Top 9 Irish Pubs in Orlando

Where will you Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? These Irish Pubs in Orlando are the perfect fit

Wishing you were in Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day but finding yourself in Orlando, Florida instead? Don’t despair. These Irish Pubs in Orlando (and a few British ones too) will have you feeling the luck of the Irish the minute you walk in the door.

According to the Orlando Business Journal, there are over 201,000 people of Irish descent living in the Orlando / Kissimmee area so there is plenty of Irish influence here. Whether you’re Irish, or you just like to party like one, and looking for more than green beer (which is an American invention) then get your friends together and Go Irish! You will find plenty of beer and Irish charm and so much more at these Top 9 Irish Pubs in Orlando listed in alphabetical order.

“I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best”

Oscar Wilde, Irish writer

1. Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub

This family owned little hole in the wall went through a transformation but it’s still one of the most traditional Irish Pubs in town for over 20 years. Owners Scott & Vicki purchased the pub in 2016 and re-opened at the current location in 2018.  You’ll still find metal-tip dart boards, football on TV, Guinness on tap and great traditional Irish food. Irish guests often say it reminds them of the pubs in small rural towns back home. The cozy atmosphere feels like you’re hanging out with friends in your own living room.

The menu is limited yet authentic. Try the Scotch eggs, hot roast beef Dubliner sandwich, homemade pies like the Cottage Pie with lean beef, carrots, peas and mashed potatoes, Steak & Mushroom Pie or the Irish Stew. All so good, they taste like your mom made them – if you had an Irish mom! They also pour the “Perfect-Pint” of Guinness as awarded by Guinness directly. Did you know that there is a six-step process to pouring the perfect Guinness? It starts with a cool, clean dry Guinness glass held under the tap at a 45 degree angle, filled until ¾ full, then you let it settle for approximately 119.5 seconds (Really? Do they have a timer?), top the glass without overflow and it ends with it being handed to the customer with no overspill. 407-895-1555. Located at 2421 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando. claddaghcottagepub.com

2. Fiddlers Green Irish Pub

This Winter Park institution since 1996 knows how to provide great Irish food, fun and entertainment. Their Saturday and Sunday brunch is a nice way to start the day with a Bloody Mary bar, mimosas, Harp Shady, Irish and American Breakfast dishes served from 10am-3pm. Then end the day with their great beer selection and dinner menu including the Ulster Burger, Fish & Chips and Shepherd’s Pie. This spot has been voted in the Top 40 Pubs in America by New York’s Irish Voice and Best Pub by Orlando Magazine readers. Click here for more info. Located at 544 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, Florida. 407-645-2050.

3. Finnegan’s Bar & Grill

Just because you find yourself at a theme park does not mean you can’t find an authentic Irish Pub. In the streets of New York, at Universal Studios Orlando, you can’t miss Finnegan’s Bar and Grill. Popular with tourists and locals alike, it is busy year-round with a large menu of traditional Irish dishes as well as typical American fare. The Fish & Chips, Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie and Guinness Beef Stew are quite good plus the portions are large enough to share. The soda bread with apple butter is very popular. The bar is a nice spot to hang out and enjoy a pint or two as well as the live entertainment where you can sing along to traditional pub songs. Located at 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando Florida. 407-363- 8000.

4. Hagan O’Reilly’s Irish Pub

For a little piece of authentic Ireland in Winter Garden, stop by Hagan O’Reilly’s. The owners come from a long line of pub owners in Ireland and they wanted to continue the tradition here in Florida to pay tribute to their grandfather and father. I simply love their belief that an Irish pub is more than a place to have a few beers but a comfortable place to gather with friends and enjoy the “craic”. Craic is the Irish term for a good time and my favorite word now. It sums up an experience filled with fun, laughter, good company, music, food and drinks in a friendly atmosphere which is what GO Epicurista is all about. For St. You will find lots of “craic” here!

Their menu offers pub food like Cassidy’s Corned Beef Sandwich and a Half Pound Doughnut Burger that is bound to fill you up, plus your traditional Irish fare of Fish and Chips, Irish Stew and Bangers & Mash. On the weekends, check out their raw bar with fresh seafood. The bar offers 46 beers on tap plus a full bar. Happy hour is every day from 11am-7pm. Their patio is a great spot to enjoy nice weather and a drink or two with your friends. For more information click here. Located at 16112 Marsh Rd, Winter Garden Florida. 407-905-4782.

5. Harp & Celt

If you’re looking for Irish fun in downtown Orlando, you’ll find non-stop live football (soccer for us Americans), an outside beer garden, corned beef and cabbage and a full Celtic menu at Harp & Celt. Can’t go wrong ordering the Dubliner Sandwich, Scotch Eggs, Whiskey Wings, and Shepherd’s Pie. They can boast that a U.S. President enjoyed a perfect pint in their joint during his campaign a few years ago, but more importantly, they can also brag that many locals flock there to watch football and enjoy a favorite brew. Click here for more info. 25 South Magnolia Avenue, Downtown Orlando. 407-481-2928.

