A perfect blend of tradition and modernity, Irish cuisine is renowned for being comforting and warm. Discover all the typical dishes to try during a trip to Irlande. And to satisfy everyone, we've organized the culinary specialties by your preferences: meat-based, seafood, vegetarian options, and sweet treats...

Irish Meat-Based Culinary Specialties

Irish Stew

Irish stew is considered the national dish of Irlande. It is a lamb stew accompanied by vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions) and seasoned with parsley and a sauce made with Guinness and butter. It is the traditional dish enjoyed during Saint Patrick's Day celebrations. Throughout the rest of the year, it can be found in most Irish pubs.

Bacon and Cabbage

Here is an Irish dish that is as simple as it is delicious. As its name suggests, Bacon and Cabbage is a dish made with cabbage and bacon (sometimes with potatoes). This comforting dish is particularly appreciated in winter but can be enjoyed at any time of year in Irish pubs and restaurants.

Black Pudding

Often compared to French blood sausage, black pudding (also called "Drisheen"), is made of meat, blood, kidney fat, sweet potato, barley, oatmeal and bread. Black pudding is consumed by millions of Irish people at breakfast, as part of the traditional "Irish breakfast."

Guinness Pie

An iconic symbol of Irlande, Guinness is often used in the preparation of many Irish dishes. This is the case with Guinness pie. It generally consists of a beef stew cooked in beer and enclosed in ultra-crispy puff pastry. Once again, it is a convivial dish that you will easily find in all the pubs across the country.

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie is an Irish specialty that resembles our shepherd's pie. Indeed, it is a gratin made up of lamb, potatoes, peas and carrots. It is a complete meal that is generally eaten with a salad. Note that there are some variations including cottage pie, in which lamb is replaced with beef.

Coddle

Coddle is an Irish specialty found mainly in Dublin and in the eastern region of the country. It is a dish based on potatoes (again and again), sausages or bacon and onions. Everything is cooked as a stew in chicken broth. It is a rich and hearty dish served both in Irish homes and in pubs.

Irish Seafood Culinary Specialties

Smoked Salmon with Guinness

If you enjoy fresh fish, be sure not to miss smoked salmon with Guinness. It is said that salmon is the finest fish in Irlande. It is enjoyed with bread and coleslaw.

Good to know: many fish and shellfish are prepared with the Irish national beer. By way of examples, you can enjoy oysters with Guinness or mussels with Guinness.

Seafood Chowder

Seafood chowder is a typical Irish fish and seafood soup. This creamy soup is prepared according to the catch of the day. Most often, it is cooked with salmon, cod or haddock. In addition to the fish, vegetables are added (potatoes, tomatoes, celery, carrots...). This is THE dish to taste when staying on the Irish coast.

Dublin Lawyer

For those fond of gourmet cuisine, do not overlook the Dublin lawyer. This great classic of Irish gastronomy is a dish originating from Dublin. It is a lobster cooked in a whiskey-based sauce and served with rice or pasta.

Irish Vegetarian Culinary Specialties

Colcannon

Colcannon is a typical Irish specialty appreciated for its simplicity and affordable price. This nourishing meal consists of a thick mashed potato cooked with cabbage, butter, milk and onions. Heads-up for vegetarians: some variations sometimes include ham or bacon.

Boxty

A traditional dish dating back several centuries, boxty is a kind of fried potato pancake. Similar to rösti, this potato pancake can be filled with many toppings: bacon, sausages, smoked salmon. For vegetarians, it can be enjoyed plain or filled with red onions, sour cream or cheddar cheese!

Coleslaw

Although it is a dish originating from the United States, coleslaw is highly prized by the Irish. You will find it everywhere to accompany many dishes. As a reminder, it is a salad of carrots and cabbage seasoned with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and lemon.

Irish Sweet Treats

Irish Apple Cake

Irish apple cake is a great classic of Irish cakes. It is a fluffy cake made with apples, nuts and cinnamon. Locals enjoy it both at breakfast, as a dessert or as a sweet treat to go with tea. For even more indulgence, it is sometimes topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Guinness Pudding and Chocolate Guinness Cake

In Irlande, beer is not just in glasses, it is also in dishes and even desserts! Guinness pudding is a creamy preparation made from Guinness, egg yolks, sugar and cream.

As for chocolate Guinness cake, it is, as its name suggests, a chocolate and beer cake. It is made in many Irish homes for special occasions (birthday, Saint Patrick's Day...) and can take the form of a large cake or mini-cupcakes.

Scones and Cream Scones

Although they originated in Scotland, scones have been adopted by the Irish for centuries. These small cakes are enjoyed plain. They are sometimes enhanced with raisins or served with cream, honey or jam. These little pastries are often dunked in tea or coffee.

There is also a variation of traditional scones: cream scones. Made with cream and milk, they are softer.

All that is left for us to do is wish you excellent tastings!