Best Restaurants in Ireland 2026

Full Irish Breakfast

The definitive Irish meal: back bacon rashers, pork sausages, black and white pudding, fried egg, grilled tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, and soda bread toast. A proper fry-up sets you up for a day of exploring.

Where to try: Any cafe or guesthouse across Ireland; Beshoff Bros (Dublin) for excellent versions

Price: €8-14

Irish Stew

A hearty winter dish of lamb, potatoes, carrots, and onions slow-cooked in stock with herbs. The dish reflects Ireland's pastoral heritage and tastes best on a rainy day in a country pub.

Where to try: Traditional pubs and restaurants nationwide; The Old Schoolhouse (Dublin), John B Keane's pub (Listowel, Kerry)

Price: €14-20

Seafood Chowder and Brown Soda Bread

Creamy seafood chowder loaded with fresh Atlantic fish, prawns, and mussels served with thick slices of freshly baked brown soda bread. The definitive Irish coastal lunch experience.

Where to try: Any coastal town; Moran's on the Weir (Galway), The Lobster Pot (Burren), Fish Basket (Dingle)

Price: €10-16

Galway Bay Native Oysters

Ireland's finest oysters, cultivated in the cold, clean waters of Galway Bay. Small, intensely flavoured native oysters (Ostrea edulis) are served au naturel with brown bread and a pint of Guinness.

Where to try: Moran's on the Weir, Clarinbridge; The Quays Bar, Galway; Paddy Burke's Oyster Inn, Clarinbridge during September Festival

Price: €2-3 per oyster, usually ordered by the dozen

Black and White Pudding

Ireland's most distinctive artisan product — black pudding (blood sausage) and white pudding (pork and oatmeal) from Cork's Clonakilty or Sneem are internationally celebrated. Fry gently and serve with eggs.

Where to try: Any butcher, supermarket, or breakfast menu; particularly good at Clonakilty butchers in West Cork

Price: €6-10 at breakfast

Boxty

Traditional Irish potato pancakes made from grated raw potato and mashed potato, cooked on a griddle. Originally from Connacht and Ulster, now found on menus across Ireland in both traditional and contemporary forms.

Where to try: The Boxty House, Temple Bar, Dublin; traditional pubs in Connacht; modern restaurants throughout Ireland

Price: €10-18

Chapter One

Michelin-starred restaurant in the basement of the Dublin Writers Museum serving innovative Irish cuisine with French influences. Chef Ross Lewis creates seasonal tasting menus showcasing the finest Irish ingredients in elegant surroundings.

18-19 Parnell Square North, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 T3V8

The Winding Stair

Iconic Dublin restaurant above a bookshop overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge. Serving traditional Irish fare with modern touches using local, organic ingredients in a charming literary atmosphere with river views.

40 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1, D01 F593

The Boxty House

Temple Bar institution specializing in boxty, traditional Irish potato pancakes with various fillings. Warm atmosphere, friendly service, and authentic Irish comfort food make this a tourist favorite.

20-21 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02 XW08

Temple Bar Food Market

Saturday outdoor market in Meeting House Square offering international street food, fresh produce, and artisan goods. Vibrant atmosphere with food from around the world.

Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

Brother Hubbard

Popular Dublin cafe blending Irish hospitality with Middle Eastern flavors. Excellent brunch, specialty coffee, and innovative menu make this a local favorite worth queuing for.

153 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01 NX14

Patrick Guilbaud

Ireland's only two-Michelin-starred restaurant offering classical French haute cuisine in the Merrion Hotel. Impeccable service, extensive wine list, and refined dishes make this Dublin's most prestigious dining experience.

21 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 KF79

Ard Bia at Nimmos

Bohemian Galway restaurant in a stone building by the River Corrib. Eclectic menu blending Irish ingredients with global flavors, excellent brunch, and lovely riverside setting make it a local favorite.

Spanish Arch, Long Walk, Galway, H91 PN2N

McDonagh's Seafood House

Galway institution since 1902 serving fresh fish and chips alongside sit-down seafood restaurant. Simple, perfectly prepared seafood in no-frills setting beloved by locals and visitors alike.

22 Quay Street, Galway, H91 R2NN

Crepes and Waffles

Belgian-style crepe and waffle vendors at farmer's markets and outdoor events throughout Ireland, often with Irish strawberry, cream, and Nutella combinations. A weekend market staple.

Find it at: Farmer's markets nationwide; Temple Bar Food Market on Saturdays

Fish and Chips

The quintessential Irish takeaway — fresh cod, haddock, or ray from Irish waters battered and fried alongside thick chips. Quality varies hugely; seek out chippers using local fresh fish.

Find it at: Leo Burdock's (Dublin), McDonagh's (Galway), The Fish Basket (Dingle)

Doner Kebab

Late-night staple post-pub throughout Ireland, adapted to Irish tastes with curry chips or garlic sauce. Not traditional but ubiquitous — every Irish town has at least one kebab shop.

Find it at: Abrakebabra and independent kebab shops in all towns

Artisan Burgers and Hot Dogs

Irish artisan beef burgers using local grass-fed beef have become a serious food category, with specialist producers at farmer's markets and street food events in Dublin, Cork, and Galway.

Find it at: Farmer's markets; Dublin Food Co-op; Hatch & Sons, Stephen's Green area

Soda Bread

Freshly baked traditional soda bread — both brown and white — sold at farmers' markets and artisan bakeries. Nothing more Irish than a slice of warm soda bread with Irish butter.

Find it at: Bakeries and farmers' markets nationwide; Bretzel Bakery (Dublin), Arbutus Bakery (Cork)

English Market

Cork's magnificent 1788 covered Victorian food market, a genuine working food market beloved by locals and famous worldwide. Butchers, fishmongers, farmhouse cheese stalls, and tripe sellers surrounded by cafes and delis.

Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-6PM

Temple Bar Food Market

Dublin's most celebrated outdoor food market in Meeting House Square every Saturday, drawing artisan producers from across Ireland. Excellent Irish farmhouse cheese, smoked fish, organic bread, and prepared foods.

Hours: Sat 10AM-4:30PM

Galway Saturday Market

One of Ireland's most atmospheric markets alongside St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church, combining local produce, crafts, street food, and flowers with musicians and a vibrant Latin Quarter backdrop.

Hours: Sat 8AM-6PM

Mahon Point Farmers Market, Cork

Cork's largest and most diverse farmers' market with over 60 stalls of organic produce, artisan bakers, meat, fish, and prepared foods from local producers.

Hours: Thu 9AM-2PM