Our experience on a food tour in Ireland
Grab a Guinness and Let’s Toast – Sláinte!
There's no better way to get to know a new city than by eating your way through it.
As food tour operators ourselves, we're always excited to experience food tours whenever we travel. It's a chance to support fellow small businesses, discover hidden local gems, and pick up new ideas to bring back home to Colorado Springs.
During a trip to Ireland, my husband and I spent several days exploring charming villages, dramatic coastlines, and of course, Dublin. With only a limited amount of time in the city, booking a food tour was an easy decision. We wanted to skip the tourist traps, learn about Irish history from a local perspective, and enjoy authentic cuisine along the way.
So we joined the Flavour Trails in Dublin—and it didn't disappoint.
Daily Food Tours in Dublin: We also recommend Delicious Dublin Tours, which runs a daily tour featuring Dublin’s award-winning eateries and hidden gems. Click here for availability.
Why We Always Book Food Tours When We Travel
People often ask us why we choose food tours even though we operate one ourselves.
The answer is simple: no one knows a city's food scene better than passionate locals.
A great food tour introduces you to restaurants you might never find on your own while weaving together the stories, history, and culture that make a destination memorable. It's one of the fastest ways to feel connected to a place.
Our guide, Alex, was an outstanding storyteller. Throughout the afternoon, he shared fascinating insights about:
- The Great Irish Potato Famine
- The 1916 Easter Rising
- Irish politics and culture
- Local traditions and customs
- Dublin's evolving food scene
By the end of the tour, we understood far more about Ireland than we ever could have from a guidebook.
Stop #1: Gallaher & Co. Bistro (Now Closed)
Our tour began in one of Dublin's historic squares before walking a few blocks to Gallaher & Co. Bistro.
Editor's Note: Gallaher & Co. Bistro has since permanently closed, but we're including it because it was part of our original experience.
The restaurant occupied a historic building once owned by Irish tobacco baron Tom Gallaher. One feature we loved was that guests could choose from several menu options rather than receiving a fixed tasting.
I selected a flaky puff pastry tart topped with goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, pesto, and fresh arugula (known locally as "rocket"), paired with a crisp Irish cider.
My husband chose the soup of the day alongside traditional Irish brown bread and an Irish stout.
Being able to customize our meal made the experience feel especially personal.
Stop #2: The Front Door
Next, we visited The Front Door, where we finally got our first taste of classic Irish comfort food.
The lively pub featured modern artwork, a bustling bar, and live Celtic rock music that added to the atmosphere.
For lunch:
- I ordered traditional fish and chips with a glass of Chardonnay.
- My husband chose hearty Irish beef stew served over creamy mashed potatoes, paired with an Irish red ale.
This stop perfectly balanced traditional Irish flavors with Dublin's modern pub culture.
Stop #3: Oscars Café & Bar
Our final stop brought us to Oscars Café & Bar, where we settled into a cozy library-style nook for dessert.
We enjoyed a rich Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake before learning how to make one of Ireland's most iconic drinks: Irish Coffee.
Here's the traditional method we were taught:
- Fill a glass about three-quarters full with freshly brewed coffee.
- Stir in brown sugar until completely dissolved.
- Add a shot of Irish whiskey.
- Shake fresh cream until lightly whipped.
- Carefully pour the cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top of the coffee.
It's simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious.
What We Learned from a Food Tour in Ireland
Every food tour is different, but this experience reminded us why we love this style of travel.
A food tour isn't just about eating.
It's about meeting passionate locals, hearing stories that don't appear in guidebooks, discovering neighborhood favorites, and creating memories around the table.
As food tour owners ourselves, we came away inspired by the experience and grateful for the opportunity to support another local tour company.
Interested in exploring more of Dublin’s craft beer and fresh seafood scene? Check out Hidden Howth Experiences, which offers a speciality tour on select days of the week. Check availability here.
Planning a Trip to Dublin?
If you're visiting Dublin and want an authentic introduction to the city, we highly recommend adding a food tour to your itinerary. It's one of the easiest ways to experience Irish hospitality, sample traditional cuisine, and learn the stories behind the city.
And if your travels ever bring you to Colorado Springs, we'd love to return the favor and show you our hometown through food. From local restaurants and craft beverages to fascinating history and hidden gems, our guided food tours offer the same insider experience we always seek when we travel.
Sláinte! (That's Irish for "Cheers!")
-Samantha
