Boston's Best Irish Meals
Boston is known as one of the most Irish prominent cities in the country, so it makes sense that there are some really delicious Irish meals offered at some of its best Irish pubs and restaurants. Whether you're heading out on a regular weekend or you are feeling extra festive for St. Patrick's Day, any of the below menu items should satisfy your craving for an Irish meal.
Shepherd's Pie At Mr. Dooley's
77 Broad St.
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 338-5656
www.somerspubs.com
Head on over to Mr. Dooley's for some authentic Irish pub food. The Shepherd's Pie is made with carrots, peas, corn and onions and has Irish brown gravy mixed in with the ground beef and other seasonings. The dish is topped with creamed Irish potatoes and is a favorite amongst patrons. Shepherd's Pie (also called Cottage Pie), of course, is traditional Irish fare. You can't get much more traditional for a St. Patrick's day meal.
Fish & Chips At The Druid
1357 Cambridge St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 497-0965
www.druidpub.com
The fish and chips at the Druid have been voted "the best" according to their website... and the reviews tell a similar story. It is a large portion that is sure to fill your craving and leave you satisfied. The Druid also has a decent selection of Irish beer to pair with your fish and chips and they have plenty of other Irish offerings as well (many rave about their Irish breakfast options).
Irish Breakfast At The Independent
75 Union Square
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 440-6022
www.theindo.com
Served during their weekend brunch, the Irish Breakfast at The Independent was inspired by restaurateur Ken Kelly, who was originally from Ireland. Kelly established The Independent in Union Square, Somerville, in 2001, and modeled it after an Irish pub. The Irish breakfast the restaurant offers consists of two fried eggs, grilled tomato, black & white pudding, Irish bacon, beans, home fries and toast.
Corned Beef & Cabbage Dumplings At River Bar
661 Assembly Row
Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 616-5561
www.river-bar.com
The River Bar offers corned beef and cabbage dumplings with rye dipping sauce on their menu year-round. Those looking for a bit of a change of pace may want to try Executive Chef Patrick Gilmartin's Irish-meets-Chinese creation -- it is different and delicious! "I wanted to utilize the rye sauce again, and it seemed like it would work as a dipping sauce, and 'dipping sauce' means 'dumplings' in my mind. Corned beef was the logical filling," Gilmartin explains.
Guinness Braised Short Ribs At The Plough And Stars
912 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-0032
www.ploughandstars.com
The Guinness braised short ribs at The Plough and Stars are served with mashed potatoes, turnips and parsnips. While short rib may not be "traditional" Irish fare, the Guinness braising was enough for us to add it to this list. The restaurant can be described as "small and cozy," and there is often live music, which makes for a great atmosphere as well.
Related: Boston's Best Places For Port Wine
Boston-based writer Effie Orfanides keeps up with all of the latest happenings in her city. She loves eating at Boston's hotspots, having drinks at the trendiest bars, and enjoying all that Boston has to offer. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
