I recently visited McCoul's Public House for a meal and had a bit of a mixed experience. The pub has a classic, very dark interior that definitely sets a specific "old-world" mood, and the two-level layout adds some nice character to the space. Our service was a little hit-or-miss. Our waiter was also managing the bar, which meant we weren't checked on as often as we would have liked. When we ordered, the items weren't read back to us, and unfortunately, the order did come out incorrectly. The drinks definitely a highlight! They were well-made and didn't skim on the alcohol. The meal was perfectly fine, but nothing particularly stood out as spectacular. It's solid pub fare if you're looking for a casual bite. Overall, McCoul's is a decent spot for a strong drink and a cozy, dim atmosphere. I'd love to see a bit more attentiveness on the floor, but it's still a place worth stopping by if you're in downtown Greensboro. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Shrimp & Grits Potatoes O Brien - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

See all

This was our first visit here. I will start by saying the parking situation is atroucious (city issue not the restaurant) and after driving around for 1/2 hour and almost leaving, I'm glad we didn't. We were seated in the upstairs dining area where the bartender Dana was amazing! She was so friendly & so nice to chat with- great service! We had the Irish Spring Rolls, the Fish and Chips and the Reuben- all were fantastic! Drinks were great as well!. Will definitely be back! read more

See all

IYKYK..just in case you don't...well I didn't until tonight. It took my visiting cousin to introduce me to M'Couls and it's amazing. Food was so good! I had smoked salmon appetizer plate. OMG! It was delicious. Devin was our host and it was top notch service! He was a pleasure and definitely added to the vibe!! read more

See all

Greensboro staple that gets it right every time. Love the Irish influence and old timey, wooden booth. Reminds me of a classic Irish pub. Awesome outdoor patio on the 2nd floor! The food here is comforting, hearty, and full of flavor. Solid beer selection also with imports you don't see as often anymore like Bass and Harp. The service was friendly and laid back, with the perfect amount of check ins. M'Coul's is the kind of place you can count on for great food and a good pint! read more

See all

I have been coming to M'Coul's for years and I have always enjoyed the great service and food. You can enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner. They have a good selection of Irish food and of course an extensive beverage menu. I have been to Ireland and M'Coul's does have that vibe of an Irish pub which is pretty cool, especially the first level. I have visited for just drinks and other times for a meal with my family and it's always a good vibe. I love getting their boxty for brunch for something fun and different. read more

M'Coul's had been on my list for so long to try. It was such a beautiful day with a nice breeze, so after yard work we decided it would be nice to sit on a patio. M'Coul's is much larger than I thought. Not only do they have the patio seating at the entrance but they have a whole rooftop patio as well. The rooftop patio was so delightful with umbrellas to make sure you don't burn and can still enjoy the wonderful breeze. I highly recommend sitting up there. There were so many options for alcoholic beverages. They had their standard cocktails, brunch cocktails, seasonal cocktails, beer, wine, etc. I decided to go with the a tequila pineapple seasonal cocktail; it was pretty good and refreshing. They aren't a fancy cocktail lounge so don't expect that level. For food, I ordered the breakfast boxty which I had been eyeing forever. I got my eggs scrambled and added sausage. I am a sucker for a good potato pancake so you take a potato pancake and stuff it with tons of vegetables and eggs... I am in! It tasted really good but after trying my husband's dish, it made me want something fresh (like a pico) or a kick. I think offering pico with the breakfast boxty would just take it to epic level! My husband got the Scottie omelette which had meatloaf and well-seasoned potatoes with fresh pico on top. I thought it was seriously delicious! Service was good. There was a children's birthday party going on which I know took a lot of the kitchen's time but they were still very quick with drinks and food. Our waitress followed up with us multiple times to make sure we had everything we needed. Overall, great place that I will be going back to and trying more things on the menu. The fish and chips were coming out to other patrons that I definitely need to try! read more

See all

Brunch at M'Couls is iconic. A perfect spring day to sit on the patio in the sunshine sipping their delicious coffee. I went with my favorite, the breakfast boxty scrambled with bacon and it did not disappoint! This meal is huge, it is usually three meals for me and packed with tons of fresh veggies. There are shredded potatoes and onions within the potato pancake. Highlight red comes this place! Service was very fast this morning but we were there before the big rush so expect to wait. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

We were seated before at least 6 other parties. We watched the bar manager take other orders and not ours. After 40 min without our food order being taken we left. I have always loved McCouls. It is our city's Irish pub and the food is great. But it will be some time before I go back. If this is how management works at such a place, your experience cannot be trusted. read more

