Tuna Poke Bowl from Cactus Club Cafe

After a long but uneventful journey across the Atlantic and a quick dash through the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) baggage claim, we finally made it home! The first order of business was not unpacking, but rushing to freshen up because we had the best reason to combat jet lag: meeting a dear friend from the Philippines for dinner! To celebrate the reunion and our return to the West Coast, we chose Cactus Club Café, an iconic Canadian (and very much BC!) chain.

After a week immersed in comforting stews, delicious pub grub, and all the "rasher" of bacon one could eat, my body was sending a clear signal: I need fish and I need rice! The Filipino in me was craving that staple.

Tuna Poke Bowl from Cactus Club Cafe
Sesame ginger ocean wise ahi, jasmine rice, mango, cucumber, avocado, edamame, ginger, radish, and crispy tempura

So, instead of opting for one of their famous steaks, I went straight for the Tuna Poke Bowl. This was a great rendition of the poke, featuring fresh tuna, perfectly seasoned rice, and all the crisp, colourful toppings. It was light, vibrant, and exactly the kind of meal I needed to reset after a week of hearty travel food.

Sharing stories of our Irish adventures with a wonderful friend felt like the true, perfect end to our trip.

Mini-Breakfast at Marqette inside Dublin Airport (DUB)

After a whirlwind trip filled with historic castles, coastal drama, and a checklist of amazing Irish food, it was time for the final act: a leisurely breakfast at Dublin Airport (DUB) before our WestJet flight back to Vancouver.

Since we were early, we bypassed the rush and settled into Marqette in Terminal 1.We both went for the ingenious Marqette Mini Breakfast, which allows you to build your own perfect plate. It was a brilliant strategy for a traveler who’s sampled nearly everything! My customized plate was pure comfort food heaven, featuring my four chosen essentials:

• Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
• Crispy Hash Brown
• A Classic Irish Sausage
• Flavourful Rashers of Bacon
• ...all served with slices of golden Toast.

Mini Breakfast from Marqette inside Dublin Airport (DUB)

It was the ideal final taste of Ireland—simple, perfectly cooked, and a reminder of the amazing quality of the ingredients we enjoyed throughout the trip.

Curry Chips from Beshoff Bros

After a day of walking through Dublin's historical timeline and soaking up ancient history at the National Museum, our energy reserves were totally depleted. It was time for dinner, and we happily abandoned any fussy planning and headed straight for a Dublin institution: Beshoff Fish and Chips, conveniently located near our hotel. This was my chance to cross off a major item from my Irish food checklist: the famous Curry Chips!

Curry Chips from Beshoff Bros

Curry Chips from Beshoff Bros

It’s essentially a generous portion of crispy chips absolutely smothered in that unique, thick, gravy-like Irish curry sauce. My initial taste brought a genuine surprise—it reminded me immediately of a Japanese chicken curry base! It has that rich, mildly sweet, savoury depth that is so comforting, but without the heat of other curry styles. It was glorious, addictive, and I instantly understood why it’s a national obsession. (It even reminded me of a curry-free Poutine, thanks to the texture of the sauce!)

Seafood Select Box Meal from Beshoff Bros
Scampi, calamari, cod goujons served with potato chips

To round out the meal, we also shared a Seafood Select Box packed with tender cod, shrimp, and calamari, all perfectly battered, plus, of course, plenty more chips. We also tried their Seafood Chowder. While comforting, my palate had been spoiled by the "best" chowder earlier in the trip; this one was a tad too creamy for my liking.

Seafood Chowder from Beshoff Bros

We ended the day in a state of happy exhaustion and a glorious food coma.

Beef and Guinness Stew from The Stag's Head

After a much-needed sleep-in following our Cliffs of Moher adventure, our first mission of the day was to grab an early lunch at a true Dublin institution: The Stag's Head. This Victorian gem, known for its stunning ornate interior, was the perfect starting point for walking around Dublin on our last day here.

