4. Restaurants

McNamaras

2740 Old Lebanon Rd, Nashville, TN, 37214
  • (615) 885-7262
  • Store is closed

McNamaras Menu

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  • Jase G.

    I was able to walk in without reservation. My waitress was attentive and kept my glass full while I waited for my meal. The decode was very authentic for an Irish restaurant. Lots of hard wood furniture and accents. I ordered the lamb and when it arrived the presentation was delightful. I prefer mint "jelly" with my lamb and when I requested it they brought out a lovely home cooked version. It was very strong and a new experience for me. Since I was use to the mint jelly from the jar. I would recommend this restaurants to anyone and would welcome the opportunity to return.

    (4)

  • Joelle P.

    When my grandmother suggested this place, I was a little hesitant (although agreed to go based upon the overall 4 stars on Yelp)...and I was quite certain my initial hesitation was warranted when asked if I wanted to sit on the quiet side or the live music side...obviously we went for the "quiet" side so my lovely Nana could somewhat hear me...you can still hear the music by the way. The service was polite. The tea was delicious. The food was A-OK. I think this would have actually been 4 stars for me if I had been drinking on the live music side...but given that my experience was just based on the food, I think a solid 3 is about right.

    (3)

  • Rob G.

    We have been going to McNamara's since it opened years ago. Two areas - music & restaurant. Music - We typically go on a weekend night to both dine as well as enjoy Nosey Flynn the house band. Great music and always entertaining. We have both CDs and are eagerly awaiting a third CD. We like the live album better. Restaurant - Great food! I have had almost everything on the menu and I have yet to have a bad meal. We always start with the Scotch Eggs for an appetizer as they are a must have! The service for us has always been very attentive, pleasant and helpful. We love it and go often!

    (5)

  • Angie Q.

    We went on a Friday night and only had a 10-15 minute wait, which is reasonable for a popular place with live music. We were greeted by two very friendly hostesses. The decor is cute, more of an American's idea of Irish pubs rather than authentic, but that's okay. It seems to be working for them! There are several dining rooms (this used to be a funeral home): one with live music, and others, as well as a bar and upstairs sports bar. It was a little loud, but not unexpected. While waiting for our table, we went to the bar and had drinks. There is a very nice selection of Irish whiskies and beers. The bartender was quick and friendly. We were seated and our server was Gail. She was very prompt, friendly, and informative. She has a great smile and was very welcoming. My husband ordered the Irish stew, served with brown bread. It was very thick and dark, had a nice tang from the beer. He enjoyed it and said he would order it again. I had the shepherd's pie, served with soda bread. It was good, but nothing special. It's comfort food and I would probably order it again, but am looking forward to trying other things. For dessert, we had bread pudding. It was not what we expected, as there were apples in it and what appeared to be a slice of bread baked on top. It was tasty, but was more like apple pie than bread pudding, so won't order it again. The whisky sauce was fabulous, so if I can get it on the side to pour over something else, I'd definitely do that. I had a pot of hot Irish tea, which was exactly as expected-served in a teapot with cream and sugar. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The restrooms were clean and not cramped, something that it important to me!

    (4)

  • Justin B.

    Definitely a winning Irish experience. I always make a point of trying Irish places when out of town since Memphis is a bit short on good Irish places, and McNamara's has been one of my favorites. This is the kind of Irish place I want to be 5 minutes down the road from my house. It was the first time I've found a place that serves scotch eggs, and ever since I think my day dreams have been filled with the crispy, tangy goodness of dipping these suckers in that amazing dip they served with it. I find myself thinking of them when my mind wanders, they come to mind in quiet moments, almost like they are whispering to me to come back and make a meal of them..."Justin, come back to us. We are here for you. We love you." I love you too, scotch eggs. I love you too. All joking aside, everything else we had had some kind of alcohol in it. Even the onion rings tasted like they had been soaked in beer and then fried in a beer batter. Which was awesome. The Guinness beef stew was quite good, with the puff pastry and mushrooms. A little too much Guinness for me, but then again that's not usually my favorite Irish dish (my wife's choice). Great steak fries too. Then the Irish Creme cheesecake. My gosh. There was so much going on in that slice of heaven I was almost confused. Oreo crust (that tasted like it had espresso in it...maybe just me but it was amazing), plus it has some kind of rich mousse on top with chocolate and caramel syrup. I think I would forget about every other kind of cheesecake if I could have that every time. All the awesome food made me forget about the service and the atmosphere, which was as good as any other place we've been. Made for a great Sunday brunch, but I'm sure the dinners are even better. Highest recommends!

