The Best Irish Pubs from Boston to Worcester, Massachusetts
Article by Eric Hurwitz. Page updated on 3/15/17. Photo to left; The
Raven's Nest, Walpole, Massachusetts. Photo, courtesy of The Raven's
Nest.
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Given Boston and vicinity's high Irish population, it's no
surprise that there are many terrific Irish restaurants and pubs in the
region. Here is a sample of some of the best Irish restaurants and pubs:
J.J. Foley's, Boston MA (Financial
District) When I first stepped into J.J. Foley's many, many
years ago, I knew this just wasn't your run-of-the-mill Irish pub -- it
was more like a must-see Boston travel attraction. The cast of
characters -- the rich, the famous, the down and out, jocks, college
kids, the foodies, human version of cartoon characters and plenty of
Boston accents -- lends additional flavor to a pub that has plenty on
personality of its own. This is definitely old school Boston -- in
business for more than 50 years -- but one that has retained a timeless
quality that keeps people coming back in crowds. The recipe for success
is pretty simple -- prime Boston location, great beer selection and
old-time staples done right like fish and chips, steak tips, corned
beef sandwiches, and burgers. J.J.
Foley's Cafe, 21 Kingston St. Tel 617-695-2529
Doyle's Cafe, Boston MA (Jamaica Plain)
Perhaps Boston's best known Irish pub, Doyle's has been in business
since 1882 and shares some similarities with the aforementioned J.J.
Foley's -- that is, it is beloved amongst a diverse group of people
including working class, blue collar types, yuppies and politicians.
Doyle's features large, cavernous rooms that accommodate those who like
to drink beer and tell great stories in sharp Boston accents. You'll
find 23 beers on tap and some very good food, including fish and chips,
turkey tips, and broiled scrod. Doyle's is one of those "you have to be
here" type of places that can't quite be described in written form,
only experienced in person. The place definitely has an aura that is
larger than life! Doyle's Cafe, 3484
Washington St., Jamaica Plain. Tel. (617)
524-2345.
The Raven's Nest, Walpole MA
Owners, husband and wife Mark and Maura McAuliffe have created an
extremely appealing, authentic Irish pub overlooking the attractive
Walpole Town Common. The chef here truly has a knack for turning any
dish gold, including the mac and cheese, Shepherd's pie, apple cinnamon
goat cheese salmon, pistachio chicken and mouthwatering over sized
burgers. You also have a choice of 15 draft beers, as well as an
excellent wine and signature cocktail list. There's also some terrific
nighttime weekend entertainment here, especially when Irish music is
played. With a handsome bar, cozy dining room with bricks on the
wall that are individually hand-painted, tall windows that open up for
the warmer weather, and a nice back deck, The Raven's Nest offers a
wonderfully inviting atmosphere and has quickly become a "go to" place
in downtown Walpole. The
Raven's Nest, 998 Main St., Walpole MA. Tel.
(508) 734-9377
Finnegan's Wake, Walpole, MA
Finnegan's Wake, Walpole, Massachusetts. Photo by Eric Hurwitz.
Another Irish pub gem in Walpole is Finnegan's Wake, once charmingly located in the basement of a foundry building in downtown Walpole, that now resides in a beautifully created space in the 1A Shopping Center, just outside the central district. It's every bit as good as the first Finnegan's Wake in regards to food, drink, coziness and a welcoming, close-knit community feel.
Tom Kirwin, with his gracious demeanor and pleasing Irish accent, and
Walpole native Kristen Smith (also the master chef) are long-time
restaurateurs with a knack for turning our great lunch and dinner
selections. Kirwin owned the former Kirwin's Kitchen, a classic Walpole
breakfast and lunch place where Smith waitressed. Several years ago,
Kirwin decided to close Kirwin's, and with Smith opened Finnegan's Wake
around the corner. No "luck of the Irish" was needed here; Smith and
Kirwin forged ahead to bring an authentic, high quality Irish
restaurant with lots of character to Walpole from day one.
.
The new Finnegan's Wake in Walpole. Photo by Eric Hurwitz
Finnegan's Wake's greatest offerings are a delicious Guinness beef pie,
fish and chips, Shephard's pie, roast turkey dinner and of course, a
wide variety of beers and ales that would not look out of place in
Ireland. For appetizers, the Irish potato pizza has an addictive full
body taste, courtesy of fresh potato skins, peppers, tomatoes,
scallions and blended cheeses. Desserts include a brownie ala mode
bursting with authentic fudge sauce. The soups and salads are fresh
(great French onion soup, New England clam chowder and Caesar salads) and the warm,
homemade cornbread suggest great things to come before the arrival of the
main entrees. Service is always pleasant; judging from the friendliness
of the wait and bar staff, they really seem to enjoy working in the
attractive and cozy setting.
Shepherd's Pie from Finnegan's Wake in Walpole. Photo by Eric Hurwitz
Finnegan's Wake is a nice escape from the hectic pace of Boston. It is
the perfect dining getaway in a town with a high Irish population that
knows it Irish food. They know Finnegan's Wake to be the "real thing,"
a place close to home that exceeds in quality and ambiance many of the
high end Irish restaurants and pubs in Boston.
