If you're looking for a family run Irish pub with pub fare and live music in not one but two sections and complete with an Irish bartender/server named Harry - look no further! First of all this place is huge!! Second of all they have lights in the entire place making it look festive and bright!! Third we walked inside the restaurant part (McCarthy's) and there was a live band playing right there. Nice! There is a whole second upstairs section with a bar plus seating plus a small stage for open mic etc. Finally there is another section downstairs called Toad - cozy space which also has a bar and a stage for a live band. Our first time here as our friend was hosting a Runners Comedy, Open mic and Trivia night - hot off the heels of the Boston Marathon obviously! So glad we came and experienced the cool fun night but also enjoyed this new place! Trivia was hosted by Ben and wa as fun! Some questions were easy but some were hard esp if you're not a runner! Some people got up and shared jokes and stories of running or other stories. Harry the server was great - very friendly! We even took photos with him at the very end! The menu had traditional pub favorites like shepherds pie beef stew etc But they also had a lot of plant-based options which is great to see! Among the specials they had salmon tacos and chicken curry- which I got. It was flavorful and tasty although I was expecting it all to be in a sauce but it was more like a stirfry almost with the pieces of chicken and veggies on top of the rice. Still tasty. Huge portion so I had leftovers for lunch which is always a good thing. The hubs got the spicy lamb burger which came with fries which were great and he liked the burger. We were in the upstairs section and after the event as we were heading out decided to check out the Toad where there was another live cover band playing. So we watched them play a couple songs and then finally headed out. Parking was easy in the nearby shopping center lot. Overall a great time! read more

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The food was decent. I have an onion sensitivity so I couldn't try any of the staples, like stew or shepherd's pie. Ended up ordering the vegetarian tacos and they were fine, but a little boring. Trivia was fun and very challenging! Cute (but noisy) environment. read more

McCarthy’s - Veggie Tacos - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

If it was based on atmosphere this place would get 5 stars! Was here for dinner on Monday night and there was a group playing the fiddle, banjo and guitar! Was such a nice surprise! Order the beef stew and it comes with a side of brown bread. The bread was delicious, tasted like brown bread I get when I'm home in Ireland but the stew was a little bland. Lots of potatoes in it, could have done with some more beef, there was maybe three pieces in the whole stew read more

McCarthy’s - Inside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Where have the Christophers of yesteryear gone? The Newtowne grills? Long gone are the Fields, The Bull McCabes, the People's Republik, the beloved Sligos. When the Toad closed, I assumed Cambridge had been sold, wholesale, to Panera and Mass Ave would just been one continuous Life Alive. Gone were the days of the local pub. It was just going to be tapas and Green Goddess dressing. But lo and behold, here comes McCarthy's out of the ashes of Christophers and I'll be damned if it's not an improvement. Local, friendly pub vibes, lots of wood and awkwardly close tables. All kinds of interesting characters and occasionally a smattering of Irish tunes. The place isn't very organized or sanitized, it's a place to bump up against people and have fun. This would be worth 5-stars on its own but wait, there's more! This divey local pub has the most extensive vegan menu I've ever seen. And whats bizarre about that is it's actually good. Their veggie burger is kind of a mess but it's damn tasty. Their pumpkin curry has enough spice to give you an existential crisis like how am I eating this with a well-poured Guinness, it just doesn't make sense. Maybe there's like a Life Alive under it or something, but damn if it doesn't work. Not even mentioning here the cool music venue upstairs. This is the kind of place that stays true to something most restaurant groups seem to have lost in their pursuit of the pub; sometimes people just want to hang out. read more

First time visiting here and fun place and once in - Irish music was playing and great ambience. Very colorful atmosphere to hangout with friends and family read more

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Great to have McCarthys in the neighborhood! Reasonably priced beer and I love the live music. The wings were only ok but the shepherds pie and fish and chips are still on my list to try read more

