The Best Delis In Ireland
Here are four of my own current favourite delis – one in each province.
A deli is a deli, but not all delis are delis. There is a bit of a Boston Berlin divide: the US tradition has had an emphasis on providing take away ready to eat food, especially mammoth sandwiches, while the European approach is more about great, often hard to find food to take home and eat with other foods or to make into something else. The US approach has an eat-on-the-run dimension, while the European approach is about taste.
Then there are deli franchises, where the stock is pre-ordained and you couldn′t just turn up and ask for something quirky. They look like the real thing, but don′t act like it. Then there are ′deli counters′ in the forecourts of petrol stations. Of course, there are delis that hover between the two main traditions, some to a degree of success.
Below are my current top Delis for each of Ireland′s four provinces: in these, you will get artisan, specialty, and plenty of local and organic food. All from dedicated producers who love doing what they do. Strangely, the websites are poor enough, if even in existence – but then, these places are about the food they provide, not their appearance on a computer screen. So go and sample some of their delights!
Leinster:
Fallon and Byrne (11-17 Exchequer St. Dublin 01 4721010)A big one, sometimes called New York Deli in style, Fallon and Byrne has great stock and great opening hours. There is little it doesn′t offer – lunch, wine by the glass, hard to find and organic nibbiles, great coffee –a Deli and then some!
Munster:
Country Choice (25 Kenyan St. Nenagh 067 32596) Peter Ward′s place is a food destination that people from all over travel to: its old school and new school with all kinds of everything. Big emphasis on local, slow and seasonal, the deli sits alongside the excellent coffee shop. Click here for more.
Ulster:
Russell and Donnelly (28 Darling street, Enniskillen 00 44 28 66 320111) a real find in Fermanagh, run by the same people who bring you Cafe© Merlot and Restaurant 6, this deli has plenty of rarities and 500 bins of wines, many of which are organic, biodynamic and European (German and Austrian).
Connaught:
Sheridans on the Market. (14-16 Churchyard st. Galway 091 564 829) Famed for their cheeses, this outlet is boosted by the Galway market, which runs just outside it, and by the fact that the wines upstairs can be bought and then cracked open. Free Gratis tapas, understandably exceptional cheeses – a great place to hang out, especially on a Saturday about 7, when the wine bar turns into a proper bar, but with wine and tapas rather than beer. Site is here
Related posts:
- The 4 Best Delis In Ireland
- Reasons to buy Organic Wine.
- Slow Food: in defence of pleasure
- Celebrating Seasonal Produce: Leitrim’s Harvest Feast for the senses begins Friday 11th September
- Get Thee to South East of Ireland, 28th and 29th June
- Fair Wind To Bring ‘Green Wine’.
