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Talk to anyone in Buffalo, and usually they’ve got some percentage of Irish in them (or come March 17th you pretend), which means that St. Patrick’s Day in the City of Good Neighbors is basically one big family party.
Some celebrate with drinking. Others celebrate with an incredible spread of all the good stuff: melt-in-your-mouth-tender corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, along with crumbly, buttery Irish soda bread.
If you’re not lucky enough to have a mom who cooks, or ambitious enough to make it yourself, no worries; Buffalo’s got your back. A number of praise-worthy pubs throughout Western New York will save you a plane ticket to the Emerald Isle by transporting you via food.
We’ve compiled a list of popular places to get a plate or two — or three, no judgement here — of Irish food.
As the Irish blessing goes, “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.”
Happy eating!
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1. The Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub
2134 Seneca St., South Buffalo / More Info
This South Buffalo mainstay will give you that old tavern feel with its cozy, wood-paneled interior. Here, you can get corned beef cabbage rolls, which comes with two, along with a spicy mustard sauce, or Irish beer cheddar soup, a soup filled with cheese, potatoes and beer. Another interesting menu item is its “Irish filet mignon,” which comes with a Gaelic sauce. If you’re wondering what Gaelic sauce is, it’s made with whiskey, of course. A number of entrees featuring corned beef, in various iterations, is also available. Its “Triple D Platter” offers all the items highlighted when the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives came to visit: a mini beef on weck, crab cake, cup of Irish beer soup and tater tots.
2. McPartlan’s Corner
669 Wehrle Drive, Amherst / More Info
In operation for more than 40 years, this family-owned business is an oldie but goodie. Formerly in South Buffalo, it’s now in Amherst and known for its reliably delicious daily haddock fish fry. On Tuesdays it serves its homemade corned beef and cabbage. You can also get corned beef sandwich every day of the week. This place is a solid bet for some stellar Irish food.
3. The Irishman Pub and Eatery
How can we NOT mention the Irishman? This spot will get you a bona fide “Feel like you’re in Ireland” vibe. It markets itself as an old pub feel with current culinary trends. Around St. Patrick’s Day they host live music under a tent with sandwiches and lots of beer. Things get rowdy. Try their Guinness barbecue wings or the Irish spring rolls for starters. For entrees, staples include the Guinness stew, corned beef and cabbage, carrots and mashed potatoes or the shepherd’s pie.
4. J.P. Fitzgerald’s
4236 Clark St., Hamburg / More Info
Southtowners will appreciate this closer-to-home spot. Start with the “Irish skins”, which are potato skins filled with corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and dressing, or the Irish beer cheese soup, a cheddar cheese soup topped with rye croutons. This place serves all the Irish favorites, and every day of the week, which is completely amazing. Corned beef and cabbage with rye bread and potatoes and shepherd’s pie are on the menu, along with some interesting offerings. These include the “Monster McCree,” a pound of corned beef with Russian dressing and Swiss cheese piled on a grilled rye roll and the “Mother Superior,” corned beef with red onions, dressing and Swiss cheese. One word: YUM.
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5. Doc Sullivan’s
474 Abbott Road, South Buffalo / More Info
This neighborhood pub is set in the heart of South Buffalo’s Irish Heritage district, and it’s worth a visit for the excellent food and old school tavern feel. It serves traditional pub fare, along with newer takes. Previously their chicken and waffles iteration was featured on the Cooking Channel. And did we mention the “Smitty” wings? You’ll just have to go there to try em.’ If you hit in on the right days, you can get some killer deals, and, St. Patrick’s Day or not, we’re ALL about that. Around St. Patrick’s Day they offer corned beef and cabbage meals. Check their Facebook page for updates.
6. Potter’s Field Restaurant & Pub
425 Potters Road, South Buffalo / More Info
This Irish-themed tavern has everything you could want in a laid back eatery, plus friendly service and a down-home feel. Around St. Patrick’s Day they offer corned beef meals and sandwiches, along with live music. Check their Facebook page for updates.
7. The Banshee
257 Franklin Street, Buffalo / More Info
The Banshee is all about celebrating authentic Irish culture. With the owners being Irish-born, everything from the music, to the sports, to the food, is channeling a true Irish atmosphere. On the menu you’ll find an Irish Onion Soup, the Banshee Reuben, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and a Guinness Beef Stew, among other classically Irish dishes.
8. Gene McCarthy’s
73 Hamburg St., Bufalo / More Info
This old timey bar in the Old First Ward serves consistently delicious pub food. Try the potato bacon chowder. They serve a corned beef and cabbage entree featuring simmered corned beef with potatoes and carrots, topped with a creamed leek sauce and rye bread. Plenty of sandwiches, burgers and wings are also available. Go when you can because during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, this place gets packed.
9. Mooney’s Sports Bar & Grill
Multiple locations / More Info
Mooney’s deserves its place on the list because it’s mastered the Irish pub meets sports bar vibe. It’s obviously doing it extremely well, with multiple locations in Western New York. They’re known for their outrageously delicious, and massively portioned, macaroni and cheese, which earned them recognition on the Food Network. It may not be the most Irish thing on the menu, but if you’re there, obviously try the mac and cheese. We hear good things about the lobster one. Also try the “Irishman burger,” made with house-roasted corned beef brisket, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.
10. Dwyer’s Irish Pub
65 Webster St., North Tonawanda / More Info
Dwyer’s rounds out our list as a perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Try their “Celtic chips,” thinly sliced potatoes fried or their “Fish N Chips,” beer-battered haddock strips served with French fries and hush puppies. For an entree, try the “Guinness Burger,” a half pounder infused with beer and topped with cheddar and Irish bacon or the “Dublin Burger,” 12 ounces of beef with cheddar and Irish bacon. They’re known for their large variety of wing flavors, including the usual suspects along with interesting takes, such as raspberry barbecue, chili lime and wasabi plum. Hungry yet?
11. Buffalo Irish Center
245 Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220 / More Info
For the full Irish experience, the Buffalo Irish Center is the place to go. Some of their main Irish menu items include the Paddy’s Corned Beef and Classic Reuben. To top off the experience, they often have live bands featuring Irish & Celtic music.
Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated.