We were set to enjoy two more items from our Irish food checklist, but alas, the universe had other plans! I was really looking forward to the Bacon and Cabbage, only to find out it was a weekend-only special. A little disappointing, but it's all part of the adventure!

No matter, I quickly pivoted to another pub classic: their Irish Beef Burger. It was a juicy, satisfying burger, cooked perfectly.

8oz Irish Beef Burger from The Stag's Head
Chargrilled 8oz Irish Beef Burger, smoked streaky bacon, aged Dubliner white cheddar cheese, beer batter onion ring, lettuce, beef tomato, chipotle mayo and served on a toasted brioche bun with hand cut chips

My husband, thankfully, had no menu woes and happily dug into the rich and hearty Beef and Guinness Stew. Packed with tender beef and infused with the deep, malty flavor of Guinness, it was everything you'd expect from a traditional Irish pub stew.

Beef and Guinness Stew from The Stag's Head
Tender Irish beef and seasonal vegetables served with creamy mashed potato and Guinness bread.

While I might have missed out on the Bacon and Cabbage for now, lunch at The Stag's Head was still a memorable experience.

Famous Spice Bag from Xi'An Street Food

After a monumental day of touring—from the ancient stories at Bunratty, through the unique geology of The Burren, to the sheer majesty of the Cliffs of Moher—we were absolutely famished.

We headed to Xi'An Street Food, a place renowned for delivering the beloved and very Irish Spice Bag. And it did not disappoint! For those unfamiliar, a Spice Bag is essentially a generous paper bag filled with perfectly seasoned, crispy chips (fries), juicy fried chicken pieces, and often other delights like peppers and onions, all tossed in a secret, fiery, and addictive spice blend.

Spice Bag from Xi'An Street Food

Every bite was an explosion of flavor and texture: the crispy exterior of the chicken and chips, the soft interior of the potato, and that inimitable spicy kick that leaves a satisfying tingle on your tongue. It's the ultimate comfort food, deeply satisfying and utterly unique to the Irish takeaway scene.

Alongside our Spice Bag, we ordered the Dan Dan Noodles, but made the crucial choice to upgrade to their signature hand-pulled Biang Biang noodles. And honestly? They were the unexpected star of the show!

Famous Biang Biang Noodles with Stewed Beef and Dan Dan Sauce from Xi'An Street Food

These thick, wide noodles were chewy, springy, and full of texture. The amazing quality of the noodles themselves completely stole the show, standing out even more than the watered-down peanuty sauce.

If you ever find yourself in Ireland, a Spice Bag from Xi'An Street Food is a must-try!

Seafood Chowder and Fish & Chips at The Frantic Chef

After a morning at Bunratty Castle and learning about the Great Famine and iconic stone walls of Ireland from our guide, our tour bus pulled up to The Frantic Chef in Liscannor, County Clare—the perfect spot to refuel before the main event: the Cliffs of Moher. Being right on the Wild Atlantic Way, seafood was definitely on the menu, and we decided to dive headfirst into two Irish classics.

First up, the Homemade Seafood Chowder. Oh. My. Gosh. This wasn't just good; it was the best chowder I've had since that incredible salmon chowder at the Thunderbird Cafe in Whistler! It was rich and creamy, packed with tender, fresh seafood, each spoonful a warming hug.

Seafood Chowder from The Frantic Chef

Next, we couldn't resist the Fish & Chips. The cod was perfectly fresh and sweet, encased in a light and crispy batter. Paired with a generous serving of crispy fries, it was the ideal classic coastal treat.

Fish & Chips from The Frantic Chef

Both dishes were phenomenal—comforting, fresh, and absolutely delicious. The Frantic Chef proved to be the perfect, satisfying stop to fuel up before we headed off to witness the breathtaking majesty of the Cliffs of Moher. What a lunch!

Sausage Roll, Morning Bun, and Cheese & Onion Tart from Bread 41

Today was the big day for our Cliffs of Moher tour, which meant an early start and an even earlier check-in. But that just meant we had an excuse to hit up a Dublin culinary institution first thing: Bread 41! Despite some confusion about their Monday opening hours, we were thrilled to find their doors open at 7 AM. We chose a mix of sweet and savory bread.

