Delicious Britain & Ireland: 2008
When you take your tongue out sightseeing in Britain or Ireland, what are its favorite taste treats? (Or does it just want to go back home?)
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Good Value Meals in London
Recently returned from London, having had a delicious meal at the friendly Mermaid's Tail in Leicester Square. Traditional fish & chips meals of Haddock, Halibut, or Sole are 10.50 pounds; fish can also be ordered baked or pan fried. Portions are substantial! Cheerful interior murals, with outside tables on the Square.
Also recommend neighborhood French restaurant Denise's on Southampton Row in Bloomsbury. The welcome from Denise is always warm and the food good, having either a bowl of onion soup or a full meal. On Sundays there is almost always a roti poulet special for just under 10 pounds. Vegetarians will like the tasty sandwiches at Red Veg in Soho (and Brighton), and for everyone the reliable sandwiches,soups,and salads at Pret a Manger.
Sue Goodman
Honolulu, Hawaii USA Tue 11/11/2008
Yummy food in Ireland
We just spent 2 mostly delicious weeks in Ireland! Our best meal was at the Bushmills Inn in Bushmills (the town was kind of a dump, but this restaurant made up for it). Also, Ivan's in Howth had wonderful grilled lobster and oysters!
Sarah Dirk <email>
Euclid, OH USA Tue 10/28/2008
Eating in Britain
In your recent column in THE STAR LEDGER you left out an important source of good food at reasonable prices. We go to the carveries in local hotels for a late lunch. There are enough food choices to opt for healthy, low-cost meals.
Joan Dobrowolski
Highland Park, NJ USA Sun 10/12/2008
Vinopolis
My wife and I went to Vinopolis. We thought it was a waste of money. The prices have gone up, audio guides are one pound extra, which we thought was odd, and it's now closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Matt
Chicago, IL USA Mon 10/06/2008
Favorite Pub Food in Ireland
To save money on food in Ireland we ate several meals in pubs and smaller restaurants. Our favorites were the great salads at the "Poet's Corner" in Ennis, the seafood chowder at the "Spaniard Inn" in Kinsale, great sandwiches at "JAM" in Kenmare, and stuffed baked potatoes at "Couch Potato" in Galway. For great wine and tapas we loved "Sebastian's Wine Bar" in Galway.
Sharon
Atlanta, GA USA Sat 10/04/2008
An Alternative to Deacon Brodie's
Last year we ate at Deacon Brodie's Tavern and we voted it the worst food in Scotland. It took some doing to be awarded that distinction. A much nicer alternative is just down the way on St. Giles Street called (appropriately enough) St. Giles Cafe. We ate there last year and it was called something else but they just changed the name not ownership. We found it again this year and they had the same high quality. They have very good salads, baked goods, soups pasta and sandwiches.
Catherine McNabb <email>
Port Townsend, WA USA Sat 09/13/2008
Good Food in London
Marks & Spencer at the Kensington High Street Tube Station has a great food court in the basement. They have a good selection of reasonably priced food and fresh baked goods. Very tastey and convenient if you are staying in Kensington. A good way to cut your food bill.
Cindy
Holland, PA USA Fri 09/12/2008
Dingle
Just back from Ireland where we spent our (short) honeymoon. We spent almost all of it in Dingle, west Kerry as my hubby's granddad came from Ballydavid, a lovely seaside hamlet. Dingle is where we found the best pizza ever! We had 3 nights at a wine bar called the Blue Zone, ate their duck pizza and cajun chicken salad, drank the most amazing wines and listened to taped jazz. Another really good place is Out of the Blue, a seafood only restaurant, best fish in town, maybe in Ireland. We'll be back!
