17th March is a prominent date in everyones calendars, whether you were born and raised in Ballybegan or your ancestry test results came back with 2% Irish. St. Patrick's Day is a day to embrace the charm of the Emerald Isle, when rivers are dyed a luminous green and colossal leprechaun floats parade all over the world. And while the Thames will be left untouched for the day that's in it (much to the relief of the river's wildlife), celebrating St Patrick's Day in London comes with its own perks. One of which is the wide range of Irish restaurants to delve into some traditional food, pre or post-pint of Guinness. Serving up Carlingford Oysters to Chicken Fillet Rolls, these are the Irish Restaurants in London that are worth having on your radar this St Patrick's Day (and beyond).
An Irish Beginning: Inis
Inis (meaning “Island” in Irish) is the creation of Hackney Wick and Fish Island locals, Lynsey Coughlan and Lindsay Lewis. Born in Dublin and Manchester, respectively, the name of this gem overlooking the canal towpath comes from a soft longing for home, and we couldn't think of a better place to enjoy a moment of peace before the chaos of St Patrick's Day in London begins.
On the menu you'll find freshly-baked, Irish brown bread made with rye and wholemeal flour, buttermilk, treacle and caraway seeds, and is perfectly paired with Irish whiskey-cured trout. Or how about a fully-stacked plate of an Irish breakfast? We're talking thick, hand cut belly bacon, sausages, roast potato farls (better known as Boxty to the Irish), black and white pudding and roasted tomatoes, with the buttery brown bread on the side.
In true St Patrick's Day style, you may wish to pair your meal with a pint of the black stuff. Fear not. Inis has the unmistakeably Irish beverage on draft, so you can enjoy your Guinness as you take in London's canal-side views. And if it's too early for a drink, it's certainly never too early for cake. Chocolately, malty, gooey goodness, the Guinness cake is the perfect finish to an indulgent start to the day.
Irish Fine Dining in London: Myrtle Restaurant
If the 'Kiss Me I'm Irish' t-shirts have lost their appeal, there are more sophisticated ways to celebrate St Patrick's Day in London this year. Myrtle Restaurant offers Modern European cooking with an Irish influence, using only the finest produce from Ireland, including, but not limited to, the country's beloved Clonakilty pudding. Executive Head Chef and owner, Anna Haugh, is from Dublin and began her career at the Michelin-starred l’Ecrivain on Dublin's Baggot Street. Anna has spent the last 14 years in London working for celebrated chefs from the likes of Philip Howard to Gordon Ramsay. Myrtle is her first solo venture, and one of the best Irish restaurants in London.
The menu sports a variety of dishes that are influenced by Ireland's culture and history, such as the 'Salmon of Knowledge'. This dish of Celtic smoked salmon, horseradish, and cucumber is named after an Irish folklore tale about a particular salmon that if caught, would gift its catcher with all the wisdom in the world. Another dish to watch out for is the Kindred Spirit, made with yellow meal. This dish pays homage to the Irish potato famine, during which the Native American tribe Choctaws donated corn to Ireland to help feed the starving Irish population. This March 14th, why not escape the crowds and chaos, and treat yourself to unforgettable, authentic Irish dining?
For a Homely Celebration: Homeboy
Dublin-bred Aaron Wall is the owner of Homeboy in Islington, an Irish bar that puts home comforts at the forefront of what they do, from hearty stews to whiskey-based warmers. Aaron is responsible for the first cocktail menu of 'The Coolin', an Irish Bar in Paris named the best in the world (outside Ireland) by the Irish Times. That being said, it comes as no surprise that the cocktail menu at Homeboy is crafted to perfection, with a focus on celebrating Irish producers. For St Patrick's Day, the bright-green Shamrock Shake made with Jameson Irish Whiskey is a sure-fire way to get in the spirit. Failing that, Guinness is served on draught, of course.
If you ask an Irish-Londoner what food they miss the most from home, you'll likely hear a mention of the "Chicken Fillet Roll." It's quite self-explanatory- this baguette fillet with crispy, breaded chicken is ordered from a local deli and tends to be a home comfort that can't be found on this side of the Irish sea. So Homeboy created their own version... with a twist. A crusty white baguette filled with iceberg lettuce, grated cheese, Homeboy spicy mayo and a hot 'n' spicy chicken fillet. We went to give it a go, and alongside the Guinness Stew, plus the side of soda bread spread with Kerrygold to dunk in, we can confirm these Irish comforts are done exquisitely well.
This St Patrick's Day, there will be all-day live Irish music playing in this North-London gem, and between sets and drinks, we implore you to try some of homely Irish dishes to tick all boxes for a day of festive fun.
For a Fusion Celebration: Shankeys
Nestled into an old bookies is Shankeys, a restaurant offering a delightfully unique fusion of Irish and Indian cuisine. 'Spuds n Spice' reads their instagram bio, a humble description for the mouth-watering dishes and creative cocktails to be savoured in this cozy, bustling restaurant.
Irish-born Eoghan is the brains behind the cocktail list that sports undeniably Irish-inspired titles, some of which include the 'Auld Fashioned', 'Enya', and 'Barry's Tea-gronis' (settling the infamous Irish tea debate). However, one concoction that stands out from the crowd is the Spuds & Butter, a concoction of home-brewed Poitín, lime and Kerrygold, the Irish butter that the nation claims to be the best and creamiest on the market.
Meanwhile, chef Sacha Henry is responsible for a mix of the seasonally-changing range of small and sharing plates, with Irish rock oysters sitting proudly amongst Indian classics.
Home to Boxty, black pudding, and the world's most beautiful butter- Irish cuisine is not to be slept on. However you decide to celebrate this St Patrick's Day, with these wonderful Irish restaurants in London, there's certainly no reason to go hungry.