I was pleasantly surprised! I ordered The Farm (a 4-sides plate served with yeast roll) with collard greens (well-seasoned), Brussels sprouts (amazing Dijon flavor), Gouda grits, and a potato cake. So good, would definitely order the same thing again! read more

My past review is still pretty much the case. This is still a real taste of Boston Irish home. Read my past review for more details. They have updated their menu to include vegan options. I had the vegan fish and chips. My fish was deep fried Artichokes and they were delicious. The restaurant also has a good selection of mock tails for those who want a fun non alcoholic drink. Service is still good and the atmosphere is home. Of course I will be back. Been going here since 2006. read more

I was very excited to try out M'Couls for the first time after hearing great things and seeing their menu but I was somewhat disappointed there. Service was great and attentive, while the decor serves a reminiscent look to Irish pubs. Sadly, the food lacked in comparison. My Shepherds pie looked great but wasn't the warmest and lacked in having any taste. The Nashville Hot sandwich had the seasoning but lacked the Nashville hot taste to it and the whiskey wings were the worst of them all. I was able to order them half Sweet Thai Chili and half sweet n spicy and both options were just flavorless . Add insult to injury there was also a strand of hair that wasn't mine in the wings. Despite all the good options the menu has my disappointment will steer me clear of here for a while. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Shepherd's Pie - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

I have been to M'Couls in Greensboro multiple times over the years but this is my first time reviewing. I must say it is one of the best restaurants in downtown! The food is always delicious and the drinks are great. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Today I ordered the Guinness meat loaf. It was so good and perfectly flavored. It went well with a Guinness beer. I love the roof top seating on a nice day. Perfect way to spend an evening! read more

See all

We walked into M'coul's Public House on a brisk January evening, still shaking off the chill from earlier flurries. The establishment does a commendable job of recreating the ambiance of an old Irish pub--so well, in fact, that it was almost as cold inside as it was outside. We were meeting my buddy and his wife, who mentioned they'd been here once before but left before ordering drinks because of how cold it was. The setting was spot-on: dim lighting, dark wood, and a cozy layout that felt like stepping into a pub in Galway. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the atmosphere. While it was served hot (a blessing given the indoor temperature), it was bland and forgettable. Nothing we ordered stood out, which was disappointing considering how inviting the place felt. Service was decent but not remarkable--our server was polite but seemed more interested in moving things along than making us feel at home. It wasn't bad service by any means, just lacking the warmth that the drafty room needed. Overall, M'coul's has nailed the ambiance but needs to turn up the heat--both literally and in the kitchen. If they can match the flavors to the atmosphere, it could be a real gem. read more

Having tried a few other Triad-area Irish pubs, M'Couls remains a favorite. Though not for lack of competition, it's also a very solid Sunday brunch option. I've never been let down by the Traditional Breakfast (bangers, cheesy grits, bacon, tomato, potatoes, and a biscuit) while my wife will vouch for the boxty and the coffee. Get there early as they do tend to get busy quickly, which can cause service to slow. read more

Monday night. Attitude Didn't care. Concern was to close, not serve. Tina was at the bar and while I don't drink I eat. Ordered something and after way too long asked. "You didn't order that." "Yeah, I did" Need I say more? I would post a picture of my food but... read more

A gem in the heart of downtown Greensboro! The food is always amazing, along with their great drinks and top tier service. This spot is an absolute must visit when you're in the 336! read more

M'Coul's Public House - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

The first thing that grabbed my attention here is the lovely murals and fun music that can be seen and heard before even entering the building. The atmosphere inside was very reminiscent of a typical Northern European public house. Dark and rustic with plenty of hustle and bustle. We went on a fairly busy evening so the food took a while coming out of the kitchen. Despite this, the wait staff was very helpful and efficient. The bartender even helped me with my order indecision, recommending the shepherds pie over the other two choices I was contemplating. My uncle had the meatloaf and was absolutely delighted with it. read more

See all

My friend and I stopped by here the other night for a second round of drinks and some late night grub. It was pretty crowded (to be expected for a Friday night, around 1030pm) but we found one of the last parking spots fortunately. We walked in and requested a table for two and the hostess sat us right next to the entrance which I didn't really want to sit at (there were several visibly vacant tables and a couple seats at the bar), so I asked "Are there any other tables available?" and she flatly said "No." Not sure what that was about, but she could tell I was not happy and then one of the waitresses came over and re-greeted us, and I just said "Could we sit somewhere else, we just don't want to be by the front door" and the waitress responded very empathetically "Oh yeah of course, I totally understand" and brought us to a booth farther back. They had an appetizing late night menu and a decent beer/wine/cocktail selection. I put in for the Irish spring rolls and a glass of prosecco. My friend ordered Mary Me (whipped cream voda, coffee, hazelnut, cocoa, and cream) and some chicken tenders. I thought the spring rolls were pretty good; my glass of wine came out cold but it didn't have that crisp to it that I really like/expect. The Mary Me was just liquid dessert, but it was delicious, and the tenders were okay; nothing spectacular. I think the greeting by the original hostess slightly soured the experience for me, but overall, this place was decent; relaxed and laid back environment. Might not rush back, but would probably give it another chance at some point. read more