    (5)

  • Lindsay M.

    Wow. I have lived in Donelson for a year now and somehow just had a chance to eat here. It's not often that anything leaves me speechless, but this place managed to do it. We started with cocktails and draft beer (poured properly and at the proper temperature, I might add). We ordered the corned beef bites as an appetizer. What a great start! The sauce served with them was to die for. I'm not sure what it was, but I dipped everything in it. I ordered the Steak and Guinness pie. Wowowowowowowowowow. Our awesome waitress asked how everything was at one point and I couldn't even respond. Food heaven. I got cabbage as my side and that was great, too. My dinner company ordered the steak and biscuits and the shepherd's pie. Both of which were also to die for- I made sure to try both...just to be sure. I ordered a cup of the potato soup to eat later on...also great. I am still in awe of this place and the quality and authenticity of the food and atmosphere. I have been to a lot of "Irish pubs", but this is the real deal. I will be going here as much as humanly possible.

    (5)

  • Austin M.

    Ok, this place has pretty good food but there are definitely some issues with the place. It's been awhile since I've had an Old Fashioned since going here and understanding it's an Irish Lub I wasn't expecting much. But it was terrible. I had to turn it back and I never do that. They've music was good but ended at 9 on a Thursday. Not a big deal, but once the music ends the place is terrible. Lights go off and they don't play any music after. Thirsty Thursday turns into to Toddler Thursday, go home we're tired... Cool place but needs development on potential. Management step it up!

    (3)

  • Martin D.

    My wife and I really love this place!! We're both fans of live Celtic music and have gone to many a so-called "Irish Pub" only to find another sports bar with a garage band playing bad metal cover tunes and whose only connection to Ireland is the shamrock-shaped neon Budweiser sign over the bar and a blow-up leprechaun in the corner. So imagine our delight at finding a place with an authentic Irish band playing real Celtic tunes! The pub is housed in what appears to have been a house at one point in its life. The interior décor features lots of wood and exudes the kind of warmth you'd expect from an Irish pub. They feature a number of beers on tap (though I have only ever opted for the Guinness) and the mixed drinks usually feature a heavy pour. The servers here have always been great, especially considering the kinds of crowds they've had to work on the Saturday nights that we've been here. Be forewarned...McNamara's gets huge crowds on Friday and Saturday nights when the house band, Nosey Flinn, plays. Even arriving as early as 6 o'clock, we've found the place packed with folks waiting in the front for tables to open up. Reservations are pretty much a must in the music room if you want to see the band perform and are usually necessary even in the restaurant section. Even when we're leaving at around 10pm, we still see people waiting for tables. As far as the food is concerned, it's the only thing that I would ding McNamara's on. The menu is Irish-themed but we have yet to find a dish we particularly like. Much of the food is fried, which I don't particularly care for from a health standpoint, and we just haven't had any entrees that struck us as particularly tasty. That said, we've never left the place hungry either. The band is truly top notch...very talented musicians, sings authentic Irish ballads and drinking songs and has a real talent for getting the crowd involve in the sing-along numbers. If you're looking for an edgy, nightclub atmosphere this is not the place for you. But if you're looking for a real Irish pub experience, McNamara's is definitely the place for you!!

    (4)

  • Kenneth W.

    Shepherds pie was great. Even better with the HB sauce. Reuben was made with pulled corn beef, not sliced lunchmeat. The service was very friendly and attentive. I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu!

    (5)

  • Andrea R.

    Went on a Saturday night. Great lively atmosphere with the owner's band playing Irish music. I had the grilled salad and added steak on top. The salad was awesome but the steak was cut up in weird round pieces and scattered on top of the salad, and it seems that the outside had too much char on it to be tasty. Next time I'll try the chicken. The hubs had fish n chips with huge steak fries. He said it was great. We will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Dinah T.

    I had meant to leave 4 stars, not 3. I am editing to reflect that change. I'm new to Yelp and not sure how else to do it.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Nice atmosphere and prompt service, but this is where all things good end. The food comes out of the kitchen at a lightening paced speed. When food comes out this fast, it immediately raises a red flag telling me that it's not fresh and has either been sitting under a hot lamp or has seen the inside of a microwave. The potato skins were overdone and very bland. And although the stuffed pork tenderloin was moist and tender (at the beginning), it was dreadfully bland as well. As time went by, the tenderloin got harder and harder to cut. It was like when you put leftover biscuit in a microwave and heated it up a tad too much. It comes out very fluffy but over the course of a few minutes it gets really hard. I've had better food at a chain restaurant. I suppose if you're looking for a place to drink and party, this is your place. But that's about it. Bland food and a $40+ dollar bill means we won't be going back to this restaurant anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Sonya N.

