On Eating in Irish Restaurants

A few notes from our experiences eating out in Ireland:

• Most condiments are available in little to-go packets at tables, even at somewhat fancier places.

• Don't expect the waiter to bring you your check automatically.  You will have to ask.  This is not considered rude in Ireland.

• Tips are generally lower, and not expected automatically.  I've been told to scale it more or less linearly with service quality between 0 and 10%, with a slight boost for very fancy places or stupendous service.

• Don't expect to get bread by default with your meal.  It generally is not served automatically, except in high-end restaurants (and even there, it is considered as a separate course).

• ... That said, you *will* get bread with breakfast and with nearly every soup you'll have.  The go-to bread in Ireland is a coarse whole-wheat soda bread, often with seeds and nuts.  Sometimes it will be sweat, but usually it will not be.  It's incredibly filling, and always delicious.

• Irish dairy is absolutely fantastic.  Even if you're not a fan of butter, be sure to try it in Ireland before (re)forming opinions.  The same goes for Irish milk and cheeses.

• Whipped cream usually isn't sweetened by default.  Servers will often ask if you want it with just about everything.  Get it--dairy in Ireland is so good that you'll like it anyways.

• Likewise, Irish beef and lamb are both amazing.  The burgers you'll get in Ireland--even at local fast-food joints like Supermac--will, by and large, blow your mind.  The lamb is local and extremely good.

• In summer, Irish vegetables are used everywhere and are absolutely amazing.  Expect lots of root veggies--carrots, parsnips, leeks, onions, and potatoes.  In particular, most restaurants will serve two soups: a seafood chowder, and some sort of blended vegetable soup (leek and potato appearing to be the traditional favorite).  Try both, they're fantastic.

• Finally, seafood in Ireland is excellent.  The go-to white fish (fried everywhere) is Cod.  Irish Salmon is a superstar in just about any dish or preparation.  I fell in love with it smoked on white toast for breakfast.

Ireland has a bit of a bum rap for food.  Yes, you'll eat a lot of potatoes.  And yes, some pub grub will leave you wishing that traditional Irish food contained salt.  But what the Irish are good at, they are *really* good at.  Try everything, go nuts, and have fun!