Came to McGonagles on a Friday evening before we had to attend a wedding. We wanted to grab a bite to eat and a drink as we weren't sure what the spread was at the wedding. We were advised light snacks so figured we should probably get a base before heading that way. We walked in to the coolest Irish pub that opened up in the back. It was way bigger than I expected. We quickly ordered drinks and I ordered a Moscow mule (my go to). It was in a copper mug and absolutely delicious. My husband ordered a beer, which he enjoyed too. We ordered some oysters and corn ribs for an appetizer. I had never had corn ribs before and was pleasantly surprised. My husband and I split the fish and chips and I'm really glad we did. The fish was extremely large and almost filled the plate. It was crispy and delicious. It was definitely well made. The sauce on the side was even better, too. Highly recommend this place for a quick bite and a pint. read more

I'm not in this neighborhood often at all. McGonagle's is located in the Port Norfolk area on Neponset Avenue in Dorchester. This is a great spot to have a drink and a bite to eat. Super relaxed atmosphere and tv's, so it would be a great place to watch a game. Friendly bartender and the fish and chips was good. They also have pizzas that looked great. My friend had a pesto with burrata and she said it was awesome. They also have gluten-free pizza, whihc is good to know. Our table neighbor had the pork chop, which also looked great. They have a small parking lot, which would fill up quickly. We went on a very "off" time, so we were able to park in that lot. Otherwise, you'd need to find street parking. read more

If this was a pub as opposed to a restaurant be a good place for a drink and watch a game. Let me explain. Went there with my family for dinner. We were seated right away at a table in the middle of the floor. Told that was best that could be done. Like eating in an aisle. After a few minutes we were asked if we wanted still water or not. Still, we said. Then if we wanted drinks, told her water would be fine. Service started to decline from there. Also no condiments come to the table, but water. We ordered bread and butter and a spice bag, but vegetarian. No bread today ran out. And no plans to bake anymore. We wait close to 25 minutes for our appetizers. Spice bag arrives and I had read rave reviews about this. Open it and its filled with chicken and french fries. Server grabbed it and told us, kitchen error. They would make another, be there in a minute or two. I asked would this show up with our entrees. No, be spaced apart. We waited over 15 minutes, it arrived. Was supposed to have cauliflower, peppers, onions and french fries. There was three pieces of cauliflower and no peppers or onions. What was there was tasty and well spiced. And as soon as we opened the bag and started eating, entrees show up. Fish and chips portions are huge and very nicely fried. Excellent crisp and fantastic steak fries. The Pizza #1, excellent tomatoed base and the crust had a good chew to it. I ordered the Beyond meat lasagna. Huge portion with a green salad and cole slaw. Cole slaw was creamy and very nice. Green salad was fresh but drenched in dressing. My fault should have asked for it on the side. The lasagna was disappointing. No seasoning, no garlic or onions or oregano. It was, I think a British version of lasagna. Ate about half could not eat more. No desserts, but drinks, tea and hot chocolate. Or I did not see it. Server apologized for the timing of the meals, the error with the Spice Bag and the lack of bread. She was sweet. Lots of sports being broadcasted, and a huge long bar. I would come for beer and soccer or football. If I wanted Irish bar food I'd be better going to the Burren. And parking is a challenge. They have a very small lot, we got lucky and found a spot. Hard pass on McGonagle's. read more

McGonagle’s - Beyond meat lasagna - big and disappointing - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Solid Irish food with big portions. Spice bag was definitely the star. Tried Sunday roast which was done well. Family friendly spot with a solid kids menu. Huge seating area with lots of tv for anyone looking to catch the game. read more

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So wanted a pork chop tonight, ( so good) was meeting my son for dinner, he calls and says guy on door ( bouncer) said he needs ID, I said no problem I'll grab it from home, ( ID to eat)??go in and same guy , my son shows ID and bouncer says " take it out of wallet" ok done, and says to my son, " you got a problem?" I'm like , "do you have a problem?" "Why would you say that to him?", looked at the hostess and said table for 2, well should have known, she mumbles ( it's very loud in there) something about no tables ok I said we can wait, and then says we stop serving food by the time blah blah blah, so I asked for a manager, she goes to get him and gives him the lowdown and he sides with them ( so much for customer service, ) I'm going to miss those pork chops , that door guy is going to get that place in trouble ( can tell the tough guy wants to fight) oh well, had to air it out! read more

