So you’re new to the country, you haven’t got a lot of money, and you’re so overwhelmed by all the new names you can’t figure out which place is the best one to shop. I know the feeling well! Thankfully, I’ve spent my last four years here, figuring out the food shop situation for you! In this blog post, I’m going to run through the most common supermarkets you’ll encounter here, and what you need to know about them.
Dunnes
Dunnes is the the most popular supermarket store in Ireland: and a large part of this is due to its shop and save promotions. Every time you purchase over €50 worth of food, you’ll get a voucher for €10 off your next shop!
However, as a student myself, I can tell you straight up: that €10 could be a complete food shop in a different supermarket. Dunnes is very much a classy joint - and the clientele tend to be business people, established families, and the older population. That said, if you’re ever invited out to a nice dinner, anything from Dunnes is a good shout to bring with you.
SuperValu
SuperValu is the second largest supermarket chain in Ireland, but don’t be deceived by it’s name: the cost of items bought here will rack up fast. Despite having Valu in its name, SuperValu is very much a generic, for adults with jobs, supermarket.
They do do nice wines though! €10 will net you a decent french wine if you ever feel inclined to celebrate (or drown some sorrows) when you get your grades back.
Tesco
With over 20% market share, Tesco is a strong contender over here. It’s not a bad shout if you’re used to creature comforts: it’s jam packed full of big name brands for chocolates, cereals, spreads and more. If you’re nervous about trying new things, Tesco is full of items you’ll recognize.
If you have any dietary issues, or are vegan, Tesco will also cater for you. Their extensive Free From range includes gluten, wheat, dairy and egg free meals.
Lidl
Originally a German supermarket, Lidl has been making its way across the globe in recent years. They’re definitely a low cost competitor: the same shop at Lidl would cost you up to €20 more at Tesco. That said, you won’t find any brands you recognize here: most are imported, or created under Lidl’s own brand. If you’re looking for authentic Irish, you likely won’t find it here: but you will find incredible monthly themed hauls from places like Poland, France, and Greece. It’s worth popping in every once in a while to see if they’re got something from your home country!
Each Lidl also comes equipped with its own bakery, and let me tell you, it’s incredible. The highlights are the large cookies (white chocolate, milk chocolate, and double chocolate) for €0.60 which are a meal of their own. They also do a full range of slice your own crusty breads which - while not quite as luxurious as what Dunnes have on offer - smell absolutely delicious and will keep you fed.
Aldi
Some call it the bottom of the barrel, I call it the only place I can afford food.
If you’re smart with your money here, you can net a whole weeks food shop at Aldi for €10 - €15. That’s breakfasts, lunches and dinners. This place is an absolute students dream, and they have all the staples: frozen and fresh food, everything you need for baking, household and toiletry essentials.
They also have (in my opinion) vegetables that absolutely destroy Lidl and Tesco vegetables. Aldi’s vegetables and fruits are fresher, in less packaging, and cheaper. They also have daily super 6 deals, where you can pick up fresh tomatoes, courgettes, apples, bananas and more for under €0.50.
For the health conscious among you they’ve also got a decent number of meat substitutes, a solid shelf of falafel, and a freezer dedicated to fruits ready to blend into smoothies.
Wherever you decide to shop, check out our amazing budget-friendly recipes to make the most of what you buy!
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