Group Shot

Taste the town with us!

Featured and recommended by

National Geographic
Channel 4
Lonely Planet
NBC Golf
Trip Advisor

THE TOWN

Kinsale : a Culinary Odyssey

Kinsale

Kinsale is a town with many sails or strings to its bow. Originally a Norman walled town which became a thriving fishing port, its Irish name is ‘Ceann tSáile’ which means ‘Head of the Sea’. The town thrived on the prolific mackerel fishery where men fished while their wives and daughters processed fish along the quays and sold to traders.

Over time in Kinsale, fishing was usurped by tourism, helped by its incomparable beauty, medieval architecture and salty sea air. Kinsale has evolved as a world class gourmand’s delight, aided by the proliferation of many high class restaurants and eateries in the town.

Pubs of Kinsale

Colourful Streets

Ancient Kinsale

Medieval Forts

Beautiful Local Scenery

Stunning Coastlines

Kinsale Town

Bustling Harbour

Spider Crabs

THE TOUR

Sharing stories and tasty treats

With so many glorious venues on our doorstep, Kinsale is a mecca for tourists and Irish alike who flock here for our wonderful food. For a food fanatic,  this is a particular treat, having a rich hinterland and coastline which provides us with the freshest and most fabulous food and people.

The tours have become renowned both locally and internationally, having been featured extensively in Irish, UK, US and European media. 

Our food tours showcase Kinsale in 3 completely different ways. 

Food Tour Picture 4

Walking Town Food Tour

Product information

€80 per person

Public Food Tour Enquiry

Price on request for private food tours. We do cater for dietary requirements on the private food tour.

Description

Our town food tours are like a walking meal which take you to a selection of different eateries. During the tour you will hear stories about the food and meet some of the fascinating characters who make it too. Be sure to bring your appetite!

Details

  • shop_line All tour food provided by local venues and producers.
  • umbrella_line Tours run in all weather conditions.
  • first_aid_kit_line Public tour not suitable for those with dietary requirements.
  • alarm_2_line Tour Durations is normally 2-2.5 hours.
Foraging Tour Picture 4

Foraging and Coastal Tour

Product information

€70 per person

Public Foraging Enquiry

Price on request for private food tours. We do cater for dietary requirements on the private food tour.

Description

For outdoor enthusiasts, we run foraging and picnic tours. This incorporates food tastings as well as coastal foraging. We travel to the coast to forage and identify edible, wild shellfish, seaweed and plants. We provide a gourmet picnic as part of this tour and incorporate some pre-prepared wild food by some of our local producers.

Details

  • dog_line Doggy Friendly
  • wave_line Our Foraging Tours times are tide dependent.
  • mushroom_line Picnic showcases a range of local producers.
  • alarm_2_line Tour Durations is normally 2.5 hours.
Yacht 4

Private Yacht Charter Picnic

Product information

from€350 per person

Hosted by Sovereign Sailing

Description

An exclusive, luxury experience with a half-day sailing. Our combined expertise and love for all things food and oceanic are brought together on these charters. Relax while your private skipper sails you out of the beautiful Kinsale harbour. Enjoy a gourmet picnic and learn more about the food and local wonders with your personal guide.

Details

  • user_star_line Private Skipper and Guide included.
  • wave_line Tours dependent on sea conditions.
  • sailboat_line All boats operated by Soverign Sailing.
  • alarm_2_line Tour Durations is normally 3-4 hours.

YOUR GUIDE

Suzanne : Founder & Lead Guide

Suzanne Burns

The Kinsale Food Tours was the brainchild of Suzanne Burns who returned to Ireland after over a decade living abroad. She started these tours in 2016, from a combined love for the town itself and an obsession with food, its origins and the coast.

Her career started as a Zoologist, focusing on freshwater and marine plants and animals in Ireland. She worked as a scallop farmer for her Honours thesis for her degree. Her work took her travelling for over a decade in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. After graduating, she spent a year in Australia, working as a beetle technician in the Australian Museum in Sydney. She returned to Ireland to fulfil her Masters in Dublin.


She then moved to New Zealand for a decade working as a freshwater biologist and researcher, She changed tack after 5 years, becoming a wildlife guide and head crew on a boat, working with albatrosses, penguins, sea lions and fur seals.


