We very much enjoyed our tour with Francesca! Not only was she very knowledgeable, but also very personable. The food options got us out of our comfort zone and introduced us to the culture of Ireland-thank you, Francesca!!
Dublin Food and Drink Tour: Irish Food Revival
Sample Irish staples from soda bread to seafood and whiskey
The Finer Details
Long gone are the days of the potato famine. Today, Dublin has taken a prominent position in the food revolution taking place in Northern Europe. On this 2.5-hour Dublin food tour, we'll learn how a country once known for its poor eating standards is now leveraging the locavore movement and digging into its traditions to create a rich and diverse culinary scene. During our time together on this tour, we'll learn about Dublin's food evolution from an expert, all while tasting local specialties ranging from fresh seafood to classic soda bread, accompanied by a pint or dram for good measure.
Tour Itinerary
Starting our walk near Merrion Square, this tour will cover the area around the Libertines and St. Stephen's Green, including a group of specialty food shops selected by our local food experts for their quality and history. This area of Dublin, often known for its beautiful Georgian architecture and its former illustrious residents—think Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde—is now associated with great, innovative Irish restaurants. We'll begin with a coffee in one of Dublin's most respected coffee shops, where we'll discuss how Ireland's economic rollercoaster at the start of the century influenced the food scene of Dublin in particular.
After our introduction, we'll delve deeper into Irish specialties, paying visits to one of Dublin's bakeries to taste some traditional soda bread and discussing how this particular food became associated with Ireland. We may pair it with a cheese like Durrus Óg, or with some of the moreish salami from Gubbeen Farm, a famous organic Irish dairy farm. Along with traditional bread, we may taste some of Ireland's award-winning gluten-free products, or perhaps we'll move directly onto the world of seafood, depending on the mood of the group. Our discussion will take us from fish and chips to oyster farming, the art of preserving, and smokehouses. Our epicurean journey may finish in one of Dublin's independent pubs, with a flight of craft beers or a dram of whiskey, discussing the role of drinking in Irish society.
Along the way, we'll discuss how all of these products fit into the Irish diet and how the influx of foreigners has influenced the local food scene. Our guide, with a background in history, will contextualize current trends within the history of Irish gastronomy. At the end, we'll emerge with a deeper understanding and appreciation for Irish culinary flair and what the future has in store for farmers, brewers, restaurateurs, and foodies in the city of Dublin. We'll also pat our full bellies.
Note: Our guides select a variety of shops and food joints to visit based on their particular specialties and relationships with shopkeepers. Thus, our exact presentation and tour of shops will vary depending on the guide and group, creating a unique experience. Please use the travel info box to tell us about any food intolerances or preferences so that we can best adapt your tour.
Sites Visited
- Cheese shop
- Oyster Bar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is covered by the tasting fee? The exact list of things included varies depending on the day of the week, the expert, and the preferences of the group, but the tasting generally includes a coffee or hot drink with some pastry, some cheese, and cold cuts tasted with bread or crackers, a pint of beer, gourmet potatoes and some fish (fried or raw oysters).
What if I have dietary restrictions or intolerances? The tour is heavy on dairy product tastings and we always do our best to accommodate clients with dietary restrictions. Just let us know exactly what foods you need to avoid and we'll make sure to adapt the walk accordingly.
What if it’s raining? Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your expert will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.
Is this tour good for kids? Yes! Learning about a new place through its cuisine is extremely popular with kids. We'll skip the beer and whisky and replace them with something sweet or fun that will be perfect for your family.
Is this a walking-intensive tour? No, the whole area is quite compact, and the terrain is always even.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Meet the Experts
Where You’ll Go
From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.
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Cheese shop
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Oyster Bar
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
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English-speaking expert guideTours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
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Intentionally sized groupsA smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
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Tickets and entrance feesAll entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
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HeadsetsHeadsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Not Included
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GratuitiesTips aren’t included, but we encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
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Food and drinkUnless booking a Food & Drink tour or tasting experience, refreshments are not included.
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Transportation to and from the meeting pointUnless noted, pre- and post-tour transport isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
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Hotel pickup or drop-offUnless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Make the Most of Your Tour
Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.
Dos:
- Wear comfortable footwear
- Check the weather and dress appropriately
- Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
- Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
- Bring firearms or weapons
- Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
- Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always
contact us.
Don’t just take our word for it
We had a great tour with Francesca! She was friendly, knowledgeable, and well-organized. She made the tour special by taking us to hidden spots and making us feel comfortable. The food/drink was awesome! And we would have never found these spots on our own. Highly recommend. Thank you, Francesca!
We have used Context many times but this time they surpassed our lofty expectations they have created for us on previous tours. We experienced exceptionally wonderful service from the Context scheduling team and our amazing guide Catherine on our Dublin Food and Drink Tour. Context was so good they even corrected my own scheduling mistake. We were traveling to London, The Cotswolds, and Dublin, and I mistakenly scheduled a tour in London for the week after we were to leave. Fortunately, Context worked with us to reschedule us for a tour in Dublin, and for a day of the week they usually don’t offer the specific tour we requested! The only thing better than the assistance we received from the scheduling team was the service we received from our guide Catherine, she was outstanding! She was knowledgeable, energetic, and very friendly. The three of us had so much fun we didn’t notice how fast the time was going and we talked for over an hour after our scheduled time to end the tour. Catherine not only treated us to great local food and drink samples, but talked with us about Irish culture, history, the economy and local pubs. Her expertise put everything into “Context” for us and her attitude helped us to have a fun and enjoyable afternoon.
Let Your Curiosity Shape Your Journey
Join passionate experts on intimate walking tours that reveal a city’s unique stories, spark conversations, and leave you seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.
Structured, never scripted
Your interests guide your Expert, leading to stories and perspectives that matter to you.
Crafted for conversation
With 12 or fewer guests, ask questions, engage with your Expert, and fully immerse yourself.
Experts, not guides
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