Dee & Jerry Portland
Chicago, Ill USA Tue 08/12/2008
Great Waitrose prepared food
My husband, myself and two sons stayed in Windsor, GB in June and our hotel was next door to the Waitrose Windsor. We thought we were in heaven! What a great selection of prepared sandwiches such as Peking Duck wrap (2.80 pounds)and bagels and lox (3.50 pounds)and rolls for breakfast and desserts. They were large, very tasty and well worth the price. The bottle of Diet Coke which were similiar in size to the 20 oz US size were 99p, not much more expensive than the US. We found the Waitrose to be priced similiar to the prices in NJ and we really didn't spend a fortune on food like we thought we would have to. Besides it was fun to picnic on the benches around Windsor Castle.
Eileen
NJ USA Wed 07/23/2008
restaurants ireland
we have just visited the best restaurant i have ever been to The Phoenix in Castlemaine co. kerry vegetarian food to die for lovely gardens loads of fresh stuff growing and th accommodation like an eastern palace. cant belive you dont have them listed. we are used to high standards in ch. and this is really way up there
christina hurlimann <email>
bremgarten, ag switzerland Wed 07/16/2008
Vinopolis Alert!
The Vinopolis tour is now closed on both Tuesdays and Wednesdays...so we have two unused tickets if anyone is interested.
Marsha McCracken <email>
Mill Creek, WA USA Tue 06/24/2008
Cross Keys in Ruthin, North Wales
The Cross Keys, just before the turnoff to Bryn Awel outside Ruthin, North Wales, was just great, very local and delicious food. We had the best conversations with proprieters and guests alike.
Marsha McCracken
Mill Creek, WA USA Tue 06/24/2008
I was a student in Scotland a couple summers ago and the best thing I found on a tight budget was a chain bakery called Greggs. Very delicious and most locals eat there for lunch.
Jess
Nashville, TN USA Fri 05/30/2008
very good small restuarant in Windsor
Everyone told us not to expect great food in Great Britan. We found a very good small resturant in the town of Windsor. The name of the restuarant is Falstaff's and it is on Church Street about 1 block off of the main road leading to the castle. The food was excellent and the price was right.
Terry Sawyers <email>
Raleigh, NC USA Mon 05/26/2008
Giraffe Restaurant in London
It's a chain restaurant but we loved the food, friendly service and general atmosphere so much, we went back a second night. The branch we visited was the Brunswick Centre location in Bloomsbury.
They have wonderful Monday-Thursday specials on food and drink that really help stretch the budget, plus I liked the emphasis on fair trade and organic/GM free sources for the food.
Vanessa
Halifax, NS Canada Mon 05/26/2008
Great Turkish restaurant in Edinburgh
I strongly recommend Hanedan (41 W. Preston St.), a Turkish restaurant near the recommended B&Bs near Dalkeith Road in Edinburgh. We had wonderfully grilled and generous portions of steak, chicken, and Scottish lamb there for a really reasonable 8-9 pound price.
Elizabeth
Minneapolis, MN USA Mon 05/19/2008
Food and Folklore in Dublin
While visiting Dublin recently, had opportunity to hear a presentation of Irish folklore along with excellent food at The Brazen Head pub on Bridge Street. It takes up the evening (7-10 PM) but is well worth the fee.
Terry
Nashville, Tenn. USA Thu 05/08/2008
London's Best
Going to London with far less of a budget than originally planned. Looking for sugestions for London's best "cheap eats" - Thanks!
Denise Bouret
Quebec City, QC Canada Sat 04/26/2008
Squigl Restaurant
Located in Duncannon, a pleasant coastal town in County Wexford, this restaurant's menu was filled with original, delicious dishes, well presented. Servers were friendly and helpful, making for an elegant, relaxing experience.
Ron and Jan
Seattle, WA USA Tue 04/22/2008
Glenarm Tea Room in Northern Ireland
On a recent trip to Northern Ireland my daughter and I discovered a wonderful tea room in Glenarm along the Coastal Causeway. The tea room and walled garden are newly opened and adjacent to Glenarm Castle, less than 100 meters off the road. Follow the well posted signs. We had a terrific Irish lamb stew followed by apple cinnamon scones with clotted cream and jam that I can still taste when I close my eyes. Delicious!
