter Pudding:
Moist dessert of bread, butter, raisins and cream, baked slowly.
Barmbrack
Sweet fruit bread, typical of Halloween. In ancient times, objects were hidden inside as omens.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Date cake with caramel sauce. Also very common in Ireland.
This is my favorite!
Recommended tours
Frequently asked questions about food in Ireland
❓ What is the most typical dish of Ireland?
He Irish stew (Irish stew) is considered the most representative dish, although other dishes include boxty, he bacon and cabbage and the Irish breakfast.
❓How spicy is Irish food?
In general, it's not spicyThe flavors are mild and comforting. Not many strong spices are used.
❓ Are there vegetarian options in traditional cuisine?
Yes, although many typical dishes include meat, More and more pubs and restaurants are offering vegetarian versions., such as soups, homemade breads, colcannon or dishes with mushrooms and seasonal vegetables.
❓Is it safe to drink tap water in Ireland?
Yeah, Tap water is drinkable, yesSafe and free throughout Ireland. Even in pubs and restaurants, it's common to ask for a free glass of water.
❓ What are the typical lunch and dinner times?
Lunch is usually served between 12:00 and 14:00, and dinner from 5:00 PM or 6:00 PMMany pubs close their kitchens early (8:00–9:00 PM).
❓What traditional desserts are there in Ireland?
Some of the most common are: apple crumble, he bread & butter pudding, he barmbrack and the sticky toffee pudding.
❓What is the difference between Irish and English breakfast?
They are similar, but the Irish breakfast usually includes black & white pudding (blood sausage), soda bread and sometimes mushrooms or hash browns.
❓Are tips allowed in restaurants?
It is not mandatory, but if the service was good, It is usually left between 10% and 15%In pubs, tipping is not always expected, although it is welcome.
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Leandro Velasques
Founder of Holairlanda.com
Passionate about Ireland, I travel, take photos, and share everything on Holairlanda.com
📌 Lives in Dublin
💻 Amateur web designer