Wasn't expecting a great experience based on some of the reviews here but actually was very…read morepleasantly surprised. Four of us went there for Breakfast and all agreed it was a fine experience. Two 'House Breakfasts' and two scrambled eggs with (generous portions of) smoked salmon were eaten with gusto and were favorably remarked (ie the food was good). The staff, otherwise reviewed lukewarmly elsewhere here, were pleasant, efficient and friendly. So then, good breakfasts, friendly staff, good (illy) coffee, reasonable prices? It just misses out on 5 stars simply because inside its not as cosy or imaginative as it could be, with hard surfaces and small tables. But that's being picky: The House is well worth a breakfast visit.

Having schlepped around a goodly part of Howth Head on a beautiful summer morning we repaired to…read moreThe House for a well-deserved breakfast/brunch. My bacon sambo with sausage on the side was exactly what I needed. My companion's marginally more healthy scone looked good but not a patch on my repast. Excellent coffees accompanied our meal and we emerged blinking into the sunlight to start the long trek southwards. Service was brisk and friendly and the bill didn't break the bank. Recommended.

AWESOME spot. Staff was great. Wonderful conversation and perfect ambiance. Not touristy in any way…read moreand easily walkable from the marina. We're going back when we go back.

We were in Howth for a few days and really only checked out Abbey Tavern because my husband and his…read morefriends like to go to a place by the same name in Denver. It luckily turned out to be a great decision! They still had some holiday lights glowing inside so it felt nice and cosy. The bartender/server was a very nice and attentive young man. When my husband and I both ordered the Abbey Tavern Howth Chowder, the server ensured us that it would be the best chowder in Howth. He was right! Really delicious and hearty with fresh, local seafood! Of course, I had a Guinness to wash it all down. We hope to get back there again someday.

Were given the recommendation to stop here while in Howth, by our Uber Driver and I was very happy…read morewe did! We were told they had great fish and chips and each day its prepared fresh with the catch of the day which just so happened to be haddock. It came with peas and tartar sauce and French fries and a lemon wedge. The fish was soooo tasty and incredibly tender, the batter on the fish was very very mild and could have used some seasoning. I also appreciated the fact that a waiter was able to adjust tables to seat our large party and everyone that waited on us was very kind. It's a good spot and if you're in the area like we were I recommend ! The location is also nice and I love how it's decked out with a lot of old and local bar and brewery signage.

Fun place after the Howth Cliff walk. We enjoyed some pints and a cocktail. The service wasn't…read moreanything spectacular but we weren't in a hurry so it was all good. The beer was cold! Forgot to snap a picture of the fish and chips but definitely worth a get. The fish is huge and we split which was the right idea.

A wonderful seaside meal. After a long cliff walk hike we sat down to a great meal. It was hard for…read moreus to choose but we finally settled on sharing the shellfish combo which featured lovely fresh mussels, shrimp and scallops in a Pernod cream sauce that had a wonderful flavor. Nice service. The restaurant got very busy around 2 p.m. so I suggest making reservations. Would definitely return and highly recommend. $$

A good place to stop toward the top of your hike. Hard working bartenders serving good food. There…read moreare signs on the wall showing transparency with their beef products. Which I though was a little odd, but must be a point of pride for them. Indoor and outdoor seating. Seems like a popular spot. I'll be back.

A delicate little inn with pub/restaurant and accommodation located at the summit bottom of the…read moreHowth Cliff Trail summit parking lot. Walked in the cliff for about two hours amid hellish gusts of storm Ashley and had to seek shelter here for some hot beverage and food. Opted to sit outside and the rattling of the outside booth could be a bit concerning, but the structure held amid the gusts. Took the servers a bit of time to come to me for order, but in general very friendly and attentive service. Mussels: ordered it with the white wine and garlic sauce. Mussels tasted good overall, a bit small in size individually, but large in quantity, very generous portion size for the price. Only one or two showing a slight fishy taste. The sauce was done very well, thick enough to stick with the mussels and provide a mouthful of flavor, but not overly sticky as to become too waxy and oily. Strongly recommend to use as dipping sauce for fries, crisps, or bread. Black tea: standard. Fries: good, very crispy outside with warm and mash inside. Garlic bread: ordered this to finish the tasty sauce of the mussels. Crispy and hot, but wish it had more buttery and garlic flavor. Overall: 4-4.5 stars. A very necessary resting and recuperation station for anyone walking the Howth Cliff Trail. Good food and good service.