McCarthy’s - Buffalo wings - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Oh McCarthys, What hath befallen thee??? Came back with loads of expectations and then got the cauliflower and sweet potato burger. A burger holds its shape always else it would be called a sandwich or a wrap. Okay, I was served the burger after more than 30 mins. When it came it was as already falling apart before it came out of the kitchen. Why o why chef? Why Chef? It felt like a sweet potato mash served between 2 buns. It wasn't disgusting or maybe I was hungry but if there's no other taste the. U need to take it back to the kitchen. Now why 3 stars and not 2? Cause the salad was fresh and tasted good and I tried 2.5 but it gave 3 anyways Maybe we all were good with just Toad and less of the gimmicks. Sorry but it will take me some time before I order food here again read more

For a pub they have an impressive plant based menu, and I found the vegetarian shepherds pie to be pretty decent, especially the mashed potatoes. Service was lacking, the servers seemed annoyed to be working. Overall not a bad spot for some late night eats, but I wouldn't put this place on my list of "must go's". read more

Turns out I could wait to try the food - fish was not fresh to order, must be warmed from frozen/fridge. Apps mediocre, tenders and fries were fine. Nonetheless a good time was had listening to Irish session with creamy pints flowing. Service attentive despite a packed house. read more

Grand opening today. Place looks great with the red and Kelly green by the Toad. We had a few black and tans and some good Irish food. Beef stew came out Luke warm but was very flavorful. Understandable for its first day. Shepards pie and fish and chips were hot and great. Will come back. read more

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First time at McCarthy's and as soon as I walked in I noticed all the beautiful Christmas lights. I had the Toasted Marshmallow Martini and the Buddha Bowl and loved it. I would definitely go again and try their fish and chips. The waitress was nice as well. read more

The atmosphere is great. The folk bands playing are really super and they build in numbers over the time you're eating. The food can be a little inconsistent. The Guinness is quite smooth, quite lovely. The servers can be a little inconsistent also, bring your food and don't see them again. read more

I was Upstairs to hear music. I got a Buddha Bowl and it was really good! Large portion, very fresh, and lots of variety,

Our second time here, last visit we sat at the bar at Toad and had a fantastic Irish beef stew. This visit we sat at the bar on the McCarthy's side so we could hear the session players. Went for the steak tips and a kale salad. Tips came with broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, mashed potatoes and enough steak that we didn't finish between the two of us. We ordered rare because a whole lot of places around seem to think that medium-rare means well done. What a pleasant surprise when it arrived *how we ordered it*! The auld fashioned drink was great both times. Think this might become a staple for us. Great quick service. It is a bit loud on a Saturday night but that's to be expected. Definitely will be back! read more

The stew here was so good I'm considering making a second flight out to Boston just to have it again. It was the single best stew I have ever had in my life and my only regret was the fact that I couldn't finish it. Absolutely phenomenal read more

Had Irish Beef Stew and it was tasty and an ample portion and reasonable price. My friend had the Shepard's Pie and he liked it. Decent gluten free and vegetarian alternatives. Fast and friendly service. read more

It is so hard to find a great plant based menu... Here it is!! I will be trying everything on it today was the hummus salad with falafel.....MMMMMMMM jut MMMMMMM!!! I am so excited for an Irish Pub that sees dairy free vegetarian's!!!!! read more

Stopped by McCarthys for first time this past Friday evening- loved the atmosphere - great live music and awesome Irish stew . The bartender Nick was so attentive and prepared me the best Hot toddy . Will be returning soon !! Excellent spot ! read more

The day I went it was pretty crowded so service was a little slow. I believe a band was about to perform that evening so our table was surrounded by people drinking, waiting for it. We were seated in the middle dining area with flood lights pointed directly at our faces. The whole dining area was like this. I asked them to turn it down, but they would not. Overall it was a very uncomfortable experience and I won't be going back. I couldn't enjoy my time there. My eyes hurt lol. The food was ok, nothing stood out. The waitress was however helpful and friendly. read more

Where to start, I have no idea. Got the Carlsberg soup which was out of this world. Creamy texture which matches no other establishment. The bar staff are super attentive, live music was harmonical. If I could add an extra star I would. wow. read more

Beef stew could use some more flavoring, brown bread delicious, not sure what is up with the fried calamari- odd breading- almost wet like texture. Great pints and our server Liz was friendly and attentive. The booth seats are uncomfortable and parking is terrible. No street parking available. read more

great local spot with live music. nice pint of guinness as well. not too busy with plenty of room to move around. friendly and helpful staff. read more

