Updated January 2024–As you journey across Ireland, you may be wondering exactly where to stop for some grub. Fear not. There are plenty of food trucks throughout the country to keep you satisfied, including the Top 20 Irish food trucks in this blog post.
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Since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, outdoor dining has become more important than ever in Ireland, when of course the weather permits.
The Top 20 Irish food truck eateries listed below are a great way to grab a bite while on the go no matter where you are on the island of Ireland.
Some do close for the winter, so it's best to catch them during the spring, summer and fall, if your schedule permits. However, others are open year-round and I've included that information below.
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1. Misunderstood Heron
This award-winning food truck located on the shores of Killary Fjord in Connemara is not to be missed.
Established by Kim Young and Reinaldo Seco in 2017, the food truck was named one of the World’s 10 Coolest Food Trucks by Lonely Planet travel guides in 2019.
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They are also mentioned in Lonely Planet’s “Around the World in 80 Food Trucks.”
So, while you’re immersing yourself in Connemara’s wild beauty, why not stop by for some Irish roasted coffee and a wide range of food, all locally sourced?
Enjoy mussels from the fjord, local Connemara lamb that goes into their spicy lamb samosas and so much more.
The food truck is a 30-minute drive from Clifden and Westport, 15 minutes from Connemara National Park and 7 minutes from Leenane.
The truck closes during the winter months and re-opens in March. Follow them on Instagram to learn more.
From Galway: Connemara & Kylemore Abbey Full-Day Guided Tour
2. Julia’s Lobster Truck
Freshly barbecued lobster, traditional fish and chips, lobster rolls, steamed mussels, and clams, as well as flaggy shore oysters, are all on the menu at Julia’s Lobster Truck.
You’ll find owner Julia Hemingway and her food truck in Liscannor and Bellharbour, both close to the beautiful Burren landscape and a convenient stop if you're touring in the area.
Follow Julia’s Lobster Truck on Facebook and Instagram
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3. Fry Guys, Shanagarry
Shanagarry in East Cork is known for being the location of the well-known Ballymaloe Cookery School run by one of Ireland’s celebrity chefs, Darina Allen.
But you’ll also find the popular food truck Fry Guys there, too.
Fry Guys are known for their fabulous pizzas, burgers, and organic wild boar hot dogs, coupled with sides of truffle or chili, garlic, and parmesan fries.
There’s also a variety of seafood specials on the menu, including oysters and mussels.
Follow Fry Guys on Facebook and Instagram
4. Craft West Cork Food Truck
This permanent artisanal food truck is located at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery in the beautiful West Cork region.
Owners/chefs Alexandre Petit and Shane Deane have created a menu that is inspired by their international travels.
Expect bacon butties and scones, among other treats, for breakfast.
For dinner, there’s a wide variety available, including pork gyros in a homemade flatbread, served with Macroom Buffalo feta cheese and Irish yogurt tzatziki.
Thai fishcakes and sticky Timoleague carnitas are just some of the other delicious options available at this popular spot.
Craft West Cork partners with local food and craft beer producers in the West Cork area. They typically open around Easter Sunday.
Follow Craft West Cork on Facebook and Instagram.
5. Toto's Pizza of Kinsale
French baker Christian Jambou of Toto’s Pizza of Kinsale has been working in the food industry for 30 years and for the past nine of them, he’s been satisfying locals and visitors to the beautiful seaside town of Kinsale in West Cork with his scrumptious offerings.
Expect to not only get delicious pizza from this bright yellow food truck near the beach but also yummy waffles, wedges, and more.
Follow Toto’s Pizza of Kinsale on Facebook
6. Brew In Thru Food Truck
Expect a delicious coffee and sweet treat at Brew In Thru, the popular pale green Citroen-turned food truck in Donegal’s scenic Teelin region.
Fans include local Donegal photographer James O’Donnell and his friendly border collies Iggy and Frida who stop by to fuel up on a regular basis before heading off for the day.
The truck is located close to the fabulous Slieve League cliffs, the second-highest cliffs in Ireland (the Croaghaun Cliffs in Achill are actually higher than Sliabh League and the Cliffs of Moher!).
So, what better way to tackle the climb than to get some sustenance from owner Julie? The truck is expected to re-open mid-March.
Follow Brew In Thru on Facebook and Instagram
7. Johnny’s Ranch
Expect to experience superb culinary fare at Johnny’s Ranch, an award-winning food truck located on the banks of the River Lennon in Ramelton, County Donegal.