    I have no doubt the band and alcohol are really great at McNamara's. The food for me, however, is a different story. I was there a couple of months ago for dinner and ordered the roasted chicken with sides of coleslaw and broccoli with cheese. The chicken looked as though it was left over from lunch, but I decided to try it anyway. When I pulled back the meat, it was dry, dry, dry and had no taste. The coleslaw had absolutely no seasoning and the broccoli with cheese was a tasteless gloppy mess. When I told the waitress (who, by the way, was terrific), she suggested grilled salmon with a side of green beans. Unfortunately, the salmon was overcooked, dry, had no flavor, no seasoning, and the green beans were also tasteless. I read others' reviews before choosing this restaurant and was really looking forward to a new place to dine right in my neighborhood! The staff was gracious and concerned that my dining experience was less than good.

    (1)

  • Sarah S.

    I'd visit again -- we were seated right away around 9:30 on St. Pat's Day. We ended up sharing a table in order to sit right away but, hey, we got to make some new friends including a guy dressed as a leprechaun = priceless! They had a set menu for dinner so I enjoyed the bangers and mash while my husband had Irish stew -- not gonna lie, I was coveting his Irish stew and he kindly let me have as much as I wanted. We also had large pints of Smithwicks and Magner's Cider, both on draught. We checked out the live band playing that night and the entire atmosphere was festive and fun, especially with all the staff dressed in green blinking light jewelry!

    (3)

  • Edwina S.

    It was a fun Friday night. We were seated in the bar area. Lights were dimmed really low when the music started... and it was Irish music. Lot of audience participation. The menu was sufficient and reasonable, I had a chicken dish. The chicken was wrapped in bacon. I visualized a breast filet but it was wrapped around a leg and a wing portion. That was disappointing. If there was floor space people would probably be dancing and socializing between tables.

    (4)

  • Frank K.

    Wonderful authentic Irish place. What a fantastic jewel. A must stop in Nashville. Food was great, drink just the same(Harp & Guinness) but the hospitality was awesome. Colm waited on us Saturday and we found out he is following his Dad who is a great Irish entertainer. On second visit we saw Colm provide great entertainment in the form of Irish and country music and song. We also found out that Colm has produced his first cd .We listened to it today and it was fantastic. Best of luck Colm. Just remember us when you get to perform at the GOA. Paula McNamara greeted us with a most warm welcome. Paula and her husband Sean are fully engaged in overseeing the business and it is very clear how proud they are of their product. The brown bread and tea was on the table in no time.we enjoyed great salmon as well as bangers and mash. For dessert we listened to Colm and his team captivate the audience. In short this was a wonderful smoke free extremely clean facility with great food and drink. It was capped by the fantastic service and hospitality shown by the entire staff. As Irish born customers (3 of 4) we visit many Irish restaurants accross the country. We find many Irish in name only. McNamaras is the real deal. It is 15 minutes from airport and the same from the GOA.

    (5)

  • Catherine K.

    Love this place! Scotch eggs, Bangers and Mash, and a pint of Smithwicks! Doesn't get any better!

    (5)

  • Ann W.

    Good beer on tap Smithwicks. Fish and chips OK but nothing special. My dining companion said his corned beef was very good and a huge portion. (It looked it) Potato soup pretty good. Would try something else next time.... probably shepherds pie.

    (3)

  • Diane B.

    Had dinner here last night with 4 friends -- Gail, our waitress from New York who I spoke to on the phone before we went there was fabulous! She recommended the lamb and that was all that she said and more. This is really reasonably priced for the amount of food you are served. Gail was a wonderful, attentive waitress -- actually everyone we encountered was great there. I wish I was going to be in Nashville more -- and I wish this restaurant was in my town because I'd be a regular -- delicious food, wonderful evening!

    (5)

  • Matt W.

    Been driving cross country and this was the best meal I have had so far. Corned beef hash was amazing with sweet potato fries. Dessert was awesome. Irish cream cheese cake. Yum! Service was good. Atmosphere is cool. Looks like an old frat house. Try this place out.

    (5)

  • Jacquelyn G.

    The absolute best Lamb I ever tasted and the blackberry cobbler was better than my mother in law according to my husband. The band played Irish folk songs and were quite talented. We will remember this place and bring friends next time. Superb food, great music awesome service.