Morning Bun from Bread 41

The Morning Bun is a perfect, slightly sweet start. It was flaky, delicate, and utterly delicious – a fantastic pastry to wake up the taste buds.

Sausage Roll from Bread 41

The Sausage Roll is a hearty, savory classic. The pastry was golden and crisp, encasing a well-seasoned, satisfying filling.

Cheese & Onion Tart from Bread 41

The Cheese and Onion Tart is a comforting and flavorful choice, with a rich, savory filling that hit all the right notes for an early morning treat.

Breakfast Tea from Bread 41

To wash it all down, I opted for a classic Breakfast Tea (because when in Ireland...), while my husband enjoyed a creamy Latte. Grabbing breakfast from Bread 41 felt like a true Dublin experience – a proper artisan start to a day.

Irish Chicken Fillet Roll from Dunnes Stores

After our coffee break at Vice, we finished our shopping run, picking up some fun souvenirs from the ever-present Carroll’s Irish Gifts. Then, it was time for lunch, and we knew exactly where to go: the deli counter at Dunnes Stores! This stop was all about ticking off two major Irish food classics:

The Chicken Fillet Roll: I went for the traditionalist’s choice: Plain Chicken Fillet with mayo and butter, topped with cheese and stuffing (as recommended by my colleague). The combination of the tender chicken, creamy spreads, and savory stuffing in a soft roll is an absolute masterpiece of convenience food. It’s easy to see why this sandwich is an Irish institution!

Chicken Fillet Roll from Dunnes Stores

The Large Sausage Roll: We also grabbed one of their large, classic Sausage Rolls. Piping hot, with flaky pastry hugging a thick, well-seasoned pork filling.

Sausage Roll from Dunnes Stores

To wash it all down, we grabbed their freshly squeezed orange juice. After a day of exploring and with a bit of a sore throat, that chilled, vibrant, and tart juice was incredibly refreshing and the perfect palate cleanser after all that savory goodness.

It was a fantastic, simple, and very Irish way to refuel before our next stop: Trinity College.

Award-Winning Irish Coffee from Vice Coffee

After breakfast, we started our official Sunday with mass at the beautiful Pro-Cathedral. Following that, I enjoyed a little essential Dublin retail therapy! I managed to snag a great belt from Penneys (the Irish name for Primark) and then found a truly beautiful, traditional scarf from Aran Sweater Market, which will be a perfect souvenir.

All that walking definitely deserved a break, so we made a return trip to Vice Coffee. My husband finally got to properly savor the Irish Coffee, a must-try on his list, while I indulged in a pastry.

Fancy Frankie Irish Coffee from Vice Coffee
Award winning Irish coffee with Teeling small batch, espresso, demarara, and spiced orange cream

I ordered their Lemon Bar, and it was exactly what I needed! It was a brilliant balance of flavors: wonderfully tart from the fresh lemon and perfectly sweet from the sugar base. After all the rich savory foods, that citrus zing was absolutely perfect.

Lemon Bar from Vice Coffee

It was a great afternoon of culture, comfort, and a little bit of indulgence.

Full Irish Breakfast and Ham & Cheese Toastie from Jay Kay's Cafe

Even with a sore throat making me feel a bit under the weather, we weren't going to miss out on one of my husband's food quests: a true Full Irish Breakfast. We made our way to Jay Kay's Cafe, a local spot that came highly recommended.

While our hotel's buffet has all the elements of a Full Irish, the difference here was immediately clear. My husband's plate was a masterpiece of flavor, with two savory pork sausages and two crispy bacon rashers. The golden fried egg was perfectly cooked, and the crispy baby potatoes were a delightful change from the usual hash browns. The plate was rounded out with a side of sweet beans, earthy fried mushrooms, a juicy grilled tomato, and some toasted sourdough bread with tangy Ballymaloe relish.

