Over the last few years, The Duchess of Markham has been a reliable spot for a good Irish Pub! I can always count on them for a good time with friends while watching a soccer or hockey game while enjoying classic Irish pub fare! The Bangers and Mash is a classic representation as it hits home with the blend between perfectly grilled sausage with mashed potatoes and onion gravy! The Guiness Lamb Stew is also perfect for the winter as the lamb is nicely cooked with the root vegetables and does enjoy well with a slice of bread! read more

The Duchess of Markham - Bangers and Mash - Pubs Near Me - Markham, Ontario

Location: Main Street Markham Parking: There's some on street parking, but good luck with that. Half a block away there's a huge free lot! Decor: Send an old Tudor looking building. The inside looks like a pub. A pub that hasn't been decorated since the 1980s. I know it can't be the original carpet but it hasn't been replaced in a while. There is a nice big bar some seating around it and then the dining area is separated by half wall. It's a smaller space but comfortable. There's tables. They set it up in twos and fours. There is a fireplace and it's nice and cozy to sit by there on a cold day. What's kind of cool is when the kegs come in, the building is really old so the floor shakes is the kegs roll in. The food: Typical pub fair. It's good. I wouldn't call it generously portioned but a proper serving. Lunch time there is always a chicken wing special. They're pretty good. I do like the fish and chips. Staff: Everyone's always nice. I don't know if they have a lot of stuff or if they just go through stuff but they're always seems to be different people every time I go. I don't know how they manage hire all the really nice people but they do! Will I be back? Of course I will I come all the time read more

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I love this place - sadly, there is a declining number of legit pubs like this. Great selection of beers, the best wings in town and the pricing is super reasonable. And the menu has real pub food. I recommend the Shepherd's Pie. read more

One of the best Tuesday deals for wings I've seen yet. 50% off on 1lb ($17.25) or 2lbs ($27.75) of wings. I just got a sprite ($3) with the 2lb wings. In total, it was about $20 after tax+tip for 2lbs wings + fries+ a drink. Don't think I've seen wings places anywhere offer a deal like this. The service was pretty good, the server was polite and the food came very quickly as well AND came hot as well (low bar but some other wings places can't even get that right.) the wings themselves were decent, nothing super extraordinary but I enjoyed them. Went with the garlic parm (a bit lacking in the garlic flavor, the parm was a bit overpowering) and the chili lime tequila bbq (which I thought wasn't bad - I liked it). Overall a pretty good experience and a great deal on Tuesdays - def my new go to tues wing spot! read more

The Duchess of Markham - Pubs Near Me - Markham, Ontario

We ordered wings, nachos and their catcus cut potatoes. Standard bar fare - everything was fine. Cactus cut potatoes were really good though and would go back just for that! read more

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First restaurant I've gone to since covid happened and the reopening of the patios in GTA commenced. Overall experience was good but diff in the sense that all servers were wearing masks and keeping distance. We made reservations for the back patio. They also have a street patio. Both were really nice. The tables were spaced out and it wasn't full so there was at least one table space btwn my table and the other people. Menus were provided via QR code's where you can scan with you phone and have the menu pop up on a web browser. If you don't have a smart phone or data you're out of luck. Food was your standard pub food. They had wing specials 1lb 10 wings for $10. We ordered two of that and they tasted refried (dry) and they were super small. Disappointing. We ordered ribs and wings combo. Ribs were good but same wings - dry and small. We also ordered their lunch special mandarin salad and swapped the goat cheese with feta cheese as well as the fish and chips. Overall good portion size but mediocre food. Wait staff were very friendly and polite. read more

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My wife's nachos were "meh", my daughter's tacos were "meh" and my wings were burnt garbage!