    (5)

  • Chris N.

    Love love love this place! Bangers and Mash side of cabbage!

    (5)

  • Chuck R.

    I write this review after having visited this establishment 5 times. I truly hoped this venue would provide a new vision of Irish Pub atmosphere in the Nashville area, but I must say it falls far from its mark. McNamara's Irish Pub needs to find its niche. You can't be all things to all people, so either be a pub or be a restaurant! The establishment is nice inside and out. Much detail was taken to provide the backdrop for enjoyable dining and live music performances. Your first impression after waiting in the long lines to get in is usually a good one and until the music starts that is all this place has going. The wait staff is slow and green, with little focus on actual service. Granted most nights the wait staff must dodge small children running around unchecked and your usual busy bar environment, but that is what they do for a living. An average drink order time to the table of 22 minutes on any given night is too long! Not to mention the average 45 minute wait on appetizers or dinner, often served back to back. On every visit the kitchen was slow and the food was either cool or the order was wrong. The menu is a joke as usually a third of it is sold out, especially desserts. These problems suggest that as a pub or restraint the place is failing. Now the BIG issue. The drink menu is always void of major beers or liquor. On 3 of 5 visits, the bar did not have a beer in stock I will drink and there are 4 beers on the menu I like. I am not a Guinness drinker so perhaps that is the problem. The last time I took my family in we ended up drinking not so sweet 'sweet tea' that was warm and ate cold food over an hour after we ordered on a Sunday night with only half the dining area full. I love the place, but it offers nothing after the appeal to the eyes and ears. Suggestions? Sure find a niche. 1. Be a pub and get the drinks to the table fast and right and seldom run out of alcohol stock. Be bawdy and arrange the tables to face the music so camaraderie and conversation flow. Set a time of night when children are only welcome in the dining areas away from the stage. Most importantly DO NOT manage, bounce, direct or scold from the mic, your customers don't want to be involved in drama they are here to have a good time. Get the attention of your manager and have him handle problems. OR 2. Be a restaurant and focus on better quality hot food to the table in 30 minutes or less. Make your servers pay closer attention to the tables and give them the room to maneuver so they can serve. Forget your people wanting a pub style good time because you are not providing it. Those patrons can go upstairs to be rowdy or hover around the bar. Channel your clientele toward what they are looking for and focus on what you do best. Over all there is a lot of opportunity for McNamara's Irish Pub. In a few months if they are still there, we will see if they have found their groove but for now it ranks 2 on a 1-5 scale with 5 being the highest. Good Luck McNamara's Chuck R, Nashville freelance writer

    (2)

  • Jason C.

    Great food. Priced perfect. They have some pretty cool traditional Irish dishes (I'm guessing that's legit because I've never been to Ireland). On the latest visit I had cornbeef and cabbage. Great. The big three Irish beers are all on tap (Smithwicks, Harp, and Guiness). Live musicians have been top notch from what I've seen. No surprise considering this is Nashville.

    (5)

  • Dagan B.

    besides the good company i had. this place shocked me. if u were beamed like in star trek to this place. u would sware u were in ireland. the irish band and atmosphere were great. the scotched eggs are a must. the fish n chips very good. the fish and its batter were very very good. the fries were better than average. the corn pudding was decent. the shepards pie was good. the beer selection was very good. the bread pudding with apples was good. the highlights were the fish the eggs and the music and atmosphere. i could go here just have some eggs with friends. a couple of beers and just chill.

    (4)

  • Erik N.

    Love this place ! Great food, good music. The best appetizer are the mini corned beef sandwiches although the cheese sticks look insanely good (handmade) and ill try those next time (one of the last remaining items to try). Main course- my favs are the Shepherd's Pie and Fish n Chips but they have a few other awesome dishes as well. Dessert is pretty good too, the Finn Mccool ice cream pie is delicious as is the bread pudding. I always get a pot of tea with my dessert and it comes out with a full service, which is a nice touch. If you like pub food, you definitely need to hit this place up as it is by far the best in Nashville and one of the best ive ever been to!

    (5)

  • David G.

    After having visited here a couple more times this place has really grown on me. If you swing by here for a drink be sure and check out the second bar upstairs!

    (4)

  • Robert B.

    A bar/restaurant with a homey atmosphere, great food, great beer, and excellent service....just what Donelson needed!

    (5)

  • Ed B.

