13 Irish Delights: Inspiring your foodie adventure in the Emerald Isle.

Are you planning a trip to Ireland and curious about the delightful flavors of traditional Irish cuisine? Wondering if there's more to it than the stereotypical meat and potatoes?

While St. Patrick's Day in the States often brings to mind a hearty crockpot of corned beef and cabbage, many of us remain unfamiliar with the diverse culinary landscape of Ireland. I, too, was once in the dark about Irish food... until our family embarked on a culinary journey across Ireland.

Beyond the beloved corned beef and cabbage (which I adore and could eat almost every day), we discovered a rich tapestry of Irish snacks, meals, and desserts that tickled our taste buds. From upscale dining experiences in Dublin to everyday fare, even the delightful realm of Irish cookies and desserts, we unraveled the wonders of Ireland's culinary offerings.

!BONUS: For the best Italian food in Kilkenny made with fresh local Irish ingredients, check out Ristorante Rinuccini: A Must-Visit For Foodies In Kilkenny

What is Irish food?

Before we look at the top things to eat when visiting Ireland with kids, let’s look at Irish cuisine.

Predominantly, Irish food is influenced by Britain.

Also, much of what makes up the core part of Irish cuisine grows on the land. Or it is caught from the Atlantic Sea.

In a nutshell, Ireland raises and harnesses an abundance of its meat, seafood, fish, wheat, potatoes, and grains.

You will find dishes like bangers and mash, fish and chips, spinach salad with beets and goat cheese, brown bread, or local cheese across menus in Ireland.

It can feel like eating at a Farmer’s Market every day. A foodie dream come true, right?

FUN FACT: In the late 16th and early 17th century, the Tudor conquest of Ireland impacted Irish cuisine. A new system of grain-based agriculture was developed, and a large portion of the land was made into grain production.

Top-produced foods in Ireland

To take it an inch further, here is a list of foods that are grown and produced in Ireland to satisfy your curiosity.

Cow milk
Beef
Pork
Potatoes
Oats
Chicken
Mushrooms
Cabbages
Rapeseed
Sheep meat

What is Ireland’s most famous food?

When it comes to Ireland's culinary world, expect a celebration of hearty flavors and locally sourced ingredients. From comforting stews and traditional Irish breakfasts to succulent mutton, root vegetables, Irish shepherd pie, seafood, soda bread, butter, and a tempting selection of cheeses, Ireland's culinary offerings have become renowned for foodies who love comforting delights.

Iconic dishes like fish and chips and Irish boxty only contribute to the country's gastronomic fame.

Furthermore, Ireland's culinary scene is rapidly earning recognition as an emerging foodie destination, making its mark on the list of must-visit places for food enthusiasts.

13 Irish foods to eat when you visit Ireland

!BONUS: Love fine dining? Check out Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud Review: Culinary Delight In Dublin

01 | PORRIDGE (OATMEAL)

Oatmeal at Mount Juliet Estate in Ireland. — *Oatmeal at* *Mount Juliet Estate* *in Ireland.*

It’s the heartiest of all grains, and oatmeal tastes different in Ireland.

In Ireland, they call oatmeal porridge.
It’s rich, creamy, and textured.
Some of the best oats are grown in County Kilkare, where I first tasted porridge.
The moist, temperate climate hosts ideal growing conditions for this magical grain. The pure water and rich soil amp up the nutritional value as well.
A great option for toddlers learning how to eat.

02 | OATMEAL COOKIES

Oatmeal cookies at cafe in Cork, food in Ireland — *Oatmeal cookies from* *The Natural Food Bakery* *in Cork, Ireland.*

Crisp and crunchy as ever, you’ll find that oatmeal cookies are as prevalent in Ireland as chocolate chip cookies are in the States. The main difference is that oatmeal contains way more nutrition and function as a healthy snack.

Soldiers would take them into battle because they gave such an energy boost. Eat an oatmeal cookie, and go to war.

Pack oatmeal cookies as a kiddo snack during your travels in Ireland.
Oatmeal cookies also make a great gift for friends or family.

