Best Irish Restaurant

Some friends and I are looking for some Irish fare and I was wondering what places others would recommend. We love the Irish Rover, but we'd like to try something new. I was thinking Molly Malone's but when I went to their website, it looked more like a bar with college kids than a restaurant/pub. Any recommendations?

Amy

[Robin Garr]

Some friends and I are looking for some Irish fare and I was wondering what places others would recommend. We love the Irish Rover, but we'd like to try something new. I was thinking Molly Malone's but when I went to their website, it looked more like a bar with college kids than a restaurant/pub. Any recommendations?

I like the Rover AND Molly Malone's, Amy. They're both local ... the Rover makes nice use of a historic building on Frankfort Avenue; Malone's, as I recall, has an interior furnished from real pubs in Dublin. Both have typical Irish pub grub. Why not try them both and let the forum know which you prefer!

Some friends and I are looking for some Irish fare and I was wondering what places others would recommend. We love the Irish Rover, but we'd like to try something new. I was thinking Molly Malone's but when I went to their website, it looked more like a bar with college kids than a restaurant/pub. Any recommendations?

Amy

Amy,

As Robin said, both are great, and the Rover definitely has a more "restaurant" feel to it. I prefer the Rover's food, but Molly's is pretty good as well. If you got to Molly Malone's during traditional dinner hours, especially during the week, you'll find it calm and more like a restaurant. The college kids and heavy drinking doesn't usually start until 9 or 10 at night, usually Thursday-Saturday. Give it a shot.

Amy,

The Irish Rover, Too in LaGrange is an easy ride up I-71 from Middletown. The atmosphere is quiet and it is very easy to park. You can stroll the main drag in little La, hit a great independent bookstore and see the sights! While the menu is the same the feeling is more "irish". Good adh!

Amy,

If you are looking for an Irish Restaurant, I think you will find no better than the Rover. Although I think the food at Molly Malone's is decent, I think it is more of a pub than a restaurant. I think that Molly Malone's is the most authentic Irish pub in Louisville from the decor, to certain bartenders, to some of the crowd. So if you are looking for some good food, a great pint, and great surroundings, Molly Malone's is a good choice. However, I agree with Brad that you want to stay away from Thurs - Sat after 9 or so.

It's been a while for me but if the rover still has them the scotch egg and their salmon pate.. Were always two of my favorites.

I would consider Molly Malones a restaurant first. It's only their good fortune that they can capitalize on their late night Baxter Ave. corrider hotness and appeal. Coming from someone who's dined quite a bit at both Irish Rover and Molly's - they have separate qualities. And where you may find the same names for menu items - they're NOT THE SAME. I definitely prefer the Rover for food and value, but that's just me. And if you can get a spot on the patio when the weather's nice - Slainte! But Molly's is really great, too, and patio is massive.

Yesterday three of us stole away from downtown NA and lunched at the Irish Rover. A ploughman's plate, lamb-stuffed cabbage rolls, bangers & mash and pints of Guinness ... just perfect restoratives before heading back to Bank Street for the evening. The Rover's always number one in my book.

the newest authentic irish restaurant/pub has opened at 4th street live. i haven't tried it yet. has anyone on here have? it's called RI RA.

I've never tried it but my boyfriend, Robert, worked there for a while. They have a very extensive menu, much more so than the Rover, with a wide range of prices. According to Robert, they go through a LOT of fried fish, and also have stuff ranging from crab cakes, salmon, reuben, meatloaf, and pot roast to shepherd's pie. I thought it was cute that they listed a pint of Guinness on their appetizer menu, describing it as "the perfect starter."

shenanigans irish grill 1611 norris place. according to the write up," to the locals this is a good thing, of course because it does not attract the boozy college age crowd like o'sheas or molly malones".

Before I got married, I used to live very close to Shenanigans and I will say that it is Irish in name only. There is nothing else Irish about it. It is a fantastic neighborhood pub with great pub food. I really miss the place. HOWEVER, it definitely attracts the boozy college age crowd on weekend nights. Not to the extent of Molly's, O'Sheas, or Flanagans but the college kids still go there. Not so much of a shocker considering Bellarmine is right down the street.

shenanigans irish grill 1611 norris place. according to the write up," to the locals this is a good thing, of course because it does not attract the boozy college age crowd like o'sheas or molly malones".

Not so much of a shocker considering Bellarmine is right down the street.

Yeah, I used to be friends a few years back with some people that went to Bellarmine, and Shenanigan's is a big Bellarmine hangout.

The food is not Irish, but it's good bar food.