Lucinda's 20 Best Street Food Stop Offs
Wednesday 08 August 2018
Some of the tastiest and most creative food in the country is being served up at markets, festivals or at the side of the road, from stalls, vans and trucks. From spicy Asian cuisines to local lobsters to hand-rolled ice-creams and so much more, the street food revolution is here to stay. So, check out some of my 20 Best Street Food Stop-offs around Ireland, and discover a world of great food, great drink and great fun.
DUBLIN
MESPIL ROAD MARKET
Every Thursday from 11.30am-2pm, this buzzy market by the Grand Canal in Dublin draws droves of hungry lunchtimers. Burger Republic are grilling up a storm here, while Kerala Kitchen turns out fab fresh Indian street food.
irishvillagemarkets.ie
UCD MARKET
Set in the grounds of Ireland’s largest university, there’s some great street to be had here, whether you’re grabbing a bite between (or instead of) classes or you’ve come expressly for the food. Grab some of Jaru’s tasty Korean BBQ or maybe a slice from Zero Zero wood-fired pizza.
irishvillagemarkets.ie
VIETNOM
Specialising in organic Vietnamese veggie fusion, Vietnom is a food truck that's put down roots in the beer garden of The Glimmer Man pub in Stoneybatter, D7, bringing great food to the taste buds of Irish foodies from Thurs-Sun weekly.
vietnom.ie
SPENCER DOCK MARKET
There’s everything from fish to falafel here, but make sure you try the hot Taiwanese bao buns. Chef Gerard Dodd and fiancee Niamh O’Reilly’s duck, hoisin, cucumber and fermented chilli mayo buns at their How Bao Now stand at the Spencer Dock Market at lunchtime on Wed are knockout at €6.
irishvillagemarkets.ie
VEGINITY
Chef Mark Senn's award-winning veg-based food truck has proved so popular that he has just opened his dream restaurant on Upper Dorset Street, serving from 5-10pm, Thurs-Sat. Check out his cookbook – Losing My Veginity.
veginity.com
SANDYFORD MARKET
From 11.30am-2pm on Fridays, Sandyford’s rat-racing urbanites are treated to a brill lunchtime market at the junction of Carmanhall and Ravens Rock Rd. From Dublin Bratwurst to Tokyo Sushi & Bento Box. Be sure to check out Say Fish, but, if you miss them here, catch them at weekends at Dun Laoghaire Pier.
irishvillagemarkets.ie
PEOPLE’S PARK MARKET
Besides the fab Fallon & Byrne tearooms, the classic bandstand, a playground for the kiddos, and lots of crafty bits, there's some great street food at this weekend market in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, like Karuna’s Kitchen, doing tasty veggie world cuisine, Food Fiesta's sumptuous Spanish flavours, or the Great American Food Company, where customers go nuts for their doughnuts. Lots of crafty bits to check out too.
dlrcoco.ie
BLACKROCK MARKET
This ever-popular market in SoCoDu is home to some hip and happening street food. Shaka Poke brings the Hawaiian vibes, while 3 Leaves Indian street food has seen them become a destination restaurant. If things are getting too spicy for you, head for Arctic Stone for some flash-frozen hand-rolled ice-cream. The market is open daily, but traders' opening hours vary.
blackrockmarket.com
MERRION SQUARE MARKET
Every Thursday, from 11.30-2.30pm, Dublin’s Merrion Square plays host to this charming food market, which featuring great street food, such as Pacheco Venezuelan, whose specialty, AREPAS, is a grilled corn bun filled with traditional toppings. Also, check out ‘Vietnam’, who do a tasty beef curry with rice noodles.
facebook.com
HERBERT PARK MARKET
D4’s Herbert Park is a beautiful spot to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon. Chow down on a tasty toastie from Nice n Cheesy or some ‘Squealing Pig’ dumplings from Triad, and then cool off with some authentic Italian gelato from Cremeria Constantini. Don’t miss the annual Big Grill Fest, August 16th-19th.