    I used to live in Nashville and loved to go see McNamara at other pubs around town. We had a crew of guys for a bachelor party and thought McNamara's would be a fine choice for music, drinking, singing, and pint banging. The music, the beer choices, and the service were all great. McNamara and Nosey Flynn are the best band for Irish "drinking songs" I have ever heard. The atmosphere is really good. Not at all what I expected from a location in the burbs. We did not have any food, so I can't comment on that. Regardless, this is a great place to go and relax and enjoy some fine music.

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    Great place for a basic dinner and good drinks. Live music and such. Food is good with a few great standouts (Shepard's pie and scotch eggs). Imperial pints and a great Irish whiskey selection. Service has always been excellent even on St. Pats. Definitely a great place to grab lunch or dinner and a drink.

    (4)

  • Tony J.

    Good Irish pub close to the Nashville airport. The live band was great. They sang some original songs as well as Irish classics.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    Who knew the best Irish pub would be in Nashville?! Seriously good food, our Waitress -Diane- was flawless. Wonderful live Irish music. I would come back to Nashville to come to this place. If you're near... Stop in and you won't be sorry! When you stop by tell Diane the guys from Connectecut told you to come!

    (4)

  • Andy P.

    Five stars from a guy who doesn't give five stars often and has eaten at a lot of Irish pubs and restaurants, including on the Emerald Isle herself. We ate here twice in three days and both times were outstanding. Bangers and mash with real imported Irish sausage, fish and chips that melt in your mouth, and corned beef and cabbage that was a little spicy but still excellent. The full Irish breakfast on weekends is so authentic I couldn't believe it - including white and black pudding. Great place and owned by Sean - who has a wonderful Irish accent - and his family - who do as well. Traditional Irish music most nights.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    this is a tale of two visits, and i apologize in advance. i'm just not into this place. at all or in the least. irish music isn't my thing, but i can understand the appeal of this place if you are. my first visit was for a couple of drinks. the drink itself was fine; strong actually. my problem came with paying for it. i handed the bartender a ten to pay for it, and this mother fucker THREW MY CHANGE ON THE COUNTER. i worked in gas stations for years, and in many different ones. the principal lesson i came away with (aside from learning how to steal lighters and cigarettes without being caught) was to not throw money at people or on the counter, it is incredibly rude. second visit, this same guy was our server. he dropped two menus down for a party of five. after leaving these two menus, he wasn't seen again for about 15 minutes. after our food came out, he wasn't around for a long time either. i'll say something positive, the food came out super fast. not always a good thing, but better than the alternative, i suppose. not into this place in the least and don't anticipate a third visit. eric b

    (1)

  • Margaret P.

    Met mom for dinner as she had just returned from Ireland a few days ago...she said fish and chips rivaled those in dublin

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    My husband and I go here all the time for lunch. I love this place! The food is awesome, everything is homemade from scratch, and the service is spectacular! If you go ask for Amy to be your server, she is amazing! Their lunch menu is great for a budget. I would say my favorite is their chicken salad sandwich with chicken tortilla soup. You will not be disappointed in the service at this place, the food, or the price!

    (5)

  • Matthew C.

    The weekend breakfast is amazing. I usually get the bangers for dinner, and have never had anything less than amazing.

    (5)

  • Jennifer M.

    We recently returned to McNamara's, and I'm happy to report it seems the restaurant has worked out the kinks- added additional staff, improved the level of service, and even improved upon the food! I'm happy with the improvements, and look forward to visiting again soon!

    (4)

  • Mark A.

    We've been there twice in one weekend. Live Celtic music is played at night. The food is ridiculously good. The first visit we had Shepherd's pie and Corned Beef & Cabbage. Both tasted great and were generous in size. The corn casserole, as a side item, is worth going for by itself. The wait staff were gracious and helpful as well as friendly. The award-winning bread pudding is a must. Today we had Fish & Chips, which were authentically delicious. This will be on our list every time we return to Nashville.

    (5)

  • Kenny H.

    I'm not sure what the draw of this place is. Everyone seems to be talking about it, and I have given it a few chances since it is close by. The best thing I have had here is the Wicklow Pork Chops, which was quite good. Everything else has been meh, to not very good at all. Steak and biscuits and hamburger were pretty forgettable. Grilled chicken sandwich was not bad. The worst was the fish and chips, which was Captain D's level. Young restaurant, so it may get better. Donelson needs some cool places, so I hope it does.

    (2)

  • Kimberly S.

