Feast by Lidl earns festive praise
Over half of diners (52%) said they would be likely to experiment with the Christmas meal this year after dining at Feast by Lidl
Print17 November 2025
Following a sold-out weekend at Feast by Lidl, which saw more than 500 diners indulge their naughty and nice sides with a sumptuous tasting menu prepared by Michelin starred chef Oliver Dunne, Lidl has revealed the top-rated festive dishes as voted for by restaurant diners.
Showcasing the very best of Lidl Ireland’s Deluxe Christmas range, which was awarded Own-Label Range of the Year at the 2025 Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards, Feast by Lidl aimed to challenge perceptions around festive food, pitting the traditionalists against experimentalists with two bespoke menus – Naughty or Nice – which featured the nation’s best-loved and most divisive festive dishes.
From traditional favourites like turkey and ham, smoked salmon and prawn cocktail, to more alternative main ingredients like pate, duck and Brussel sprouts, Feast by Lidl has turned the tables on Christmas dining.
Christmas chart
Claiming the number one spot in the foodie Christmas chart is Lidl’s Deluxe Irish Duck Breast (€6.49), supplied by Silverhill Duck based in County Cavan.
Served with braised red cabbage, chestnuts, cauliflower puree, Pedro Ximenez Sherry and J.D. Gross Dark Chocolate Gravy, this showstopping dish featured on the ‘naughty’ menu and was voted best dish overall – tipping traditional turkey and ham to the top spot.
A survey of the general public by Lidl Ireland in October revealed that a quarter of people (23%) keen on changing up the menu this year would consider switching to duck as the centrepiece of the meal.
With rave reviews of the delicacy at Feast by Lidl, 2025 could well be the year shoppers decide to ruffle a few feathers and switch up the Christmas menu.
For many though, turkey and ham reigns supreme, coming in at a close second place in the list of best dishes, featuring on the ‘Nice’ menu.
Lidl’s Irish Free-Range Deluxe Turkey (€24.99) and Unsmoked Brown Sugar Glazed Deluxe Irish Ham (€24.99), sourced from Monaghan-based supplier McCaghey Turkeys, was served with Sage & Onion Cornbread Stuffing (€2.29), Thyme & Rosemary Potato Gratin (€2.99), Buttery Roast Potatoes (€3.99) and Seasonal Gravy (€2.19) all from its Deluxe range.
Diners on the ‘Nice’ side were also impressed with Lidl’s Deluxe Irish Smoked Salmon Infused with Whiskey (€4.19) served in a vol au vent with buttered leeks, lemon, caper and dill cream.
West Cork seafood proved to be the catch of the day with Lidl’s Ireland Deluxe Lobster (€11.99) and Deluxe Wild Atlantic Prawns (€4.99) creating the iconic Prawn Cocktail dish with a twist – served with Deluxe Tomato & Chilli Chutney (€1.49) and juicy pomegranate beads.
Sourced from Keohane’s, the Bantry-based seafood supplier has been a longstanding partner to Lidl Ireland and features at the heart of festive feasts right across the country.
Finishing up the line up of best traditional grub, Lidl’s Deluxe Brandy Crumble Irish Mince Pies (€3.79) rounded off the most loved.
Menu diners also raved about the retailer’s Deluxe Pork Liver Pâté (€2.99) which featured as the starter, served with cranberry and mulled wine gel, toast snack bites with green olives and herbs and a parsnip crisp, washed down with the specially paired Bissinger Premier Cuvée Brut Champagne (€29.90) which proved to be top of the pops.
Sweet-toothed diners rated Lidl’s Jewel Topped Deluxe Irish Christmas Pudding infused with Armagnac Brandy (€12.99) and served with Dundalgan Irish Whiskey Ice Cream (€2.99) as the standout dish.
According to research conducted by Red C on behalf of Lidl Ireland in advance of Feast by Lidl, 81% of households across the country said they plan to stick to a traditional menu this Christmas, yet 52% of diners surveyed at Feast by Lidl said they would be likely to experiment with the Christmas meal this year following their experience, proving that taste can often trump tradition.
No matter the preference, Irish consumers are united on what really matters – quality and value. 91% of people surveyed by Red C said that high quality ingredients are essential to their Christmas meal and 90% prioritise reasonable pricing. Nearly three quarters (70%) say Irish sourced food is important to them.
Following Feast by Lidl, a massive 92% of pop-up restaurant diners rated the quality of Lidl Ireland’s Deluxe range as five-star and 95% of diners said that they are more likely to shop at Lidl for their Christmas fayre this year as a result of their Feast by Lidl experience.
Eimear O’Sullivan, corporate affairs director at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: “Feast by Lidl set out to celebrate what is the most special meal of the year for many and to challenge consumer’s perceptions on quality, taste and tradition.
“Our Deluxe range is designed to bring together exceptional festive food made with trusted Irish ingredients at unbeatable value.
“This Christmas, we’re proud to celebrate Irish producers, local flavour, and the simple pleasure of great food shared.”
From Christmas dinner essentials and Deluxe delicacies to sweet treats and savoury bites, Lidl Ireland’s Christmas range will impress guests for less this festive season with five-star quality food at affordable prices.
Lidl Ireland’s Deluxe Christmas range is available in all 188 stores across Ireland with additional items being added on a weekly basis.
Discover the full Deluxe range in store or visit www.lidl.ie for festive inspiration.
Read more: Lidl to open new Ballymahon store
© 2025, ShelfLife by Ryan Brennan
Related Articles
SOOP Mug reveals Christmas soup habits →
Followers 0
Fans 0
Followers