FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS, folks, and allow DailyEdge.ie to take you on a food road trip of Ireland.
How many of these have you tried?
Antrim: Dulse from Ballycastle, Co Antrim
On the last Monday and Tuesday of every August, Ballycastle is host to the Auld Lammas Fair, where traders sell the local delicacy dulse (or dried seaweed). It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but you’ll have to give it a go.
Armagh: The mixed grill at Wee Paddy’s, Lurgan
It may not look too inviting from the outside, but for comfort food in Lurgan, you can’t beat Wee Paddy’s.
Carlow: Coffee and a pastry from Carlow Coffee Co, Carlow town
OK, so this isn’t a ‘dish’, per se - but coffee lovers NEED to try a cup of what has been called the ‘best coffee in Ireland‘.
Cavan: The tasting menu at MacNean House, Blacklion
McNean House is the restaurant of celebrity chef Neven Maguire – the nine course tasting menu is a serious (and pricey) meal, with scallops, lamb, and duck breast all on offer. Treat yourself.
Clare: Afternoon tea at the Craggy Island Parochial House, Kilnaboy
Yes, THAT parochial house. Visitors who book in advance can enjoy afternoon tea with freshly-baked scones and desserts, and get the inside story of the house’s involvement with Father Ted.
Cork: A King Creole pitta from KCs, Douglas Village
Beautiful cajun chicken with mayonnaise, lettuce and chips, all in a hot pitta pocket. Nom.
Donegal: A carvery from the Silver Tassie, Letterkenny
The carvery at this popular hotel is ALWAYS packed out, but if you’re in the area, to miss it would be a crime. Get a bottle of McDaid’s Football Special to go with it if you want the full Donegal experience.
Down: Crab claws from Mourne Seafood Bar, Dundrum
The waters surrounding Co Down are famous for their shellfish, so you have no excuse. Eat up.
Derry: A turnover from City Home Bakery, Derry City
Not turnovers as you would normally have them, but wafer-like pastry filled with jam and icing. A traditional Derry treat.
Dublin: Coddle from Matt the Rashers, Crumlin
There are lots of very fancy places to eat in Dublin, we’ll give you that. But if you want a real Dublin dish, you have to try coddle – and Matt the Rashers is your man.
Fermanagh: A scone and tea from from The Jolly Sandwich, Enniskillen
This cheery café serves up the most creative scones we’ve ever seen – flavours range from peach to raspberry and white chocolate. Amazing.
Galway: The wine and cheese board from Sheridan’s, Galway City
Feeling fancy in Galway? Get yourself some wine and cheese in Sheridan’s and enjoy the lovely view of St Nicholas’s Square.
Kerry: Fresh salmon sandwiches from Teddy O’Sullivan, Killmackillogue Harbour, Kenmare
Situated against the stunning backdrop of Kilmackillogue Harbour, Teddy’s is a true Irish pub. Sit outside with a pint and a salmon sandwich, and soak up the atmosphere.
Kildare: Sausages from Nolan’s Butchers, Kilcullen
We love a good soss, and Nolan’s are award-winning. Run, don’t walk.
Kilkenny: Vol-au-vents at Kyteler’s Inn, Kilkenny city
This pub is famed for its traditional, no-nonsense food, and the chicken and ham vol-au-vents are a customer favourite. While you’re there, take in the Inn’s fascinating history – the original owner, Dame Alice Kyteler, once escaped being burned as a witch.
Laois: Lamb shank at Season’s Bistro, Portlaoise
Season’s is widely considered the best restaurant in Portlaoise, and the lamb shank one of their signature dishes. Don’t miss out.
Leitrim: Boxty from McNiffe’s Bakery, Ballinamore
If you get a taste for McNiffe’s boxty in Co Leitrim, never fear – it’s stocked in supermarkets all around Ireland. Phew.
Limerick: A battered sausage from Donkey Ford’s, Limerick City
The quintessential Limerick chipper, Donkey Ford’s battered sausages are the only choice for hungover city-dwellers.
Longford: A steak sandwich from The Aubergine, Longford town
This popular Longford haunt regularly has a waiting list on Saturday nights – but you won’t want to miss their steak sandwich. Yum.
Louth: Oysters at PJ O’Hare’s, Carlingford
Carlingford oysters are famed across the country, and where better to sample them than in Carlingford itself? At PJ O’Hares, the oysters are so popular they often run out, so get ahead of the pack.
Mayo: The Drunken Bullock at Belleek Castle, Ballina
The hotel’s speciality dish consists of a fillet of beef, flambéed at your table on a 15th century Spanish Armada conquistador sword. Just your standard steak, like.
Meath: A steak from The Snailbox, Kilmoon
This quirky pub and restaurant comes highly recommended from locals, and the steak is to die for. Get in.
Monaghan: Pizza Hot from Pizza D O’r, Monaghan town
Spice fans – the Pizza Hot features spicy pepperoni, salami, a special hot sauce, and peppers. Go and burn your mouth off.
Pizza D O’r also do RIDICULOUS personalised birthday pizzas like the one seen above. Art.
Offaly: The chocolate fondant at Spinners, Birr
Here at DailyEdge.ie we believe that if a dessert doesn’t have chocolate, it’s not really a dessert. Luckily, the chocolate fondant at Spinner’s fits the bill perfectlt. Get in our bellies.
Roscommon: Lamb stew at Gleeson’s Townhouse, Roscommon town
Lamb is the signature dish of the whole county – so why not try lamb stew at the picturesque Gleeson’s Townhouse?
Sligo: Smashed avocado on toast at the Sweet Beat Café, Sligo town
Sligo has its very own raw food café now, if you don’t mind, and it’s the place to go for brunch in the town. If you’re after your avocado fix, get it here.
Tipperary: A slice of brack from Hickey’s Bakery & Café, Clonmel
Established in the 1900s, Hickey’s is part of the furniture in Clonmel – and their brack recipe has been passed down through four generations of the Hickey family. It’d be rude not to try it.
Tyrone: A cheesesteak from Philly’s Phinest, Omagh
Head chef Beth brought the cheesesteak with her from Philadelphia to Omagh, and she reckons there’s no finer one in Ireland. Cheesy, meaty, carby goodness.
Waterford: Fish and chips from Dooly’s, Tramore
We could have just said “go get a blaa” but we want to introduce you to other Waterfordian delights – and nothing beats Dooly’s.
Westmeath: A hot chicken baguette and a pint from Grogan’s, Glasson
It may look unassuming from the outside, but Grogan’s is a one-stop-shop for food and pints in the Glasson/Athlone area. Call in for a feed.
Wexford: A rissole from Cafolla’s, Wexford
These curious delicacies are pretty much only to be found in Wexford – they’re a combination of potatoes, onions, herbs, and batter or breadcrumbs (think of the last part as similar to the ‘Plain or spicy?’ question for chicken fillet rolls).
Also available at the Premier, Cafolla’s rival chipper.
Wicklow: Sweet potato falafel cakes at The Happy Pear, Greystones
This veggie haven is a Greystones favourite, so you have NO excuse not to pop in. We’re telling you.
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