A year ago today, I landed in Dublin for my first trip to Ireland. (I say first, because I know I’ll be back!)
Traveling as a vegan is stressful, as any one of us could tell you. I must say, though, that it does not compare at all to needing to avoid wheat in any form. I have such reactions that even the tiniest amount(in traditional soy sauce, for example) will cause horrifying effects that I’m not sure you want to read about.
Luckily, I have a friend who had just returned from a visit, and in fact has an Irish vegan cousin who could toss a few recommendations my way for food options. (My travel buddy is extremely gracious when it comes to my food neuroses.) A link from the native Irish gal with a list of places mentioned Umi Falafel. My friend, though not vegan, does love a good falafel(who doesn’t?!), so off we went to find our dinner.
Is it strange to have had a dinner so good that you’re still thinking about it a year later? Not for me!
Falafel is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Irish food. It certainly isn’t for me, either. But allow me to tell you, this is easily the best falafel in Ireland, and, honestly, maybe anywhere else.
Never mind that the menu had options(not just one item!) for me that were both vegan and gluten-free. I started with a warm, and very filling lentil soup.
Then continued with a basket of falafels, accompanied with some hummus and pickled veg.
Best. Falafel. Ever.
I also ordered a “side” of olives, because, well, olives. They served me this:
More olives than even I can eat. And that’s saying something.
We returned to our hotel with happy, full bellies.
Umi Falafel now has three locations in Ireland for your eating pleasure. (This is an unpaid plug, just based on love of good falafel.)