See all

This was the third Mother's Day in the last few years that we have spent at M'couls to enjoy their Sunday brunch. It certainly did not disappoint. There was a long line waiting for them to open, and yet the staff inside was friendly and greeted us warmly as we came in. The same can be said for the wait staff at the table. As we have found in each visit to M'couls, the food was the star. My wife had a breakfast boxty. She loved how the vegetables inside were seasoned and cooked. It is a hefty portion so she left with plenty of leftovers. I tried the Giants Causeway. It comes in a casserole dish with potatoes O'Brien, sausage, smoked Gouda grits layered with scrambled eggs on top. (There was also a biscuit) It was a cohesive dish as everything blended together nicely. The grits on the bottom were stellar. I can't go to a pub without having a pint, so I stayed local with a Foothill People's Porter that was on draught. We were in an out in a hour. The food came out promptly. Once again, solid friendly service and wonderful food! read more

M'Coul's Public House - Sunday brunch! Giant Causeway casserole and a breakfast Boxty. - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

The food was amazing! We were starving so this was an early dinner for us. Really good Guinness on tap. So smooth. Corned beef brisket was tender, not fatty, melt in my mouth, good flavor, perfect seasoning. Portions were large. Side salad was fresh and filling. And shepherd's pie was also very good. You can taste the smoked Gouda! The bar is the first thing you see when you walk in. Lots of dark wood. Relaxed atmosphere. Music was great. We sat in the booths next to the bar. Loved the atmosphere, we sat around and just enjoyed our beer after dinner, but it was very early and practically empty. Our server was outstanding. Helpful, knew the menu, answered our questions and was available when we needed her but left us alone to enjoy our meal. So happy we came here and would definitely love to return. read more

See all

Service was a bit slow however, my friends and I did enjoy our meals. I ordered the shrimp blt wrap, 10/10 very delicious (so much so I came home and recreated it). My friend ordered the French toast, grits, eggs and bacon. She wasn't a fan of the French toast but really enjoyed the grits, 8/10. We sat on the roof of the restaurant overlooking downtown Greensboro, a perfect way to end our homecoming! read more

M'Coul's Public House - Shrimp BLT - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

Good pub food and nice vibe upstairs. The shepherd pie, the chicken pot pie and the chicken tenders with 4 sides were all good. read more

See all

I visited on a Sunday night. The mood was definitely set. Very calm, quiet, and almost serene. Not a busy night and it was a vibe for sure! I wasted no time in grabbing a half and half and some chicken and chips. I can't say I was amazed by their chicken, but the pint was solid. Service was good, but I feel like something was lacking from their chicken tenders. They were seasoned alright, but lacked a bit of a crunch. The chicken wasn't as tender either, but overall ok. It was still worth the visit though. I might just need to come back some other time. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Chicken Tenders - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

Stopped in during a festival and was so pleasantly surprised to find no wait for a table compared to a 1.5 hr wait around the corner. Could have gone either way but was so happy with the food and service! Prompt and friendly and the things we tried were AMAZING. Would highly recommend. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Chicken & Goat Cheese Salad Classic Reuben Sandwich Potato Cake All 10/10. Was ecstatic to find cheese in the potato cake. - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

Used to love this place...still love the pub atmosphere and patios. However, food is beginning to suffer, as well as service. My favorite is the Irish Spring rolls...but recently they look like they are serving a smaller portion. And the server basically slung our plates on the table, leaving my spring rolls slid to one side of the plate. Same server gave plates to customers to carry with them upstairs when she should have taken them herself. One of my party got shrimp and grits, which was ok, but never seen portobello mushrooms on shrimp and grits. Overall the flavor was slightly sweet, rather than savory. Not my favorite version of shrimp and grits. They do have the vegetarian Boxty on the menu...I'll go back to have that assuming it's as good as it has been in the past. read more

