The Waterloo Bar fuses old-school pub vibes with a well-curated, welcoming interior. From the…read moreoutside, it plants itself confidently among Dublin's historic streets with a façade that promises hearty fare and good pints; inside, the space is warm and inviting with dark wood, exposed brick, beautiful murals, and comfortable seating that encourages lingering.
My party of six walked in on a Wednesday night at around 7:30pm; at that time, the restaurant was about half-full, but filled up over the course of our meal. The menu has plenty of options ranging from healthy salads to traditional Irish dishes to your standard hearty pub fare. Drinks are also fairly priced here, and they have a good range of ales and lagers on tap (and of course, the classic Guinness).
I opted for their Rustic Dublin Coddle (€20.50), which is a sizeable bowl of warming soup with two chargrilled, tender pork sausages, smoky bacon, soft potatoes, and onion, served with toasted sourdough bread. I appreciated the clean taste of the soup (made with an herbed chicken broth), which cut the rich fattiness of the sausage and bacon. I do wish the soup had been served with a more traditional Irish brown bread, but the sourdough was tasty nonetheless.
Another great dish was the Waterloo Prime Irish Beef Burger (€19), which is a large patty of juicy, prime Irish beef served atop a toasted bun, with red onions, baby gem lettuce, pickled gherkins, and a tangy smoked Dublin cheddar. Some friends ordered the Superfood Salad (€15), which has a plethora of fresh vegetables and grains, but they noted it was quite bland, even with the French dressing.
Yes, it's a bit on the pricey side for a pub, but I find Waterlooo Bar unique in that the atmosphere feels classic but lively: you get that laid-back Dublin pub energy with a hint of sophistication that makes it great for both casual meals and nights out. The food is solid if not stellar, the vibe is fun, and prices are reasonable for the area; a satisfying pick for an Irish pub dinner.
