When visiting Ireland and pressed for time you may well be tempted to resort to fast food. No problem - outlets with well-known brand names are available: McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, KFC and Pizza Hut are nearly everywhere. But why not try fast food with an Irish twist? Here are the top outlets for that special dining experience ...
The Irish answer to the good ol' all-American diner. Or rather an Irish version of the same, shamelessly modelled on 1950s diners and seemingly straight out of "American Graffiti". That said they do a mean burger and some excellent fries. Take note of the irreverent messages to patrons.
Recently revamped typical Irish food outlet - from complete dinners to dainty cakes. Stop by for a coffee and a scone or have the traditional "Full Irish Breakfast". Prices are moderate and the places can become crowded around lunchtime. Sandwiches, salads and soups are available as well.
A fast food franchise that sells mainly ... kebabs. Established for some years in Ireland and known for bringing the more exotic foods into play. While the kebabs are generally good, the salad in the pitta bread can be very uninspiring due to being kept warm too long. Apart from this minor thing you will generally find good quality and fast service.
Apparently old Mr Beshoffs was a survivor of the
Potemkin mutiny and came to Ireland shortly before the First World War - but wherever the Beshoffs came from, their fish and chips are a Dublin institution. Maybe the best fish and chips around ... certainly well worth a try.
These people sold bagels before American sitcoms made them a household word - and they still import their bagels directly from New York! Not really a kosher restaurant but offering maybe the best bagels in Ireland. Also has organic juices and snacks on offer, coffee is fairtrade ... and you can buy frozen NY bagels to take home.
The Irish "Macs" and definitely a dining experience for the whole family. Starting off as another burger joint, modern restaurants now offer the old stalwarts alongside pizza, cakes, ice cream, ciabattas and tortilla wraps. If you are hungry in the morning try their breakfast roll (with enough calories to feed two).
Dreamt up by the same people who brought us Abrakebabra and Ireland's mass-market take on Jewish cuisine. Marketed as "the healthy alternative" (as in "not being fried") and opening more and more franchises every month. Do not expect a kosher restaurant, but the bagels are quite good nonetheless.
Get a tripledecker sandwich freshly made and some good tea or coffee - the typical lunchtime snack for office workers. O'Brien's offers good quality and tasty combinations. But you will have to queue at busy times - it is advised to avoid the outlets between midday and 2 pm. WiFi available in many locations (if you need it).