Finnegan's Wake,
685 Main Street, Walpole, MA Tel. (508)668-1189
The Burren, Somerville, MA
Those who have been to Ireland say the Burren is the closest thing to
an authentic Irish Pub. The nightly Celtic music, the true-to-form
traditional Irish fare (as well as many American chicken, steak and
fish offerings) and the celebration of friendship over a few beers in a
dark, intimate please everyone from the spirited nearby Tufts
University crowd to those who miss their favorite native Ireland pub.
The Burren,, 247 Elm St.,
Davis Square, Somerville, MA. Tel.. (617)
776-6896
O'Connor's Restaurant and Bar,
Worcester, MA This long-time popular Worcester
dining spot might just be the best of the Irish restaurants and pubs
within striking distance of Boston. Large in size, larger-than-life in
its authentic, lively Irish atmosphere, and with some of the largest
portions of food you'll ever see, O'Connor's is sort of like the Irish
restaurant version of Disney World (in the best sense). Some of
the menu items include the phenomenal, gargantuan Shepherd's pie,
"Famous Beef, Mushroom and Guinness Pie," pecan chicken, chicken curry,
fish and chips, bangers 'n mash and Irish whiskey sirloin. Add an
incredible draft beer, ale and stout selection, and O'Connor's seems
like the Irish restaurant made in heaven -- sure to make other Irish
restaurant competitors "green with envy!" It's our personal favorite
Irish restaurant in the region.
O'Connor's
Restaurant & Bar, 1160 West Boylston St.,
Worcester, MA. Tel. (508) 853-0789
List of Awesome Irish Pubs in the Boston, Worcester MA Area
Instead of just listing Irish pubs, please note that the establishments
below (that include the pubs listed above) are places either I have
been and love, or have been spoken of favorably by people I personally
know. In addition, I have listed addresses, phone numbers and web sites
for your convenience:
Ashland:
Stone's
Public House, 179 Main St. Tel. 508-881-1778
Boston:
Ned Devine's
Irish Pub, Faneuil Hall, 1 North Market St. Tel. 617-248-8800
J.J.
Foley's Cafe
(Financial District), 21 Kingston St.. Tel 617-695-2529
The
Kinsale Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2 Center Plaza (Cambridge St. ).
Tel. 617-742-5577
Brighton:
The Corrib Pub,
396 Market St. Tel. 617-787-0882
Brookline:
O'Leary's, 1010 Beacon St. Tel. 734-0049
Cambridge:
The Plough and
Stars, 912 Massachusetts Ave. Tel. 617-576-0032
Canton:
The
Hillside Pub,
2 Royall Ave. Tel. 781-828-7778
Dorchester:
Harp
and Bard, 1099
Dorchester Ave. Tel. 617-265-2893
Haverhill:
The
Peddler's Daughter, 45 Wingate St. Tel. 978-372-9555
Hingham:
The
Snug Irish Pub,
116 North St. Tel. 781-749-9774
Hopkinton:
Cornell's
Irish
Pub, 229 Hayden Rowe St. Tel. 508-435-6191
Jamaica Plain:
Doyle's Cafe,
3484 Washington Ave. Tel. 617- 524-2345
Medway:
Mickey
Cassidy's,116 Main St. Tel. (508) 533-1343
Millis:
Napper Tandy's of Millis, 969
Main St. Tel. 508-794-1568
Newton:
Dunn
Gaherin's,
344 Elliot St. Tel. 617-527-6271
Norwood:
Emmets
Irish Pub and Restaurant, 434 Providence Highway (Route 1 South).
Tel. 702-5201
Napper Tandy's of Norwood, 46 Day
St. Tel.
781-762-0032
Quincy:
Paddy
Barry's,
1574 Hancock St. Tel. 617-770-3620
Plainville:
The
Chieftain Pub,
23 Washington St. Tel. 508-643-9031
Roslindale:
Napper Tandy's of Roslindale,
4187-4195 Washington
St. Tel. 323-8400
Salem:
O'Neill's,
120
Washington St. Tel. 978-740-8811
Sharon:
Mick Morgan's,
973 Providence Highway (Route 1). Tel. 781-806-0066
Somerville:
The
Burren, 247
Elm St. Tel. 617-776-6896
South Boston:
Shenannigans
Bar and Grill, 332 West Broadway (D St). Tel. 617-269-9509
Walpole:
Finnegan's Wake, 1034 East St.
Tel. 508-668-1189
Napper Tandy's Of Walpole, 1065
Main St. Tel.
508-660-1191
The
Raven's Nest, 998 Main St. Tel. 508-734-9377
Waltham:
The
Mad Raven, 841 Main St. Tel. 781-894-8188
Whitman:
McGuiggan's Pub, 546 Washington
St. Tel.
781-447-7333
Worcester:
O'Connor's
Restaurant & Bar, 1160 West Boylston St. Tel. 508-853-0789
Related articles:
Napper Tandy's is an Irish pub in Walpole, Mass., that is magically
delicious!
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and we'll consider publishing your review or recommendation.
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