Ireland Travel Food & Tea Guide
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Learn what to eat and drink in Ireland. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea recommendations from my honeymoon in Ireland 2018. Dublin, Galway, Kenmare and Limerick are the main cities I give recommendations for.
If you’ve been following my Insta, you’ll know Chris and I have been on our honeymoon in Ireland for the past 2 weeks. It was really nice to put life on pause for the wedding and honeymoon and just indulge in those momentary freedoms.
I tried to call out all the delicious things I was eating and drinking along the way on the Insta. But, I also want to make sure you have a way to find some great spots if you ever travel to Ireland too! So, I put together this food and tea guide which calls out the best spots I found on the trip. They aren’t all tea related, some are just great food — but all were delicious.
Side note: Even if you missed my live Insta stories, you can still see the stories from each city by checking out my profile.
Dublin
Hatch & Sons: Really delicious brunch, lunch and sweets. Standard selection of teas. Chris thought the sandwich he got here was particularly excellent. Visit Hatch & Sons
Lunch at Hatch & Sons in Dublin - Photo by Chris Behrendt
The Vintage Kitchen: Modern Irish food in a slightly kitschy vintage space. Coursed menu with very good food. Also BYOB friendly so you can bring a bottle of wine or beers in from the bar next door. Need reservations. Visit The Vintage Kitchen
Dinner at The Vintage Kitchen in Dublin - Photo by Chris Behrendt
Kenmare
Jam: Self-service cafe with lots of scones, sweets, and smaller savory treats. Order at counter and sit or take with you. My favorite hearty scone came from here. They also have locations in Cork and Killarney. Standard selection of teas from Java Republic. Visit Jam
Poffs: My favorite breakfast of the trip. They are a sit down restaurant with a great breakfast. I had scrambled eggs on brioche with pork belly sausages. Standard selection of teas. Visit Poffs
Boka: Casual breakfast and lunch. We didn't eat here but it looked good and the inside is very bright and colorful. They have a slightly more exciting tea menu (i.e. rooibos, green tea, lemon & ginger vs just black breakfast tea). The chamomile tea I had was good and they also offer a fresh mint tea. Visit Boka
Chamomile Tea at Boka in Kenmare
Galway
Coffeewerk + Press: This was the best quality and selection of loose leaf teas in a basic coffeehouse setting I saw on our trip. They offer 3 black teas and 3 oolongs. All from Paper & Tea. They also offer great single origin coffee for your coffee loving friends. The space is also a design shop so you can wander the upper 2 stories and check out prints, books etc. Visit Coffeewerk + Press
Tea and coffee at Coffeewerk + Press in Galway
Kai: Touted as one of the best restaurants in Galway and it didn't disappoint. Fresh, organic, local produce and an ever-changing seasonal menu. Standard tea options as well as a unique "Health + Herbs Loose Leaves" tea menu with 4 specialty tisanes using local herbs. Visit Kai
Lunch at Kai in Galway - Photo by Chris Behrendt
Murphy's Ice Cream: Amazing ice cream in unique flavors. Seriously, the cream in this ice cream is no joke. Worth a visit for sure. Based in Dingle but also in Galway, Dublin, Killarney and Kilkenny. Visit Murphy's Ice Cream
Cupán Tae: A traditional tea room and shop with afternoon tea as well as some heartier lunch options. It's a real tea room so there is a wide selection of teas. We weren't able to make it here but it was very cute from the outside with lots of hanging teacups in the window. Visit Cupán Tae
Galway surrounding area
Ashford Castle: A luxury hotel and spa at a 13th century castle with an amazing afternoon tea. We had their afternoon tea and it was so beautiful and delicious. It's €50 per person for a set menu with 4 types of sandwiches, 3 types of scones, 4 types of dessert and a large selection of loose leaf teas. We were stuffed at the end. The tea room is absolutely stunning and having a reservation allows you access to roam the grounds and see the inside of the castle close up. Would definitely recommend. Visit Ashford Castle
Afternoon Tea at Ashford Castle
Limerick & surrounding areas
Hook & Ladder: A super designy cafe with lots of cute tchotchkes and plenty of food options. We had a great lunch here. They have a wide selection for breakfast and lunch plus smoothies, a great bakery selection, buddha bowls AND a more complete selection of loose leaf teas. It’s a restaurant but also happens to be home to a cooking school and shop. Visit Hook & Ladder
Adare Manor: A private luxury hotel and golf course outside of Limerick. They have a set menu afternoon tea for €50 per person. We didn't indulge in their official tea but did have a basic tea and coffee in one of their restaurants before walking around the grounds. This didn't seem like something they usually let "regulars" do so I would recommend afternoon tea if you want to see the castle and grounds. (Note: I thought the grounds of Ashford Castle were prettier. If you’re trying to decide between the two, I would go with Ashford). Visit Adare Manor
Lovely little things
- I've recently learned that jumpers are #lifegoals and now want all of them. I love love love this brown slit-back jumper I found from Ali Golden in Oakland. It's super versatile and comfortable and I really wish they have more colors because I want to buy more.
- I picked up this Summer Cocktail Tea from Fortnum & Mason in the Heathrow airport. It's a green tea with lots of extra fruity goodness for summer. Seriously love it.
- I don't know why it took me so freaking long to realize that frying pans are messy. We finally bought this splatter screen and it's a godsend for my post-meal cleaning.
Currently reading
- Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman. I saw the movie late last year and loved it. The book is just as good or better and perfect for the summer months when strawberries, tomatoes and of course... peaches, are ripe and plentiful. Highly recommend as your light but seriously pleasurable summer beach reading.
