Updated June 2025--Ireland isn’t the obvious vacation destination for foodies.
However, the culinary choices have been expanding in recent years thanks to inventive local chefs and a reliance on getting fresh ingredients from both the land and the sea, which, in turn, is reflected in the growing number of food tours in Ireland that are now available to tourists.
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Some of the staples of the Irish diet include Irish stew, bacon and cabbage, boxty, Irish soda bread, coddle and colcannon.
Today’s Irish chefs are taking these dishes a step further, with much of that apparent in the food tours that you see below, as well as on the menus of several of the country's eateries.
Most of the food tours in Ireland listed in this blog post range in price from €55/$63 US/£47 Sterling/$87 CAD/$98 AUD to around €120/$138 US/£102 Sterling/$189 CAD/$213 AUD per person.
Not all food tours listed here are suitable for everyone, so it’s best to ask beforehand if you have specific dietary needs.
1. Belfast
While Belfast is technically part of the United Kingdom, it’s easy to cross the seamless border that exists between Northern Ireland and the Republic either by car or public transportation.
There are several food tours to experience in Belfast, once known as the industrial powerhouse of Northern Ireland and famously associated with The Titanic.
The Belfast Food Tour
This four-hour guided food tour through the city center includes some of its top food and drinking spots.
The tour begins in the historic St. George’s Market, where you can expect to meet local food producers and then taste some of their delicious products before heading to some of the city's traditional bars, world-class shops and more.
The tour is suitable for all, even those with dietary needs.
The 5-Stop Sunday Belfast Brunch Tour
This 3-hour, grazing-style food tour will bring you to some of the city's quirkiest cafes, restaurants and bars.
Expect to visit five venues in the city (a five-course brunch and cocktails are included).
This tour is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Taste & Tour: Craft Beer and Food Tour of Belfast
A 3-hour walking tour of Belfast’s best beer bars and street food venues is what you can expect when you book this culinary experience.
You'll learn about and experience the local beer scene in Belfast and have some tasty bites along the way.
Taste at least nine different local craft beers, in addition to Belfast's famous chicken wings with sweet potato fries, and more.
The Belfast Tapas Trail
If you want a taste of not just Irish food but international cuisines that are popular in Belfast, why not take the Belfast Tapas Trail tour?
You'll have the chance to feast on a variety of flavors and ingredients, from classic Spanish specialties to Far Eastern delights as well as classic sweet street food tapas.
Expect to visit a street market, three restaurants and another secret location, all over the space of about 3 1/2 hours.
Belfast Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours
This 3 to 3 ½-hour excursion starts in front of Belfast City Hall and will take you to a number of popular restaurants in Belfast, including those in the Cathedral Quarter and Queens Arcade.
Tastings include Irish soda bread, Irish cured meats and cheeses, local stew, smoked salmon, as well as some classic dishes that are popular in Northern Ireland.
2. Cork City
Cork is a growing foodie destination, with the resident English Market top of the list on many tourist itineraries. But there's more on offer in Ireland's second-largest metropolis.
Cork's Fab Food Tasting Trail
Experience the city’s traditional food and drink establishments on this popular tour while also savoring delicious Irish dishes, in addition to learning about Cork’s culinary heritage along the way.
The 2 ½ to 3-hour walking food tour starts at the Grand Parade entrance to the legendary English Market, which stretches from Princes Street to the Grand Parade, where you will meet the market’s artisan producers.
At least six venues are included in this guided tour that will give you an insight into the local culture and architecture of this historic attraction.
Cork Delicious Doughnut Adventure by Doughnut Tour
You’ll start this tour at the Cameron Bakery, a French bakery that makes mouth-watering pastries and other delightful sweet treats.
After that, make your way to the vibrant Oliver Plunkett Street and into the city's busy shopping district. Watch a variety of different flavored doughnuts being made before stopping at the English Market, where you are free to explore artisan stalls and taste local favorites while learning about Cork’s legacy as a food hub.
You'll end your Cork culinary adventure at Golden Bites, where crispy churros with dipping sauce are made.
Cork on a Fork Festival
Taste your way through the city by enjoying food trails, cooking demonstrations, master classes, talks, special events and more at this annual food festival, which takes place Aug. 13-17 this year.
3. Kinsale, County Cork
Make Kinsale a definite stop on your Ireland vacation itinerary and while you’re there, avail of the food tours in this colorful West Cork town.
Kinsale Culinary Half-Day Tour
This includes a walk through this colorful town where you’ll learn about the history of Irish food and then sample some traditional fare, including local cheese, oysters and craft beer.
The small group tour culminates in a lesson on how to make a classic Irish coffee. This is also available as a private tour. Email [email protected] for more information.
