“What butter and whiskey won’t cure, there is no cure for.”  – Irish Proverb

A Seafood Lover’s Dream

You may have noticed the lack of food fotos in the previous Ireland blogs, and not for lack of good eating. Here now are the collected, delicious highlights of excellent Irish dining.

The Emerald Isle is surrounded by the cold, bountiful waters of the North Atlantic, making it an absolute paradise for seafood lovers. Every meal carries a whisper of the sea, with a freshness you only get when the ocean is just down the road.

As the Irish say, “Laughter is brightest where food is best.” And after a few days here, I can confirm: both the food and the laughter are abundant.

David and I have our travel roles down to a science – I plan the where, when, and how, while he dives headfirst into the local food and culture scene. For Dublin, he absolutely nailed it.

SOLE Seafood & Grill

Our first dinner in Dublin set the tone for the whole trip. We chose SOLE Seafood & Grill, an elegant spot in the heart of the city that stole my soul the minute we sat down.

SOLE’s philosophy is all about sustainability and sourcing from Irish waters and producers. You can taste that in every bite – from oysters and lobster to salmon and Dover sole carved right at your table.

The showstopper for me? Their Seafood Soup. Hands down the finest clam chowder I’ve ever tasted (though I wouldn’t dare call it that here). Sorry, Boston, but Dublin just took your chowder crown.

David and I broke our “order different things” rule because our waiter insisted we both try the monkfish. He was right. Monkfish, sometimes called the “poor man’s lobster,” isn’t much to look at, but on the plate, it transforms into pure elegance.  It also happens to be one of my favorite fish, though it rarely shows up on restaurant menus, which made this a real treat to savor.

We started with oysters as our appetizer, my first of the trip, but certainly not my last, and the combination with the monkfish made for an unforgettable, delectable meal.

No wonder SOLE has been named Best Luxury Seafood Restaurant in Europe six years running, and even Best Luxury Seafood Restaurant Globally in 2024. If I could’ve squeezed in one more dinner there, I would’ve in a heartbeat.

Fish Shop

Next, we swapped fine dining for something smaller, simpler and wonderfully unpretentious: Fish Shop.

What started as a humble takeaway counter has grown into a 16-seat neighborhood gem on Queen Street with an industrial-chic vibe and a cult following. The menu is simple, the wine list is surprisingly sophisticated, and the fish? So fresh it probably had weekend plans!

I’ve never been much of a big fish ’n chips fan, as it’s usually served with too much batter, not enough fish, but here I found perfection: crisp, light, and Fish Shop actually lets the fish be the star flavor.

David, and our friend Arvada, both chose the bay scallops: beautifully seared, golden at the edges, and glistening in a delicate butter sauce with just a hint of lemon and sea salt. Each bite melted away, sweet and briny – a perfect reminder of how simple ingredients can shine when treated with care and passion. Do you think David or Arvada offered me a taste of those scallops? Oh no. Not a chance.

As for me, if there are fresh oysters on the menu, they’re, as the Irish would say, a proper starter. And since oysters have always been one of my obsessions, there was no question what I’d order. Verdict: still divine.

The Seafood Café

We couldn’t leave Dublin without checking out The Seafood Café, a lively, little spot in Temple Bar that buzzes with energy. With windows thrown open to the street, we enjoyed the best kind of dinner entertainment – people-watching with a side of oysters! David surrepticiously took these photos …

Before ordering, one of the servers walked me through the different oyster varieties like a proud teacher with her favorite student. My Rockefeller-style oysters were torched right at the table – bubbling, buttery, and full of flavor.

As we read the menu, I paused at the monkfish – here served on a bed of plump cherry tomatoes and aromatic herbs, drizzled with golden olive oil. David, meanwhile, lingered on the bay scallops, perfectly seared and resting atop a creamy risotto. We didn’t read any further. One cannot get enough of fresh, local monkfish and bay scallops!

And when we finally tasted each other’s umami-filled selections, it was clear we’d made the right choices. Every bite was a small revelation: a perfect balance of sea, cream, and seasoning that left us quietly marveling, and reaching for more.

As the Irish proverb goes, “Hunger is good sauce.” I couldn’t agree more.

I was struck by how far Dublin’s food scene has come. When I last visited 20 years ago, options were mostly pub grub or the occasional fish ’n chips that came wrapped in regret. Today, the city is bursting with creativity and confidence. Dublin has become a destination for serious food lovers; or as I like to call it, Publin.

A Toast to the Journey

Before heading home, we made one final stop – a grand return to The Gin Palace for a G & T and to soak up more of its inviting atmosphere.

With its Victorian charm, gilded mirrors, and shelves lined with bottles that sparkle like gemstones, The Gin Palace feels both timeless and mischievous, like stepping into a secret world where every bottle tells a story.

Their extensive selection of gins from around the globe is enough to make even the most confident drinker hesitate, each label promising something new and exciting. We, however, played it safe and defaulted to our favorite ones – why tempt fate when perfection is already within reach? (Side note: we just happily discovered our local wine and spirits shop carries our new favorite Irish Gin: Gunpowder Gin!)

We toasted our trip with something botanical and bright, glasses clinking like little fireworks, sharing a laugh and that bittersweet feeling that only comes at the end of an unforgettable adventure. Salud! Sláinte! Cheers!

Other foods eaten across Ireland …