Saint Patrick’s Day is only a week away, and all my Irish friends have been excitedly telling me about the best places in the city to treat yourself to a traditional Irish dinner in Toronto. If you’ve never had Irish food, you’re really missing out: it’s not the bland stodgy stuff you might think it is. Irish stew is deep, hearty and delicious, and colcannon lets me pretend it’s healthier mashed potatoes! In honour of Saint Patrick’s Day, here are my friend’s top spots for grabbing an Irish Dinner in Toronto
P.J. O’Brien
According to my friends, P.J. O’Brien is the most authentic Irish pub in the entire city, and it’s got some of the best Irish food too. You can find the place on 39 Colborne Street in the Financial District, and it won’t be hard to miss because it’s one of the only yellow buildings in the city. The beef and Guinness stew is absolutely amazing, as is their corned beef and cabbage, and all the bar menu pricing is really affordable.
The Irish Embassy
Owned by the same people who take care of P.J. O’Brien, the Irish Embassy is another authentic place to grab an Irish dinner in Toronto. You can find them at 49 Yonge Street right at the Yonge-Wellington intersection. I absolutely love their cottage pie, but their Irish stew is also amazing and quite affordable. It’s a bit less lively than P.J. O’Brien, but it’s still a great place to drop by if you want a quiet bite to eat.
The Dora Keogh Pub
Most people don’t go to the Danforth for an Irish dinner in Toronto, as the neighbourhood is associated with Greek food after all, but the Dora Keogh Pub is definitely worth the trek. They host various Irish musical events throughout the year, but the food is nothing to sneeze at. If you have $40 to spend on dinner, treat yourself to their Dinner in Yer Ma’s Kitchen, a prix fixe menu that lets you pick and choose from delicious selections like roast leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic, or a roast turkey!
No Comments