New Dining Experience at McGonagle’s Pub & Restaurant
Dorchester is about to gain a new culinary gem. This November, McGonagle’s Pub & Restaurant will open its doors, offering diners classic Irish dishes alongside modern meals that reflect the evolving cuisine of Dublin. The establishment is a collaboration between Oran McGonagle, William McCarthy, and Chef Aidan McGee, an executive chef with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants in Great Britain. The venue, formerly Dorset Hall, is currently undergoing a million-dollar renovation and will accommodate 235 guests.
A Familiar Menu with a Local Twist
Fans of the trio’s previous venture, the Dubliner, will find a similar menu at McGonagle’s. The Dubliner, which opened in Government Center in June 2022, is known for its “pubby” dishes like fish and chips, seafood chowder, and traditional Sunday roasts. This inviting atmosphere has earned recognition from Boston magazine as the city’s best Irish bar for both 2023 and 2024.
At McGonagle’s, diners can expect a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes. Menu highlights will include shepherd’s pie with minced lamb, savory chicken pie, and classic fish and chips served with hand-cut fries. A unique offering will be the “spiced bag,” a dish that originated in Chinese restaurants in Ireland. It features a flavorful combination of French fries, chicken, sliced peppers, onions, and various spices.
A Neighborhood Gathering Spot
“We want McGonagle’s to be your go-to place for friends and family—a proper neighborhood Irish pub,” McGonagle stated in a press release.
In an interesting twist, the menu will also feature pizza cooked in a custom wood-burning stove. “The pizza game is very strong in Ireland today, with my brother owning one of Ireland’s best pizza shops, Mani Pizza,” McGonagle shared. Irish-inspired pizzas will include a rosemary roast potato pie and a pie topped with ricotta cream and confit garlic.
A Full-Service Experience
McGonagle’s will offer lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and Sunday roasts, complete with traditional sides. Like the Dubliner, the new pub will host live music, featuring a stage and a dance area on the lower level. Deirdre Doherty, who relocated to Dorchester from Donegal, Ireland, will oversee the bar program. It will include a selection of unique whiskeys and special lockers for diners to store their bottles. The Guinness draft lines will be installed to the same specifications as those found in Irish bars, a first for Boston.
Diners can look forward to perfectly poured Guinness served in custom 20-ounce tulip glasses etched with the name of their new neighborhood. Stay tuned to Instagram for updates as the opening approaches.
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