Irish Stew

Irish stew is the hearty national dish, at its most traditional a simple, nourishing pot of lamb or mutton slow-cooked with potatoes, onions and carrots until tender, seasoned little more than salt, pepper and herbs. Honest, warming comfort food born of a farming country, it is exactly what a damp Irish day calls for, often served with soda bread.

What you actually see

• The stew - the tender lamb and root vegetables in a savoury broth.
• The potatoes - the potatoes at the heart of the dish.
• With soda bread - the traditional bread served alongside.
• Pub and home versions - from a bowl in a country pub to home cooking.

When to go

Year-round; comfort food especially welcome on a cold, wet day, found in pubs and restaurants everywhere. A traditional pub does the honest version best.

Honest expectations

It is deliberately simple, homely food rather than fine dining, so come for comfort not fireworks. Modern versions add beef and stout, straying from the traditional lamb-and-potato original. A good country pub beats a tourist-menu version.

Nearby

Pubs across Ireland serve it; it belongs with soda bread and a pint of stout.