Best of Boston
2025 Best Irish Pub
McGonagle’s Pub
A spread of food at McGonagle's, including a chicken and leek pie, chicken curry, pizza, and more. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Modern Irish cuisine is having a moment in Boston, and McGonagle’s is sitting on a pot of pure gold. The late 2024 arrival ditches the typical tired pub fare for dishes like Irish-Chinese spice bags, elevated pigs in a blanket with local sausage, and wood-fired pizzas that are way better than they need to be at a bustling bar. Sure, they’re Guinness purists (as they should be), but these updates to traditional Irish food make this place feel essential rather than just another pub. The live music seals the deal.