Ireland’s Ultimate Eatlist (the bits Lonely Planet forgot to mention)

Last week, Lonely Planet revealed its ‘Ultimate Eatlist‘; a highly anticipated book which names the top 500 best food experiences to be had around the world.

In this list, Ireland received three shoutouts:

• “Irish stew and a pint of the black stuff” came in at #47
• Black pudding was at #458
• Barmbrack got lobbed in at #496

Yes, we were mystified by the barmbrack inclusion, too.

Obviously, it’s nice to see any sort of Irish mention in such a prestigious list, but we can’t help but feel somewhat disappointed by the fact that so many stand-out players on the Irish food scene failed to get a mention.

Not ones to sit around complaining, however, we have decided to rectify this oversight accordingly. 

Having scoured every province of this mighty emerald isle, we’re now delighted to present Ireland’s own “Ultimate Eatlist”; a comprehensive list of the very best in homegrown, homemade and expertly-produced Irish products (and, in some case, the best places to eat them too).

Put simply, if Lonely Planet think that the ‘best’ Ireland has to offer is a few cuts of black pudding, a bowl of watery, lumpy soup and a slice of raisin bread, then they have another thing coming.

Leinster

Móinéir strawberry wine

1. Carlingford oysters, Louth

2. A bag of chips at Leo Burdocks, Dublin

3. Giant scones and clotted cream at Avoca, Dublin

4. Móinéir Wicklow Way berry wines, Wicklow

5. Firehouse sourdough at Firehouse Bakery, Dublin

6. Teddy’s ice cream, Dublin

7. Teeling whiskey at the Teeling Distillery, Dublin

8. Wexford strawberries, bought from a road-side stall during the summer

9. A pint of Guinness and a toastie at Grogans, Dublin

10. Bacon and cabbage in The Hairy Lemon, Dublin

11. Irish stew in John Cleeres Bar, Kilkenny

12. Dublin Bay Prawns at Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas Bar, Dublin

Related: 20 impressive Irish family businesses worth your attention

Ulster

Abernethy Butter fudge

13. Superquinn sausages, available in Supervalu stores nationwide

14. Broughgammon goat bacon, Antrim

15. Bushmills whiskey at the Old Bushmills Distillery, Antrim

16. Full Irish breakfast at Shannon’s Corner, Donegal

17. Chowder in Nancy’s Barn in Ballyliffin, Donegal

18. Donegal Rapeseed Oil Company, Donegal

19. Lough Neagh eels served up at The Elk, Antrim

20. Abernethy Butter & fudge, Down

21. Whitewater Brewery craft beer, Down

Connaught

Sheridans Cheesemongers

22. Galway Bay oysters at Moran’s Oyster Cottage, Galway

23. Clew bay lobster at Cronin’s Sheebeen, Mayo

24. Dillisk seaweed at Dillisk on The Docks, Mayo

25. Sheridan’s cheese at Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Galway

26. Fresh brown bread at McCambridges, Galway

27. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin at The Shed Distillery, Leitrim

28. Wild Atlantic Seaweed Pesto at Eithne’s By The Sea, Sligo

29. Signature mussel pie at Renvyle House Hotel, Galway

Related: Why we’re loving Cork city

Munster

Murphys ice cream owners, Sean and Kieran Murphy

30. Waterford Blaa at Walsh’s Bakehouse, Waterford

31. St Tola goats cheese, Clare

32. Clonakilty black pudding, Cork

33. Ballymaloe Relish at Darina Allen’s Ballymaloe Cookery School, Cork

34. Ballyhoura mountain mushrooms, Limerick

35. Murphy’s ice cream in Dingle, Kerry

36. Frank Hederman smoked salmon at The English Market, Cork

37. Cashel Blue Cheese, Tipperary

38. Toons Bridge burrata mozzarella at Toons Bridge Dairy, Cork

39. Hazel Mountain Chocolates, Clare

40. Raw honey from Beeactiv Honey, Tipperary

Related: Where to eat and drink in Galway city