I am honestly a little flabbergasted that I have never reviewed M'Coul's. Maybe it's because I have been going there for so long, I just took for granted that surely, sometime in my 8 years of Yelp Elite-dom I would have done so. Well. Apparently I had not, and a recent visit caused me to realize that. A mistake I will immediately rectify! I joined some friends here to celebrate a birthday most recently, which means we had a large party. Regardless of that fact, I felt our service was more than adequate given the group size, and the food was perfect. All across the board. Look to your left, look to your right, look right in front of you. Everyone's food looked great, and tasted as such. For me, I am always a sucker for their Reuben. It's hard to find places making their owned corned beef, but naturally, you'd expect an Irish pub to do so. This one will not let you down. Instead of shaved, the beef is thick sliced, and honestly, I like the juiciness of the thicker pieces. Adorned with tasty kraut, melty swiss, and toasted rye. You won't want for anything. The hot chips with ranch were perfectly golden and crispy. My drink stayed refilled, and I was out with friend on a perfect weather day on their always lovely downtown patio. Complaints? Nada. Over time, I have eaten many things here. Their various sandwiches, their bangers and mash, several different entrees. Their brunch is also a great choice if you are in the mood for it. There is never a bad time to meet up with your friends at M'Coul's! read more

See all

We had a great experience at M'Coul's. Food, service, and atmosphere all rocked. I loved the Public House vibe in this convenient downtown spot. I had done some research going in and I knew I was in for that pub jam meat loaf. It was delicious! While it didn't disappoint, my wife's fun guys Philly stole the show. She did add chicken to it, but the huge pieces of mushrooms and their seasoning were the winners. Also have to shout out the mashed potatoes and gravy and the smoked Gouda Mac n cheese. read more

See all

One of Greensboro's local go to spots. Great place to meet friends and spend the day/evening talking, celebrating, eating and drinking great food and beverages. Outdoor and inside seating both can accommodate larger tables. The food!! Irish staples- always delicious. The brunch menu is full of great choices. Corned beef, shepherds pie, meatloaf, fish and chips. The choices make it hard to pick just one. read more

See all

Oh M'Coul's, I have such mixed feelings. I originally gave 3 stars for the food, but with the ambiance and drink selection, added a star. It is a fun, unique place in downtown GSO to hang out with friends, but the food just isn't quite there for me. I went with a group of 8 friends on Saturday evening around 6:30 and we were sat immediately upstairs. It was a little warm inside, and the sun was a bit of a nuisance to those on the table facing the door, but that's just a point to mention if you are ever sat upstairs, keep it in mind during that time of the evening! Our waitress was fun and friendly, and the service was very efficient. Alright, the food. Starting with the Irish Dip: No thank you. The meat had very little seasoning and all in all the sandwich was a bit dry. The au jus was a little smoky for our taste. Personal choice, though! The mashed potatoes on this one were also cold. Pub Jam, no bread: my friend liked it okay. The bacon was good. The fries are delicious! Reuben: another hit! Would definitely order this one again. Meatloaf: It was good. My friend cleared his plate with this one. Chicken & Goat Cheese Salad: My friend loves this salad and orders it every time. The dressing is delicious! Southern Fried Fish: It's just okay. It's not awful, but there's another local restaurant with a similar dish (but they do catfish instead of haddock) and it is WAY better. I just think this one was maybe a little overdone in spots. I like the crust, but it was just sort of dry. In comparison to the other restaurant with the similar dish, this one pales in comparison. The cheese grits were the star of the show for sure! Would get those again. I also liked my mashed potatoes with gravy, mine were hot (unlike the Irish dip's potatoes) probably due to the gravy. Would also order those again. So again, definitely try M'Coul's if you're on the fence. I'm not over the moon for the food, which again could just be personal choice, but it is a fun place to hang out, and some menu items are worth ordering. read more

See all

This has been a Greensboro staple for many years now and for good reason! The food here has always been delicious and always consistent. I have been eating here for 10+ years and have tried almost everything on the menu. From the smoked salmon salad, chicken wings, and sandwiches you're sure to find something you will love. If you go at brunch be sure to try the traditional breakfast, one of my favorites! read more

M'Coul's Public House - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

See all

We heard a lot about this place. Parking was a pain. Food and service were good. I loved all the "stuff" all around the place. Great decor. read more

Beware This is not an Irish Pub they do not play Irish music service was dub standard They advertise the fish and chips as "guinness beer battered haddock " this was not battered I was told it's dipped in beer then in breader If you own a restaurant or cook in one you should know the difference between battered and breaded Save your time and money if you are looking for an Irish restaurant this is not it there is a reason why there is only 1 table seated at 7:40pm on a thursday night read more

M'Coul's Public House - not battered fish - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

