18 Hidden Gem Irish Dishes Worth Discovering

Ireland’s food is like a favorite storybook—comforting, a little rugged, and full of surprises once you turn the page. Beyond the famous stews and soda breads, there’s a whole world of cozy dishes and sweet treats waiting to be loved.

These hidden gems aren’t just food; they’re traditions cooked into every bite. Prepare for flavors that are humble, hearty, and downright unforgettable.

1. Boxty (Irish Potato Pancakes)

Grated raw potatoes meet creamy mashed ones, creating a tender pancake that’s crisp at the edges. A good boxty feels rustic, golden, and sturdy enough to carry butter or a slice of salty ham.

Frying them in a little bacon fat makes them almost too good. Old sayings even claim, “Boxty on the griddle, boxty in the pan, if you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man.”

2. Coddle (Sausage And Potato Stew)

Thick sausages, sliced onions, and chunks of potato simmer slowly until everything melts together in a savory broth. Coddle tastes like something a grandmother would make on a rainy afternoon.

A hearty scoop feels like a full hug in a bowl. Fresh parsley sprinkled on top wakes up the richness perfectly.

3. Blaa (Soft Irish Bread Rolls)

Flour-dusted and cloud-soft, blaas are a Waterford treasure meant for slathering with butter or stuffing with crisp bacon. Their airy texture and slightly chewy crust make them addictive from the very first bite.

Warming them lightly before eating brings out their best flavor. No need to overthink fillings—simple is magic here.

4. Dublin Lawyer (Lobster In Whiskey Cream Sauce)

Tender lobster swims in a rich sauce spiked with Irish whiskey and heavy cream. The name comes from a joke that Dublin lawyers were rich enough to afford so much butter and whiskey.

Sweet seafood and smoky warmth melt together beautifully on the tongue. Best eaten slowly, with lots of bread for mopping.

5. Gur Cake (Fruit Slice Pastry)

Leftover bread, dried fruits, and spices get tucked inside flaky pastry, turning scraps into something rich and sticky. Gur cake once fueled Dublin’s working kids, known as “gurriers,” and still tastes like pure homemade sweetness.

The filling is dense and soft, like a thick fig jam. A dusting of powdered sugar on top seals the deal.

6. Skirts And Kidneys (Beef And Offal Stew)

Tender strips of beef flank (“skirts”) and earthy kidneys slow-cook in a hearty gravy full of onions and pepper.

It’s a bold, old-fashioned dish that rewards bravery with deep, rich flavor. A few slices of brown bread on the side soak up the juices perfectly. Not flashy—just real, soulful eating.

7. Colcannon With Cabbage And Scallions

Mashed potatoes swirl together with buttered cabbage and bright green onions to create something humble and irresistible. The flavors are simple but somehow taste like a celebration.

Digging into a hot pile feels like a return to basics in the best way. Hiding a coin inside for luck is a fun old tradition.

8. Crubeens (Boiled Pig’s Trotters)

Pig’s feet might sound intimidating, but slow boiling turns them silky, savory, and surprisingly tender. The rich flavor and gelatinous texture make them a true pub classic.

A squeeze of mustard or a splash of vinegar brings a lively contrast. Crubeens are definitely a dish for eating with your hands—and a sense of adventure.

9. Drisheen (Traditional Irish Blood Pudding)

Made with sheep’s blood, oatmeal, and spices, drisheen has a soft, almost custardy texture unlike any other black pudding. Its mild, rich flavor pairs beautifully with onions and brown bread.

Boiled or lightly fried, it’s a dish full of old-world depth. Taste it once and you’ll never think of pudding the same way again.

10. Yellowman (Irish Honeycomb Candy)

Crunchy, golden, and light as air, yellowman crackles between your teeth like a sweet brittle cloud. It’s a fairground favorite in Northern Ireland, especially during harvest festivals.

Melting sugar until it foams and sets creates that signature honeycomb texture. A true treat that makes you feel like a kid again.

11. Goody (Sweetened Bread And Milk Dessert)

Simple pieces of stale bread soften in warm milk spiced with cinnamon and sugar, creating a pudding as soft as a lullaby.

It was often given to children or the sick, but its gentle sweetness charms everyone. A sprinkle of nutmeg on top makes it feel extra special. True comfort in a bowl.

12. Irish Seafood Chowder

Chunks of tender fish, creamy broth, and bright pops of sweet corn or carrot fill every spoonful with ocean breeze.

Using both smoked and fresh fish gives the chowder layers of flavor that feel like standing on a windy pier. A few oyster crackers or a wedge of brown bread finish it perfectly. Thick, rich, and soul-warming.

13. Porter Cake (Rich Fruit Cake With Guinness)

Dark and sticky with dried fruits, porter cake feels dense in the best way, rich with the deep, bittersweet taste of Guinness.

Every bite brings a soft chew of raisins and a whisper of warm spices. It gets even better after a few days of resting. A slice alongside strong tea feels like home.

14. Barmbrack (Irish Fruit Tea Bread)

Slightly sweet yeast bread studded with plump raisins and soaked in black tea, barmbrack carries whispers of cinnamon and nutmeg. Traditionally eaten at Halloween, it often hid charms predicting the future.

Toasted and buttered, it’s a perfect match for a rainy afternoon. The scent alone could brighten any day.

15. Dulse (Dried Seaweed Snack)

Chewy, salty, and ocean-sweet, dulse is a snack pulled right from the wild Atlantic shores. It’s packed with minerals and has a deep, almost smoky taste.

Some people eat it straight, while others fry it into crispy chips. Either way, it’s like tasting a fresh sea breeze.

16. Shepherd’s Pie With Lamb And Root Vegetables

Slow-cooked lamb nestles under a blanket of creamy mashed potatoes, with carrots, peas, and turnips tucked inside. Baking it until the top is golden and crisp brings out hidden sweet and savory notes.

One scoop reveals hearty, steaming goodness underneath. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or a chilly evening.

17. Kerry Pie (Meat And Vegetable Pastry)

Chunks of lamb, onion, and potatoes bake together inside a tender, flaky crust, creating layers of savory goodness. Kerry Pie feels rustic and generous, a pie made for families and celebrations.

A brush of egg wash gives it a gorgeous, glossy finish. Serve it piping hot with a simple green salad.

18. Potato Farls (Pan-Fried Potato Bread)

Soft, golden wedges of potato dough fry on a griddle until crisp outside and tender inside. Potato farls are a breakfast favorite, often stacked beside eggs and sausages.

Butter melting over a warm farl turns it into pure comfort. Best eaten hot and with lots of good, salty butter.