John Fallon's "The Capstan Bar" in Dublin

20/05/2026: My wife was on a ridiculously nice trip with her mom and sister last year and they wound up having dinner at Davy Byrne’s. She loved Ireland enough she surprised me with a trip here for a ten-day tour and last Sunday when we arrived in Dublin we dropped our bags at the hotel and walked off to Davy Byrne. I have a serious weakness for good Irish pub fare and I’ll be damned if Davy’s beef and Guinness pie was not one of if not the finest I’ve ever had. We went on our holiday and arrived back to the same overnight home away from home and she had already asked if I wanted dinner in the same place two days ago. Davy does not disappoint- the first night (Sunday) they had a full house but found us a place outside where we struck up conversation with another couple on their way back home. The service was lovely, the food exceptional. Not only is the gravy in the pie something that deserves a beautiful Irish folk song or six written in its honor, as they put a simply amazing little secret in the sauce (okay, it’s Chorizo. Not as in Mexican chorizo but the most holy Spanish chorizo which contributes to a sumptuously rich decadence which must be experienced rather than read about,) but they also serve an amazing brown bread. I’ve just eaten pies all over the country (literally seven in ten days l) and I’ve eaten the freshest and most delectable of bread for thirty meals straight now. I do not exaggerate when I opine Davy Byrne’s brown bread will be spoken of for 700 years or so and then revisited for further discussion. I feel I must go compose a ballad about the mystical perfection I’m now savoring in my belly as I lie down, virtually unable to move. Yes, in keeping with the Irish tradition, it’s enough food to feed a small family of seven, so I’m nearly incapacitated, but gloriously so. As a footnote I should mention that the seared spinach was perfectly done, the Guinness tap is in perfect order and the staff again was charming, lovely and entirely on point. I admit I may have had a wee bit of doubt because it’s in such a touristy area, but there is a very fine reason or a whole bunch of em anyway for the award plaques in the window. Without reservation I highly recommend Davy Byrne’s, tho I would recommend you make them! We got lucky as walk-ins twice but next time I’ll make them. Slainte!

18/05/2026: Excellent Guinness pie and desserts. Friendly and welcoming service. Highly recommended!