UP UNTIL RECENTLY, the delicious wonders of street food were something usually constricted to music festivals and travels further afield than Ireland. That is, until last November when Eatyard opened its gates for the first time.
Since then, every Thursday to Sunday, what was once an unused lot in Richmond Street next to the Bernard Shaw is transformed into a bustling marketplace of tasty street food, which oftentimes rotates each week to include new vendors.
As Eatyard flourished, votes were gathered for the Irish Street Food Awards, whose nominees are set to battle it out on Saturday August 5th at Beatyard, a music festival in Dun Laoghaire headlined by Mark Ronson and Air.
The vendors selected for the Irish Street Awards will be judged by Michelin-star chef Danni Barry, Takashi Miyazaki head chef at Miyazaki in Cork and founder of the British Street Food Awards, Richard Johnson.
Here’s a look at who could go on to represent Ireland in Berlin at the European Street Food Awards in September.
Using lobster, fish, mussels, clams and oysters all sourced from the coasts of Clare and Galway, Julia’s Lobster Truck serves up delicious lobster rolls, traditional fish and chips, steamed mussels and clams and oysters caught from Flaggy Shore, off the cliffs of Moher.
Perfect for: Seafood enthusiasts.
Usually found: Various locations in Co Clare, Thursdays – Saturdays from 5pm and Sundays from 2pm.
Already a staple on Bray seafront in county Wicklow and a constant presence at Eatyard, Box Burger serves great gourmet burgers with an urban flair. Think fresh and juicy 6oz patties made from locally sourced Irish beef, served in a steamed brioche bun and loaded with layers of delicious toppings. With gluten-free and vegan options.
Perfect for: Burger buffs.
Usually found: Their dedicated restaurant at 7 Strand Road, Bray, Co Wicklow Wednesdays – Sunday. Also at Eatyard, 9-10 South Richmond Street, Dublin 2, Thursdays – Sundays from 12pm.
Pow Bao brings authentic street food from the markets of Taiwan with fluffy, soft steamed buns stuffed with bold, fresh flavours from across Asia. Try their bestseller, the Bang Bang Bao with pulled rotisserie chicken, carrot, beansprouts, peanut sauce, crushed peanuts and micro herbs for size.
Perfect for: Adventurous eaters.
Usually found: Eatyard, 9-10 South Richmond Street, Dublin 2, Thursdays – Sundays from 12pm.
Already an institution in The Bernard Shaw pub and at music festivals (where people often take shelter on its top deck), The Big Blue Bus is a double decker bus serving fresh, crisp pizza with mouthwatering specials that change each week. Check their blackboard when you’re in, if your name is written there that day your pizza is free.
Perfect for: Pizza devotees.
Usually found: The beer garden at The Bernard Shaw, 11-12 Richmond Street, Dublin 2, Monday to Sunday 4pm to 12.30am.
Last year’s winner of the Irish Street Food Awards, Veginity is a plant-based street food truck created by Australian Chef Mark Senn. Housed within a funky industrial warehouse in the back streets of Portobello, Dublin 2, Veginity changes the theme of their menu regularly, with Italian, Jamaican, Mexican and Korean as recent favourites.
Perfect for: Vegetable fans and those looking to mix up their protein intake.
Usually found: Their dedicated restaurant in Richmond Place South, Portobello, Dublin 2, Thursday – Saturday, 5pm to 10pm. Also at Eatyard, 9-10 South Richmond Street, Dublin 2, Thursdays – Sundays from 12pm.
The Ploughman’s Daughter serves boiled baby potatoes smothered in molten Raclette cheese, melted to order, scraped straight off the wheel onto your plate and served with home-pickled onions and a variety of optional toppings, from homemade plum relish to crispy bacon bits. You can also order cheese plates, showcasing Ireland’s best cheeses.
Perfect for: Cheese fiends.
Usually found: People’s Park Dun Laoghaire, Sundays, 11am to 5pm.
Dark Horse Pizzas actually operates from a converted horse box with a wood fired oven and sells vegan sourdough pizzas with wonderful, fresh toppings like courgette and radish. You can catch them at farmers markets, festivals, private events or at their own dedicated supper clubs.
Perfect for: Vegetarian and vegan pizza fans.
Usually found: Various farmers’ markets (see their Facebook page for where they will be appearing next).
Jaru are a small Korean kitchen based in Dublin cooking traditional Korean family recipes using locally produced, seasonal Irish ingredients including beef jjim, pork bossam, veg jjajang and an array of delightful side dishes. Pictured above is their tasty spicy octopus and mussels jjim with crunchy bean sprouts and garlic chives.
Perfect for: Asian food aficionados.
Usually found: Various food markets (Tuesday: Sandyford Boulevard, Wednesday: Grand Canal Quay, Thursday: Fitzwilliam Square, Friday: Stillorgan Luas).
Poké is a Hawaiian raw fish salad usually served as an appetiser. Shaka Poké serve it in round takeaway bowls dotted with healthy ingredients such as wakame (seaweed), edamame beans and sesame seeds with tropical fruits like pineapple and mango. Dressed with soy, sesame oil, chili, lime or scallions it’s placed on rice with ripe avocado.
Perfect for: Health nuts.
Usually found: Various food markets, (Thursday: Fitzwilliam Square, 11.30 am – 2.30 pm. Friday: Percy Place 11.30 am-2pm. Sundays: Herbert Park 11am-4pm.
Taste these delicious dishes for yourself at Beatyard, which takes place from August 5th to 6th in Dun Laoghaire Harbour with music, food, games, drinks, talks, art installations, boat parties and kid-friendly activities. Tickets start from €59 (and kids get in for €5) and are available here.
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