Eating out in Ireland
Ireland is more culturally diverse now
At L’Ecrivain in Dublin – one of a number of Michelin-
than at any other time in its history –
starred restaurants in Ireland – Derry Clarke and his
and the culinary landscape reflects this.
gifted team create a singular modern Irish cuisine,
using careful y sourced ingredients from a network of
Talented chefs have made their mark
artisan suppliers.
and take great care in sourcing authentic
artisan and organic Irish food, offering
Cafés and wine bars are plentiful and popular for
innovative menus at reasonable prices.
informal meals and long opening hours; most offer an
all-day menu or occasional lunch menus, with delicious
vegetarian options listed as standard. Speaking of
At the award-winning Cayenne restaurant in Belfast,
which, some of the country’s liveliest restaurants
Paul Rankin serves contemporary food in a serene
have waved their culinary wands across a wide variety
urban setting; at the Tannery in Dungarvan, County
of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Pubs traverse a
Waterford, Paul Flynn has been named a Rick Stein
spectrum of tastes: some have restaurants with full
Food Hero and is known for his inspired cooking
lunch and dinner menus, while others offer simple but
influenced by global trends and Mediterranean cuisine.
wholesome bar food; some pubs specialize in carvery
Equal y renowned is the Strawberry Tree at Brooklodge
lunches with generous portions at inexpensive prices,
in Aughrim, County Wicklow, Ireland’s only certified
while at select coastal pubs you’ll be rewarded with
organic restaurant and bio-hotel; here, al the food is
succulent fresh seafood as the house specialty.
wild or organic, produced by slow food methods and
cooked in the modern Irish style.
Among the other tempting dining options are Ireland’s
country house restaurants; these have a deservedly
Those in search of good food wil find value and
fine reputation for their cuisine, often using vegetables,
diversity at all levels – from cafés and pubs offering
fruit and herbs from their own gardens.
casual, inexpensive dining options to elegant
Michelin-starred restaurants. In Belfast, Michael Deane’s
For listings of restaurants in a particular area and details
skill in blending classic cooking with fusion themes
of seasonal and daily opening times, consult the local
makes a visit to Deane’s restaurant a memorable
tourist office. For more information on eating out in
must-do.
Ireland, www.discoverireland.com
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