Ten great food trucks and restaurant pop-ups around Ireland
Caitlin Ruth's food truck has a strong emphasis on local and seasonal produce
Based in
west Cork
, Ruth's
food
truck has a constantly changing menu, with a strong emphasis on local and seasonal produce. The summer schedule will see the truck in Black's of
Kinsale
(brewery and distillery) for three weeks starting June 11th, Wednesday-Saturday. (Booking essential, tickets go on sale second week of May via link on Instagram). There will be a two-night pop-up at Goleen Harbour on July 4th and 5th, then for three weeks in August, it's Levis in Ballydehob.
instagram.com/caitlinruthfood
Little Catch
Denise Darrer of Little Catch Seafood Bar. Photograph: Dylan Vaughan
Seafood-led food truck with a rotating menu –
Copper Coast
lobster and crayfish roll,
Kilmore Quay
crab roll, prawn bao, smoked haddock arancini, chowder, sole sandwiches and curried tempura pollock. Locally sourced fish. Moves between spots in Waterford and Wexford – check Instagram for updates.
instagram.com/littlecatchseafood
Misunderstood Heron
After losing its spot on the edge of the Killary Fjord, this much loved food truck will now be popping up from June to September at P Dans pub in Louisburgh, Co Mayo.
instagram.com/misunderstood_heron/
Mountain View Markets
The farmers market at Mountain View, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny. Photograph: Dylan Vaughan.
In Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny, Mountain View has a range of artisanal shops and plenty of options for food. But get there early on busy summer weekends, as some of the more popular food stalls can sell out.
mountainview.ie
READ MORE
Mushroom Butcher
In a dark, humid former retail unit in Portobello, Mark Senn and Ingrid Baceviciute grow their own mushrooms and serve them hot from a Saturday food truck. The menu changes weekly – tacos, sushi, flatbreads, and the now-famous mushroom fillet roll. Don't miss the crème brûlée doughnuts if they're on.
instagram.com/mushroombutcher
[
Ireland's bakery boom: 'Customers will spend a tenner on an interesting pastry and a good coffee'
Opens in new window
]
Pot Duggans
Pot Duggans, Ennistymon, Co Clare
Situated overlooking the Cullenagh river in Ennistymon, Co Clare, Pot Duggans has great pizzas, as well as sandwiches and heartier dishes including hot pot and lamb stew.
potduggans.com
Snappy Snappy
Snappy Snappy, Letterfrack: It's all about the crab
At Dooneen Pier, just outside Letterfrack in Connemara, Snappy Snappy offers just one thing – delicious fresh crabmeat. Okay, there are a couple of options (roll or open sourdough sandwich, lemon and dill or chilli dressing) but it's all about the crab here.
instagram.com/snappysnappycrab
Sumi's Kitchen
Sumi's kitchen, Beggar's Bush, Dublin 4
Tucked behind Ryan's of Beggar's Bush pub off Haddington Road in Dublin 4, this Maharashtrian food truck has built a loyal following since 2023. Expect vada pav, onion bhajis and rotating specials like black pepper soya curry, fish thali or egg lababdar – updates on Instagram.
instagram.com/sumiskitchen_official
Swords Castle Food Market
Swords Castle, Co Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
On one Saturday each month from April to September, Swords Castle turns over its medieval courtyard to numerous artisan food stalls, as well as fresh produce vendors, family activities and food-related talks in the restored chapel.
swordscastle.events
Trawler Boyz
Trawler Boyz'signature seafood spice box
Seafood should be fun, and nowhere is it more joyous than down in Ballycotton at the rear of The Blackbird pub. Here chef Jimmy Hallinan mixes traditional seafood dishes with street food creations – choose from fish and chips, seafood chowder, the crispy prawn satay box or the signature seafood spice box.