Some of the treats in store at Johnny’s Ranch and created by Chef Johnny Patterson include the Lennonside steak burger, breaded chicken goujons, beef stroganoff, Johnny’s homemade onion rings, and freshly battered Killybegs haddock with mushy peas.
Follow Johnny’s Ranch on Facebook and Instagram. The food truck is open year-round.
Rent an eBike and Tour Donegal's Glenveagh National Park
8. An Capall Mara, Killybegs
After being gifted a horsebox from some friends, Emma Walker of An Capall Mara Coffee Horsebox (in English it means “The Sea Horse”) decided the next best thing to do was to turn it into a haven for coffee lovers.
But then the pandemic hit in March 2020 and like other places around the world, circumstances meant that Walker and her family could not open as planned.
Today, she has rebounded and is happy to serve locals and visitors alike.
At An Capall Mara Coffee, you’ll not only get a warm welcome; you’ll also get the very best in Columbian coffee in a variety of flavors.
There are tea, fresh bakes, and other goodies to choose from, so when you’re visiting this lovely harbor town, be sure to stop by. This quaint food truck is open year-round.
Follow An Capall Mara on Facebook and Instagram .
9. The Fish Box, Corcreggan Mill
While you wouldn't call this a food truck, per se, the “Fish Box” at the popular Corcreggan Mill Lodge in Donegal, is every bit as good as any of the other street food offerings across the island of Ireland.
Expect seafood with a Mexican twist in addition to classic fish and chips, tacos, a variety of tasty salads, and much more at this lovely spot, which is located about 5 minutes from the village of Dunfanaghy. There's also an extensive drinks menu to choose from. Outdoor seating is available as is takeout.
Owner Siobhan O’Connor serves up other seafood dishes, too, in addition to a variety of vegan meals.
Large tables are available outside the horsebox and Sunday jazz and traditional Irish music sessions have been known to take place there.
10. The Mini Bean
Located in what might just be the most photogenic location in Donegal (sitting between the iconic Mount Errigal and the hauntingly beautiful Poisoned Glen in Dunlewey), you won’t go wrong when you stop by Maurice Foster’s Mini Bean food truck.
Expect fabulous coffee with traybakes, sweets, and chocolate rewards. It all sounds yummy!
When he’s not serving coffee, Maurice can be found guiding a kite or two in the Donegal skies above his popular food truck.
You can follow The Mini Bean on Facebook and on Instagram.
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11. Oui Poutine
Oui Poutine was founded by Kylah Dittmar, a Montreal native who grew up eating the Canadian comfort classic, poutine, which consists of French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy.
When Dittmar moved to Northern Ireland, poutine wasn’t available anywhere, which is why she established the food truck.
The original truck, a 1996 Ford Transit that she named Moose, “plodded along the narrow, windy roads of Northern Ireland,” recalls Dittmar, but these days, she has a newer model aptly named “Moose II.”
She can be found beside the “Big Fish,” the well-known ceramic mosaic sculpture in Belfast's Donegall Quay.
While poutine is a traditional Canadian dish, Dittmar says she tries to incorporate as much local produce as possible into her offerings. More importantly, she adds, you’ll find real “squeaky” cheddar cheese curds on every poutine you purchase.
Follow Oui Poutine on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
12. The Hatch
Forget the chippers of years ago. This food truck serves up what might possibly be the best burgers in Northern Ireland.
Located in Newcastle, a seaside resort about 27 miles (43 km) from Belfast, owners/chefs Colin and Bronagh Johnstone serve up a range of delightful meals from their truck, including the Big Black Truffle Mac and Cheeseburger, the Scampi Fries Fish Burger, and the 12-hour hickory-smoked pork loaded fries.
The Hatch has received numerous awards, including being crowned winner of Ireland’s Best Burger in 2019 and Best Burger in Ulster in 2018.
The Johnstones get their beef from local farms, where grass-fed sustainable cows are raised. The food truck is open year-round.
Follow The Hatch on Facebook.
13. The Salty Buoy
Out of a Citroen H van, Niall Sabongi serves up a variety of scrumptious seafood meals, including his signature lobster rolls, shucked oysters, and crab.
You’ll find a number of daily specials at the Salty Buoy, which operates on Dublin's Clanbrassil Street and in two locations in Greystones, Co. Wicklow.
Specials include creamy chowder, zingy Poke bowls, chargrilled smoky prawns, classic fish and chips, fresh Dublin Bay prawns, and much more.
Follow The Salty Buoy on Facebook and Instagram
14. Boxty’s
Named after the traditional Irish potato pancake known as Boxty, this popular business that once operated out of a traditional food truck has now been transformed into a converted horsebox-turned food truck, complete with a fully functioning kitchen.