So much fan fare for this new pub in Dorchester. Parking can be hard. They do have a small lot otherwise it's street parking. We were first sat at a round booth (4 of us). The circumference of the table did not match the booth. It was very awkward to sit. Thankfully our server was a pro and moved us to a table in the back room. That back area is huge. One thing that bugged me was the state of the menus. Mine was dirty and had clearly got wet before. It is a small detail but it felt a bit sloppy. What we got: - Fish and chips (8/10): The filet of fish was huge. It came with coleslaw, tartar sauce, and a side of curry. The slaw is very mayo heavy but I liked it. The tartar is easily some of the best I have ever had. I never had curry with a chippy before, it was great. The only reason this is not a ten is because they serve the fish on top of the chips. It looks nice but it makes the chips soggy. - Irish stew (10/10): This is a top notch beef stew. The meat was tender and the vegetables were cooked perfectly. Dipping the Irish soda bread into the broth is the move. - Shepherds pie (8/10): Great presentation and a very strong lamb flavor. I would have liked more vegetables in the mix though. - Pizza #2 (7/10): This is the pesto pizza. My friend ordered this and I have no idea why you would get pizza at an Irish pub. It was fine but definitely his fault for ordering it. Bathroom Review: Very clean men's room. It is a shared setup with two urinals and one stall. The stall has a full door for privacy. No paper towels, only a hand dryer. read more

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This is a phenomenal spot for just about any kind of night. If you're looking for a casual pub night where you can get a massive fish & chips and a Guinness, go to McGonagle's. If you're in the mood for live music, go to McGonagle's. The artists they bring in are great! If you're looking for a girls' night out, go to McGonagle's - their cocktail list is divine and so unique. Service is always top notch, and the energy in there is immaculate. Photographed here is the Pizza 2, with pesto and burrata, and their wood fired pizza is a MUST. Overall, I have never had a bad experience here, and can't wait to come back. read more

McGonagle’s - Pizza 2 - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Another great dinner at McGonagles! Next time I'll wear my fat pants! Becca was an awesome waitress!

Very disappointed. Ordered fish & chips - $26! Meal was fried tempura style and was flavorless. To add insult to injury, the tartar sauce had no pickles, so it was basically mayonnaise. Also, the side of coleslaw they served wouldn't fill a shot glass. Also, they charge $5 for garlic butter. WTF? Finally, they add a 3% "administrative" fee to all checks. If you go to a restaurant that does this, I suggest never going again. Restaurants are taking their lead from airlines with ridiculous BS fees. read more

McGonagle’s - Tiny coleslaw. Order the $26 fish & chips and this is what you get. Ridiculous! - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Mcgonagles has great vibes, their service is great as well. I love their pizzas! So far I've tried their pizza 2 and pizza 4. My fav is pizza 4 with the burrata and pesto! My boyfriend had the chips and fish and he enjoyed it. Their pornstar martini is also delicious! read more

McGonagle’s - Pizza 4 - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Excellent service including honest opinions from the waitress about the baked egg. We went with smash burgers which had an interesting flavor that I really enjoyed, and my friend thought it was pretty good too. read more

Staff very rude and even if place is half empty never a table. They say everything reserved but 2 hours later tables still empty. Also food gone downhill especially spice bag where no longer any chicken and it is grizzle. Never had the issues at the Dubliner. See other reviewers of the spice bag decline. Owners response reminds me of the front staff, obnoxious and uncaring as restaurant currently doing well read more

I came with my book club group and we shared the cheese croquettes for the appetizer and I ordered the grapefruit fizz cocktail and the pan fried salmon and was impressed by the food! The restaurant is reminiscent of the Dubliner in Downtown in terms of internal decor and the food was just as good! The service was also great. read more

McGonagle’s - Pan fried salmon - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Spice bag at McGonagles one year apart . No comparison last year lots of chicken , peppers, onions spices . Last week tiny amount of chicken, barely any peppers or onions or spices, no curry sauce . Very disappointing, Also , check had an administrative fee , total BS . Disappointed read more

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Friendly service in a great pub. Small parking lot. Delicious fish and chips with a perfect Guinness draught.

