Review: The Brazen Head, Dublin, Ireland
The Brazen Head is one of Dublin Ireland’s most popular gastro-bars. According to their website, it was established in 1198 and is the oldest pub in Ireland. It has maintained its historic decor and its authentic Irish charm. Here you can enjoy both traditional Irish cuisine as well as music which starts around 9pm every night.
Brazen Head Dublin Ireland
Traditional Irish food
One of the hotel staff from Staycity Aparthotel Tivoli, recommended the Brazen Head for both its vibe and the typical Irish cuisine I was craving. It was our first stop in Ireland after checking in at Staycity (see below for hotel review). We were thrilled to discover, that it was only about a five minute walk to this historic pub. Plus, we got our first look at Dublin Castle on our way there.
We arrived just in the nick of time, as the restaurant filled up very quickly. I immediately noticed the fireplace which made it all the more cozy. So, we selected a table close by. The restaurant was fully decorated with holiday lights and a Christmas tree, a pleasant surprise I had not anticipated. It was Christmas in Ireland, and the first week of November had just passed – I loved it!
We decided to enjoy some Guinness with our meal, since a typical Irish meal without a Guinness is a national crime. It had a creamy head and smooth full flavor, as one would expect.
Beef and Guinness Stew
It was a fantastic pairing with my Beef and Guinness Stew (Prime Irish Beef, mushrooms & vegetables in a rich Guinness & thyme broth topped with a herb mash). This was amazing. The deep flavorful sauce was exquisite. The beef was so tender, and the mushrooms just soaked up all that deliciousness. The mashed potatoes were a perfect companion, absorbing all the brown velvety gravy. It looked like a series of scrumptious islands floating in a dark lush sea.
Fish and Chips
My husband chose the Fish and Chips (Beer battered Cod, homemade tartar sauce & chips). This was also quite tasty. Plus, we both enjoyed dipping his chips (fries) into my rich flavorful sauce.
The Brazen Head is definitely worth visiting. The vibe is fantastic. The food is excellent, and the staff are all wonderful. We stayed later than planned just to hear some music in the bar. The company, the music, and the Guinness were all great…but alas we were both exhausted from our ten hour flight from Los Angeles. So, off to bed we went, excited to wake up for our next adventure.
Tipping in Ireland
ETG tip: If you want to tip your server in Ireland, you need to tell them before they run the check. The servers do not assume they will receive a tip, so they are really happy when they get one. We found out about this unexpected tipping situation at the Brazen Head, the first restaurant we dined at. Our server was happy to run another charge for just the tip! Then she explained that it’s best when tipping to make your intentions known when requesting your bill.
Be sure to visit the Brazen Head for a traditional Irish experience. They have several bars, and lots of people go there to drink and enjoy live music after dining elsewhere. The Brazen Head, 20 Lower Bridge St, Usher’s Quay, Dublin, D08 WC64; https://brazenhead.com
CLICK HERE to read a review of our lodging experience at Staycity Aparthotel Dublin, Tivoli.
CLICK HERE to read more articles about Ireland. We also encourage our readers to visit Dublin’s official tourism website at https://www.visitdublin.com/ as well as Ireland’s website – https://www.ireland.com/
If you would like to see lots more photos and videos, CLICK HERE to visit our instagram. This is where you will find the full adventure. You’ll see lots more photos, as well as videos of our travels in Ireland. Follow us @eattravelgo
