It has been two years since we were officially allowed to celebrate Mother’s Day within safe proximity of our parents. This year, the chance of actually hugging our mums or dining at the same table as them is beginning to feel more real so that alone is a cause for celebration. Get those antigen tests ready and prepare yourself for a Mother’s Day to remember, with 14 foodie excursions designed to thank your Ma for always being at the end of the line through thick and thin.
Brunch at Bibi's, Portobello
We usually spend brunch gossiping over incidents from Saturday night, but this Sunday is entirely devoted to the woman who birthed and bathed you. Return the favour by bringing your Mum to Bibi’s for one of the best brunches in Dublin. We can never resist the squash eggs, and we recommend ordering the brownies in every flavour.
A stroll in Howth and Afternoon Tea at Póg
We Irish love any excuse to talk about the weather, but we get particularly excited when the sun makes an appearance. What better way to salute spring than by wrapping up and heading to Howth Harbour for a sunny stroll, followed by afternoon tea. The one at Póg is vegan friendly with jackfruit and slaw sambos, and mini acai bowls, and comes with the option of bubbles or bottomless booze.
Tableaux Vivants and brunch at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin 1
Tableaux Vivants, translated as Living Images, pairs classical with contemporary art in a collection of work curated in response to the centenary of the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921. The exhibition is part of several shows on display at the Hugh Lane Gallery, which doubles as the (somewhat) new space for Luncheonette. Immerse yourselves in art and chew over your thoughts with a coffee and cake afterwards.
Dinner in Spitalfields, Dublin 8
Whether your mum prefers lunch or dinner, Spitalfields in the Coombe serves up the classiest comfort food in Dublin, with dishes like shrimp mayonnaise with trout caviar, and pork schnitzel with smoked garlic potatoes, not forgetting their famous chicken pie to share. Their dessert menu will resurrect your childhood nostalgia, with an orange and vanilla “super split” for 90s kids, and Eton mess for our parents’ generation.
Whiskey and Food Pairing at the Powerscourt Distillery, Wicklow
Enniskerry’s Powerscourt Spa usually gains the most attention, but if your mum is a gourmand, she'll love the Whiskey and Food Pairing at the Powerscourt Distillery. Combining experience in food science and gastronomy, Santina Kennedy curates a menu of snacks to pair with their range of Fercullen Irish whiskeys. The pairing costs €35 per person and kicks off at 4pm. Book tickets here.
Rock Farm Tours, Slane, Co. Meath
Rock Farm has had an exciting year, from providing the setting (and produce) for Allta Summer House, to recently winning the Environmental Award at the Irish Food Writer’s Guild Food Awards. Now, Dubliners can make the short trip to Rock Farm to sample the goods on-site with guided tours of the Slane Distillery and the bustling organic farm. Tours of the farm cost €15 per person, or go the whole hogg with an afternoon tour for €89 visiting a goat farm, cider mill and rapeseed oil producer too. Both must be booked in advance.
Bread-making Course at Bread 41
There is nothing more comforting than a smearing of butter on your mum’s freshly baked soda bread… or is there? Sourdough has swept the nation with its crunchy, featherlight texture and its lighter impact on troublesome Irish guts and their sensitivity to Pat The Baker's worst. Buy your mum a Glenties malt loaf and a voucher for two for a bread-making class at Bread 41. Note that classes are fully booked until September, but it's worth waiting for.
A trip to the Polish Wine Festival, The Fumbally Stables, Dublin 8
We often associate wine with French châteaux and New World vineyards, but plenty of exciting growers hail from places like Brno in the Czech Republic and Zielona Góra in Poland. Give your mum an alternative gift this Mother’s Day with a trip to the Polish Wine Festival in the Fumbally Stables, which is on the day itself. Tickets cost €20, and hourly slots can be reserved here.
A box of Bloomin' Cupcakes from Cake Box, Dublin 8
We're crushing hard on these Bloomin’ Cupcakes’ from Cakebox. Marta’s seasonal beauties are garnished with edible petals and come in two flavours - almond-lemon with violet buttercream and a cherry dipped in ruby chocolate, and carrot-orange with orange blossom buttercream and candied kumquat. Order via Instagram DM.
A visit to the Museum of Decorative Arts and History and dinner at L. Mulligan Grocer
From IB Jorgensen’s seminal runway pieces to Eileen Gray’s innovative furnishings, the Museum of Decorative Arts and History houses some of Ireland’s oldest artefacts and works by pioneering artists and designers. Spend the day soaking up culture and treat your mum to dinner and drinks in L Mulligan Grocer afterwards.
A Gift Cooking Kit from Weekl.ie
“Mum, why is there never anything to eat in this house?” We’ve all said it, and to be fair your fridge is probably emptier than hers was circa 1999. Fill your mum’s fridge and her face with joy with delivery a from Weekl.ie. Their current shop includes Italian blood oranges and a fresh pasta making kit, the perfect reminder of that trip to Rome that she never stops going on about.
Sunday Lunch at Potager, Skerries
From Howth over to Greystones, the Dublin coastline is one of Dublin’s best assets, but the small coastal village of Skerries in North County Dublin is often forgotten. Bring your mum for a coastal walk in Skerries and finish the day with lunch in Potager over a menu that showcases some of North County Dublin's finest produce.
The chicken, bacon, leek and mushroom pie at home from Margadh, Howth
The mother figure stereotypically spends a large portion of their life cooking and cleaning for their family. If your mum falls into that category, please do her a favour and break out the Dyson for a few hours and order Margadh’s Mother’s Day Menu. The dish of the day is a chicken, bacon, leek and mushroom pie served with champ mash and vegetables, with prosecco and a chocolate ganache tart for afters.
'Pop of Spring' chocolates from Praliné Chocolatiers
Georgia and Daniel from Praliné Chocolatiers are among several Irish chocolatiers breaking the mould on tired, oversweet confectionary offerings in Ireland. The ‘Pop of Spring’ box is a signal for brighter days, and features flavours like yuzu cheesecake and Irish mint ganache. Hint hard enough and she might let you try one.