Really great atmosphere. Old fashion was perfect, one large ice cube. You can't beat it. Service great. Come here. read more

McGonagle’s - Old fashion- 1 fat ice cube just how it should be. Really good blended flavor. One of the better old fashions in the Boston area. - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Came into check out McGonagle's on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed. If coming in a weekend, please make a reservation or get there before noon if you're cool sitting at the bar. Service was great and quick. Food was solid. For as busy as it was, it wasn't that nosy. Good place to grab a guinness and watch soccer or hockey read more

McGonagle’s - Smash Burger - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great pub! Very nice inside and well crafted. One large bar upstairs and another one downstairs. Both are beautiful in their own way. And the food??!!! Try the spice bag! Especially if you are a curry fries fan. It comes with batter fried chicken (probably the best I've ever had). The loaded nachos are great too! Lots of ciders and beers on draught. And of course, Guinness!! read more

This place was pretty good very Irish. I had the bangers and mash. The bangers were huge! I could only eat one. I also liked the spice bag. My drinks were delicious. The restaurant is beautiful and huge. Not diverse at all but I was treated well and didn't feel uncomfortable as a person of color. I would go back for sure. read more

I had to check this new neighborhood place out! I will say it's gotta be tough competing with Scobies who just opened up, also Irish, right down the street. The ambience was fun (there's tons of space and seating) and the parking was easy. But the food really was very meh. We tried the spice bag, a pizza and the chicken and ham vol au vent. The spice bag was fun to eat from, but it was WAY over salted and ruined the dish. The pizza was WAY undersalted and also made it not very tasty. I will say that the pizza was half off (9bucks) because it was Tuesday, so that maybe is a fun perk to check out. The puff pastry was the best thing we ate! And the Irish drinks are obviously fun-but service was slower than it should've been on a Tuesday night. Overall a good bar, but maybe not the best restaurant read more

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Good spot to watch games with good vibes!Solid menu! Gluten free pizza and regular pizza! Both really good! Bar service on point upstairs and downstairs! read more

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A lovely establishment with very friendly people. The food is fantastic, service is great aswell. And the night life "ambiance" is fantastic. Would highly recommend. read more

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A lot of buzz about this place, especially after it was reviewed in the New York Times. Like the ambience, like a real Irish pub. I had the pork chop and ordered it to be cooked medium and it was great! Nicely charred on the outside and juicy with flavorful mashed potatoes. My friend had the chicken pie, which was also really good, well executed, with a nice crispy crust. Soda bread was good but I would skip the spice bag because the chicken was a little dry but the fries were good and well seasoned. The Guinness was great and our waiter was really fantastic. Recommend. read more

Walking in you would think that it's a small place with a bar and a few tables but then you walk to the stairs you realize this place is huge!! It's got lots of space with 2 bars perfect for large gatherings which was the case with a lot of my family meeting here for brunch. With the Irish pub theme, I knew I had to get something that fits and I chose the Sheppard's Pie. Wow was it excellent! The lamb filling was super rich and nicely seasoned and that mash potato topping was perfectly crispy on top which made it feel like a crunchy pie crust. Such a perfect comfort food! The service was great as well. The server was very attentive and friendly and got everything to us in a timely manner. Thank you to all the staff for a great meal and service! read more

McGonagle’s - Shepherd's Pie - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

From the moment you walk into McGonagle's in Neponset, you feel like you've stepped into a true Irish pub--dark wood, whiskey-themed mirrors, and vintage photos set the tone perfectly. We sat at the comfy main bar, though there's plenty of dining space, too. Service was excellent--friendly, attentive, and full of Irish hospitality. Drinks were always topped off, and our server checked in often without being overbearing. We enjoyed local beers (Dorchester Brewing's Neponset Gold & Castle Island), Irish staples like Guinness and Smithwick's, and a standout Snakebite (Guinness over cider--crisp, sweet, and creamy). Great Irish whiskey selection and creative cocktails, too. Food was fantastic. We shared the Spice Bag (spiced chicken, fries, peppers & onions with curry sauce), plus Irish soda bread with butter. Dinner included hearty tomato soup, a huge crispy fish & mashed potatoes (with all the sauces), and flavorful steak tips with veggies. Everything was delicious--comforting, hearty, and cooked with care. We were too full for dessert, but that's just another reason to come back. McGonagle's nails the balance between neighborhood pub and elevated Irish dining. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and food and drink that makes you want to linger longer. Can't wait for our next visit! read more

McGonagle’s - Tomato soup with Irish bread and butter - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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waitstaff is very rude and unwelcoming. They left vomit on the floor for over an hour upstairs near the bathroom and had no urgency to clean it up which is a health risk. Let waitstaff sit at bar and get obliterated after shift. Felt like a college party house and not a restaurant. read more