facebook.com
EATYARD
With more than 20 rotating vendors, the Eatyard, on D2’s South Richmond St, is a red hot street food hub. There’s something here for everyone, whether you fancy a Box Burger or you’d rather ‘Just Wing It’. Buttercream Dream comes between the sweet-toothed and their sleep, whilst the healthier heads go for Kale + Coco’s smoothie bowls. Eatyard grew out of the yearly Beatyard Fest, returning Aug 3rd-5th at Dun Laoghaire Harbour.
the-eatyard.com
COUNTRYWIDE
TIFFEN BY SUNIL
Ace chef Sunil Ghai has brought his food flair to Greystones, Co. Wicklow, with this take-out, eat-in & spice store, delightfully helmed by his wife Leena. There’s outdoor seating too, perfect for the sunny weather.
tiffin.ie
MIDLETON FARMER’S MARKET
Taking place each Saturday from 9am-1pm, this super market in the centre of Midleton, Co. Cork, has plenty to keep your taste buds tingling. Besides a bounty of fresh produce, there’s lots of stalls with great street food to enjoy on the spot. Stop by Mike Barrett, AKA the Lobster Man’s stall for some sumptuous shellfish, or maybe grab a slice of Volcano Pizza.
facebook.com
BAO BOI
Chef Brian McCarthy, of the well known Greene’s Restaurant, has planted his fork on Barrack Street in Cork with his Bao Boi restaurant. It’s all about those steamy Taiwanese bao buns, filled with tasty toppings sourced from local Cork producers, making for a tasty and nutritious way for East to meet West.
baoboi.ie
HAMLET’S
With great food, drink and music, this Hamlet is riding high on the hog. There’s a fully-heated outdoor area and cocktail bar, plus a secret garden with an outdoor stove, tikki hut and even a classic boat if you'd fancy imagining being on the high seas. There's also a new cool classic converted Citroen Van, serving fab fish n’ chips, hake burgers, scampi and more.
hamletsofkinsale.com
NEW BRIDGE KINSALE
Just outside Ireland’s gourmet capital, at the ‘Archdeacon Duggan Bridge’, awaits some of the best fish n’ chips you could fathom. Catch of the Day’s van has been luring the gourmet crowd here for ages, and, if fish doesn’t float your boat, then have a slice from the Pizza Rustika truck.
facebook.com
THE WOOD OVEN
The folks at this mobile wood-fired pizza company turn out delicious slices of cheesy heaven, using handmade dough and homemade tomato sauce. A regular feature on the Square in Kenmare, where they’re based. You’ll also find them at farmer’s markets, food fests and events in Cork and Kerry.
facebook.com
LIMERICK MILK MARKET
With a fab assortment of food the Limerick Milk Market has become a weekend must for many. Have a Happy Hot Dog or be delighted by the fabulous Turkish baklava from Sefik Dikyar. Country Choice is always a good….selection, and don’t say au revoir without a crepe from Bon-Appetit. Aroi Asian Street Food on nearby O'Connell Street is also brill.
milkmarketlimerick.ie
XI’AN STREET FOOD
On Galway City’s Quay St, this hip, casual restaurant specialises in traditional, authentic Chinese street food – their goal is to honour the 1000-year-old culture and taste of Xi’an, one of the oldest cities in China. Try the Qishan hand-ripped soup noodles with a choice of meats, €10-€14.
xianstreetfood.ie
STRANDHILL PEOPLE’S MARKET
With a wonderful balance of European and Asian street food, and lots of crafts and entertainment, this modern market, Sundays from 11am-4pm, at Hanger 1 of Sligo Airport, is always a winner. Grab some food then head over to Buskers Corner to enjoy the tunes.
strandhillpeoplesmarket.ie
lucindaosullivan.com
First Published In The Sunday Independent