St. Patrick’s Day party food is vital for all the festivities that revolve around the holiday. Not only should your bar and restaurant offer a delicious St. Patty’s Day menu, but you should make it available via online ordering apps. We’ll explain why in a bit.
Maybe you want to be one of the best bars for St. Patrick's Day festivities in your city. Or, perhaps you want to cater events for the most unforgettable parties. Either way, this article will serve you well. From traditional classics to innovative food trends, we’re about to outline over a dozen festive ideas for the best St. Patrick's Day food specials.
What You Should Know About St. Patrick’s Day Party Food
One of the best parts about hosting festivities for St. Patrick’s Day is that the holiday boasts fun and obvious themes. From Irish traditions to dying everything a vibrant emerald green, hosts and restaurant staff can get super creative. As you gather St. Patrick's Day food ideas, it’s important to keep thematic relevance in mind.
Some of the most festive aspects of St. Patrick’s Day party food ideas include:
- Traditional St. Patrick's Day food that’s popular in Ireland.
- Anything that pairs well with beer and Irish whiskey.
- Tasty and convenient finger foods that are suitable for parties.
Now that you have an idea of what to serve this coming St. Patrick’s Day, it’s time to put your menu together. Check out the following section for all the culinary inspiration you’ll need.
The Convenience of Online Ordering for St. Patrick’s Day Party Food
Every restaurant business has the potential to maximize revenue once they onboard digital ordering software. For the restaurant manager and owner(s), expanding the eatery’s reach will allow them to capture more sales than they would with just the brick and mortar restaurant. This concept is especially important for those who wish to offer catering services.
The ability to use food delivery apps is just as ideal for the customer base. Easy menu browsing capabilities let them pick and choose which items they’ll want to display on their St. Patrick’s Day tablescape. Then, making the transaction and receiving the order is just as simple of a process.
Want to set up online ordering solutions before St. Patrick’s Day? Schedule a demo with us to get started now!
17 St. Patrick’s Day Party Food Ideas to Offer
It's never too early to prepare your St. Patrick's Day party food ideas. After all, it's almost as much of a food-centric holiday as it is a day for drinking different types of alcohol. Below, you’ll find seventeen St. Patrick’s Day party food ideas to add to the menu on the seventeenth of March. Now, let's dive right into it!
1. Corned Beef and Cabbage
You can’t have a St. Patrick’s Day party food menu without corned beef and cabbage. It’s an Irish classic that’s heavily anticipated on St. Patrick’s Day. Whether you’re drafting an in-house menu, catering menu, or party food ideas, corned beef and cabbage must be front and center.
2. Spinach Dip and Beer Bread
Pair one of your favorite Irish beer brands with a green spinach dip for the ultimate St. Patrick's Day menu item! The spinach dip will likely be one of the more popular food favorites amongst your guests, anyway. Meanwhile, the beer bread is a unique touch with festive elements.
3. Freshly Baked Irish Soda Bread
Every bakery business with any amount of Irish influence will prepare loaves of soda bread throughout March. So, it should be an item that every restaurant sells. Whether it’s by the slice or the loaf, you can never go wrong with adding this classic bread to your lineup of St. Patrick’s Day party food ideas.
4. Shepherd’s Pie Bites
Shepherd’s pie is a tasty and savory dish that many people order on St. Patrick’s Day. However, you can prepare the meat products, vegetables, and gravy in a puff pastry to present the recipe in a bite-size form. In traditional Irish recipes, a shepherd’s pie would include whichever vegetables were accessible. So, feel free to get creative with the fresh produce you add to your mixture.
5. Mini Irish Potato Skewers
Irish potatoes are a must on St. Patrick’s Day. Adding mini potatoes to a skewer is an easy way to make them a grab-and-go food item. Plus, they’ll function as the perfect side dish to any entree food you’ll be offering.
6. Green Pea Hummus and Pita Chips
One of the more healthy St. Patrick's Day snacks can easily be green pea hummus with a handful of pita chips. The natural coloring of the peas will make this snack super festive. Serve it in little black pots or leprechaun hats, and you won’t even remember that it’s not a St. Patty’s Day classic!
7. Potato Leek Soup Shots
Potato leek soup is a delicious Irish starter. However, it might be too heavy as a dish on its own to be on your list of St. Patrick’s Day party food ideas. So, implement the fun idea of soup “shots.” Two-sip servings of soup are just enough to try something new and warm you up on a cool Spring day, without the volume and calories of an entire bowl.
8. Irish Flag Veggie Platter
Showcase the holiday’s roots with a veggie platter resembling the Irish flag. For the sake of simplicity, you can prepare this idea with slices of orange and green bell peppers with ranch dressing in between. Though it may not reflect traditional Irish cuisine, the thematic visual will be an attention-grabber.
9. Soft Pretzels and Beer Cheese
St. Patrick’s Day is the time to ditch your American beer brands and opt for an Irish ale. Various types of pale ale and stouts come from Ireland, which gives you quite a variety. Choose one, and use it to make a savory cheese dip. Then, bake pretzel rods to complete a mouth-watering St. Patrick’s Day party food idea.
