Northern Irish cuisine shares similarities with both the Republic of Ireland and England, yet it’s also unique. When travelling through the country, there are certain local dishes, drinks and dining experiences that you should seek out for a taste of the real Northern Ireland. The bountiful, green fields and mineral-rich waters of Ireland contain a bounty of ingredients that are famed across Europe.
Irish breakfast
Start your day with an Ulster fry
A Northern Irish fried breakfast consists of sausages, bacon, black pudding, eggs, potato cakes, mushrooms and beans. Known as an Ulster fry, it’s a real treat to start your day with this huge plate of fried delicacies, though keep in mind that it’s not the healthiest meal you can find.
This mound of delicious food usually comes with your choice of bread and a pot of tea or coffee. You could always add a glass of orange juice for a healthy touch. Portions are very satisfying, keeping you fuelled up all day.
Whiskey
The water of life
Whiskey is a renowned spirit more commonly associated with Scotland, although the Irish have several fantastic distilleries. The most famous Northern Irish whiskey is Bushmills. In fact, it’s the oldest licensed working distillery in the world. Located in County Antrim in the north of the country, you can tour the distillery and sample some aged blends.
Irish whiskey has some slight differences to its Scottish cousins, typically including a creamier aftertaste. There are many blends with a range of unique flavours, from smooth to smoky.
Soda bread
Traditional Irish bread
Soda bread is a staple in Northern Ireland, served as a side dish with meals or as the base for a sandwich. Instead of yeast, baking soda is used as a leavening agent.
The first thing you’ll notice when you pick up a loaf of soda bread is the weight. It’s a lot heavier than your usual sandwich bread. Soda bread comes in as many varieties as other types of bread, with brown and white varieties particularly common, along with more unique varieties that include Guinness, olives and honey.
Traditional Irish stew
This will warm your soul on a cold evening
Irish stew is a hearty dish made with beef or lamb and a host of root vegetables like carrots and potatoes, slowly simmered in a rich broth. Best accompanied with a glass of Guinness, this is about as Irish as a field of shamrocks. You’ll be able to find Irish stew on menus all across Northern Ireland.
A bubbling pot of Irish stew on a crisp evening is an authentic Irish culinary experience everyone should have. It's even better when enjoyed beside a roaring fire in a cosy local pub.
Irish oysters
The king of Ireland’s fantastic seafood produce
The cold, rich Atlantic waters around Northern Ireland are home to some of the world’s finest oysters. Grown naturally and taking nourishment from the ocean only, Ireland’s best oysters take 3 years to grow (which is why they are on the more expensive end of the scale), but they taste exquisite.
If you want to try these seafood delicacies at their very best, you can head to several oyster farms dotted around the coast and try the finest Irish oysters straight from the farmer. In particular, Carlingford Oyster Company on Carlingford Lough, and Rooney Fish in County Down grow legendary oysters that are exported to high-end restaurants all over the world.
Yellowman candy
A sweet pick-me-up during the day
Yellowman candy is similar to honeycomb toffee – a chewy, syrupy, and sweet treat – which you’ll find in county fairs and community gatherings all over Ireland. It’s especially common during Lammas Day, a religious holiday that takes places every August in Northern Ireland.
It’s the liberal use of brown sugar that gives the candy its yellow and gold hue, while baking soda creates the bubbly texture. It makes a nice gift for family back home...just don't tell your dentist.
Champ
Northern Ireland’s signature potato-based dish
Champ is a potato-based dish that has a creamy, buttery texture, with some added crunch and flavour thanks to the addition of chopped green onions. This simple but satisfying dish is a classic way to prepare leftover potatoes in Northern Ireland.
Ireland is famed for its love of potatoes – certainly, you won't go a day without eating potato in some form – and this is Northern Ireland's signature recipe.
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