Old Time Favourite in Markham Village !! I have been going to the Duchess for many years and I've had many a wing and many a beer there, but I've never really taken the opportunity to dine there. I've sat on the patio and inside to watch live bands, but a chance meeting with the owner who challenged me to actually try the food was all the motivation I needed to sit upstairs and actually have dinner there. I got the Food crew together and we headed to The Duchess on a Saturday just before the rush. Once we were sat by our most gracious server, she offered food for the kids and went over the evenings specials. We decided to start with the impressive dry ribs and the classic calamari. The ribs were dry but still had a good moist consistency right through. The Calamari was a good mix of tentacles and tubes, lightly dusted with a great seasoning and too greasy by any means, the kids loved them. For the Kids meals they choose Butter Pasta with freshly grated Parmesan, and a kids classic, Chicken tenders with fries. Both dishes were a hit and no complaints form the kids. One adult choose the nightly feature, Butter Chicken, and as someone whose eaten Indian food for year, they said it was actually surprisingly good. I choose the tacos that night as I had craving and looking for something different on the menu. The tacos didn't disappoint as I ordered one of each. First up was the Baja Fish taco with crispy fried fish, lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheese and guacamole with a drizzle of creamy chipotle sauce. The second Taco was a Grilled Chicken Taco served with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, Tex Mex cheese and shredded lettuce. Finally numero three taco was the Shrimp Taco served with delicately sauteed shrimp lightly seasoned with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, Tex Mex cheese and shredded lettuce. Now for the most part these were good tacos, with fresh ingredients and nicely presented. Being someone who has travelled all over Mexico and the Southern USA and had Mexican food made by Mexcians countless times, these tacos were lacking a little ( for lack of better word ) Mexicanness. There was hardly a trace of any Mexican spice or flavour. Aside from that, the Tacos were filling and worth a try. The Duchess has been around for years, and will continue to be. Its always a great place to meet or make new friends, bring a date or just chill out, and now I've actually eaten something aside from the wings, a burger or a french fry and was for the most part impressed. My guests that night enjoyed the food and the service and the kids were treated very well by the staff. I'm curious as to what my next food adventure will be at the Duchess. Hopefully see you there soon. read more

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A little pub on Main Street. Quick service and nice staffs. I went to there after 9pm. Good for relax and have a beer. read more

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This is a typical British style pub in an attractive Tudor style building. They have a patio in the front facing Markham's Main St. and a larger one in the back with umbrellas in more of a garden setting. It calls itself the best pub and patio around (see the photo of menu front). I guess it depends on how far it means by 'around'. There's a large choice of beer and a menu with something for everyone. Service is good when they aren't too busy. On weekends, they have live music. On Tuesday nights, the wings are half price. read more

The Duchess of Markham - menu front - Pubs Near Me - Markham, Ontario

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First time trying out this place, mostly good reviews and not as many choices on Easter Sunday. It was a typical pub, reminds me of any other pub I've been to. There is a wide range of beer on tap and the server can let you know what's available. Apparently there's no drink menu here. I ordered the Philly Cheesesteak on a kaiser and upgraded the fries to onion chips. It's an extra dollar to upgrade and there's no sauce that comes with the onion chips. The server neglected to inform me there would be an additional charge when I asked about sauce and she suggested the dill sauce made in house. It cost an additional $0.75 and mind you it tasted decent but if I had known I wouldn't have bothered. Oh and the Philly Cheesesteak was a bit dry and average at best. The crowd here was mostly older people on a Sunday afternoon and the vibe here was nothing worth writing about. Overall, I would rather go to other pubs that offer better quality food but if it's for drinks I wouldn't mind coming back. read more

The Duchess of Markham - Philly Cheesesteak - Pubs Near Me - Markham, Ontario

Stopped in for a quick bite and ordered the steak wrap. The honey mustard saved it, but the steak itself was not tender, and cut into pieces that were too big to bite off or even to chew easily. Side salad was same iceberg lettuce as in the wrap... so I guess I should have ordered fries! Nice server though. Overall rating: Underwhelming read more

Horrible service, waitresses have no idea what's on their menu, owner or manager extremely rude. Do not recommend.

