A Taste of Ireland in Downtown Durham

Slideshow

Happy St. Patrick’s Day…tomorrow! The GWG wanted an authentic Irish meal right here in Durham so we visited one of our local favorites, Bull McCabes Irish Pub.

Located on Main Street in the heart of downtown, Bull McCabes is a quaint pub that plays good music on the stereo and soccer (or other sports) on the TV to enjoy along with your meal. Watch the street scene from the outdoor seating or step inside to an intimate bar that is full of character—repurposed vintage pews and tavern-style lighting create an old world feel, with tables lined-up against shelves of books to spark curiosity and conversation.

In honor of the upcoming holiday, we ordered our dishes from the "Traditional Irish Fare" section of the menu—one order of Fish & Chips and one dish of Shepherd’s Pie seemed to fit the bill. McCabe's Fish & Chips includes several pieces of beer-battered cod served with French fries, coleslaw and house-made tartar sauce for dipping—no surprises here—a very classic and filling take on this dish from the mainland. The hearty Shepherd’s Pie comes piping-hot in a boat-dish full of minced lamb, peas, carrots, and onions all topped with a heap of browned mashed potatoes—this one will fill your inner Irish requirement for meat and potatoes.

Ordinarily the Irish menu is only available for dinner, but the pub includes these options on the lunch menu on March 17th—extend your enjoyment with a few rounds of beer from a nice selection including many imported IPAs, ales and lagers available on draft.

St. Patrick's Day is a fitting occasion to visit Bull McCabes, but you will likely find yourself back again after the holiday is over.