Jay's Full Irish Breakfast from Jay Kay's Cafe
Two pork sausages, black and white pudding, two bacon, fried egg, crispy baby potatoes, beans fried mushrooms, grilled tomato, and sourdough toast with Ballymaloe relish

The real standouts, however, were the black and white puddings. Unlike the gritty versions we'd tried, these were incredibly smooth and flavorful, with a wonderful, almost creamy texture.

For my breakfast, I opted for something more soothing: a ham and cheese toastie. This was a super-flattened sandwich with sweet honey and mustard-glazed ham and melted cheddar cheese on toasted bloomer bread. The tangy Ballymaloe relish was a fantastic addition, offering another beautiful depth of flavor.

Ham & Cheese Toastie from Jay Kay's Cafe
Home-baked honey and mustard glazed ham and cheddar cheese

To help combat our sore throats, we both happily ordered a Turmeric Shot. This potent little mix of organic turmeric root, ginger, apple, and cracked black pepper was just the thing we needed to start the day.

Turmeric Shot from Jay Kay's Cafe
Organic turmeric root, ginger, apple, and cracked black pepper

Despite not feeling 100%, this breakfast was a true highlight — a combination of classic Irish comfort food and a much-needed wellness boost.

Irish Stew and Boxty Platter from Gallagher's Boxty House

After a day exploring the ancient wonders of Brú na Bóinne valley and the Newgrange mound, our appetites were ready for a hearty Dublin dinner. Our initial plan was The Brazen Head, but after my fantastic experience on the food tour, we pivoted to Gallagher's Boxty House.

My husband had three key food requests for this trip: an authentic Irish stew, a proper Irish coffee, and a full Irish breakfast. For dinner, he opted for the very same Irish stew I had sampled last Friday during my food tour. It was exactly what he was hoping for: deeply savory, comforting, and packed with tender meat and vegetables.

Gallaghers Irish Stew from Gallagher's Boxty House
Lamb stew, root vegetables, potatoes, barley, and selection of bread

Meanwhile, I decided to dive headfirst into their namesake with the Gallagher's Boxty Platter. This was an incredible journey through all things boxty! The platter featured:

• Boxty Fries: While normal fries are good, these were on another level entirely. They boasted an incredibly crispy exterior with an almost unbelievably fluffy interior, a perfect potato experience.
• St Tola Goats Cheese on Boxty Loaves: The soft, tangy goat cheese paired beautifully with the tender boxty loaves.
• Pico de gallo on Boxty Loaves: This combination was interesting, though perhaps not my favorite of the bunch.
• Boxty Pancake topped with Bacon Lardons and Blue Cheese Sauce: Decadent! This was a tad too oily, but the richness of the bacon and the creamy, pungent blue cheese sauce was absolutely amazing and satisfying.
• Honey & Chilli Glazed Boxty Dumplings: These little boxty "gnocchi" were a delightful surprise. With a hint of spice and a tarty kick from the glaze, they acted as a fantastic palate cleanser amidst all the rich flavors.

Gallagher's Boxty Platter from Gallagher's Boxty House
Boxty fries, St Tolas goats cheese on boxty loaves, boxty pancake topped with bacon lardons and bluue cheese, and honey & chili glazed boxty dumplings 

The Boxty Platter was an adventurous and delicious way to explore such a versatile Irish staple. It was a perfect end to our Saturday!

Beef and Guinness Pie and Traditional Cottage Pie at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

After a morning immersed in 5,000 years of history, visiting both Knowth mound and Newgrange, my appetite was ready for some hearty Irish comfort food. We had lunch at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, which is managed by Brambles Café, and decided on two of the classics.

First up was the Beef and Guinness Pie. It arrived warm and fragrant, and I was immediately struck by how rich it was—much more so than I expected! The gravy itself was dark and savory with the distinct, malty-bitter notes of Guinness, which added a wonderful complexity to the tender beef. It was a hearty, warming dish that's perfect on a cold Irish day.

Beef & Guinness Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

A peek inside the Beef & Guinness Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

We also sampled a Traditional Cottage Pie. This dish was the ultimate classic comfort food. It had a savory filling of minced beef and vegetables in a thick, rich gravy, all topped with a generous layer of creamy mashed potato. The crust was beautifully golden and provided the perfect, satisfying counterpoint to the soft, warm interior.

