Over the past few decades, Ireland’s wealth of producers, makers, and growers have been the foundation on which Ireland’s food industry has blossomed. These artisans have become household names, regular fixtures on menus across the country, and staples in our kitchens.
An integral ingredient in the transition from little known producers to artisinal heroes are the stores that choose to source, stock and showcase them – supporting them in more ways than by simply propping them up on their shelves
From Ardkeen in Waterford to Urru in Bandon, we’ve listed alphabetically 15 of the best artisan food stores that keep our pantries stocked with the finest Irish fare; bring us the best of the rest from beyond our shores; and are at the heart of Ireland’s food revolution.
49 years in business, the Jephson family’s ‘independent supermarket’ in Waterford city boasts a mind boggling range of both Irish and International speciality foods, and hosts regular in-store tastings to promote them. Not entirely the preserve of the Déise however, their online store will deliver artisan foods straight to your door, and again this year they will be provisioning the ingredients for Theatre of Food at Electric Picnic.
Dunmore Road, Waterford
For the full list of Avoca Stores visit: www.avoca.com/explore/stores
For over three decades, The Best of Italy has been an essential destination for the Irish-Italian community, and Italian food and wine lovers of all nationalities too. The Dublin 6 shop’s offering includes Italian meat, cheese, antipasti, and Italian staples like De Cecco pasta, Mulino Bianco biscotti, San Pellegrino and Baci Chocolate. Seasonal food is a specialty; panettone, pandoro and panforte can be found at Christmas and colomba at Easter.
37 Dunville Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin
58 Glasthule Rd, Glenageary, Sandycove, Co. Dublin
25 Kenyon St, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
No artisan food store roundup would be complete without mentioning the one that regularly tops lists and scoops national awards; Fallon & Byrne. Get lost in the aisles of it’s food hall, brimming with the creme de la creme of fish, meats, artisan foods, every type of fruit and vegetable you could imagine; linger a while at their deli and coffee counter; take a diversion to the upstairs restaurant, or down to the wine cellar, which in itself has a reputation as one of the best in Dublin.
11 -17 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2
9 Princes Street, Cork
Since opening in 2000, Liston’s has been a food mecca on Camden Street for locals and office workers alike. The length of the lunchtime queue at this Camden Street shop is testament to quality and taste of the sandwiches, hot pots, and soups served at it’s deli. While queuing, check out the grocery shelves heaving with over four thousand lines, carefully handpicked from from local producers and specialist importers.
25/26, Lower Camden St, Dublin 2
Situated on the coastal road between Bantry and Glengarriff, Manning’s Emporium is a must-visit destination for any foodie travelling along Ireland’s Atlantic coast. An institution in the West Cork food scene, over 70 years Manning’s has evolved from a post office and convenience store to what it is today: a gourmet deli and café renowned for high quality local produce, fine wines and excellent service.
Ballylickey, Bantry, Co. Cork
38-39 Shop Street, Galway City
On the same street as The Best of Italy, Morton’s has been serving the people of Ranelagh a superb selection of fruit and vegetables, meats, fish, and cheeses since the 1930’s. City centre dwellers can also sample Morton’s fine fare and renowned service at their second shop on Hatch Street, which sells a range of soups, meats, salads, dinners, and cakes that are all made in the upstairs kitchen of the main store.
15-21 Dunville Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
This Bantry health hub prides itself as much on the infectious enthusiasm of the staff and it’s vibrant atmosphere, as it does the marvelous mix of merchandise it sells from its shop, café and bakery. They have an online store too, so while you might not be able to sample their fresh organic veg, house-made breads and cakes, organic wines, cheeses, or olives, you can get their full range of health foods and supplements delivered to your door.
2 Glengarriff Rd, Bantry, Co. Cork
Spencer Street, Castlebar, Mayo
Brothers Seamus and Kevin started selling Irish farmhouse cheeses at their Galway market shop in 1995. Two years later they opened their South Anne Street, just off Dublin’s Grafton Street, and they now have a store next to their warehouse in Meath, and a cheese and olive counter run by their own staff in Ardkeen Quality Food Store in Waterford too. The Irish artisan cheeses now sell alongside the best continental cheeses available, and there’s also a huge range of other artisan foods sourced during their travels in Europe, including olive oils, cured meats, condiments and pasta.
11 South Anne Street, Dublin 2 / Church Yard Street, Galway / Virginia Road Station, Pottlereagh, Kells, Co Meath
www.sheridanscheesemongers.com
Mcswiney Quay, Cloghmacsimon, Bandon, Co. Cork
Erica grew up with a baker and confectioner for a father, and a mother with an instinct and love for good food. It is little wonder then that, after a brief dalliance with law, she completed a Masters degree in Food Business at UCC. With a consuming passion for all things food, nutrition and wellness, working with TheTaste is a perfect fit for Erica; allowing her to learn and experience every aspect of the food world meeting its characters and influencers along the way.
Erica Bracken Erica Bracken