HAPPY BLOOMSDAY TO all – the day we celebrate James Joyce’s most iconic novel, Ulysses. June 16th is the day the literary masterpiece takes place, as we follow Leopold Bloom traversing across Dublin, occasionally setting the world to rights alongside a mixture of friends, acquaintances, and other roguish characters from Dublin’s sidestreets.
Well-known for both the unique stream-of-consciousness writing style utilised throughout the novel as well as its difficulty to read it to the end, Joyce’s greatest work was first published as a whole in 1922. Inspiring generations of readers, Bloomsday was created to pay homage to the story and the author.
The novel was set in 1904 and takes place in several well-known Dublin areas, with Howth, Sandycove, and the Georgian core of the capital all essential parts of the story.
After such a busy day of running around, our question is: what would Leopold Bloom eat for his dinner? We know he loved his grub and while they didn’t have Deliveroo for easy service in his day, some of his culinary interests are mentioned throughout the novel:
Mr. Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls. He liked thick giblet soup, nutty gizzards, a stuffed roast heart, liverslices fried with crustcrumbs, fried hencods’ roes. But most of all, he liked grilled mutton kidneys which gave to his palate a fine tang of faintly scented urine.” – Excerpt from Ulysses by James Joyce, Penguin Modern Classics edition, page 57.
Bloom later takes a cheese sandwich for his lunch from Davy Byrnes on Duke Street, accompanied by a glass of burgundy, ensuring he stays well fed and watered during his busy day.
It’s safe to assume that Bloom would be delighted with the different cuisines and food available to sample nowadays in Dublin. No doubt he would have enjoyed some of our more modern fare, such as devouring a pizza beside one of Dublin’s canals or beaches, whilst still being able to indulge in some classic pub grub like his sandwich.
We want you to guess what you think the main antagonist of Ulysses would eat if the novel was staged in modern times. We know he’s definitely not a vegetarian from the above extract, and that he doesn’t eat pork due to religious reasons, so keep that in mind.
Whilst the novel takes place in Dublin, we’ve provided some of our favourite takeaways from across the country to keep things interesting. All restaurants are available to order on Deliveroo, in case you get peckish when racking your brain.
Musahi boasts a strong presence in the capital, offering sublime Asian-inspired cuisine with a focus on sushi from six locations across town. Super tasty and refreshing to boot, its chefs have several years of experience in feeding those with a serious sushi craving. Perfect for a sunny day when you’re not in the mood to eat something too heavy, Musashi is a must-try for those who love their Asian grub.
When hunger strikes, sometimes nothing hits the spot better than a kebab bursting at the seams with goodness, and that’s exactly what you’ll find in Reyna, a Turkish restaurant on Dame Street. Utilising the classic slow-cooking rotisserie as well as their own charcoal grill gives every Döner kebab a distinct and sumptuous flavour. Its Mezze, or side plates, include a mix of hot and cold dishes and have enough variety to keep everyone happy if you’re ordering for a big group.
Sprout & Co is well-known across the country for its mouth-watering selection of healthy foods and has several locations in Dublin offering takeaway options. Sprout’s range of food includes packed salads, warm bowls, and wraps, with the ingredients sourced from their farm in Co. Kildare. Sprout lets you customise your order whatever way you like, allowing you to add or take away food items to your heart’s content. Great for those who attempt to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Oak Fire Pizza is Cork’s go-to for a delicious pizza pie. A varied menu offers all the classics we know and love, as well as allowing room for some interesting and inventive ingredient combinations. Starting off in a simple van with a pizza oven, the expert pizza makers have gone from strength to strength, establishing themselves all over the county, including locations in the heart of town. Each pizza is blasted in the 500-degree Celsius oven, meaning they only take two minutes to cook, after which they cool down before being devoured in the same amount of time.
Roosters Piri Piri brings delectable grilled-to-order chicken, meat and vegetarian dishes to Cork. The fresh chicken is always marinated for 24 hours in a divine blend of flavours, which are inspired by Portuguese and African piri piri tastes. The platters on offer are a great way of getting a wide mix of food without breaking the bank, and a lot of attention is paid to the range of desserts available, which includes Belgian waffles and build-your-own-cheesecake.
Self-proclaimed as Galway’s best burritos, quesadillas and tacos, Vocho offers Mexican street food from a shipping container in Galway city. All food on offer is made in-house, using the freshest ingredients possible, and the biggest problem that you’ll face when eating Vocho will be deciding what to order. A fully customisable menu lets you select exactly what you want to chow down on, meaning those with taste buds less adjusted to heat than others can opt for slightly less spicy options than those who can’t get enough of the heat.
With restaurants across the country, Lana brings authentic Asian flavours to a huge fanbase. Taking inspiration from several countries and cuisines including Thailand, Indonesia, and China, the blend of dishes has enough to satisfy all cravings and palates. For the small picky eaters in your life, there’s also a handy kid’s menu that offers a more stripped-back selection of dishes.
What would Leopold Bloom order for his dinner?
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