An Irish winter staple, the Irish Stew was named as one of the tastiest dishes in the world "the definition of warming, hearty and filling.” We couldn't be prouder.

It's no secret to many of us that Irish stew is one of the tastiest dishes in the world, but now the word is truly out after the traditional favorite was named as one of the globe's top food experiences.

Irish stew was singled out by Lonely Planet as Ireland's top eating experience, and described by the travel bible's judges as "the definition of warming, hearty and filling.”

At number 47 on the list, Irish stew was Ireland's top entry in a coveted table of the world's top 500 culinary delights.

Lonely Planet's newly-published Ultimate Eatlist also name checked

Irish favorites black pudding at 458, and , at 496, in its global food chart.

Read more: Irish Halloween history and my family's barmbrack recipe

Sampling pintxos in San Sebastian's old town was voted the top food experience in the world, followed by curry laksa in Kuala Lumpur at number two, and sushi in Tokyo in third place.

The U.K. performed well in the chart with 26 entries, including tucking into a balti in Birmingham, at 383, and a chicken tikka masala in Glasgow, at 450.

Each of the 500 entries, all nominated by 20 of the world's top chefs and food writers, details an experience, the culture behind it and what makes it so special.

In its section on Irish stew, the impressed writers state:

"You can season the stew with salt, but the flavor is best enhanced by eating it in one of those pubs, with one of those pints of Guinness, and friends.  Many cultures locate the romance of food in hours of preparation and myriad ingredients.  For the Irish, the romance is in the eating and whatever happens around it.”

Black pudding is described as a food with "humble origins” which has become a delicacy "worshiped by gourmets,” with the best produce available from local butchers.

And the entry for barmbrack advises eating it with coffee at the Hansel and Gretel Bakery in Dublin.

It adds, "It's the tradition behind barmbrack that sets it apart.  A remnant of All Hallow's Eve [when ghosts could pass over from the spirit world], barmbrack was left outside homes to appease mischievous phantoms, while symbolic items were baked inside for the lucky people who found them."

Read more: The must-have St. Patrick's Day recipe - Irish Guinness stew

Here's the Executive Chef at Guinness Storehouse, in Dublin, explaining how to make a Guinness beef stew:

What's your fondest memory of eating stew in Ireland? Do you have any favorite Irish stew recipe? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.