Cassie Stokes on Ireland: "I don't want to go anywhere else"
If you've ever searched online for a great sandwich, a hot-honey-soaked slice of pizza, or a perfectly poured pint*, you'll likely have come across Cassie Stokes.
The Dublin native has amassed a whopping 338k followers on Instagram thanks to her relentless hunt for the 'best of' everything in Ireland.
The mouth-watering series started in 2021 when she tested out two Christmas sandwich offerings in Dublin - the show stopper being a Groat's Guff masterpiece topped with garlic dip - which quickly turned into a food tour of the city, followed by lunch in Naas, and fry-ups in Cork.
As well as speaking with the public to discover delicious bakeries, restaurants, cafés, and pubs, the Dundrum woman travels the country to unearth genuine gems such as the sinking pub in Kildare and the incredible Gunning pub in Westmeath, which looks all but abandoned to the untrained eye.
When we speak, Stokes has just finished a night of hosting at the Irish launch of Peroni Nastro Azzurro's new creative platform, ONLY Peroni, at Dublin's Powerscourt Townhouse.
From 27 May, a series of activations will take over Nolita in Dublin, The Hyde in Galway, and Seventy-Seven and Clancy's in Cork - giving attendees the chance to enjoy La Finestra Peroni (The Peroni Window), an interactive pouring experience inspired by the traditional wine windows of southern Italy.
As someone who buys all the food and drinks she reviews, Stokes is understandably picky when it comes to working with brands, with authenticity being key to her success.
"I enjoy all of their beers - their gluten-free and non-alcoholic - I'm an all-round fan," she says. "The campaign is all about looking at what it really means to be iconic, and I love the idea of that."
Cassie Stokes attends Food Network and TikTok present: Hot List x Discover List: The Future of Flavor at Food Network Kitchen
The launch ties the beer to some of the most recognisable icons of Italy - classical opera, bitter shots of espresso, and cheesy slices of pizza - something that Cassie can absolutely get on board with.
Although she is often travelling further afield these days, with New York and Madrid getting a recent look in, it is the icons of Ireland that keep the content creator inspired.
"I don't want to go anywhere else when I have time off," she insists. "I find it hard to get on a flight."
Part of her fascination with the Emerald Isle may well come from the fact that her childhood was spent living in Canada, with Ireland becoming her home away from home for almost a decade.
"We would go on holidays to Ireland and see my grandparents and all my family," she explains, noting that all her friends in Toronto were Irish and she even spent time working in an Irish bar.
"We are so great!" she adds, laughing. "I love how passionate we are about anything and everything. If you're drying your clothes on the line, you're passionate about it. If you're talking about crisps, you'll have a decent conversation about it! We're just so interesting."
Cassie Stokes attends The TikTok UKIE Awards 2025
Clearly in the right job, Stokes is culminating her work into a collection of recommendations. Fittingly called Best of Ireland, it will be directed at locals and tourists alike, listing the author's personal favourites.
"I tried to include everything I could, but books are only so big," she says. "This could only be so many pages, so unfortunately, not everywhere in Ireland could be included. Like, there's a full chapter on pubs, which was very close to my heart because I love a pub."
Thanks to the polarising and often argumentative nature of the internet, the online personality says she has to continually remind her followers that her opinions are just that - opinions.
When it came down to it, she simply had to go with the places she couldn't be without.
"It had to come down to me and what I love and what I like," she states. "Everyone will have their own!"
Best of Ireland by Cassie Stokes is available for pre-order now.
*Always drink responsibly
