Waterford is preparing for a feast like no other this April as the 17th Waterford Festival of Food returns from 24–26 April 2026, offering a programme of more than 150 events across Dungarvan, West Waterford, and, for the first time, Waterford City.
With many events already selling out, here are eight new standout experiences across the county that food lovers won’t want to miss:
This year, for the first time ever, Waterford City plays a big role in the festival. Among the standout events is the Ashford Castle x Eric Matthews collaboration at the House of Waterford, where chefs from the world-renowned Ashford Castle join Eric Matthews of Kicky’s and BANG for a one-night-only dining experience. Together, they will present a multi-course menu paired with wines served in Waterford Crystal, bringing together Irish culinary talent, craftsmanship and setting for a truly distinctive evening.
Another highlight is Craicly Storytelling, which takes place within the striking surroundings of Waterford Medieval Museum, where guests will gather in the 13th-century Choristers’ Hall and 15th-century Mayor’s Wine Vault for an evening of food and story. Featuring a fork supper by Jon Toy, welcome drinks and live storytelling, the experience explores the history, heritage and food traditions of Waterford in a stunning setting.
There’s a new Waterford City Tapas Trail this year, a progressive dining experience through some of the city’s most respected kitchens, including Bodega, Union Wine Bar and Kitchen and Everett’s, where each stop offers a distinct flavour and atmosphere. It’s a chance to move through the city by taste, from plate to plate and glass to glass as the evening unfolds.
Two guided Taste Tours offer a deeper introduction to both the city and its surrounding landscape. The City Select Taste Tour (Saturday 25th April, 11am–2pm) explores Waterford’s evolving food scene through a series of carefully chosen stops, while the Mountain Splendour Taste Tour (Friday 24th April, 10am–4pm) connects participants with the producers and places that shape the region’s flavour, with opportunities to taste and meet the people behind the produce along the way.
For those interested in what lies behind the plate, Food Sparks at SETU (Friday 24th April, 10am–2pm) brings together chefs, producers and industry voices to explore how collaboration is shaping the future of Irish food, adding a practical and insightful dimension to the weekend programme.
The GIY Skills and Farm Weekend (Saturday 25th April 10am–4pm) offers a hands-on look at growing and producing, while the Farm to Long Table Supper Club at Grow HQ in Waterford (Saturday 25th April 6.30pm) brings those ingredients full circle in a shared dining experience, where guests gather at a communal table to enjoy a seasonal menu shaped by what’s grown, reared and harvested locally.
On Sunday, 350 Metres & Beyond at Mount Congreve Estate (Sunday 26th April, 12.30pm) invites guests to a shared-table dining experience rooted in the estate’s “garden to plate” philosophy, where ingredients travel just 350 metres from the walled gardens to the kitchen. Following lunch by Head Chef Jean-Baptiste Du Bois, guests will take part in a relaxed discussion led by Georgina Campbell, exploring food, place and contemporary Irish cooking.
While Dungarvan remains at the heart of the festival, these additional events across the wider county offer visitors even more ways to explore, taste and connect throughout the weekend.
With tickets now on sale, visitors are encouraged to explore the full programme and plan their festival experience across the weekend.
For more information and to secure tickets, visit www.waterfordfestivaloffood.com
