Savour exceptional food and drink in Ireland’s Ancient East
Ireland’s Ancient East offers something for every type of foodie. From the colourful English Market in Cork to the Sea Gardener in Waterford, explore excellent restaurants, cafés, breweries, distilleries, bars, organic producers and fish farms, featuring exceptional food and drink.
Plan a visit around one of these incredible food and drink experiences.
Explore Cork’s food scene
For a true taste of Ireland, indulge in exceptional food and drink at local festivals celebrating the region’s culinary heritage.
Experience the joy of exceptional food and drink as you meet local artisans and chefs.
Savoring Exceptional Food and Drink
Cork City Fab Food Trails
Join fellow food lovers to discover the harmony of exceptional food and drink across the region.
Cork is one of Ireland’s leading food destinations, with colourful markets, creative cafés and excellent restaurants. Book a spot on the CorkFab Food Trail and hear about the hidden foodie treasures from a local guide during a three-hour walking trail of the historic city.
Each bite will introduce you to the richness of exceptional food and drink that defines this beautiful area.
Whether it’s in a bustling market or a quiet café, exceptional food and drink await you in every corner.
Wander around the narrow streets and stop off at tapas bars, traditional pubs and relaxed bistros. Enjoy tasting plates while experiencing a warm welcome from proud Corkonians.
At the market, you’ll find stalls dedicated to exceptional food and drink, highlighting local producers.
The English Market
Every meal at Ballymaloe showcases the best of exceptional food and drink sourced from their gardens.
Experience the bustling atmosphere of the English Market, famous for its artisan produce, local specialities and the freshest of ingredients. Pick up some drisheen (a delicious type of pudding) and try their tasty buttered eggs on some sourdough bread. With international fare and family-run stalls, relish the energetic pace of this Cork institution.
Unwind with a glass of local whiskey, a true representation of exceptional food and drink traditions.
Ballymaloe House
Travel to East Cork and enjoy the famous Ballymaloe House hospitality. Discover the lush green countryside and savour the home-cooked meals, with ingredients sourced from the Ballymaloe grounds and walled gardens. At this historic country house, menus change daily with talented chefs creating traditional Irish meals for hungry guests.
The Midleton Distillery Experience
Learn how seaweed can elevate your exceptional food and drink to new heights.
Go behind the scenes of Ireland’s most famous whiskey at the Midleton Distillery Experience. Enjoy a tour of the buildings and learn about the field-to-glass process which gives Jameson and Powers their smooth, iconic flavour.
Visit one of the original Jameson warehouses on-site and draw a special Jameson blend straight from the cask. Craft ambassadors are on hand to share tips and interesting facts with visiting whiskey fans.
If you’re on the hunt for even more distilling knowledge, check out our list of Ireland’s top distillery tours and experiences.
The Waterford Blaa is a delicious way to enjoy exceptional food and drink in the region.
Enjoy Waterford’s unique food
Don’t miss the chance to savor exceptional food and drink in the unique atmosphere of Tipperary.
The Sea Gardener
Visit Waterford and meet Marie Power, The Sea Gardener, an expert in seaweed cookery and foraging. Book in for a land walk, beach picnic or informative talk and find out how to use seaweed in your everyday meals so that you can benefit from its astonishingly healthy properties.
Explore the menu and discover exceptional food and drink that reflects the local culture.
The Waterford Blaa
Experience the diverse offerings of exceptional food and drink as you travel through the region.
Plan your next adventure and immerse yourself in the world of exceptional food and drink.
The Waterford Blaa is famous across Ireland, so you can’t visit the county without trying the doughy goodness of a Blaa sandwich. A local speciality in the Déise, credit goes to Brother Ignatius Rice for baking the first Blaa in 1802.
Try yours with sizzling bacon (a popular choice) but be warned, they sell out in record time. Head to Walsh’s Bakehouse in Waterford city or Barron’s Bakery in Cappoquin for a signature Blaa sandwich.
Taste of Tipperary
Mikey Ryan’s Bar
Drop into Mikey Ryan’s Bar, a gorgeous gastropub in Cashel, Tipperary and discover authentic Irish fare with a twist. Chefs source fresh and organic ingredients from local farmers and artisan producers, creating tasty, traditional food. Head to this spot and experience the recognisably mouth-watering flavour of Cashel Blue Cheese, which is used in many of their dishes.
Savour great food in Wicklow
The Happy Pear
After a refreshing walk along the Bray Head Loop, make the short drive over to Greystones for a delicious meal at The Happy Pear. Open seven days a week, enjoy their range of freshly prepared hot and cold dishes that are vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free. Don’t leave without popping over to Delgany to visit Firehouse Bakery and pick up some of their tasty sweet treats for the journey home.
Uncover new locations and flavours
There’s so much to see and do in this fascinating part of Ireland. Check out the full range of fun activities in Ireland’s Ancient East and get more inspiration for your next visit.