Our waitress was outstanding I wish I could remember her name but she was patient thoughtful and was a great addition to our evening. She was poised made great recommendations and she is a mom who home schools her kids which is so admirable and I hope we can see her again! Trivia was fun too read more

We order a Cobb chopped salad with grilled chicken. After waiting a bit of time. We asked staff about our food. She promptly went to kitchen and then informed us that they were just finishing it up and putting it together. However we then waited again, The bar manager did offer us a drink. However I would have preferred they were just honest and explained to us that somewhere in the process someone lost our order. People were kind, but said the kitchen was backed up. I did check the restaurant and it was a good percent full however how can the kitchen get some foods out. Two groups around us got their food before us. The salads were good when they finally came out. read more

I have to say the food is a little high price for the area, and they tried to put hashbrowns on an Irish breakfast!! A no go! Other than that, the atmosphere is friendly Deirdre behind the bar is especially nice read more

Nice open spaces, simple, great menu. Friendly service, fun atmosphere. Will be going back.

Great Irish place. Nice people and the food and beers were great. I got the pizza and smashed burger and it was up to par. It is a beautiful looking place with great dark wood bar that opens up downstairs to another bar and a nice live music area. Must go. Check it out. read more

McGonagle’s - Nice authentic Irish place. - Irish Pub Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Very nice vibe,beautifully laid out Irish bar. lots of effort but in. The Guinness was good not my fav.Spice bag was excellent! Highly recommend. The chowder was a little disappointing,compared to what we had at the Dubliner. Staff were brilliant. Will definitely come back again. read more

My friend and I went last night and got the pizza, bacon/cabbage croquettes, and the s'more's ice cream. Everything tasted amazing and our waitress, Annabelle, was lovely. It was a quiet night but such a cozy spot. We can't wait to come back. read more

Unbelievably beautiful interior. Did such a great job compared to what dorset looked like before. We got the Steak Tips with two sides and a sauce. The steak tips were overcooked and a bit tough but fries were excellent and carrots were great. Also got the bangers and mash which was excellent. Drinks we got Hot toddy, Irish Coffee and their version of the Cosmo all really good. We will be back very soon! read more

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It was a special trip for us since we added it after the NY Times review. We had travelled to Ireland for two weeks last year and we had to check it out. We started our dinner with the Cheese Croquettes. Yummy. We then had a Chicken and Leek pie and a Spice Bag. We ended our meal by ordering a Sticky Toffee Pudding.. All good food and with a waitress who took great care of us. The pub was crowded for a Wednesday night and all sorts of people were there. A proper pint of Guinness served. read more

Really really cool Irish pub in Dorchester. It has the feel of an authentic pub. The Guinness was top notch, the atmosphere was great, and the bar was clean and beautiful. There was live music on this Saturday night in the downstairs section, and that was the cherry on top. Service was also good, nothing out of the ordinary there. It's a great bar, and I'll definitely be coming back soon to try their food. read more

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Sunday roast dinner.... two big strips of perfectly cooked medium rare sirloin (as ordered). Great value and washed it down with a nice glass of wine followed by a loch of creamy pints of stout. read more

Probably good enough for a drink but the food was really terrible. Don't waste your money. Hard to mess up Bangers and Mash, Steak Tips super sweet with a tasteless garlic butter and salad drowning in super sweet thick dressing, so gross. Pigs in the blanket nearly inedible, hard as a brick also with a side of that sad sad salad. Fries were good. Sad that this place has had such positive reviews from NYT and Globe. We waited until they had been open for a while, it was very empty on a Friday night and if this is the quality they are serving I'm looking forward to the next restaurant to take its place. It can only be an improvement to what's there. Two stars, one for food the second is for our very nice waitress. read more

I have been to McGonagles twice. Both times for lunch. I had the fish and chips. The fish had a batter that was similar to Bisquick. It was horrible. It peeled off the fish as soon as you cut into it. No flavor. The second time that I had lunch I ordered chicken tender. Again the batter that they use is the same as Chinese chicken fingers. The same thing happened. The batter peeled off with zero flavor. Considering it's an Irish place you would think that they would use breadcrumbs. McGonagles could use a lesson in how to make a batter that has some flavor and crunch. Fish/chips and chicken tenders need help. The smash burger was fantastic. read more

Ordered a spice bag for pickup. Amazing flavor and texture despite waiting to get home to try it. I bet it's even better fresh. So so good. Will definitely be coming back! read more