instagram.com/trawlerboyzballycotton
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
Slide in visitor numbers slows to just 2% in June, CSO says
The recent slump in official figures for the number of people visiting Ireland moderated sharply last month, according to Central Statistics Office data published on Wednesday. Some 654,500 foreign residents visited Ireland in June. That represented a year-on-year drop of 2 per cent, compared with drops of 10 per cent in May; 4 per cent in April; 15 per cent in March; and 30 per cent in February. Foreign visitors spent a total of €646.5 million in the month, excluding fares, which represented a decrease of 5.5 per cent compared with June last year. Again that is more modest that the fall in spending in previous months – 21 per cent in May, 10 per cent in April, 22 per cent in March and 31 per cent in February. READ MORE Tourism is Ireland's largest indigenous industry and biggest employer, with 257,900 people working in the sector. Ireland took in €6.2 billion from overseas tourists in 2024, although the number of bed-nights last year was down 3 per cent. CSO statistician Gregg Patrick described February's decline at the time as 'an acceleration' of the downward year-on-year trend in foreign visitor numbers that first emerged in September last year. The pattern of decline recorded by the CSO raised some eyebrows within the industry, which said it had not necessarily fit with on-the-ground experience. Broken down by expense category, the costliest subheading for tourists in June was day-to-day spending at €320.4 million (36.3 per cent). This includes expenditures such as eating out, entrance fees to venues and public transport. Next was accommodation at €292.8 million (33.2 per cent), followed by prepayments, which includes items such as car hire and pre-booked tickets, which came to €33.3 million (3.8 per cent). Overall, the typical foreign visitor spent €988 excluding fares on their trip to Ireland – €51 on prepayments, €447 on accommodation and €490 on day-to-day expenses. By way of comparison, visitors in June last year spent a total of €1,022 excluding fares – €45, €458 and €519 on those categories respectively. The data shows visitors spent 5.2 million nights in Ireland last month, up 6 per cent compared with the same month in 2024. The average length of stay was 7.9 nights, up from an average of 7.3 nights. Britain continues to be the largest country of origin for visitors, accounting for 34.2 per cent of all visitors to the Republic. However, the 224,100 people who travelled here from Britain last month was down slightly on the 227,400 who came in June last year. There were increases in the numbers coming from our next two biggest markets – the United States (166,300, up almost 6,000) and Germany (54,800, up more than 11,000). More people said they were coming here for a holiday than for any other reason at 47.5 per cent. Visiting family and friends, at 29.9 per cent, was the next most likely purpose followed by 13 per cent who were travelling for business or work. Those numbers show a slight rise in the proportion of visitors coming here for holiday or to visit family and friends but a significant 20 per cent fall in numbers coming for work-related purposes. Some 45.3 per cent of visitors stayed in a hotel, while 32.3 per cent stayed in their own property or with family and friends. About 7 per cent used rented or self-catering as their main accommodation, while 5.8 per cent used a guest house or a bed and breakfast.
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
The best restaurants around Ireland for a long, leisurely lunch
Dax 23 Pembroke Street Upper, Dublin 2; After 20 years in business, Dax still oozes quiet class. Graham Neville's superb classical cooking is a joy – seared Castletownbere scallops with coral bisque, Tipperary beef, and a mille-feuille of Irish rhubarb are textbook examples. Owner Olivier Meisonnave has compiled one of the country's great wine lists – from smart biodynamic finds to serious Grand Cru. Corinna Hardgrave Mamó Harbour House, Harbour Road, Howth, Dublin 13; Mamo_Dublin Since opening, Killian Durkin and Jess D'Arcy have worked tirelessly to deliver wonderful hospitality and modern Irish cooking from their seaside restaurant. Killian uses local and Irish ingredients such as 'lamb lobster' (lamb neck), Winetavern Farm pork and Howth honey to great effect. Don't miss the iconic cod chip or their exquisite tarts. Joanne Cronin mrDeanes 28-40 Howard Street, Belfast; Pasta at mrDeanes Bistro, Bar and Social. Photograph: Rachel Taylor/mrDeans/Michelin Recently refurbished, mrDeanes is a bistro-style restaurant that encapsulates the very best of chef Michael Deane's 28 years in business, and this year