Aggie
Waterloo, Belgium Mon 04/14/2008
Fishy Fish Shop's deli, Kinsale, Ireland
Last spring we stayed in Kilkenny for a month and took many side trips. One was to Kinsale. As it was lunchtime when I arrived with friends, we looked for the Fishy Fish Shop (and deli) and found ourselves at the Fishy Fish Cafe. It was a beautiful day, and the place was completely full inside and out with a long line. In spite of the hectic situation, two servers took the time to direct us to the shop. When we got there, we waited inside the door for
15 minutes near where a menu was posted. Apparently there was some system, but it was completely beyond us.
Occasionaly someone who appeared to be a hostess glided by with a party of people but never made eye contact with us. At that point of the day more than half of the tables outside were full while more than two thirds inside were empty. After 10 more minutes, I went up to one of three shop workers milling around the counter which had no customers and asked how we might be served. She snapped back in a very surly manner that we had to wait in line. Even after being ignored and scolded, we waited five more minutes before heading out to find lunch by the water. That was definitely the most unfriendly and disorganized establishment we encountered during the month long trip.
Ron
Seattle, WA USA Sun 04/13/2008
Food Around Ireland
Anywhere in Ireland: lunch from a Garage (petrol station) deli counter. Inexpensive and tasty. Lots of fried options but also made-to-order sandwiches and salads. If you like chocolate, definately try Galaxy & Cadbury bars.
Trim: Wau Asian Cuisine. Looks formal but feels welcoming and tastes excellent. Cashel: Kearney's Castle Hotel Bar--feels a bit stuffy. Dingle: John Benny Moriarties a bit over-hyped; Out of the Blue Seafood Only & The Marina Bar--excellent seafood; Goat Street Cafe--tiny, welcoming, & delicious. Doolin: O'Connor's Pub-fast and good, definately get the soup of the day; Ballyvaughn: Monk's Pub--great chowder & soup; Portrush: Ramore Oriental--normally wouldn't on vacation but went twice for the exact same meal; Belfast: Cayenne--expensive but delicious; Dublin: Wagamama Noodle Bar-try the Wasabi Fudge Cake, The Church (a restaurant in an old church, complete with organ), Epicurian Food Hall a bit of a let-down--quite like a mall food court, Yamamori--mushy noodles.
Natalie
Oconomowoc, Wi USA Tue 04/08/2008
Cheap Eats Dublin!
1. Try going to Dunne's stores with hot meals. The larger stores have sit-in cafes. There is one in St. Stephen's Green shopping centre on the top floor and another on the northside (Henry Street).
2. Try Ann's on Henry Street. It is a sit in restaurant and bakery.
3. O'Neills pub on Suffolk Street across from the Dublin Tourist Centre. Corned Beef and Cabbage €11.50 Irish Stew €9.50 Awesone food-- it is fresh, hot and filling and right in the city centre.
4. Lemon Crepes South William Street (little street that is behind Brown Thomas off Grafton) Many kinds of crepes, sandwiches, coffee.
5. O'Briens Sandwiches-- good for a quick bite (the bread is lovely)
They have them all over Dublin, and we used to get sandwiches and eat them in St. Stephen's Green.
Courtney
Austin, TX USA Wed 04/02/2008
Good Food in London
When in London last week we had some great meals - Porter's, close to Covent Garden - traditional English food - meat pies and desserts. The Belgo Centraal was great - good beer and food - we had a chicken and fish plate that was good. The Belgian beer is fantastic. Maggie Jones was an even better choice - good portions and traditional food. We had tea at the Capital Hotel and liked it better than Harrods. It is cheaper and the quality was better. We stayed at the Westland Hotel and liked it better than other places we have stayed in London. It has a good breakfast by British standards. Bill & Pam - Van Buren, Arkansas.
Bill & Pam <email>
Van Buren, AR USA Mon 03/31/2008
Economical meal in Belfast
Highly recommend Maggie May's Cafe in Belfast, N.I., located on Botanical Avenue near Queen's University. Cheap eats for students, all home-made food, the fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding was excellent!
