Black Bull Inn — Restaurant in The Borough District of Drogheda

Consistently great. Wonderful food. Friendly efficient staff. Enjoyable personalities.

I spent around two weeks in the nearby Boyne Valley Hotel, which at the time of writing only offers a breakfast service. The Black Bull Inn is nearby, and came recommended. I went there for dinner on my first night in Drogheda with a group of extended family. We ordered a varied selection from the dinner menu - starters, mains, from the grill, desserts, wines, and limoncello. The food and drink was delicious, the staff attentive and friendly. The venue is conducive to enjoying conversation across a table - sound levels are perfect with no loud TV or music to compete with. No echoes either. So we had a great experience.

I ate and drank at the Black Bull many times over the two weeks working my way across the menu. I've eaten all the grill offerings, save the Tomahawk, and my experience was consistently excellent (I order rare, and favour pepper sauce or chimichurri). I kept coming back to the fillet. From the mains I've eaten the beef cheeks (wonderful, warming and filling), the confit duck leg, the pan seared chicken supreme, Starters I've enjoyed include the chicken wings (rum & coke style), the salmon gravlax, the confit duck croquettes, the salt and chilli calamari, and the pot of mussels. Desserts wise, the baked cookie, and the tiramisu were up to the standard of the other food.

On only one occasion - a notably busy night where the pub was catering a tailored menu for an Italian wine tasting evening - we were approached by a member of staff who apologised for delays on our food and insisted we should enjoy a drink on the house. We had not noticed an issue with the timing, but were impressed that the staff had done so and wanted our experience to be a good one.

I would say that the Black Bull is in safe hands, both front of house and in the kitchen. I look forward to returning there on my next visit...

Popped in for lunch on Saturday and was pleasantly surprised with the fare, following a couple of hit and miss experiences here recently. Staff very pleasant and helpful, Vegan options no problem, the vegan curry was excellent. Steak one of the best ever and cooked to perfection. Burger yummy. Dessert and coffee spot on. Everything very well presented. Only small con was delivery of dessert was a bit on the slow side, but we were not in any great hurry.

UPDATE 18/10/2023 Called in again last week and was so disappointed this time around. We both opted for roast of the day which was Turkey and ham. This was not your normal turkey and ham dinner, it was what I would describe as processed turkey and ham, not real mash and veg was package frozen veg cooked on premises. The Baileys Eton Mess was nice but only one strawberry was laughable. Coffee was nice. Senior waitresses seem totally disinterested and we felt we were only a burden on them by being there. The restaurant was a lot quieter than normal an we now know why. Suggestion : Serve home cooked food, reduce price and think more of the customer. Ultimately it is the customer that keeps you open. Won't be back and we were regular diners

UPDATE 16/09/2024 Called in today for lunch, and was pleasantly surprised. The old Black Bull had returned. Food fare was excellent. Melt in the mouth ribs, tasty curry, Soup and Caprece sandwich all delicious, not to mention a yummy chocolate muffin! So glad we called back and we can't...

Late July I spent an evening here with friends. Many faults presented that evening from changing main ingredients on a special and when asked why being advised that the chef had run out, which is fine if we’re advised! To overcharging - twice. To noticeably switching to a different Gin - again without advising (then acknowledging the switch offering to refund or check stock in their front bar?!) To tapping my credit card without advising of cost or issuing a receipt and when I spoke to a manager about this on the evening being advised - don’t worry the bill won’t have been over €30! I was quite horrified at the lack of responsibility and consideration to their customers, to the point that the next day I wrote a detailed email with the above points and more to one of the owners.

I did speak with him and he advised that he’d look into events, which he did. I advised that my detailing these issues was as much about highlighting shortcomings in their processes that affect offering a quality experience to all customers, he accepted that and promised to send me a voucher to return and experience what he felt The Bull could offer.

What’s almost worse than the original night in question is - I never received the voucher! What does that say about this establishment? As they expand into other businesses around the town, I wonder if they have overstretched themselves?

I’ve been a regular visitor to The Bull for over 20yrs. Many good/great experiences, more recently it has been...