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Coastal Foraging and Folklore Tour
On this coastal walk, learn how to identify seaweeds, shellfish, and wild plants, some of which are used for beauty, food and medicinal purposes, and hear some local coastal legends as well.
This dog-friendly walking food tour starts at the Sandycove Slipway, about 5 km/3 miles outside Kinsale. Look for the guide, a marine biologist, wearing the green “Kinsale Food Tours” jacket.
This is also available as a private experience, with a wild foods picnic included. Email [email protected] for more information.
4. Dingle
Dingle is known for its beauty, but the abundance of good food in the town and surrounding region is attracting scores of visitors to this tourist mecca.
Dingle Tasting Tours
Wander through the beautiful town of Dingle and experience its local food and drink, including seafood right off the boat, Irish beef from local farms and locally crafted gin and beer.
As well as the daily tours which kick off at 2 p.m., a shorter, earlier tour is available at 11:30 a.m. and a Dingle Drinks Experience at 7 p.m. each evening.
Kingdom Food Tour
Italian native and certified tour guide Giulia Visciani is enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge of Irish food and in particular, her passion for Dingle and its fare.
Expect to stop at a local brewery, fusion food restaurants, food trucks, a butcher shop, and an ice cream store on this food tour. Email [email protected] to make a booking.
Visciani also offers private tours and a guided coastal walk together with a gourmet picnic.
Morning Tasting and Sightseeing Guided Tour
On this guided small-group experience, you'll learn about the food, history, and local culture of Dingle.
If you're short on time, this tour will give you a taste of what to expect, with stops at food and drink destinations where you can sample local specialities such as coffee and pastries.
History and Food Tasting Tour
Join a local guide to explore the colorful harbor town on this half-day guided tour, including tasting food in some its best-known restaurants and pubs.
Fresh seafood, Irish gin, and Irish craft beer are just some of the things you'll get to taste while learning about the history and culture of Dingle.
The Dingle Food Festival
This is an annual highlight in Dingle, which takes place Oct. 3-5 this year.
Activities include a combination of cookery demonstrations, workshops, a craft beer and cider trail, a farmer's forum, street entertainment, a taste trail, over 50 market stalls, children's events, wine tastings, and more.
5. Dublin
Since Dublin is the capital of Ireland, it's no surprise that there are several food tours available in the city center area. Together with an abundance of great restaurants, visiting Dublin for its food offerings is a great idea.
Meet and Eat Dublin: Dublin Food Walking Tour
Stop at 6 to 7 different venues in the city to get a literal taste of Dublin’s current food scene. Meet food artisans, chocolatiers, and cheese mongers, among others.
This tour includes 5 to 6 food tastings and 1 to 2 drink tastings.
Dublin Walking Tour with Secret Tours
Take a half-day food tour visiting authentic pubs, cafes, markets, and food shops while savoring a traditional Irish breakfast, artisanal cheese, even an Irish liqueur.
The tour will take you past Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College, and other popular attractions in the city.
Delicious Dublin Food Tour
This tour will give you a good introduction to the food scene in Ireland and Dublin.
It includes tastings and samples at award-winning restaurants and cafés.
Food on Foot Tour: Dublin Street Food Tour with Local Guide
You’ll find a blend of food, history and culture on this tour.
Plus, you'll also will have the chance to purchase the foods you like at the various food stops along the tour.
Walking Food Tours: Private Tours
Fancy a food tour all to yourself or just for you and your family? Walking Food Tours offers exclusive access to its expertise of Dublin food experiences.
For more details, email [email protected].
Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class and Dinner in Central Dublin
Learn how to make Irish soda bread, a beef and Guinness casserole and an Irish favorite, colcannon with Dublin native Ann Tomlin.
The experience is more than just a cooking lesson; it’s an evening of fun and the chance to experience genuine Irish hospitality.
Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
While not a food tour, per se, this delightful activity is still totally worth doing.
Enjoy a variety of afternoon tea delicacies, including freshly made sandwiches, desserts, cakes, and pastries, with 1950s jazz playing in the background while you breeze around the city on a double decker bus.
6. Galway
Galway's food offerings are many and that includes an abundance of great restaurants as well several food tours. I would encourage you to include a food tour on your itinerary while visiting the City of the Tribes.
Galway Food Tours – Daytime Food Tour
This 2 ½-hour culinary walking tour will introduce you to Galway’s cheese makers, artisan chocolatiers, creative beer makers and more.
Other culinary tours offered by Galway Food Tours include an Evening Food Tour, the Sweet Tooth Food Tour and its 4 ½-hour Food and Cycling Tour.
You’ll more information on the Galway Food Tours website.
Walk, Talk & Taste: Walking Food Tour of Galway
Provided by Galway-based Lally Tours, this food tour is not just about Galway City's diverse cuisine offerings.