Traditional Cottage Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
Boyne Valley Beef with Mashed Potato top

A spoonful of Traditional Cottage Pie inside the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre

Both pies were a great way to refuel and get a true taste of traditional Irish cooking. A simple, delicious meal!

Wicklow Mutton Stew from B Bar inside The Clayton Hotel

After a day of eating out, I finally gave in to my laziness and decided to dine in at The Clayton Hotel's B Bar. I ordered the Wicklow Mutton Stew, hoping for a hearty and cozy end to my Friday.

Wicklow Mutton Stew from B Bar inside The Clayton Hotel

The stew arrived steaming hot, which was a great start. However, I was surprised to find that it was more like a soup than a thick, hearty stew.

Wicklow Mutton Stew from B Bar inside The Clayton Hotel

Despite its thin consistency, the mutton itself was incredibly flavorful, showing that it had been cooked to perfection. Unfortunately, that rich flavor didn't carry over to the broth, which was bland and under-seasoned.

Dark Mocha from Insomnia Coffee

I’m in a busy Dublin Spar, waiting for my food tasting tour to kick off, and I’ve found my little piece of morning calm: a small dark mocha from Insomnia Coffee.

Insomnia is ubiquitous here, and for good reason. My dark mocha is the perfect pre-tour treat — it’s just the right size, rich with a proper kick of dark chocolate, and definitely strong enough to tackle the day.

Mocha from Insomnia Coffee

It’s these simple, local routines that make a city feel real. A quick stop, a little caffeine and chocolate comfort, and I'm fueled up and ready to go explore the best of Dublin's food scene. Cheers to the small things!

The Clayton Club sandwiches from B Bar inside The Clayton Hotel

After taking the train back to Dublin from Cork, I felt famished but was genuinely too lazy to go out again. So, I ended up having dinner right inside my hotel at B Bar, the restaurant in The Clayton Hotel.

I wasn't really sure what to order, so I settled on The Clayton Club sandwich. It was served on a toasted multi-grain sourdough roll and was stacked with juicy and tender grilled chicken, crispy smoked streaky bacon, a fried egg, fresh iceberg lettuce, plum tomato, Swiss cheese, and tarragon mayo. It was both satisfying and delicious.

The Clayton Club from B Bar inside The Clayton Hotel
Grilled chicken, smoked streaky bacon, fried egg, iceberg lettuce, plum tomato, Swiss cheese and tarragon mayo. Served on a multi-grain sourdough roll.

What a great dinner to cap off a beautifully blessed day!

Signature Dark Hot Chocolate from Butlers Chocolate Café

After a wonderful time in the Cork office, where we indulged in some delicious barmbrack from Dunnes and enjoyed a nice cup of tea, a colleague and I decided to stop for hot chocolates at the quintessential Irish café, Butler's Chocolate Café.

Signature Dark Hot Chocolate from Butlers Chocolate Café

We continued our engaging conversation about work, leadership, and career over these comforting, creamy, warm, and sweet chocolatey drinks.

Spiced Beef Sandwich from The Oliver Plunkett

Happy Thursday! I’m officially counting today as Day 1 of my vacation, with yesterday feeling more like "Day 0." Since my husband is attending his conference all day, I decided to take the train to Cork, where my company has an office. It was a great excuse to meet the team and join the company-paid weekly team lunch!

I specifically requested a Spiced Beef Sandwich — after all, Gemini said it was the one thing I had to try in Cork!

The team decided to bring me to the historic and touristy pub, The Oliver Plunkett, which, thankfully, seems to serve the Spiced Beef Sandwich year-round.

Spiced Beef Sandwich from The Oliver Plunkett
Caramelized onions, tomato, whole grain mustard aioli, and mixed greens

The sandwich itself is reminiscent of a Reuben, but it’s surprisingly lean, without being overly salty or fatty. I thoroughly enjoyed it! It tasted like a deli sandwich, and I loved that it didn't feel processed or overly dressed. It was the perfect Cork lunch.