Expect to find stuffed boxty pancakes with stout-braised beef and boxty popcorn chicken bites, fish and chips, chicken, and more at this Oranmore, County Galway food truck. Owner Michelle Kilkenny also runs a catering business that serves Galway City and the surrounding region.
Follow Boxty’s on Facebook and Instagram
15. The Hungry Donkey
While there are ample places to grab a bite in the popular town of Killarney in County Kerry, why not sample some delicious street food while on the go from The Hungry Donkey located at The Courtyard at Faha Court.
Founded by Brehon Hotel & Spa chef Chad Byrne, this cool food truck serves up delicious tacos, spice bags and goujons. The Hungery Donkey is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12.30 to 6.30 pm.
Follow them on Instagram.
16. Food Junkie
You can’t miss the bright orange Citroen Hy 1966 truck that is the Food Junkie located in Naas, Co. Kildare and owned by Luke Denvir.
Serving up wood-fired pizza cooked at 450 degrees Celsius gives the pizza its unique charred effect that just oozes that smokey wood-burned aroma.
Denvir uses only the best Molino Laquone “00” flour from Naples to make his signature pizzas, which are topped off with San Marzano tomatoes and Irish mozzarella cheese.
There’s lots more on offer from this popular food truck, which is also available for catered events. Open year-round.
Follow the Original Food Junkie on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
17. The Fire Slice Food Truck
French native Valerie Tirmant moved to Ireland in 2015 and hasn’t looked back since.
Today, she runs The Fire Slice food truck out of her 1973 Citroen HY van in Castlebar, County Mayo.
Valerie, who spent 20 years in the motor industry, wanted to combine the authentic French pizza methods she learned when training to become a pizzaiola at the Lutetia restaurant near Paris.
Combining those skills with locally sourced ingredients results in a tasty artisan pizza that is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Follow The Fire Slice Food Truck on Facebook and on Instagram. Open year-round.
18. Once Upon a Thai
If authentic Thai street food is on your mind and you're in the historical town of Trim (don't forget to stop at Trim Castle, too!), then Once Upon a Thai will surely satisfy your hunger.
This bright green truck serves up delicious Thai dishes, including Cashew Chicken, Chiang Mai noodles, and beef curry, just to name a few.
Follow Once Upon a Thai on Facebook, Instagram, and X
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19. Koha Street Kitchen
New Zealander Sascha Viertel, the owner of the food truck Koha Street Kitchen, is known around Sligo for his delicious comfort food.
Located near the Blue Lagoon pub in the center of town, Viertel offers breakfast and dinner menus.
For breakfast, expect organic Irish roasted coffee, fluffy pancakes with fruit, and sourdough breakfast toasties.
For dinner, expect beer-battered Killybegs haddock, fish tacos with mango salsa, and burgers from locally sourced beef, topped with charred corn and cheese. Yum!
The offerings at Koha Street Kitchen food truck are Kiwi-inspired with Sligo style! This food truck is also open year-round.
Follow Koha Street Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram
20. Unbeetable Food Truck
Owned by Jenny Donoghue and Adam Bernier, this food truck located in the Pickardstown Service Station on the Waterford Road in Tramore, County Waterford, is a welcome addition to the town’s culinary offerings.
Stop by on your journey along Waterford’s Copper Coast.
The menu is constantly changing, but some firm favorites include soups and salads, hearty sandwiches, stews, and curries.
Follow the Unbeetable Food Truck on Facebook and Instagram. Open year-round.
Other food trucks to check out around the island of Ireland include the following:
Belfast
Born & Raised, a food truck serving up delicious Belgian waffles.
Cork City
Marina Market, a variety of different vendors located at Cork's old Ford factory.
Dublin
Cluck Chicken, 2 trucks in Walkinstown, Dublin, and the Bray, Co. Wicklow, seafront
Los Chicanos, Camden Row, Dublin 8
The Goat’s Gruff, Strawberry Beds, Dublin
County Cork
Bean & Berry, Garrettstown
The Garden Café Food Truck at the Ballymaloe Cookery School
County Donegal
Kibbon Koffee, Lough Akibbon
Killybegs Seafood Shack, Killybegs
Lobster Roll Co., Slieve League Viewing Point
Samara’s Wheelie Good Coffee, Dunkineely
County Kildare
Bainne Gelato, Navan
Beanery, Clane
The Salt Project Food Truck (in different locations across the country)
Have you visited any of these Top 20 Irish food trucks on your travels around Ireland? Let me know in the comments below.
This list is fantastic, thanks so much!
You’re welcome, Damien!