03 | MASHED POTATOES

Mom and daughter eating mashed potatoes at Kilkea Castle Ireland — *Creamy truffle mash at* *Kilkea Castle* *in Ireland.*

Indulge yourself in Ireland and try truffle mashed potatoes. Kids will love the creamy texture and flavor. Mashed potatoes are not only one of Ireland’s national foods, they taste better in Ireland…

Once the mash hits your mouth, you’ll taste a subtle earthiness, adding an unexpected “oomph” to Ireland’s staple.
A highly nutritious dessert too.

04 | IRISH BROWN BREAD

Brown bread at Hayfield Manor in Cork — *Brown bread served at* *Hayfield Manor* *in Cork, Ireland.*

Arguably the most delicious and understated food in Ireland is brown bread.

You'll find brown bread in almost every home and on menus across the island.

It is made with whole wheat and white flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. Did you hear that? Buttermilk!
The bread has a deep flavor due to the type of wheat flour used to make it.

05 | SEAFOOD

*Mussels with garlic sauce in Howth, Ireland.*

It would be sac religious to avoid seafood in Ireland. And it can’t only be fish and chips.

Try fresh fish, scallops, oysters, crab, mussels etc.
In the county, Kildare Restaurant 1180 at Kilkea Castle, my daughter and I tried scallops with little slices of apple on top.
Mussels are one of my daughters favorite foods which she devoured in Howth.

06 | IRISH FISH AND CHIPS

*Fish and chips at Hermione’s Restaurant* *Kilkea Castle Hotel.*

In addition to fresh fish, you will find fish and chips almost everywhere and are absolutely a must-try food in Ireland when you visit.

Here you can see my daughter fine dining over a freshly fried fillet at Hermione's Restaurant at the Clubhouse at Kilkea Castle.

07 | FRESH LOCAL CHEESE

*Cheese vendor inside the* *English Market* *in Cork, Ireland.*

Due to its temperate climate and grass-growing ability, plus its long tradition of dairying, Ireland is one of the foremost milk producers in the world.

You must try local cheese in Ireland.
We tried Coolea when we visited the English Market in Cork. Sweet, mild, and buttery.

Here are some other local cheeses to keep an eye out for:

08 | TRADITIONAL IRISH BREAKFAST

Irish Breakfast in-room dining at Kilkea Castle Hotel. — *Irish Breakfast in-room dining at* *Kilkea Castle Hotel.*

Nothing tastes as hearty as an Irish Breakfast, a dish that you can find on almost every menu in Ireland.

An Irish Breakfast comes with sausage, eggs, potatoes, beans, soda bread, tomatoes, mushrooms, and white or black pudding.
Unlike American bacon, which is thin and crisp, the bacon in an Irish Breakfast is more like ham.
Black pudding coagulates the pig’s blood into sausage form, and you get this soft bread-like nugget.

09 | MURPHY’S ICE CREAM

Toddler with Murphy’s Ice Cream inside Kildare Village. — *Toddler with Murphy’s Ice Cream inside* *Kildare Village.*

What’s so special about Murphy’s Ice Cream?

Handmade in Dingle, it is delicious.
Murphy’s ice cream is made with quality ingredients.
Their flavors are unique to Ireland, taking on blends like chocolate whisky, honeycomb caramel, Irish brown bread, and butterscotch to name a new.

10 | IRISH BANGERS AND MASH

Bangers and mash at McDaid’s Pub on Balfe Street in Dublin. — *Bangers and Mash at* *McDaid’s Pub* *on Balfe Street in Dublin.*

Bangers and mash make my list of all-time favorite dishes to eat. Even outside of Ireland.
It is the perfect dish to warm you up from the cold.

11 |IRISH SOUPS

Toddler eating soup at Hayfield Manor in Cork — *Soup at Hayfield Manor in Cork*

Every restaurant menu in Ireland features a soup. From potato leek or lentil to an earthy tomato, you can expect to see an array of traditional Irish soups when you visit the Emerald Isle.

Also, soup is an easy way to feed your kids veggies!

Luckily when you travel to Ireland with kids, you will find no lack of vegetable soups.

12 | SMOKED SALMON