It's a pub tavern feel, casual dining. There are some issues but it wasn't the fish! The Haddock was 5 stars! It was thick and as long as the plate. The fries were my fav, skin on. We got the Irish Spring Rolls for an appetizer and they were good also. The service was disorganized and we had to wait about 15-20 mins while they figured out who was getting our table. The coleslaw didn't seem to have any vinegar in it. It was bland mayonnaise based, they didn't bring it until we were done eating. And the hostess that greeted us was cold and unwelcoming. But the fish was great, and once we got a waitress, we actually liked her and tipped 20%, thus only -1 star and giving 4 stars! read more

See all

Stopped my M'couls late on a Thursday evening. It was fairly slow in the restaurant with only one large party taking up a lot of the dining space. The staff was amazing and found a way to seat me fairly quickly and to make sure my food wasn't backed up too far behind the 25 guest party. Even considering wait staff were a bit flustered my food came out promptly and was hot. I enjoyed my evening. Definitely a good spot for a quick casual dine. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Fish & Chips - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

See all

Stopped here for lunch. Got seated pretty quickly despite it being Mother's Day. Everyone enjoyed their food. My salad was a nice size. Chicken fingers were a good portion. Gouda grits were good. The Mac and cheese very good. Good portions everyone cleaned their plate. Got cookies for dessert they were a little dark on bottom but the kids didn't care. I would recommend this place. Glass of champagne was $7. 00 great price. Their specialty drinks go for around $13. Emily our waitress was friendly. We had a party of 8 and the added the gratuity to the check automatically. Price point for meals were decent. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Kicked chicken salad - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

We went late on a Friday afternoon and due to the off-hour they were not busy. Oddly enough they seated us upstairs. We were the only customers there the whole time. Downstairs seemed more lively and I think we would have liked that better. We both got a brew that we liked. Husband got the Irish Dip with Fries, while I got clam chowder, collards and smoked gouda mac and cheese. The Irish Dip definitely needed the jus as Husband said it was super dry. My clam chowder was tasty. Full of clams. I usually have to add hot sauce to chowder, but this didn't need it. Collards were full of flavor, but sadly the mac and cheese wasn't what I had had in the past. It was very light on cheese sauce. Tasted like milky macaroni with a little cheese on top, none of which was enough to detect any kind of smoked flavor. read more

M'Coul's Public House - Irish Dip - Irish Near Me - Greensboro, North Carolina

See all

This pub is a not-to-be-missed spot in Greensboro, NC. It's tucked in the middle of downtown but there is plenty of parking around. It's also within walking distance from The Carolina Theatre, making it a perfect spot before a show. Everyone we met there were charming and very efficient. The pub itself was old and charming, and spotlessly clean. The bartender poured a perfect black & tan and the cocktails were yummy. We had the warm, soft pretzels with beer cheese as an appetizer and you can't beat that! Dinner was perfection. My husband had the fish and chips and enjoyed every bite. My entree was the best though. I had the shrimp and grits (Gouda filled), with an Irish banger (grilled sausage), with bacon and fabulous mushrooms, and topped with a drizzle of even more melted Gouda. O.M.Goodness, this was the best shrimp and grits that I've ever had. I highly recommend this place, don't miss out on this darling pub! read more

See all

What can I say M'Couls is a typical Irish Pub with an amazing patio, roof top bar, and awesome food. We tried the Irish eggrolls, lamb stew, fish and chips,shepherds pie and the isrish dip. Everything was sooooo good. The service was friendly and we loved the decor as well. We will be back to try brunch! read more

See all

M'Coul's is such a great local staple in downtown Greensboro!! Great Irish pub with even better food and great service! Went with a friend for lunch and we shared the fried Brussels for an appetizer which were lightly breaded to perfect, they had a little bit of a mustard seed tanginess so dipped in homemade ranch was delightful! My friend had the lunch chicken pot pie with a side salad which he said was delicious and I had their black and blue steak salad minus the blue cheese (not a fan) but this is my favorite salad to get! It's so good with fried onions and walnuts over fresh greens! One of the best salads downtown especially with their balsamic dressing!! The service is always so great! From the bubbly hostess, our server who was so sweet and attentive and the manager who delivered our food and checked on us! Highly recommend! read more

See all

One of the better restaurants in Greensboro in my opinion, and experiences. I can't say every meal has been out of the park but the majority of my meals has. One big distinction is that I believe they are very underrated for a breakfast/brunch spot, I guess not many people think morning food when it comes to this downtown establishment. The burgers are really good, nice and meaty with toppings of your choosing. Again, the breakfast is great and has many dishes to choose from. Many seating areas whether downstairs booths, bar, outside, upstairs, or on the deck. Service has been solid. Would recommend. Food: 4.5/5 Service: 4.5/5 Menu: 5/5 Cleanliness: 4.5/5 Seating: 5/5 read more

See all