8 Authentic Places To Eat Irish Food In NYC To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day
March 14, 2016, 10:35 a.m.
These places are Irish all year round, not just on March 17.
Everybody likes to pretend they're Irish for St. Paddy's Day, so we've curated a list of the best places in the city to taste real Irish flavors. And these spots are Irish all year round, not just on March 17th, so bookmark this for future reference.
(Nell Casey/Gothamist)
THE CHIPPER TRUCK AND CAFE For the most immersvie Irish experience, you have to be in the northern end of the Bronx, where a vibrant immigrant community lives in Woodlawn. That's where Alice Bermejo and her husband Valentino have been serving late night grub from the Vendy Award nominated Chipper Truck for over ten years. Last year, they were able to open a 24-hour cafe nearby, where they serve their array of chips (aka french fries) topped with everything from curry to cheese to a nod to Valentino's Mexican heritage with a taco version. The truck and cafe also sell beer-battered sausages and the Irish potato pancake known as boxty.
The Chipper Truck parks late night at East 238th Street and Katonah Avene in Woodlawn, the Bronx (914-356-9221, facebook.com/thechippertruck); The Cafe is located at 651 McLean Avenue between Central Park Avenue and South Devoe Avenue in Woodlawn, the Bronx, (914-226-8844, thechippertruckcafe.net)
THE BUTCHER BLOCK For anyone who fancies making St. Paddy's Day dinner (or breakfast) themselves, Butcher Block is the place where you can get all your provisions. Most notably, they have a variety of traditional meats and sausages (rashers, black pudding, back bacon). But the butcher counter is only the beginning, as you can soon get lost in a world of Irish tea, sweets, potato chips, and soda bread.
Butcher Block is located at 43-46 41st Street between Queens Boulevard and 43rd Avenue in Sunnyside, Queens (718-784-1078)
MARY'S CELTIC KITCHEN Also up in Woodlawn in the Bronx, this tiny storefront specializes in round-the-clock take out food that is distinctly Irish. The namesake owner hails from County Kilkenny and she makes a mean Shepherd's pie, an Irish toastie sandwich (thin bacon, cheddar, tomato, and onions), and one of the city's best chicken pot pies. But no matter how many chip buttys (french fry sandwiches) you devour, make sure to save room for Mary's sweet sherry trifle.
Mary's Celtic Kitchen is located at 4330 Katonah Avenue between East 238th Street and East 239th Street in Woodlawn, the Bronx (718-798-1002, marysceltickitchenbronx.com)
MOLLY'S SHEBEEN PUB Shebeen is a Gaelic word meaning "illegal bar," but Molly's has been a legit Gramercy hangout since 1991 (and functioned as a bar in other incarnations for well over a century). An old-school vibe—complete with rustic fireplace and sawdust-covered floors—is the perfect atmosphere to indulge in lamb stew, fish and chips, or corned beef and cabbage. They are also known for their preparations of ground beef: an excellent Shepherd's pie and an under-the-radar burger. Wash it all down with your choice of Irish beers: Guinness, Smithwick's, or Murphy's.
Molly's Shebeen Pub is located at 287 Third Avenue between East 22nd and East 23rd Street in Gramercy (212-889-3361, mollysshebeen.com)
(The Late Late)
THE LATE LATE You won't see any shamrocks or posters of Michael Flatley decorating the walls at this LES bar and music venue. The Late Late is a far cry from the gimmicky ubiquitous Irish pubs around the city. This cocktail den is named for a cutting edge talk show in Ireland (not starring James Corden) and designed to feel like a cozy family den circa 1960's Dublin. The menu showcases authentic grub like Bangers and Mash, a selection of Irish cheeses, and Colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage). But you can't leave here without trying one of their craft cocktails, including an entire list dedicated to libations featuring Guinness. Don't miss the game-changing Black Velvet wih the surprising combination of Guinness and prosecco.
The Late Late is located at 159 East Houston Street between Allen Street and Eldridge Street in the Lower East Side (646-861-3342, thelatelate.com)
THE DEAD RABBIT GROCERY AND GROG You will feel as if you stepped back into the Irish New York of Gangs of New York at this multi-level bar and restaurant. Upstairs, the Parlor shows off their award for World's Best Bar at Tales of the Cocktail for its historically accurate punches and cocktails. The more casual Taproom on the ground floor features a menu of updated gastropub classics like Scotch Eggs, Sausage Rolls, and a true Shepherd's Pie (made with the more preferred lamb rather than the more common beef). There's also a rotating daily special, which could be Potato Leek Soup, Guinness Lamb Stew, or a Full Irish Breakfast. And in true old Irish fashion, there is a grocer on premises for your imported product needs.
The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog is located at 30 Water Street between Broad Street and Coenties Slip in the Financial District (646-422-7906, deadrabbitnyc.com)
DONOVAN'S PUB Donovan's gets a lot of love for its iconic burger (and rightfully so), but there's much more to the menu at this charming Irish pub. Traditional fare includes a plump cod battered fish and chips, a hearty plate of corned beef and cabbage, and two sizes of Shepherd's Pie for varying appetites. Don't miss their Traditional Irish brunch on the weekends complete with bacon, sausage, and black and white pudding.
Donovan's Pub is located at 57-24 Roosevelt Avenue between 57th and 58th Street in Woodside, Queens (718-429-9339, donovansny.com)
FINNEGAN'S WAKE On a sleepy corner on the Upper East Side, people have been drinking and eating at Finnegan's Wake since 1972. This is generally an older crowd and provides a stark contrast to some of the fratty Irish bars further downtown. But the Guinness flows just as fresh up here and pairs nicely with a selection of pub specials like Bangers & Mash and the rarely seen Steak & Kidney Pie. A portrait of James Joyce presides over the crowd since the bar is a reference to one of the Irish novelist's classic works.
Finnegan's Wake is located at 1361 First Avenue on the corner of East 73rd Street on the Upper East Side (212-737-3664, finneganswakepubnyc.com)
Brian Hoffman searches for iconic New York dishes and makes comedy food videos on his site Eat This NY. He also writes for Midtown Lunch and gives food and drink walking tours around NY.