Sometimes it's the food. Sometimes the setting. Today, it was Mike, our server, who made this a…read morefive star experience. He's worked there more than 20 years and had us thoroughly entranced with his personality and charms. Oh yes, there was food: a vegetarian boxtie and a corned beef boxtie. These were more like stews than a classic boxtie. We polished the plates off and finished with dessert. The toffee pudding was perfect; surprisingly the housemade ice cream sandwich had almost no flavor and was disappointing. The order of three Irish breads was a good appetizer and helped us understand the different styles in the country. The ambiance here is not classic Irish pub, which was good for dinner. !:)

Very cute restaurant that stopped by during our food tour to have a lunch…read more Beer was delicious and I definitely recommend this place for lunch if you are nearby to try the different stews. My favorite of the stew samples was coddle. The bread and butter were also delicious although every place had amazing bread. we didn't really get to interact with the server, but the bartender did give us a good intro to the beers that are available that day

I wanted to love this place but just cannot give it a review higher than 3…read more I normally do not rate on service because I am not big on it BUT it was non existent and confusing here. The food was overpriced and mediocre at best. Save yourself some money and eat at the chip shop on the main street OR try one of the numerous other places in the area. The shop that is attached is worth a browse though and is filled with so many items you will be tempted to purchase a bag full of treats. It was a rainy night so the fireplace inside was welcoming.

Stopped by here for a quick snack after exploring Howth. Was craving soup so I got the seafood…read morechowder, boyfriend got the soup of the day which happened to be cream of broccoli and we shared oysters. Soup was full of seafood, flavorful and creamy. Oysters were fresh. Service was great considering how busy they were.

Restaurant located directly under the Howth Train Station (same yellow building)…read more Was attracted to it by the 2 cocktails for €15 deal, was definitely worth it! Pornstar martinis (5/5) were very good and worth the deal. House salad (5/5) had cucumbers, carrots, onion, and a pesto-based dressing that was very tasty. Fries (5/5) nice crisp and well seasoned Fried Calamari (5/5) good portion; very crisp and came with a lemon aioli that was quite refreshing Service (4/5) was good but seemed like a variety of servers addressed any table, not something I'm used to

Had a quick meal here after a long hike at Howth area. Overall things were good. Fish and chips…read morewere standard. Mussels were done nicely in the white wine sauce, and clam chowder had the good thickness, though the fish chunks was a little dry.

We drifted in here about 5 pm and the place was hopping. Live music and a short wait for a table…read more Great, loud pub ambiance. We ate an early dinner, including lamb shank and beef stew. Both were good and exactly what you think of for Irish comfort food. Friendly, efficient staff. It's a tourist spot, but a fun one. Btw: the name is not racial. The original owner was Dorcas Kelley, nickname Darkie.

I'll start with the good: loved the vibes and look and feel and the fact that they do different…read morestyles of live music every night means I just might be back. The staff are also very nice and despite how busy it is, service was quick. Neutral: this place was smaller than I was expecting and could be cramped if you're trying to eat as well as drink Bad: the food left something to be desired. I tested bangers and mash and barely made it through one sausage as they seemed mushy and the texture through me off. Would return but not to eat

My 1st to go bar upon landing in Dublin. Got to say, it's the best Dublin's preserved Victorian…read morepub. The authentic Victorian setting, the Victorian mahogany fittings, the mosaic marble tiled floors and granite tabletops, the mahogany bar, capped with red Connemara marble, follows the classic Victorian architectural pattern. The staff are helpful, friendly and patient since their accent is hard to understand sometime. My 1st beer and 1st Irish food, all I can say is what a meal, just simple delish. Being here is just a wondrous experience, the place is cosy, warm and the friendly of the people. So glad I picked this place as my first of Dublin.

If you want to experience a true Victorian pub in Dublin, The Stag's Head is a beautiful place to…read morestart. Tucked down Dame Court just off Dame Street, The Stag's Head is one of those rare pubs that feels genuinely historic rather than designed to look old. The building dates to the late 1800s, and the interior retains the ornate features of a classic Victorian "gin palace"--rich carved wood, stained glass, brass rails, and a warm, glowing bar that feels wonderfully preserved. We stopped in around 4:30 pm, which turned out to be a perfect time to visit. There were other patrons enjoying drinks and food, but the atmosphere was calm and relaxed rather than loud or rowdy. It felt like the kind of place where locals drop in for a quiet pint on their way home from work before the evening crowd arrives. The staff were excellent--friendly, welcoming, and attentive without being intrusive. The food was very good (we failed to take photos because we were too busy enjoying it). As a vegetarian, I was thrilled to see the Impossible burger front and center on their menu; it was deliciously prepared with guacamole on a brioche bun, and not an afterthought on the menu. My companions both chose the Irish Beef Burger, and said it was excellent. One thing to know: this is a traditional Victorian pub, so cocktails aren't really part of the program. Expect beer, wine, or spirits rather than mixed drinks. In a place like this, that actually feels exactly right. Other pubs do serve mixed drinks. Between the history, the ambience, the quality of the food, and the wonderful staff, The Stag's Head is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've experienced a real piece of Dublin.