10. Irish Deviled Eggs
A recipe for deviled eggs is a staple for any party. So you might be asking yourself the question: How does one make them festive for St. Patrick’s Day? Well, all you need is some green food coloring. After you cook, peel, and slice the egg whites, add a few drops of green dye to a pot of water with a splash of white vinegar. Then, drop the egg whites into the green pool of water until they reach your desired hue. Go ahead and fill them as usual, and there you have it–festive deviled eggs!
11. Whiskey-Infused Truffles
For a more decadent dessert item, infuse chocolate truffles with Irish whiskey. The liquor will add to the intensity of the flavor profile, making for a unique treat. Plus, the mixture of strong alcohol with sweet chocolate and sugar will create a balance of tastes.
12. Leprechaun Bait
Maybe you’re searching for a fun recipe geared towards the kids. Or, perhaps you’d like a recipe for a munchie to keep in snack bowls. Either way, “leprechaun bait” is sure to be one of the most festive St. Patrick's Day snacks. Just mix dry Lucky Charms cereal, green M&Ms, green and gold sprinkles, and mini pretzels. Some people add a touch of sweetness by drizzling the mixture with melted white chocolate.
13. Shamrock-Shaped Cookies
You can’t have St. Patrick's Day food ideas without something resembling a shamrock. With the help of cookie cutters, go ahead and make a simple yet delicious butter cookie recipe. Or a sugar cookie recipe–whichever you prefer. Don’t forget the green food coloring and sugared sprinkles.
14. Rainbow Fruit Skewers
Add a piece of fresh fruit, each being a color of the rainbow, to a skewer to represent the visuals associated with St. Patrick’s Day. You can even add a marshmallow or brownie bite topped with copper sprinkles at the ends to represent the pots of gold. It’ll be a fun and colorful treat that follows the leprechaun theme quite well.
15. Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Take a fan favorite ice cream flavor and turn it into a cookie. The combination of chocolate and minty flavor notes will surely be a hit. Plus, it’s an easy dessert item to transport, store, and consume.
16. Pistachio Cupcakes
Implement a packet or two of pistachio pudding mix for moist and festive cupcakes. The subtle green hue will complement your other St. Patrick’s Day party food ideas, too. Plus, they’re a bit different from all the other dessert items you’ll stumble across on St. Patrick’s Day.
17. Irish Coffee Tiramisu
Traditional Italian tiramisu recipes require you to soak sweet biscuits, or ladyfingers, in espresso. However, some recipes even call for a rich liqueur, such as Kahlua or amaretto. But for St. Patrick's Day, we suggest swapping this Italian mixture with Irish coffee. Simply brew your favorite coffee, then add cream and whiskey. Or, combine coffee and Bailey’s Irish Cream for an even more decadent mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Patrick’s Day Party Food
St. Patrick’s Day party food ideas can be just as traditional as they can be creative. Edible decor, food coloring, and timeless recipes can make for an unforgettable St. Patty’s Day party. But if you’d like a brief overview of the topic, we’ve got you covered! Check out the following selection of frequently asked questions and answers to discover even more on the topic!
What Is the Most Popular St. Patrick’s Day Party Food?
The most popular St. Patrick’s Day party food is corned beef and cabbage. Many restaurants will serve this traditional Irish-American meal as an entree. Meanwhile, those who are hosting parties at home might serve a more casual version, such as corned beef and cabbage sliders. The best part? This dish pairs perfectly with beer and other beverages inspired by the Irish.
Which Drinks Go Best with St. Patrick’s Day Party Food?
You’ll find that there are many types of beer and whiskey co*cktails that pair with St. Patrick’s Day party food. After all, it’s tradition to consume such beverages on St. Patrick’s Day. For those who don’t consume alcohol, regular soft drinks are quite popular. Then, when it’s time for dessert, sweet drinks like minty milkshakes are pretty popular.
What Are Some Green St. Patrick’s Day Party Food Ideas?
Some green dishes that you can serve on St. Patrick’s Day include:
- Green Irish soda bread
- Spinach and artichoke dip
- Guacamole and tortilla chips
- Green bean casserole
- Mint chocolate truffles
- Shamrock cookies
Which Food Items Are Associated with St. Patrick’s Day?
Several food items that are heavily associated with St.Patrick’s Day include:
- Corned beef and cabbage
- Freshly baked Irish soda bread
- Irish potatoes as a side dish
- Mint and chocolate desserts
- Shamrock-shaped cookies
What Do People Drink On St. Patrick’s Day?
You’ll find most people drinking beer, shots of whiskey, and green co*cktails on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s one of the busiest drinking days of the year, which means bars and party hosts get super creative. From dying beer a fun shade of green to coming up with original mixed drink recipes, there are often many festive drink options.
Luck Out With Online Ordering Solutions!
The ability to order St. Patrick’s Day party food online is just as convenient for consumers as it is profitable for restaurants. Advertise a limited edition menu for the holiday to experience a spike in online ordering sales. But if you’ve landed here looking for dishes to serve at your upcoming party, consider placing your online order ahead of time for optimal efficiency. No matter which side of the gold coin you’re on, online ordering capabilities will surely come in handy this St. Patrick’s Day.
