The Irish Rover stands at the top of our street, yet we should visit more. It's Irish comfort food at its best! So for my husband's birthday, we decided to celebrate there with all of our family, and it was such a delightful dinner. We all got something different. I opted for the fish & chips. The fish was huge and perfectly crispy. The chips came out steaming hot and perfectly fried. My sister-in-law got the cottage pie, which really is a showstopper! The bread bowl really makes it. Even my kids were happy (not an easy feat), having ordered the mac-n-cheese and grilled cheese, also stealing chips from our plates. For dessert, we all split the bread pudding -- a hug of a dessert -- and the chocolate Guinness cake. Don't let the "flourless" part of the chocolate cake's description fool you -- this cake is rich and creamy. Our waitress was even able to find a candle, so we could sing to my husband and have him blow it out. The service as always was quick and friendly. The Irish Rover really is a treasure and more should definitely come out for its food. read more

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Our dining group of 8 revisited this bar/pub restaurant and ordered a variety of apps, drinks, and entrees. This is a cash-only business. Large parking lot next to the restaurant. Waitstaff are welcoming and efficient. Noise level is mild to moderate. Appears to be an establishment with a loyal following of regulars. I tried the lamb stuffed cabbage rolls and they were okay. I'm not keen on this type of food since I'm more of a spicy sort, so will likely not revisit. Great place for anyone with a craving for English pub bar food cuisine and great atmosphere that is cozy and welcoming. read more

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Up charges for just changing your side to something that cost exactly the same on the menu. The slowest service I've ever had. So so food. Very noisy - had to yell to hear each other. read more

Classic Irish pub serving classic fair. Cozy feel for catching up with friends or family dinner. read more

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It has been a while (too long) since I have visited this establishment. I am not a Irish cuisine expert. But, If I am looking for authentic style Irish food, this is where will I will find it. I order items in the Pub Grub and Sandwiches & Burgers categories I have tasted them all and experienced a great deal of consistency and quality in each one. The Rover is a small place that is big on quality of food and service. There are other Irish restaurants in Louisville, but I think that this restaurant could be the most authentic of them all. read more

The Rover is a CLASSIC Irish dining experience. We have been going there since the '90s and have a wonderful meal every time. Upon entering, you are transported to Ireland. The building is unique and we love the atmosphere where you can sit in the quiet dining room or in the lively bar area. We have enjoyed both. Staff expedite seating as fast as they can and deliver excellent service. read more

I've been wanting to swing in for a while now and so glad we did. We only grabbed some bevs but definitely still want to come back to fish and chips. The service was fab and it was busy but still got a table right away. Did the Irish coffee and a snake bite which is called a black velvet here. Lovely pub with a family vibe! read more

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We had dinner at The Irish Rover tonight. While I didn't have high expectations as this is a pub, over all this was an okay experience. The service was excellent but the food wasn't impressive. I did like the atmosphere but this probably will be a one and done for us. read more

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When the weather is great a cocktail on the Irish River patio just hits right. The seasonal coolers had several great choices! read more

The Irish Rover - Summer cocktail menu - Irish Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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First off, came here on a Friday at 5:45 PM. We were seated right away but our table wobbled which is my pet peeve at restaurants. The chairs weren't comfy. Our waiter got us drinks and I ordered champagne. They brought it out to me and forgot my wine glass. It took two more trips to the table for them to remember my wine glass. I get it's a Friday night just want to mentioned good and bad things. Our food came fast. The fish and chips looked amazing that my cousin ordered. I ordered a burger and it was yummy but very sloppy. I had to ask for more napkins. My husband ordered the cottage pie - it was HUGE ! My husband said it was good and he would've ordered it again. Total for 3 meals, 3 alcoholic drinks, and 1 kids meal was $82. read more

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Food excellent with a definite Irish vibe. Service excellent. Has an Irish feel. I have been a customer from opening day. Clean and friendly. Plenty of free parking. read more

Went with my family the other night, and we had the best time! We started off with a bunch of apps including some scotch eggs, smoked salmon, salmon pate, soda bread, and various fritters. The scotch egg was my favorite, but I liked them all. The fish and chips I ordered as my main were also delicious - the crust of the fish was nice and crunchy and the inside was perfectly light. I also tried some of the other entrees including the pictured bangers and mash, the enormous cottage pie, the seafood pie, and the cashel salad with smoked salmon. One thing I will say is that Irish food doesn't always photograph the best so don't judge any of it based on the way it looks, but trust me it was all sooo good! We had a large group, but our server was great and made sure we got our orders in and refills when we needed them. Lastly, the Rover has such a warm and welcoming ambiance inside and you instantly feel like you could be in a pub in the middle of Ireland. Great Louisville staple! read more