McCarthy’s - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Ambience was great - decor and live music made it feel really festive and authentically Irish (5 *****) Service was ok, too (4 ****) The Shepherds Pie, though, was a big disappointment (2 **) as it was nothing like we'd ever had before - it was cold, lacked flavor and texture, and the potato covering was not properly baked. Others in our group felt the bangers and mash were ok, though (4 ****). read more

Wide vegetarian menu at least. Got the beef stew and was not good, tasteless and beef was super chewy and had stomach aches for 3 days after. Probably won't be back. read more

Had dinner upstairs before seeing Session Americana. The seating was great and the room very comfortable. We ordered the kale salad, eggplant pizza, the McCarthy's burger and veggie burger with sweet potato fries. The kale salad was good and the sweet potato fries great. The eggplant pizza was inedible because the eggplant was very undercooked and not easy to cut. Hardly any cheese on the eggplant. The burger was tough and too well done for medium. The draft beer selection was fair and should have a bigger selection. The veggie burger was ok. This is a bit picky but the table and chairs could use a good wipe down. My chair was really sticky . We'll definitely be back for music but will prob eat elsewhere. read more

Only come here if you want drinks! Drinks are great and pretty cheap, and they have live music. BUT the food is awful, everything is canned but is advertised and priced like it won't be. Good fries though read more

I'm just a little stunned at what happened here. I like this place and the burren a lot, but when food is inedible AND you're charged for it I find this level of service v poor. It was pointed out to the server as she took our plates and we were not compensated for the meal nor were we even offered an apology. I am certainly not going to call this out when I am with guests and make a big point but nor should I. The rest of the food was honestly great, but one dish was standout bad. read more

Great food and music. The atmosphere was perfect! Service was great and the location was convenient.

Went on a Friday evening around 6:30 and got the last table downstairs since we wanted to hear the trad music at 7. Damn, it was very loud. The place could use some acoustic tiles to quiet things down a bit. Got the sweet potato boats and veggie tacos. Both were decent but not exceptional. The draught beer selection was good. Took a peek at the room upstairs where there was additional seating and was quieter. Would consider going back though I far prefer the feel of The Burren more. read more

Fish and chips platter looked awesome. And was. Live traditional music wasn't too loud if one is alone and not needing to converse. Service was horrible. If the idea of a pub is to encourage libation orders these servers need dramatic training in being attentive to what's left in the glass. I could gave had two more pints with my meal. But server never came back to ask "how is the food" and I had to ask the host to find her. Then she delivered it and took my plate without asking the critical, how was it?? Maybe that's the new deal dont keep people downing pints. Let them wonder what might have been... read more

Ate for the first time at McCarthys. Excellent! Live Irish music, great food, very friendly staff! Place is great and fun! Definitely recommended! Try it! read more

Went for Brunch. Trad music excellent. Food very disappointing. Both poached eggs and medium fried eggs were overcooked. Hollandaise sauce on the Benedict was not made in house and had poor flavor. Also, the height of the booth seats is very strange. I'm 5'5" and the table height was mid-chest. I'm not sure I could have effectively sliced a steak. Probably won't go again. read more

Yummy beef stew, pulled pork sandwich, "The Auld Fashioned". Definitely worth a try under new management. We had great service at the bar sitting in the Toad. Traditional Irish pub ambience. Happy with the experience. read more

Unfortunately, our first experience wasn't great and I doubt we'll be going back. I ordered the buffalo Caesar wrap but when I received it, it was a 5" thick wrap of kale with a few pieces of parmesan sprinkled in. When I asked the server about it, she admitted that she ordered the wrong item. When she redelivered the supposedly correct item, I received a 5" thick wrap of kale (again) with a few pieces of buffalo chicken and tomatoes sprinkled in. A side of blue cheese rounded out the "Caesar" wrap. Not one piece of this meal could be considered a "Caesar" and nothing on the menu stated kale as a substitution for romaine. And a side of blue cheese??? When I mentioned this to the server, she just responded flippantly that that's how they make their Caesar there. I could only stomach half the sandwich because it was pretty horrible and then when the bill came, got charged for it. Bring Christopher's back!!! read more