A reader from overseas mailed us to say that she’s visiting Dublin with her kids in May and wants to know the best places to get traditional Irish food. I have to be honest and say I was a little stumped: I can tell her what the traditional foods are, but wasn’t sure where the best places are to get them, as I rarely go for traditional Irish food when eating out.
I know lots of places around Temple Bar serve ‘traditional’ food, but avoiding Temple Bar is a wise move unless you’re seeking out a stag party to have a fight with.
But I have a few tips: I had dinner in Green19 the other night, and they do a delicious Corned Beef and Mash. The friends that were eating with me recommended lunch at The Porterhouse for very good Irish stew, and the Cellar Bar in the Merrion Hotel (the bar, not the restaurant, which is very pricey) for excellent Bacon and Cabbage. Maria Crispy recommends The Lord Edward and Johnny Fox’s for fish. And of course if you’re visiting Dublin you have to get fish and chips from Burdock’s in Christchurch.
So now I’m throwing it open to you, our lovely readers: where can you get the best traditional Irish food? And what should she try out? I’ve started the list here:
- Irish stew
- Boxty
- Coddle
- Bacon and cabbage
- Smoked salmon
- Black pudding