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Maybe my server was having a bad day but she was cold and unfriendly. I didn't find the food particularly impressive. The atmosphere was not cozy. I have not been back. I was encouraged to go because this restaurant was featured on Guy Fieri's DDD. read more

4th star for the owners, staff and management of the Irish Rover for operating a fun establishment. Full disclosure! The Irish Rover is one of approximately 8 establishments in Kentucky who wear the DDD crown. Good bad or indifferent, I was somewhat surprised by the lack of DDD enthusiasm from the staff and management at the Irish Rover I nibbled on some smoked salmon as I have eaten my way through my journey in Kentucky. That said, I can't make a clear contribution on the food. Second, I asked about the visit Guy Fieri paid to the Irish Rover and to my surprise, they had little to say...only that he tried this and that... nothing to write home about And unlike other establishments there were no pictures or momento to Guy's visit... So there.... I enjoyed my Irish coffee and the salmon and the overall ambiance.... Would I go back? Yup if I'm I their neck of the woods only next time, I won't worry about the DDD episode back in 2019 rather, I'll concentrate on their menu and extensive list of Irish whiskeys. read more

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We loved it! Our server was attentive and helpful, and we tried several things on the menu and everything was delicious, with a special shoutout for the fish and chips as well as the scotch eggs. It was also a very homey vibe in the restaurant and next time I'll try the outdoor seating. read more

Great Service Friendly environment. Went with colleagues from work for the Christmas work party

Excellent! Had the Cordon Bleu fritters, fish and chips and bangers and mash. All excellent. Michael, the owner seated us. So kind and personable. Restaurant feels like an Irish pub . read more

What a fantastic joint! I went for a friend's birthday party and it was a great time. It feels very authentically Irish in the space. They have ton of beer options available, along with some great looking cocktails. The food options are also fantastic, including delicious apps and hearty main courses with flavor. The service was impeccable. For our large table, they were very helpful and kind. We even had one of the owners come cut and serve the cake and sing happy birthday to our friend. It was such a homely vibe and a great place for some good Irish dining. read more

Great place! Very chill and food is great and AUTHENTIC!!! Found it by watching Diners Drive Ins and Dives! read more

This is our families favorite Irish food in Louisville. Fish & Chips are a delicious go to. The lamb stuffed cabbage and bangers & mash are perfect comfort foods. The service is very responsive. I think the owners are there every day. read more

The Irish Rover is a long time favorite and the Fish & Chips were excellent as usual. I ordered coleslaw instead of the fries. It was not a mayo based coleslaw, which was perfect. Everyone else ordered the fries, which were steak cut fries and were excellent. We did have one person order the salmon starter as their meal. However, there really wasn't enough salmon there to make a meal out of it. I would recommend keeping that a starter. The staff there were friendly and attentive. The setting is very much a fun pub type setting. read more

Love this Louisville landmark. Just a beautiful, quaint Irish pub. Everyone is friendly and welcoming (even when service can be slow on occasion...it gets crowded), and the owner makes a point of stopping by every table to check in and see how you're doing, which I appreciate. While there is a decent amount of overall space, it is cozy...tables are small and are fairly close together, but that's really part of the atmosphere. Good mix of Irish classics (best fish and chips in town, hearty Guinness beef stew and cottage pie), more American style fare (the burger is surprisingly tasty...go with cheese and Irish bacon on it), and some tasty unexpected options (may I suggest vegan vindaloo?). If you don't get a scotch egg, you're just missing out (hard boiled egg, wrapped in sausage, battered and deep fried, with a delightfully spicy mustard to splash on there). Solid beer selection and an excellent collection of Irish whiskies, which aren't always easy to find in town. Great place for someone looking for a pint at the bar on the way home or a place to take the family for dinner. read more

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I had the fish and chips which were on par with any Irish pub. I tried a scotch egg for the first time and it was delicious. Went on a du day afternoon and it was not crowded. read more

