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.

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.

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.