Now, the food is a bit of a mixed bag. You’ll see “Irish” menus everywhere, but let’s be real: a lot of it is just stew. Proper Irish stew with lamb and potatoes is a dream, but some places serve you a watery thing with carrots and a vague apology. Do it right, or don’t do it at all, pubs!
Corned beef and cabbage is another staple, though it’s more of an Irish-American import. In the UK, we tend to go for a full Irish breakfast—sausages, black pudding, soda bread—which is basically a heart attack on a plate, but a delicious one. Pair it with a pint of the black stuff, and you’re golden.
And then there are the sweets. Some bakeries sell green cupcakes, Bailey’s cheesecake, or a shamrock-shaped shortbread that’s dangerously moreish. It’s a day when calories don’t count, honestly. They just don’t. It’s the rules.
The Unexpected Weird Bits
Here’s the thing about the UK: we love a bit of eccentricity. In some towns, they dye rivers green. Not whole rivers, but little streams and fountains. It looks terrifying but also oddly festive. You half expect a leprechaun to pop up and start a tap dance.
St Patrick's Day in London 2026 | Parties, Events & Celebrations
There’s also the tradition of “drowning the shamrock.” You put a shamrock in your last pint of Guinness, drink it, and then toss the shamrock over your shoulder. It’s supposed to bring good luck. I tried it once and just dropped the glass. Pro tip: use a plastic cup.
And you can’t avoid the tourists. St. Patrick’s Day brings out everyone from families with kids to hen parties in green L-plates. It’s a glorious, messy mix, and everyone is weirdly nice to each other. Strangers high-five in the street. It’s like the whole country gets a personality transplant for 24 hours.
