How to Take Your Kids to Ireland--Food

Planning a trip to the Republic of Ireland with your family? Let our experiences traveling with two tween-agers help you see the country, meet locals, connect with history, and keep to a modest budget! For step-by-step guidelines on planning your trip, start with the Introduction.

"Mommy, I want chicken strips and fries, but all I see on this kids' menu is chicken gou-something and chips. It doesn't even say if they're Doritos!"

Eating in another country is fun, delicious, an adventure, and sometimes confusing. It helps--especially when traveling with kids--to know some things in advance.

Handy Food Translations

Irish English vs. American English

chips = French fries

crisps = chips

biscuits = cookies

muffins = English muffins

chicken goujons = chicken strips

squash = juice concentrate

tea = hot black tea (generally)

puddings = desserts

sweets = candy

And most importantly, "napkin" means diaper, so please ask your server for extra "serviettes"!

In a Restaurant

Family restaurants in Ireland abound in a variety of cuisines, from traditional pub grub to Indian curries to Italian pastas. You'll find more international options in big cities, and you can save the hearty stews, sausages, and potatoes for your time in the countryside. Just like in the U.S., restaurant staff and guests appreciate courtesy and good manners, but most establishments--even pubs, unlike American bars--are welcoming of children. There are some differences and it's good for both parents and kids to be prepared.

• No free refills! If you order a Sprite for the kids, let them know that when it's gone, it's gone.
• Drinks often come without ice. It's hard to get used to, but you'll appreciate your freezer at home.
• It's "serviette," not "napkin."
• Tipping is around 10% of the bill, or rounding up the check nicely. (You may need to tell the cashier the total to charge your card, because they don't always give a receipt with a blank for the tip, like happens in the U.S.)
• Servers do not hover at your elbow like they seem to do in America; they leave you in peace to enjoy your meal. If you need something, catch a server's eye and raise your hand or nod with a smile.
• "Napkins" are diapers. Wipe your hands with a serviette.
• Out of courtesy, gauge your family's decibel level with other patrons in the restaurant. If there's a lovely trad session going on and everyone is jolly and calling to each other above the music, feel free to join right in. If the other guests are sitting down to a quiet dinner, try--as much as possible--to match their conversational volume with your own. Americans tend to be much louder in general than Europeans, so be sensitive to that.
• Beer is often cheaper than soda, but they still won't let kids drink it.
• Napkins are called "serviettes."

At the Supermarket

Grocery stores are fantastic for a simple spaghetti dinner at your Airbnb flat; a pick-me-up cup of coffee and a pastry; a picnic for the car or between museums; and even a hot lunch from the deli counter. While corner Eurospar markets appear in most neighborhoods, you'll find the most variety and affordability at Dunnes Stores, Tesco, and Supervalu. Just like grocery stores in the U.S., the stores sell brand-name items and then have their store brand equivalents for lesser prices.

Mmm, something yummy for everyone.

Supermarket shopping in Ireland is basically the same as here, with just a few differences:

• You may need to insert a 1-Euro coin deposit to unlock a cart--er, trolley.
• Bottled (or boxed) fruit juice and squash (concentrated juice) are sold in separate aisles.
• Grocery bags are not provided for free, so bring your own or come with an empty backpack (or buy bags there).
• If you're buying food for a stay of a few days, make sure you check the size of the fridge/freezer before you fill your shopping trolley. There may not be room for three frozen pizzas!

Breakfast! Granola, yogurt, and tea...with biscuits and chocolate stacked for later.