Went with 4 other people last night and we all didn't like our meals. Italian sandwich was half the size of an average sandwich, poutine was tiny, like less than 12 fries tiny! I gave it a 2 because the server was kind. Wouldn't go back. read more

Great bar. Neighbourhood favourite, always full Of regulars. Would suggest for anyone wanting a quick drink and some good pub food read more

One of the more authentic English pubs in Toronto, with appropriate lighting and carpeted floors. Unfortunately I was driving so didn't get a beer , but I suspect they know what they're doing in that department. read more

The Duchess of Markham - Pubs Near Me - Markham, Ontario

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This place is pretty underwhelming on the outside, but you'd be missing out on a cool, traditional bar vibe inside. The Duchess has a large patio out back, you'd miss it if you didn't see the sign. It was half empty on a Saturday night, the perfect density for someone looking for a chill spot to grab a drink, without losing the usual bar atmosphere but also without the typical rambuntiousness of Downtown Toronto. Drinks are cheap and the food was a pleasant surprise; try their irish nachos! read more

Paul (the owner), and his staff at the Duchess run a top notch pub. They are the epitome of what a local business is about- accommodating to groups, families, parties- you name it, they have you covered. There is a reason The Duchess has been a Markham staple- great food, great prices on drinks and a cozy local pub atmosphere. read more

This is one of my favorite wings place. I only come here on Tuesdays because that is when you get half priced wings with the purchase of a drink. My favorite flavors are their honey garlic and their medium wings. Their suicide wings are sort of a misnomer because it has a kick, but definitely doesn't make me tear up or sweat. The dill sauce goes well with the onion chips which are a dollar more. The wings aren't very big, but they make up for it by giving you a lot of them. read more

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This is one of the few pubs in the Main Street Markham area. It looks small from the front but they actually have a sizeable patio at the back. Nothing fancy here but the wings and fries were surprisingly good. It's a good place to grab a beer in the summertime as there is plenty of street parking and a few parking lots nearby. The interior is too dark and sad for my liking though. read more

This quaint little establishment right in the middle of main street has everything that a pub should have. It is a little on the small side but with the second floor and the backyard patio, it keeps it patrons happy. Some friends who are regulars here recommended this place and I have to say, they were right to recommend it. It is very friendly and the food is very tasty. They go that little extra step to do what they can to make you happy which is the entire point of eating out in the first place. If you are in the area and looking for a pint or some nice wings, stop on by. read more

Went to this place recently for a birthday Have to say it was a surprise Usually pub food isn't that good However, when I ate there tonight the food was quite good Ordered the Irish nachos A nice spicy kick to them Ordered the steak wrap Was quite yummy and tasty Had it with the dill sauce and it hit the spot Menu was big and had a lot of variety Not a bad overall read more

Came here for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I was surprised they were open as it was Easter Sunday. There place looks small, dark and maybe a little dirty but it has character. What's most important to me is the food. There were some hits and misses though in terms of the food. Beef Dip $9.99 - good portion of meat but meat and the actual dip lacked in flavour for me. Chili with garlic bread $7.95 - I just didn't like the chili flavour that much and would still prefer the one at Tim Hortin's. Its hard to find a place that serves good chili. The star of the meal was the wings $7.95 1lb and add $1 for onion chips with dipping sauce. The wings were a good size and had a nice crispy on the skin. The honey garlic sauce we got with it caramelized on the outer skin perfectly. The insides were also cooked perfectly. Very moist and tender. The onion chips were just awesome. Bite size deep fried onion. I could eat these all day long. The dipping sauce just brought it over the top. Must try and for only $1 more with wings its a deal. 3.5 stars - closer to a 4 star because of the wings and onion chips. read more

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Bad service, worse food. The wings seem to get good reviews I'd advise sticking to them if you have to eat here. Ordered the fish and chips which seemed like a safe bet for a pub. The batter was incredibly thick and undercooked. Spongey on the outside and wet inside, almost like a paste. The fish was definitely frozen before but smelled and tasted off. I ate one bite and couldn't continue. My girlfriend had the chicken club which she said was alright but dry and bland. Hard to mess up a club sandwich. The waitress noticed I wasn't eating my meal, asked if it was gross which I confirmed but it was still on the bill. No discount, no further acknowledgment at all. Would not return. read more