Debbie
ON Canada Sat 03/22/2008
Tea London
I was visiting my daughter who is studying abroad in Leicester. We went to London and had tea at a place across from Harrod's. The name began with an R. It was a wonderful place for tea and ice cream.
Alison <email>
Mt. Prospect, IL USA Sat 03/15/2008
London
The Kensington Creperie is wonderful! I visited this restaurant last fall & it was my first European crepe. They have any and all kinds of crepes from dinner ones to dessert ones.
Kelly <email>
Columbus, Ohio USA Tue 03/11/2008
Ireland-favorites of a 6 year old
Ireland Favorites of 6 Year Old Molly
My favorite thing in Ireland was looking at the water and the rocks. I also liked the festivals that they have there and meeting other Irish kids in the B and Bs.
Molly Hayes
alexandria, va USA Sun 02/17/2008
Great food in Dingle
My husband and I just returned from a week's trip to Southern Ireland with our good friends. (Sadly, FAR too brief, but planning on a longer return trip next time!) One of the highlights of our trip, aside from it being February and OFF-OFF season, with nary a tourist to get in our way, was our stay at Murphy's pub in Dingle. Not only did we have the best rooms in the house (no competition) at 60 euros per night, but we also had fabulous meals of Irish beef, lamb, fish and chips (by far the best "chips" I have ever eaten), and a plate of sea bass to die for. After our leisurly drive around the tip of the peninsula, we returned yet again for a late lunch before heading out. The staff there were so friendly and just as nice as can be. Taz, the "pub dog" was a serious, yet friendly and fun addition to this memorable establishment!
Sue Goodwin <email>
Altus, OK USA Sun 02/17/2008
cookies=biscuits
I love english biscuits, pick them up at grocery or marks and spencer stores. you almost can't go wrong. great with coffee or tea. skip the ones with chocolate though.
JS
Ca USA Sat 02/16/2008
Tea in London
Important cultural tip: Londoners really don't "do tea" anymore. We just got back from five days of being directed to a Starbucks everytime we asked about a good tea place. Finally we went to the Brahmah Tea and Coffee museum on Southwark St (recommended in RS guide) and for 9 pounds had a great high tea. Well worth it, especially if you're in the neighborhood of the Tate Modern and Shakespeare's New Globe.
Meridith
Cary, NC USA Tue 02/12/2008
Wagamama's: Affordable, Good, and Accessible
I go to London at least once a year, since that's where my in-laws live. And while I do get tired of staying at the same place (can't beat the price), we always make the excuse to escape once during the visit to Wagamama's. It's a chain with many locations throughout the UK, but the food is affordable and amazingly good at every one. There is nothing like it in the States, although I hear there are two locations in the Boston area. I am scheduled for a business trip to that area later in the year, so I'll have to make the trip.
The decor is a bit austere, but the food is super. There are even choices for vegetarians, which isn't always that easy to find.
Heidi <email>
Ocean, NJ USA Mon 02/11/2008
Delicious Britain and Ireland
We have had great fish and chips and mushy peas at the Magpie Cafe in Whitby, England, and at the Sea Shell of Lisson Grove in London. The Magpie was relatively expensive, but the food was great. The Seashell was recommended by a London cabby, and was wonderful as well.
Denice
Cleveland, USA Sat 02/09/2008
great pub in Wales
Some of the best food I've had! Go to the Black Lion in Pontrhydfendigaid, near Strata Florida Abbey and Devil's Bridge in mid-Wales. Not your typical pub menu. We had fresh salmon and veggie wraps. Heavenly! The kids loved it! Easy to find, a bright red and black building
Lori Hodgson
Whitecourt, AB Canada Thu 01/24/2008
London restaurant
Porters on Henrietta street, just off of Covent garden was great. Traditional English food. Try the steamed syrup pudding!
Aerin
Auburn, AL USA Thu 01/17/2008
Ed
Don't forget the Cornish or Welch pasties!
Wilson <email>
Lincoln, NE USA Fri 01/04/2008