6. Lizzie McCormack’s

Blink and you almost miss this hidden Irish Bar in downtown Orlando owned by Irish native, Roger and his partner Karen. Charming little spot with a relaxed atmosphere, great beer selection, a whiskey club with over 150 to choose from and typical bar feel. They are known for the pudding shots, a grown-up boozy creamy sweet treat in flavors like donut, yoohoo and snickers. Over 40 flavors rotate regularly. Don’t miss their happy hour from 2pm – 8pm is one of the longest in town. This is a bar true and true so no food menu here. Located at 55 N Orange Ave, Orlando Florida. 407-426-8007. More info click here.

7. Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant

This place was built in Ireland and shipped to Orlando piece by piece. It doesn’t get more authentic than that! It’s the most popular Irish bar in America and they sell enough Guinness to prove it. Belly up to the restaurant’s 130 year old bar for a selection of brews including their signature Irish brewed craft beers and a new cocktail menu. This is not your typical Disney theme restaurant. The food here is authentic Irish cuisine taken to a modern, inventive award-winning level.

The Sunday Brunch is not to be missed featuring the traditional Full Irish breakfast of sausage, black and white pudding, bacon, roasted tomato, mushrooms and fried eggs with potato “roasties” and more. Featuring top-notch Irish bands and the amazing Raglan Road Dancers nightly, you can dance, do the jig, sing along, do the jig again and have a good time in true Irish style. Raglan Road hosts the best St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Orlando. The Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival is not to be missed. Can you believe this Irish pub is the busiest in the world outside of Dublin? Reservations are recommended. An old Irish Proverb says “Laughter is brightest where food is best” and at Raglan Road laugher is quite bright. Located at Disney Springs, 1640 East Buena Vista Drive, Orlando Florida. 407-938-0300. Visit their website for more info.

8. The Sullivan Public House

The Sullivan is a full-service Irish Pub located in charming downtown Sanford. You’ll find a nice selection of Irish beers and whiskies paired with classic Irish dishes. Live entertainment including Irish folk musicians from the Southeast are featured nightly. The pub is owned by the same folks as Washburn’s Imperial next door which explains the gorgeous antique wood piece which makes up the shelving behind the bar. The Sullivan space was once part of the eclectic furniture store / bar. The menu is not extensive but features solid favorites you’ll happily devour. Try the Bangers and Mash with a flavorful stout gravy. Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, and Bacon and Cabbage are all winners. Of course, chase them with a Perfect Pint of Guinness (the staff has all been officially trained to pour one). Follow on Facebook for more information. Located at 116 E. 1st Street, Sanford.

9. Rose & Crown Pub

If you’re in Epcot, you must stop in for a pint at Rose & Crown Pub. Fish & Chips are also a standard order here. Yes, this is Disney and so it doesn’t have that down and dirty feel of the more rustic Irish Pubs in town but they certainly do not disappoint with the details. And Yes, this is more of a British pub than Irish but the atmosphere is great and it’s your best bet if you’re in the park on St. Patrick’s Day. They have a good selection of brews on tap including Harp and Boddingtons and the staff always speaks in a British accent. Plus if you get a seat by the World Showcase Lagoon around time for the fireworks it is absolutely spectacular. The place is always quite crowded, especially when the Orlando heat is kickin’. You can also get beer and fish and chips from the outside window. Rose & Crown Pub is located at 2101 N Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista. 407-939-3463

The Pub Orlando

Yes, I know this is a British pub and it could be considered blasphemous to include in an Irish Pub List but this beautiful pub has some fun features you may want to consider especially if you find yourself in the International Drive area of Orlando. The “Pour your own beer” wall, where you choose your drink, pay by the ounce and pour it yourself and a Mug Club where for a yearly membership fee you can enjoy specials and discounts are fun. So if you’re ok with a British Pub, then head there on St. Paddy’s day. The Pub does not disappoint with their Welsh Dip, curry wings, Fish and Chips, Whisky Bread Pudding and many appetizers great for sharing with friends. For dessert, try the Glenmorangie Pot de Crème. If watching live games is your thing, they have you covered with TV’s throughout. The Pub Orlando is located at Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Drive, Orlando. 352-2305.

As you can see there is no shortage of options in Orlando to celebrate like the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day or any day.

You may ask why I only a feature a Top 9 list instead of the usual Top 10? Simply because I don’t know every place in town and you may have a favorite that I need to check out. If your favorite is not on this list, please be nice and share your top Irish Pub in Orlando in the comments below and then share this list with your friends so you can plan your perfect Irish gathering.

Slainte! Cheers!

Go Epicurista