Smoky brisket, whole hog barbecue and flame-charred tacos are about to take over Dublin. For anyone tracking food Ireland trends this summer, The Big Grill’s return to Herbert Park from August 13 to 16, 2026 is one of the most exciting dates on the calendar.
Now in its 13th year, The Big Grill is back with four days of live-fire cooking, festival-only dishes and masterclasses from some of the best barbecue talent in the world. The Dublin event has built a reputation as a standout in food news Ireland, drawing serious pitmasters, top chefs and hungry crowds eager to sample bold flavours that span the US South, Sweden, Afghanistan, Thailand, Japan and beyond.
The Big Grill is a must-watch moment for food Ireland fans
This year’s festival promises more than 50 exclusive dishes from over 45 restaurants and vendors, plus more than 50 cooking demos, tastings and workshops. For readers who follow the Ireland food guide and want to know where to eat Ireland for unforgettable festival food, this is the kind of event that turns Herbert Park into one of the hottest places to eat Dublin.
Founder Andy Noonan says the heart of the festival is still the food: dishes people would normally travel abroad to try, paired with a showcase of just how creative Irish chefs can be over fire. That mix of global barbecue culture and local talent is exactly why The Big Grill remains such a major part of the Ireland food scene.
- Dates: August 13-16, 2026
- Location: Herbert Park, Dublin 4
- Highlights: 50+ dishes, 45+ vendors, 50+ demos and tastings
- New for 2026: expanded family zone and continuous Saturday format
International headliners include barbecue legend Tuffy Stone, the multi-award-winning pitmaster known as “The Professor,” who will cook and teach daily. Acclaimed live-fire writer Genevieve Taylor is also on the bill, while James Beard-nominated chef Elliott Moss will showcase traditional South Carolina whole hog barbecue using rare-breed Irish pigs.
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What to eat at The Big Grill Dublin 2026
The food lineup reads like a dream list for anyone interested in restaurant reviews Ireland, best food in Ireland and modern global barbecue. Festival-goers can expect everything from Swedish pit beef sandwiches with dipping jus to Afghan-Texan brisket naan, Filipino sisig tacos and South Indian curry cooked over fire.
Among the standout names:
- Holy Smoke BBQ from Sweden with dripping pit beef sandwiches
- Andrew Clarke of ACME Fire Cult serving grilled lamb chop railway curry
- Cue Point blending Afghan and Texan influences in brisket naan
- Bahay x Kaldero with grilled pig’s head sisig tacos
- Hawker cooking smoked Irish lamb bao
- Achara offering slow-grilled beef khao soi on beef fat roti
- Reyna x Chiya with wood-fired yaprak döner
- Bah33 bringing dramatic Brazilian churrasco theatre
Dublin chef Mark O’Brien, fresh from reaching the final of MasterChef: The Professionals 2026, is returning with Snake Oil Barbecue and a smoked bone-in pork shoulder steak with Carolina Gold sauce. Hera’s pork bifana is also tipped to be one of the weekend’s crowd-pleasers.
For anyone building an Ireland dining guide around events, The Big Grill offers a rare chance to sample dishes from some of the top restaurants Ireland and rising names in the capital in one place.
Masterclasses, tastings and family-friendly additions
Beyond the food stalls, the festival is putting a big focus on learning. At Bastecamp, chefs, butchers and fire specialists will dive into grilling, butchery, wild food and smoke techniques. Offside will host tastings including a striploin ageing session paired with Irish whiskey, as well as a jamón and wine experience.
One of the biggest updates for 2026 is the expanded Little Grillers programme. Families can expect science activities, circus fun, sensory play, music and food workshops including dumpling skewers, hot dogs, s’mores, burger parties and kids’ pizza sessions. Under-12s go free with a ticket-holding adult, making this one of the more family-friendly entries on the Irish food guide this season.
Saturday is changing too. Instead of the old day-to-evening clear-out, the festival will run as one continuous day with timed entry, giving guests more time to eat, drink and settle in.
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With independent breweries, cocktails, tastings and high-profile judges choosing the best dish of the weekend, The Big Grill 2026 looks set to be one of the defining food Ireland events of the year. If you love smoke, fire and discovering the next big thing in the Ireland restaurant guide, this is the festival to book now before the fastest-selling tickets disappear.
Article/Image Courtesy: Hospitality Ireland