It is easy to write a review for The Duchess of Markham. The restaurant has a rich history in the city of Markham, being a mainstay on Main Street for many years. Owner and staff are amazing - they treat everyone with respect and kindness that is a clear indication that they enjoy working there. If you've ever been, it goes without saying that the chicken wings are not-to-be missed. My personal favourite, though it's hard to choose, is the honey garlic which I lovingly dip in their signature DILL SAUCE (seriously, so good. Order it with every meal, I promise you). The Duchess is a great place to enjoy live music! Their Thursday Open Mic night is the longest running open mic in York Region and is a guaranteed night of music enjoyment whether you are a musician or music fan. You can always catch live music there on the weekend and it is always free for patrons to enjoy! The hidden gem is definitely their multi-level back patio. Part muskoka cottage vibe, part island oasis, the patio is a jaw-dropping surprise to any first timer, and definitely the best place to enjoy those summer nights in Markham read more

Worst excuse for a restaurant during COVID-19. Accidentally ordered an item through Ritual (Google Maps) with a topping I didn't want and wanted to exchange it for what I originally wanted. Claims because they're closed, they can't replace the order and tells me that the best they can do is half off for another order, saying that it was my fault... Seriously disappointed with their lack of hospitality and customer appreciation. Mistakes happen, but I wasn't impressed by their unprofessional management. Customer isn't always first apparently. read more

If ur black do not recommend very racist Felt very uncomfortable nobody help me until 10 minutes after I walked in. Bartender looked at me and turned his back and pretended I was not there. read more

Came here last Saturday for lunch. The restaurant is big with several TVs showing sporting events. There's a nice size patio in the back with a fully operational bar. On this Saturday, they had 3 specials happening. A breakfast special, a lunch special (I think it was a wrap) and a wings special. I decided on the wings special and they were decent. Typical wing sauce choices. The wings were deep fried but not breaded, surprisingly, they weren't dry at all! There were a decent amount of wings for it's price, great value! As I was leaving, I noticed there was a 2nd floor to this restaurant so I went up to check it out. There was a big screen TV and more tables. The server said they open it everyday at 4pm. Looks like a good spot to watch sporting events! To end, food was decent and service was good. read more

This is the best pub in Markham Village. The wings are fantastic, there's a good selection of beer on tap, and the other pub fare is great. The service is also very good. Some of the other reviews have noted that it's a small pub, but there's a second floor, and in the summer there is a HUGE patio out back. This might not be obvious if you were just dropping in. The atmosphere in the summer on the patio is great. All in all, it's a good pub experience that's been a local favourite since 1980. read more

DAMN! forgot to add this in my review blog!!! s@#$@%$!! one of the best pubs in Markham, tucked in along main street Markham aka HWY 48, this place is packed on weekends on BOTH main and second floor!!! Came here after soccer practice, had their wings and fries, and lets just say, the wings were the perfect size, and their fries were yummy. Had a pint of Rickards to help wash it down. Overall this place is homie, and a popular hangout, and landmark for Markham-mites. Their portions are satisfying, the patio is perfect for summer, and the service is great and their prices are reasonable. read more

I stopped here after seeing The Force Awakens. This is a decent pub, the tap list is good and the food on the menu was varied and interesting. The guy who came and served us seemed a little odd, but he was pretty nice. I had a Monte Cristo Sandwhich for the first time ever, and a barking squirrel. The Monte Cristo Sandwich wasn't really for me. But that wasn't the pub's fault. It's just not a sandwich for me. However, I would like to try other things that they make. I would probably go back here again in the future. read more

Love going here on Tuesdays for the half priced wings. I'm not really a fan of the fries but the onion chips are off the charts!! Service is slow but you can't blame them because it's usually slammed on Tuesdays. read more

A typical pub. It can get pretty busy on weekend nights, especially upstairs. Came here last Saturday for lunch. They only had a bartender working, no server. Server showed up when we were paying. I ordered a roast beef dip. Pretty bland and unimpressive. I won't be coming back here for food. read more

The Duchess of Markham is not bad! The onion chips were delicious! I loved them. I had the pizza which was average. My mom ordered the Shepard's pie and she loved it. We sat outside which was nice, the waitress was a bit busy so when I asked for dip she brought it out late and I was already done my food. Other than that it was fairly good, just nothing spectacular. read more