Excellent. Want to go to Ireland without the plane ticket expense? Go to the Rover. The food, service and atmosphere are amazing! The owners are authentic, the chef is incredible and everything is authentic unlike some Irish restaunts and pubs. read more

The Irish Rover has been on my list for a while now, both because I have never before been to an Irish pub, and because there is a menu item entitled "bubble and squeak" which deserves further investigation. I dined on a weekday evening with several friends. The host was delightful and we were seated right away. Our server was very personable and helpful with answering questions. If he did not immediately know, he was empowered to obtain the answer from the chef, which was, as you will soon read, invaluable. My main reason for 2 stars is the menu. I understand this is an Irish pub. I understand the need for food traditions and the importance of maintaining the integrity of long-held food culture. I understand I have dietary limitations (vegan). Despite this, I still have high standards that I do not feel are currently being met by The Irish Rover. The current menu has the following vegan options: 1. Vegan vindaloo 2. Farmer's plate There are other potential edits a diner could make, including ordering a salad without meat and cheese, a sandwich without cheese/meat/mayo/aioli, and asking for veggies to be prepared with olive oil rather than butter. Although possible, I feel that editing the proposed menu often leaves something to be desired in flavor and experience, and as such truly appreciate when restaurants offer a variety of dishes specifically created for a vegan palate. I ordered the vegan vindaloo, described as seasonal veggies, potatoes, and chick peas in a mild yellow curry and served with French bread. When it arrived, the serving size was quite small compared to the entrees ordered by my carnivorous dining companions, and there was no French bread accompaniment. Additionally, the flavor was flat and somewhat bitter, without the brightness and complex spice combination I typically enjoy in curry. Although the service is good and those without nutrition limitations will likely have a wonderful experience, I recommend vegan diners hold off until there are more options. read more

Food was excellent. Very popular place and became very crowded. Service was great. Would go back. Fish cakes were excellent and surprised to not see them included more in the yelp reviews. Also tried the scotch eggs, garlic mushrooms and bubble and squeak. read more

The Irish Rover - Seafood pie - Irish Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Pretty underwhelmed by the food and service here. Our server was pretty spotty with attending our table. They had just opened and were not crowded but after initially taking drink orders, was gone for really long stretches. The food itself was tired. The Guinness Beef Stew was hearty, but pretty uninspiring in terms of portion and taste. Reminded me of Dinty Moore. The Chicken Club was basic and the chicken itself pretty bland. It's a very traditional feeling spot with lots of decor that feels authentically pubby, but that doesn't make up for an otherwise average experience. read more

Meh, neither goid nor bad. Not crazy about the white choice, either a $7 house wine or a $14 glass of other kind of wine that our waitress couldn't remember what it was... I get that it is not a wine place, but still... The food came out quickly and was super hot. The person I was eating dinner with asked what did they have on tap and the guy he asked said over his shoulder as he walked away, it's on the board up here... My eating partner is visually impaired and would not have been able to see the board. Definitely has an Irish pub feel to it and it's an OK place, which is fine if that's what they're going for... don't get me wrong, I'll go back, just when I want an average pub experience. read more

The Irish Rover - Irish Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I love you I love you I love you. What a wonderful little joint to enjoy dinner with friends. Yummy drinks, amazing comforting food. And the vibes are just there. Service is fine bc dang are they busy. As they should be! Had that cottage pie that was in the bread bowl and it's simply to die for. I love that there's like.. double potatoes lol. Mashed AND cubed. Slay. I don't even care about bread bowls btw and I ate it right up. Why was it so good. I want it now. read more

As usual, a great spot in general and for lent season. Took a reservation for 8. Had great service throughout the night from the bar tenders, hostess, server, and food runners. We had a few small children who were loud but it was ok with the ambiance. Their fried fish is amazing and delicious every time. read more

The Irish Rover - You know - Irish Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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A DDD stop that did not disappoint. I tried my first ever scotch egg which was amazing. Also had cottage pie, salmon and potato gratin. All were delicious! Service was really good. read more

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Food was great and the atmosphere is amazing. The over all look and the feel of the place was very authentic. Will definitely go back when/if back in town. read more