Organizers describe it as more of an “Irish welcome,” with stories of history, geography, folklore, culture and even a few words of the Irish language thrown in for good measure.
On this 2.5-hour excursion through the city, you'll also learn about the cooking techniques that are typically used in the making of Irish food as well as their cultural significance.
7. Sligo
Sligo isn't always on the radar for many tourists, but for those who venture into Ireland's Northwest, you'll be pleasantly surprised by its culinary offerings and tours.
Taste of Sligo Food Tours
Follow well-known Sligo restauranteur Anthony Gray through the streets of Sligo and into its eateries on this popular food tour.
Over 2 ½ hours, visit between five and seven restaurants in Sligo to learn about the multicultural flavors that are defining the town’s position as a culinary destination.
Tours are available Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 12, 3 and 6 p.m.
Sligo Oyster Farm Tour
This oyster farm tour, provided by Aisling Kelly, owner of WB's Coffee House in Sligo town, will give you exclusive access to a working oyster farm where you will learn about Sligo's ancient seafood while taking in stunning views of Benbulben and Knocknarea, popular hiking attractions in County Sligo.
Kelly also offers a 1-hour experience that includes an oyster shucking demonstration and an oyster tasting in her coffee shop.
8. The Burren, County Clare
The Burren in County Clare is where you’ll find an abundance of caves, cliffs and fossil sites, and it is also where you will discover a number of food-related attractions.
In recent years, the area has attracted several artisan farmers, beekeepers, gardeners, cheesemakers, perfumeries, and chocolatiers, many of them participating in The Burren Food Trail, which includes food providers, producers, visitor attractions and outdoor activities.
Popular food-related experiences in the region include the St. Tola Farmhouse Cheese tour.
The company, run by Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith, has earned an international reputation in the cheesemaking industry.
Public tours are available several times a year (the next one is scheduled for Aug. 15th and a Halloween-themed tour will take place Oct. 29).
Private group tours of any size are also available by emailing [email protected].
If you're traveling with little ones, they will surely be thrilled to pet one of the resident goats on the farm. A cheese making demonstration is included as well as a tasting of the company's gourmet cheeses.
Private group tours cost €200 and are available at 10:30 am, 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Other popular food tours in Clare include a tour of the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna, where you can watch the smoking of its organic salmon; Wild Kitchen in Lahinch, which offers a wild food walk on land and by the ocean (participants get to taste the edible wild foods afterward), and the Flaggy Shore Oyster Experience, which offers an educational workshop on how oysters are farmed, as well as a tasting.
9. Waterford
Ireland's sunny southeast is another region that gets forgotten, but don't underestimate the beauty and the culinary choices available here too, including the tours mentioned below.
Mountain Splendour Taste Tour
Take a tour of the Comeragh and Knockmealdown mountain region with guide Johnny Landers.
The food tour starts at the Granville Hotel in Waterford, with a stop at Crough Wood for some foraging with forager and adventurer Andrew Malcom.
Learn about sustainable farming methods in the region from Clotilde Kiely during a visit to her farm in the Comeragh Mountains, followed by a stop at Mahon Falls and the chance to spend some time with farmer Willie Drohan of Comeragh Mountain Lamb, whose family has been farming in the mountains for six generations.
The 6-hour tour includes a sheepdog demonstration and a tasting of local lamb at Cooney’s Yard.
If you want a more immersive experience, you can spend two days exploring County Waterford’s food, drink, and landscapes.
The Waterford Food Story Experience includes two nights bed and breakfast at the Granville Hotel in Waterford together with an evening meal in the award-winning Everett’s restaurant.
Take a foraging tour along the nearby beach, part of Waterford’s Copper Coast, with The Sea Gardener Marie Power and later explore the region’s gardens and natural woodland.
If you’d like to discover more of County Waterford’s culinary treasures, be sure to take the Coastal Discovery Taste Trail.
10. Kilkenny
Kilkenny is among the top tourist cities in Ireland. Together with its cool medieval vibe, you'll find plenty of great food here too.
Kilkenny Culinary and Brewery Tour
This fun food tour starts with a warm Irish coffee in one of Kilkenny's heritage pubs
The Kilkenny Culinary Tour starts with a warm Irish coffee in one of Kilkenny City's vibrant heritage pubs, followed by food savings in several pre-booked venues throughout this famous medieval city.
Wander through its quirky medieval streets while your guide regales you with tales of fighting cats, the clash of the ash and feudal kings, while tasting local award-winning cheese, scrumptious pies, freshly baked bread, handmade chocolates, and more.
Are food tours in Ireland something you'd be interested in taking? Or perhaps you've already experienced the Irish cuisine on a guided tour. Either way, let me know in the comments below.
