04/06/2025: Consistently great. Wonderful food. Friendly efficient staff. Enjoyable personalities.
I spent around two weeks in the nearby Boyne Valley Hotel, which at the time of writing only offers a breakfast service. The Black Bull Inn is nearby, and came recommended. I went there for dinner on my first night in Drogheda with a group of extended family. We ordered a varied selection from the dinner menu - starters, mains, from the grill, desserts, wines, and limoncello. The food and drink was delicious, the staff attentive and friendly. The venue is conducive to enjoying conversation across a table - sound levels are perfect with no loud TV or music to compete with. No echoes either. So we had a great experience.
I ate and drank at the Black Bull many times over the two weeks working my way across the menu. I've eaten all the grill offerings, save the Tomahawk, and my experience was consistently excellent (I order rare, and favour pepper sauce or chimichurri). I kept coming back to the fillet. From the mains I've eaten the beef cheeks (wonderful, warming and filling), the confit duck leg, the pan seared chicken supreme,
Starters I've enjoyed include the chicken wings (rum & coke style), the salmon gravlax, the confit duck croquettes, the salt and chilli calamari, and the pot of mussels. Desserts wise, the baked cookie, and the tiramisu were up to the standard of the other food.
On only one occasion - a notably busy night where the pub was catering a tailored menu for an Italian wine tasting evening - we were approached by a member of staff who apologised for delays on our food and insisted we should enjoy a drink on the house. We had not noticed an issue with the timing, but were impressed that the staff had done so and wanted our experience to be a good one.
I would say that the Black Bull is in safe hands, both front of house and in the kitchen. I look forward to returning there on my next visit to Drogheda.
02/06/2025: Fantastic family meal out at the Black Bull Inn. Smokey Salmon chowder with bread was full of taste to start with. Fish and Chips were fresh and enjoyed afterwards. Finally, the Churros with chocolate sauce was enjoyed for desert. Great pub food with high quality ingredients that are freshly prepared. The pub also has a great layout and lively atmosphere