The Irish Bar — Restaurant in Trafalgar

Visited recently and was disappointed with the overall experience. We were initially seated in a cramped back room with barely any space between tables and a wobbly table we had to stabilise ourselves. We asked to move and were given a booth in the front area, which only had one table filled, but told we had to vacate by 5pm—despite it only being 1:30.

Floors were sticky, menus were worn, and ordering was confusing due to unclear signage and no verbal guidance. The menu offered limited variety and, while there were some Irish-style options, the curries and spring rolls felt out of place for a traditional Irish pub. The specials board was hard to read, with faded chalk and a curled-up printout.

We ordered a beef and Guinness pie ($32), a cabbage and sausage entrée, and a bowl of wedges. The cabbage dish was unappetising in both appearance and taste—it looked like slop, with overcooked, mushy cabbage and barely any recognisable potato. You could tell it was frozen and reheated or had been sitting in the fridge for 4 days. The sausage resembled texture of a kransky rather than Irish pork, and the pancetta listed on the menu was bacon. The wedges were made with old potatoes wirh visible black spots under the seasoning, they were floury and tasted of old oil. The pie had burnt pastry tips, raw sides, and a filling that included mushrooms—not traditional for an Irish pie. Staff were confused when questioned about the pie and said it wasn’t fully made in-house, but didn’t clarify what was.

The host, who appeared to be the owner, spent most of the time sitting and chatting with another staff member, and no one checked on our meal—despite most of it being left uneaten. Overall, food quality and service...

From the moment we walked into the restaurant we were greeted with warmth and professionalism. The ambiance was elegant yet inviting, setting the tone for a memorable dining experience. The service was impeccable and she was attentive without being overbearing, and offered great recommendations from the menu.

Now, the food — absolutely exceptional. Each dish was a masterpiece, both in flavor and presentation. I started with the chips and garlic bread which was bursting with fresh, vibrant flavours. For the main course, I opted for the Irish spice bag and traditional Parma and it was perfectly cooked to order, with the seasoning spot on.

What sets this place apart is the attention to detail. The chefs clearly take great pride in their craft, and it shows in every bite. The bar menu was extensive, and the staff was more than happy to pair the perfect glass with each course.

The overall experience was top-notch, and we will definitely be...

Stopped in on my way to the city (partly on a whim, partly because I'd just seen a post of the menu on social media and couldn’t resist). What a fantastic surprise.

The atmosphere was spot on... cosy, welcoming, and full of charm. The staff were incredibly friendly and made me feel right at home.

The Guinness was poured to perfection and absolutely hit the spot.

As for the food, I was really impressed... simple, honest Irish pub fare done exceptionally well. Great flavours, beautifully presented, and clearly made with care by the kitchen.

I’ll definitely be back (next time with local accommodation booked. No way I’m driving!) so I can enjoy some live music and soak up a proper Irish...