received a Michelin Bib Gourmand . It's exactly what a busy city bistro should be, serving up Portavogie crab on toast, entrecôte au poivre, sugar pit pork chops and fish and chips. Look out for their new own label white wine. JC Ruchii 9 George's Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin; Ruchii: Six-tastes non-veg thali. Photograph: Alan Betson Ruchii is a riot of Indian flavours and bright jewelled colours. Marinated jumbo prawns are cooked to perfection in the tandoor oven while the slow-cooked lamb shank nalli nihari is sheer warmth. Chef Sateesh Sayana also serves up authentic South Indian specialities including rava dosa, masala uttapam and a Sunday special of Hyderabadi chicken dum biryani. Read our full review here . JC READ MORE Thyme Bridge Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath; John Coffey does not stand still but continues to develop, always cooking with flair. The focus here is on quality produce, resulting in a glossy golden pithivier of potato, onion and Mossfield cheddar; roast cod with cauliflower, capers and golden raisins or a dark chocolate and sesame ganache. JC Umi 57 Strand Road, Derry, Co Derry; The words 'Asian fusion' can sometimes strike fear, but diners are in safe hands at Umi. Owners Seán Lafferty and Gary Moran have created a fun atmosphere that seamlessly marries great Irish produce with Japanese techniques. Think binchotan grilled steak or crispy dumplings made with local pork and a fiery rayu sauce. They even offer their own wine, a fresh Austrian Blaufränkisch made by ex-employee Jack Mcateer. JC
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- Irish Times
Little Shop of Horrors review: Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's first homegrown show is a sure-footed take on the cult musical
Little Shop of Horrors Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin ★★★★☆ It's a rare piece of dramatic art that dispenses with every lead character by the curtain call, but Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's Little Shop of Horrors is unusual in many ways. With its unlikely cast of sadistic dentists, sidewalk bums, stoop-sitters and man-hungry plants, it situates itself firmly on the dark and shadowy side of the street. As the dumb but darling Audrey (Jacqueline Brunton, euphonious) puts it, 'You don't meet nice guys on Skid Row.' Yet what about the bumbling botanist who sleeps under the counter at Mr Mushnik's Flower Shop? Seymour (David O'Reilly, endearing) may not have deep pockets, but he does have green fingers with which he can turn his tribute flytrap, Audrey II (voiced by Kenneth O'Regan), into gold. There is a Grimm lesson here worthy of any age-old fairy tale: where personal ambition is concerned, there are always sacrifices to be made. [ Dublin's biggest theatre is staging its first production. Will its Little Shop of Horrors pull off a coup? Opens in new window ] In this first, admirable home-grown production from Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, collaborating with Theatreworx, no such sacrifices are visible to the audience. Maree Kearns's sweeping Skid Row set spares us no grimy detail, with a revolving floor facilitating easy shifts between indoor and outdoor settings, including the blood-spattered horror show of Dr Orin's pleasure palace. Performances too are very strong. Garry Mountaine's Mr Mushnik is part mensch, part schmuck, leaning into the klezmer cadences of Ya Never Know. Johnny Ward's Orin is a seedy comic tour de force. Playing the key collective role of the story-setting chorus, Ghaliah Conroy, Precious Abimbola and Aoife Dunne do more than justice to the dominating doo-wop rhythms of Menken's score. READ MORE Little Shop of Horrors: David O'Reilly and Garry Mountaine Little Shop of Horrors: Precious Abimbola, Ghaliah Conroy and Aoife Dunne David Hayes, the production's musical director, maintains measured control over the shifting musical styles, although issues with sound levels and mics on opening night swallow some of O'Reilly's solo vocals. Claire Tighe, directing, is sure-footed in her vision of the cult material, leaning firmly into its campest qualities, as Audrey II grows and gets hungrier and hungrier. Chris Corroon's puppetry does too. It goes for Jim Henson-style theatricality more than realism, which makes the dark denouement far more palatable. Those schooled on Frank Oz's 1986 film may be surprised to realise that Somewhere That's Green has more than one interpretation, as John Gallagher's lurid lighting for the finale makes clear. But, following the logic of life and legends, it was never going to end any other way. Little Shop of Horrors is at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre , Dublin, until Saturday, August 9th