We stopped by The Irish Rover for a weekday dinner during an overnight stay in Louisville. We were seated immediately and got to ordering: Scotch Egg - Nice crisp peppered and savory sausage surrounding a well cooked 12+ minute egg. Egg white was a little on the grey colored side. Comes with a very strong horseradish dip. It's a good dish. Bubble and squeak - Basically a pan fried mashed potato patty with some onion, green onion, and carrot mixed in. Falls apart when you eat it. Kind of mediocre in my opinion. Comes with the same horseradish dip as the Scotch Egg. Benedictine - Yeah, not really an Irish dish, but considering this was our only meal in Louisville, we just had to get this Louisville specialty. Benedictine is a pretty great cucumber cream cheese spread. It came with some lettuce and tomato garnish, cucumber slices, and some toasty baguette rounds. I'm surprised this hasn't spread around to other parts of the country because it's quite good. If there is one thing I could complain about, it's that there wasn't nearly enough baguette for the amount of spread. Cottage Pie - I have some mixed feelings about this one. The beef stew was good - the Guinness really does add a good tanginess and richness and there were plenty of chunks of meat inside. The mashed potatoes and cheddar on top were normal. The problem was the bread bowl. Maybe I'm too used to sourdough rounds from San Francisco, but I found this bread bowl to be extremely dense with an almost bagel-like texture. Possibly one of the worst bread bowls I've had. This dish also takes quite a long time to arrive - over 30 minutes. Overall The Irish Rover is still a very good restaurant, one that I would easily recommend. read more

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Thought I'd treat myself after an exhausting day at the nearby National Farm Machinery Show in the Kentucky Expo Center. A balmy, rainy winter day became the perfect atmosphere for a pub experience. This is a wonderful place. The owner was making the rounds, chatting with regulars and visitors alike. I ordered the Bubble and Squeak, followed by the Cottage Pie. Both were excellent. It should be said that the pie is very large . . . I think it's been Americanized! A special note about the tap beer selection; it features Irish favorites like Smithwick's, and it isn't "export" garbage, it's the honest stuff. All said, a great experience on a really neat street in Louisville. read more

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Perfect Irish bar with awesome food and drink. Love the little nooks and crannies of this place. The service is good too. Our server was knowledgeable of the gluten free items and assisted my sister with getting items she could have. If you are in Louisville and want a traditional Irish bar, this is your place. read more

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Yesterday my husband and I had dinner at The Irish Rover. This has been a Crescent Hill/Clifton staple for many years. The service was fantastic. Our server Jacob was very attentive and very friendly. My only disappointment was the charge for bread, while has been something that accompanied your meal at no cost before. It's a little disheartening that they would now require a charge for something which should be free. We ordered the Cordon Bleu Fritters which are unique and delicious. I'd describe them as hushpuppies with ham and cheese. For our main entree, I ordered the Fish & Chips and my husband ordered the Pub Burger and Irish chips (steak fries). Our dinner was quite delicious and the atmosphere was cozy and charming as usual. read more

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We came to Irish Rover for lunch and we enjoyed our meal. The place itself has a welcoming atmosphere and the staff are all friendly. Ben our server was professional and friendly. We came to try the Lamb stuffed cabbage; however we were told they were out so we then asked if they were out of other items and he was not sure so we asked about cottage pie and bangers and mash entrees , luckily for us they did have these dishes. Again, the meal was delicious and atmosphere nice. Enjoy! :) read more

The Irish Rover - Irish Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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A couple of "old ladies" decided to try a new restaurant. One wanted Fish and Chips. We wound up here. Nice atmosphere and nice selection of whisky, scotch and tap. The 20.00 Fish and Chips was very disappointing and the fish itself was dry and tough. We mentioned this to the waitress. Who seemed to be pretty nonchalant about it. My friend ordered dessert-which she got a box for as it was a lot (raspberry trifle). The owner -at least he said he was the owner came up to the table. I mentioned the fish was not good, it was dry. He said that you need to cook fish and that's why it comes with sauce. (Eye roll) I am including why FRIED fish can be dry in this review. Overcooking: Overcooking fish causes it to lose its natural moisture, leading to a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, making it tough and rubbery. Overcooked fish can also have a severe lack of flavor as the heat causes the natural oils to evaporate. read more

Food: the beef stew and cottage pie were not good. It was like eating the generic form of Dinty Moore beef stew with too much flour in the sauce. I couldn't eat it. The cottage pie is the same thing but with the stew in a bread bowl instead and cheese on top. The bread and cheese did not help the stew. Service: mediocre. Ambiance: just an old building read more

Loved the atmosphere, decor and especially your fish and chips. A pint or two of Guinness and my meal was complete.