Dublin Coddle from The Hairy Lemon

Happy Wednesday! We finally made it to Dublin International Airport and arrived safely. We breezed through passport security, grabbed our bags, and were about to head to the bus area for our hotel when, to my surprise, a car was waiting to pick us up. It turns out my husband's conference had organized airport transportation. After checking in and freshening up, I took a much-needed nap while my husband went out to meet some friends.

After about an hour's nap, I decided to have a late lunch or early dinner at The Hairy Lemon. My very first meal in Ireland? A Dublin Coddle. One colleague had suggested it, while another Irish colleague made a face when I mentioned I was going to try it.

Dublin Coddle from The Hairy Lemon
Pork sausages, Bacon slowed cooked with root vegetables and fresh herbs, creamy mash served with brown salad

I absolutely loved it. It's a warm, hearty stew filled with tender sausage, savory bacon, and potatoes. It has a rich, slightly thick broth where the potatoes are soft and creamy, and the onions have nearly melted into the base. The thyme and other seasonings gave the dish a wonderfully earthy aroma and savory depth. It warmed my tummy after the long flight, making me one very happy traveler.

Tira-Meow-Su from Daan Go Cake Lab

I've been seeing this spot in the news for weeks, and now that the initial hype has died down and I'm on annual leave — I'm finally here at Daan Go Cake Lab in their Vancouver, BC location! They have so many beautiful and adorable cakes: everything from a ramen bowl and a boba cup to a cup of Tira-meow-su — a perfect play on words for tiramisu with a cat on top.

We started with something savory and got the Croissant Hot Dog Puff. It's just like those classic hotdog buns you get from Asian bakeries, but this one is wrapped in a flaky puff pastry.

Croissant - Hot Dog Puff from Daan Go Cake Lab
A flaky croissant Puff wrapped around a juicy hot dog, delivering a savoury twist on a classic favourite.

Then, for our sweet treat, we went straight for the adorable Tira-meow-su. That cat is simply too hard to resist! The dessert is a hardened milk chocolate shaped like a mug, filled with luxurious mascarpone cream, and hides the surprise of coffee-soaked ladyfingers at the bottom. Yum!

Mira-Meow-Su from Daan Go Cake Lab
Contains: Marshmallow cat, SangTao Vietnamese coffee, mascarpone cream, crème légère, and vanilla chiffon

Mira-Meow-Su from Daan Go Cake Lab
Contains: Marshmallow cat, SangTao Vietnamese coffee, mascarpone cream, crème légère, and vanilla chiffon

Because it was so hot outside, we also got cold drinks: a Strawberry Matcha Cream and an Uji Matcha Latte. Definitely go for the strawberry cream; it's much sweeter.

Strawberry Matcha Cream and Uji Matcha Latte from Daan Go Cake Lab

Just a heads-up: the shop is more geared toward to-go orders, so it's not the ideal spot for hanging out for an extended period of time.

Ube and Pandan Mochi Brownie from Avik

I tried Avik for the first time last Tuesday with my husband. At that time, all I could think about was how much I wanted to bring my parents here. And I finally did it today.

They got their usual Americano, and I made them try the Pistachio Cream Croissant, which hubby and I also enjoyed last time. My mom loves pistachio.

Ube and Pandan Mochi Brownie from Avik

Meanwhile, I went for the two variants of mochi brownie: ube and pandan—both familiar since I grew up in the Philippines. First, the mochi texture is just perfect. The top and bottom provide the brownie-ness (I'm making words up) or maybe it's just the square shape. The pandan flavor tastes like pandan, but the ube is just purple with no distinct ube flavor. That's okay—the sticky mochi sweetness is still there.

Ham & Cheese Croissant Sandwich from Avik

Hubby arrived and ordered their ham & cheese croissant for his lunch. It's delicious too. Hmm. I have enjoyed the two savory things we've tried from Avik and can't wait to come back and try the others too.