YUM. I came here last Friday night with my boyfriend and we both left happy and full. My boyfriend got the wings + fries. I ate half of his wings and half of his fries. They were sooo good. The wings were on the small side ]: The fries were delicious - crispy and fresh. They have wings night here on Tuesday & Wednesday. I got the steak but I only ate a quarter of it as I was filled from the wings. The steak was annihilated the next day at home. Will definitely be back next Tuesday or Wednesday for Wings night! read more

I was surprised how tiny this place it... from the outside it looks like a house but when you get in it's quite small. I didn't really enjoy myself here tonight JUST because I had one of these "OMG!" girls next to my table and she seriously wouldnt shut up for 2 seconds... talk talk talk talk talk ....and all about stupid stuff on top of it ... ANYWAYS... I think this pub needs a makeover... it's not very cozy and the bar part is very cramped... they need to open that part up. There is an upstairs part where I think there were pool tables and darts. They have entertainement from Thurs-Sunday. The guys tonight weren't bad they did a lot of old rock songs however Im sure the bands are mixed up. I found it very loud when they started the play... I think they need a bigger place in order to have entertainment like that. I'd say this place is only good for a quick drink and then head outta there... read more

This place is probably the only place to go on main street markham and patio here is awesome for a drink over the summer months. Service was good and the the selection of beers on tap were pretty impressive. I opted the fruitier beers: Belgian Moon & Kronenbourg Blanc, both of which were really nice! read more

The Duchess somehow got a name for itself as being a great place to hang out, grab a pint and watch the game. That must have happend before I ever went there. The overall facility is rundown and dingy. The main event is the outdoor "Corona" patio in the back. It is the newest and what looks like the cleanest part of the place. The menu leaves MUCH to be desired. Whoever thinks this place has the best wings needs to get out more. (try Lake Affect's Wings in Port Credit, they will shock you how amazing they are) The pot pie was a frozen out of the grocery store special as were the chicken fingers. The fish and chips needs to have fish in the mounds of batter and the fries could use a little sea salt. The steak might as well be made of cardboard. Get some solid authentic recipes and use fresh ingredients. Yes it takes a little more time and money, but as a consumer I'll pay more knowing I'm getting a quality meal that tastes fantastic. Service was very average. Nobody ever came over to ask how we were doing we had to flag the sever down every time there was an issue. Markham really needs these independent pubs, and restaurants. Not everyone wants to go the "Boston pizza/Kelseys". In fact my friends and I are sick of them. We want to support local privately owned independent businesses, but at the same time they need to pull up their socks. Anyone can pour a beer, but the food and service will make them come back, atmosphere helps too. The Duchess has incredible potential, but just needs to make use of it. And clean your bathrooms guys! That is the first rule of restaurant success. If the bathrooms aren't clean, its safe to assume the kitchen isn't either. read more

Must Try: Duchess' Famous Wings, Irish Nachos, Ribs (Wednesdays Only), BEER (very large selection) Rating Breakdown: (10/10) Food, (9/10) Service, (10/10) Value, (9/10) Ambience, (7/10) Cleanliness My Experience(s): Hands down one of the best bars/pubs uptown. A local gem that has a great atmosphere and friendly people. A place where people come, eat, drink, talk and catch up. Easily my favourite go-to in the city. I'm rarely look at the menu, cause i'm honestly there for the wings and beer every time, but every item I've ever tried is a hit. Tuesday are especially good because they have a wing special, while Wednesdays is the only day they serve up their Ribs. Aside from the detailed menu, there is a large selection of beer, from the well known to the lesser known. It's not necessarily a vast selection where one will feel overwhelmed, but a wide selection where anyone will find something they'll like. Beyond the actual menu, Duchess has one of the biggest and best patio's in Markham. Tucked away in the back, the ambience on the patio is amazing. A MUST for anyone eating there in the summer. The atmosphere is fun and upbeat, but don't come here expecting it to be a quiet romantic date location. It's a place where you catch the game and grab a beer with all your friends. Expect live music. If you're reading this, stop reading, go to Duchess, get some wings and you'll see what I mean. read more

Great spot for wings and a friendly atmosphere! I've had the wings here for years and always come back. Great dill drip to go along with them. Prices are a little high for the venue but always worth a visit once every few weeks. read more