A chance encounter led her to Vancouver Island, Canada for 6 months where she worked as a wildlife writer and photographer, working primarily with wild orcas and humpback whales. On returning to Ireland, she started the Kinsale Food Tours. Kinsale Food Tours is part of the Wild Atlantic Way

FAQ

Answers to some common questions

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
Public tours - This tour is not suitable for people with dietary requirements. Some of the foods consumed on this tour will contain traditional food items such as wheat, dairy, seafood, meat and nuts.
Private tours - We do accommodate dietary requirements.Please inform us at least 72 hours before the private tour if you have any special dietary requirements so we can tailor the tour accordingly.
DISCLAIMER
Kinsale Food Tours is not responsible for the foods or beverages consumed on its tours. Kinsale Food Tours acts solely as agent in arranging tours, transportation, venue visits and other services and does not assume liability for accidents, delays, injuries, loss or damage due to any act or default of any company, organisation or person engaged in transporting passengers, rendering service, or carrying out arrangements for any tour or by the act of default of any restaurant or shop or its employees.
SAFETY MEASURES
All our tours and venues are working within recommended HSE & Government guidelines.
CONSUMPTION OF FOOD
For outdoor tours, food can be taken away for later consumption.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund up to 72 hours before tour commencement. No refund issued within 72 hours of tour start time.
CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL
No alcohol is permitted on the outdoor tours. Alcohol can be consumed with your main course meal.
TOUR FOOD AMOUNT
Come hungry as you'll be eating a decent portion of food!
WEATHER CONDITIONS
We conduct tours rain or shine. You are advised to dress appropriately for weather conditions. Rain jackets/ponchos are advised rather than the use of umbrella's, for people's comfort.
ARRIVING LATE
Please note that your tour guide cannot wait for guests arriving late. Please make sure to make the necessary arrangements to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the tour. We are on a tight schedule with all the venues we visit.
SUITABILITY
Please note the town tour is best suited for adults and enthusiastic foodie teenagers. Our picnic and foraging tours are suitable for the whole family.

Contact Kinsale Food Tours

We use email and phone to tailor each tour whether they be groups, couples, families or solo travellers. Get in touch.

Testimonials

Some of our amazing guests

“By far one of our favourite things we did on our 2 week holiday. Suzanne was not only extremely knowledgeable about everything (not just food ),her personality made the experience even more lovely. We will definitely be back and we will be more adventurous. We will be doing the “food and foraging” tour that she offers next. I simply can not express just how great this was!!!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! ”

Kasey
Kasey & Larry Apken
South Carolina, US.

“We had such a fantastic day out with Suzanne, who introduced us to some fabulous food and such lovely people who took so much pride in what they were offering, plus we also learnt about the history of Kinsale. Suzanne has a great sense of humour, and so easy to get on with, we just spent the day laughing,eating and drinking, it was brilliant !! Come hungry as the portions are BIG !!! If in Kinsale you have to do this tour with Suzanne.”

Evelyn Brierly
Evelyn Brierly
Dublin

“Suzanne was an outstanding host and guide providing fascinating insight to both the food and the town of Kinsale. Suzane met us on time and took us on a casual walk about town as she talked about its history, building’s and its people. The tour was a perfectly set up 4 course meal in 4 different venues. Each venue was unique, comfortable and quite tasty! It became evident that she is well known in town with everyone saying hello as we strolled about.”

Marty
Marty
Cheapspeake, Virginia

“Fun and Tasty. What a wonderful and delightful introduction to Kinsale food. Suzanne lead us to 4 stops each with their own unique food contribution. Not only did Suzanne introduce to establishments we would not have found, she provided historical perspective. Each stop was tasty and fun. And she provided great recommendations on others spots to try. She has an irreverent Irish sense of humor and was a delightful guide. Highly recommend”

DM Nelson
DM Nelson
Bend, Oregon

“Highlight of the south of Ireland. My husband and I joined the food tour of Kinsale for our 10th wedding anniversary because almost as much as we love each other, we both enjoy eating well, even more. This tour did exceedingly well at that and then some. Our host/guide weaved both history, tall tales and gastronomic expertise in a professional yet fun and approachable matter, that I think you would have to be a lonely stone at the sea not to fall in love with not just only her but the fantastic culinary and historic experience that awaits you in this gem of the world."

Karl H
Karl H
Oberwesel, Germany

“This is our third time to do Suzanne's food tour in Kinsale. This time we also included foraging. i was amazed at the depth of Suzanne's knowledge about the seaweeds and foods that can be found at the beach. The food at the restaurants and food stops was also fabulous. Our group loves doing the food tour, and look forward to it each time we return! Suzanne not only teaches us a lot as she takes you on the food tour, she makes it lots of fun! We can't recommend this tour enough! Yummy food and lots of fun, learning and laughter!”

Ellen
Ellen
Kau'ai, Hawaii

“MUST DO! An incredible experience in Kinsale. Absolutely wonderful afternoon tasting food of not only outstanding quality, but also impressive quantity! Suzanne was brilliant with thoughtful touches and expert knowledge. Can’t wait to return to Kinsale and go all over again!”

May
May
London, United Kingdom

MEDIA

Some of our features on air.

Julia Bradbury with Channel 4 was on a journey around Ireland and worked with Suzanne.

Kinsale Food Tours was featured as part of Discover Ireland's "Shameless Plugs" campaign in the UK and US.

Kinsale Food Tours featured on Ireland AM, a Virgin Media breakfast show.

A little story about the humble potato.