By: Susan and Peter Martin

Best of the Best Award Recipient

Fionn MacCool’s is one of our favorite Irish neighborhood pubs with seriously good food!

The moment we walked into Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, we felt that rare kind of comfort that only exists in a place with a real heartbeat. Susan leaned over and said, “This feels like Cheers,” and I knew exactly what she meant.

We watched Paul, the owner, greet regulars by name as they filtered in, as if they had been coming for years, and honestly, that steady stream of familiar faces told us everything we needed to know. When locals choose the same place again and again, that says a lot.

You can feel the story in the room. The pub has the soul of an old New York Irish bar, the kind of space that makes you forget you are in a newer Florida shopping corridor for a while. Paul shared how he once traveled to Kansas when he heard an old Irish pub was closing and its fixtures were being auctioned, pieces with history, weight, and character.

Those purchases show up in every corner of the space. The dark wood, weathered details, and warm lighting create an atmosphere that invites you to settle in, slow down, and stay a little longer. Even the staff leans into the Irish identity with classic attire that adds to the experience.

We had enjoyed their lunch specials before and even attended a whiskey tasting, but this was our first full sit-down dinner.

We started with the onion rings, and we are not exaggerating when we say they were the biggest rings we have ever seen. Fresh-cut, hand-battered, crisp without being heavy, and the kind of appetizer that instantly turns a table into a happy, sharing table.

We are officially awarding these the Best of the Best Onion Rings, and that is a rare statement for us because we do not hand that title out casually.

Next came the Reuben Spring Rolls, and when you go to Fionn’s, we genuinely think you should put these on your order. Tender corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, hand-rolled and fried into a golden bite that somehow feels both playful and classic, like an Irish pub decided to have a little culinary fun and absolutely nailed it.

Then came the dish that sealed the evening for us — the Shepherd’s Pie, our Best of the Best Dish.

We have tried shepherd’s pie in restaurants all over the country, and this one stands at the top. The plating alone is memorable, with the portion cut and presented in a way that looks intentional and beautiful, and the flavor backs up the presentation.

The crust is light and flaky, and the filling is perfectly balanced. What truly earned our respect is that it is made with lamb, not the ground beef shortcut that so many places use. It matters, and you can taste the authenticity.

We also tried the Irish Boxty, specifically the Ha Penny Bridge, a potato pancake folded around tender corned beef and buttered cabbage in a creamy mustard sauce. It was rich, comforting, and surprisingly delicate.

Susan chose the Pecan Bourbon Salmon, and as salmon lovers, we loved the bourbon glaze. It was perfectly paired with creamy parmesan risotto and roasted summer vegetables.

To finish, we shared Fionn’s take on rum cake, a warm, light cake basted with Irish whiskey and topped with a whiskey and orange syrup that turns dessert into a little celebration.

Service matched the food perfectly. Friendly, fast, and familiar, whether you sit at the bar or a table. It is clear that the team enjoys being there, and their energy becomes part of your dining experience.

Value is another reason we keep coming back. The lunch specials are among the best in town, and dinner portions left us with leftovers for the next night.

Fionn MacCool’s is one of our Favorite Tables Around Town, and it earns that reputation through consistency, authenticity, and community. It is rare to find a place where the owner is present, the food is made with pride, and the atmosphere makes you want to return before you even leave.

THE CULINARY DUO RATING:
★★★★★