Just like every European destination, the menus are more commonly marked for vegan friendliness and also various allergens. We spent several nights in Dublin before venturing out to the Ring of Kerry and stay in Killarney and Doolin. Here’s some of the best vegan options we found in Dublin.
Cornucopia
We may have visited Cornucopia on three occasions during our trip. Once we discovered their soft-serve ice cream, we were destined to return. The restaurant is set up as a quasi self-serve, cafeteria line to select your food and then find your seats amongst the three levels of seating. f
When asked if everything was vegan, we were told everything is vegan, but they still offer Irish butter and milk upon request. The default for all the food is vegan, but apparently the non-vegan Irish would revolt if they did away with those. If it keeps them in business offering amazing vegan homestyle delicious food, it’s hard to complain. They are located in a fantastic location and were consistently busy when we visited.
Vegan coffee shop with a variety of cinnamon rolls. Yes, please! We may have stopped here more than once as well.
They even have a food menu with house-made seitan available in wraps or on toasties. We love finding a good vegan protein option. They have a few limited window bar stools available for seating inside and a few tables outside. Also, love the name that without any confirmation, I attribute as a Star Wars reference and the fact that people will not know the deliciousness they are eating is actually vegan. “It’s a trap.”
RÓCO Cafe
A coffee shop with a few nice vegan options including a vegan sausage roll and a Roast Veg Vegan Burrito. We didn’t get them, but online it lists a coconut almond fudge and blueberry croissant as vegan as well.
The Saucy Cow
Located near the Temple Bar area, they had a fun assortment of fries to choose from like garlic parm classic chips and a variety of loaded waffle fries. They serve soy chicken patties in wraps and salads along with beyond meat burgers loaded up with a variety of goodness.
Guinness Storehouse – We caved and decided to do the Guinness tour and it was actually pretty good. About half way through we decided to stop for a coffee and to humor ourselves and look for vegan options when we actually saw they had vegan sausage rolls! Surprisingly, it came with two for a reasonable price when you consider you are at their mercy within their building. We enjoyed doing the Guinness Academy and learning to pour a proper pint as well as the Gravity Bar beer at the end of the tour. Unfortunately, I had just watched the most recent Final Destination on the plane where they are up in glass space needle. Anywho, our time ended better than the movie.
Guiness Open Gate – The chiller little Guinness spot on the backside away from the tour area. Had some more unique beer offerings and a vegan small plate option of Sticky Corn Ribs (Toasted corn ribs topped with sesame, peanut & chilli crackle). Didn’t try it, but it does sound good.
The Brazen Head – It was nice to come across a vegan option at the oldish Irish pub (according to the sign). A pretty solid Vegetarian Stew (vegan option available) and a basket of chips paired well with a pint.
McGuinness of Camden Street – We thought the Google hours were incorrect, but it turns out they really do open at 7pm until like 4am? I’ll take your word for it that you stay open that late. However, it is a perfect late night spot to grab some great vegan options. Pizzas using cashew cheese, Seitan Cheese Steak and Battered Tofu Chunks with a whopping 33 grams of protein. Not much room to eat inside, just a little standing room along the walls in front.
Glas – On the completely other end of the spectrum from the down and dirty affordable eats of McGuiness of Camden Street is Glas. A vegetarian Michelin recognized restaurant offering 2 or 3 course options. We didn’t make the time for a fancy meal on this trip.
Killarney Vegan Options
In Killarney, we did a lot of cooking in the AirBnB. However, I can give you the list of the options I found scattered throughout.
Tango – some sort of vegan pizza
The Lane @ The Ross Hotel – At least at one time, they had a small separate vegan menu that even had a brownie dessert option
Genting Thai – This looks like the best option if you ask me. A clearly marked vegan menu on their website with excellent tofu options.
Lana – you can actually find these scattered throughout Ireland. We went to one in Castletroy on our drive. It felt like a great fast-casual chain, but a solid clearly marked vegan section of the menu.
Doolin Vegan Options
We stayed in Doolin at an amazing AirBnB with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. The host was very accommodated us with vegan snacks and treats. Doolin didn’t have much in the way of vegan restaurant options so we did most of our cooking in the rental. A few places you can check on are Stonewall (may have vegan cheese for pizza) and Russell’s Coffee Shop (vegan sausage rolls). We didn’t make it to Galway, but they did have one restaurant that looked tempting to drive for called Greens & Co. that is all vegan and had a fish and chips on the menu.
McDonald’s – I almost forgot to mention the joy and excitement of eating at a McDonald’s. Sadly, for better or worse, McDonald’s was a pretty consistent food-source from childhood to college. While I pretty much had stopped going there before going vegan, we for sure had not eaten at a McDonald’s since 2012. It was nice to see they had a McPlant and that their fries were actually vegan friendly.