    I really like this place and it's a great little gem in this area. We always go upstairs for the bar atmosphere and the service has been mediocre, at best. Food tonight was okay but usually much better.

    (3)

  • Ryan O.

    The fish and chips are some of the best I've had in Nashville. Pints are a little pricey not really much higher than most other pubs. The food and drinks are not what makes this place special though. The real reason to go to McNamara's is the music. I was never really a fan of Irish music but the owner and his group Nosey Flynn have changed that.

    (4)

  • Alethea S.

    My boyfriend & I went to McNamara's for lunch last week. We arrived just after noon and were promptly seated by the friendly hostess. The other customers were a mix of working folks on their lunch break and retired people enjoying a meal out. The noise level was low; there might have been Irish music playing over the speakers but it wasn't intrusive. While the tables have plenty of space between them, we could still hear other people's conversations (I guess the sound carries a bit). Our waitress greeted us almost immediately and was very attentive throughout our meal. We ordered the bangers & mash with a side of green beans and the shepherd's pie. We drank water and shared a 20oz pint of Harp. The food was tasty but not outstanding. I don't have any complaints, it's just that this kind of Irish food (meat & potatoes) can be fairly bland. The bangers (sausages) were particularly good and may have been homemade. There were 3 on the plate and they were lighter than we expected and made with an unidentifiable herb that gave them a nice flavor. From the other plates we saw brought out from the kitchen, the portions appear to be consistently large. The average lunch entree costs $10 and draft beers were $4.50. I did notice that there were several vegetarian options on the menu as well as the usual fish & chips. There was also a small kid's menu. During the daytime, this is a relaxed & casual lunch spot where you can linger over your meal or probably be in & out pretty quickly if you have a limited amount of time (and mention this to your server). McNamara's is a nice addition to such a bleak part of town and I would gladly go back for drinks & live music some evening.

    (3)

  • Chris L.

    Such a gem to have in Nashville, and on my side of town! The owner never forgets a face, the music is great, the upstairs bar is great for football, darts and trivia, and the guinness is flowing! The staff is welcoming and the place is very family friendly early in the night. Love the food, the atmosphere, the whiskey club and the flag out front.

    (5)

  • greg p.

    Nice place. Scotch Eggs are great! So are the Corned Beef Bites. Actually, everything I've had there is pretty good. Only downside is that it's a bit pricey if you are planning on having a few drinks.

    (4)

  • Alex D.

    Great ambiance and friendly service. We ordered scotch eggs as an appetizer, I ordered shepherd's pie, and two other people ordered irish stew and bangers and mash. I'd never had scotch eggs before, but I quite enjoyed these. My shepherd's pie was very good as well. However, each of us tried a bit of the bangers, and I will say that I think it was the best sausage I've ever had. Maybe I've never had real irish sausage before, but it's the reason I give this place five stars.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Cozy atmosphere and great service. Had the fish and chips and was delicious. Nobody mentioned the lunch specials to us which would have saved us 8 bucks, but hey, I was full up for the rest of the day so..

    (4)

  • Barb B.

    After having a bad 1st impression (due to their St. Patty's Day policy...the owner did take the time to follow up with me after I posted my first review on YELP.)...I finally had a chance to actually go to McNamara's & try them out with some friends last night. EXCELLENT! We were seated quickly, the service was very friendly & quick. More importantly the food was wonderful! We had the Scotch Eggs, Fish n Chips & Steak & Biscuits. Also, it was nice because we were seated on the opposite side of the restaurant where it was quieter & we were able to talk (vs. near the music, although it sounded like everyone in that room was having a great time). I'm anxious to take my husband.

    (5)

  • Hollie H.

    We stopped here after driving all day. The atmosphere was lovely. There was live music. The food was delicious! We had Scotch eggs, I had bangers and mash with corn casserole, and my boyfriend had the Irish stew. Everything was so good we couldn't stop sampling each others food....probably mostly me. I was also able to get a nice hot pot of Irish tea, which was great because it was a chilly night. :)

    (4)

  • Wayne D.

    McNamara's Irish Pub and Restaurant was a good experience in many ways. The fish and chips meal was very generous and the fish was flavorful. Also well done were the steak and Guinness shepherds pie. The french fries were routine. The variety of beers was diverse as was the offered scotch and whiskies. Live music was offered. You could sit near the band or go to another area if you wanted to talk with your companions. The service was very slow but may have a kitchen issue. The server was good but never spoke of the food being tardy. Would go again nevertheless. The menu had items that need a revisit.

    (3)

  • Jacoby D.

    Really fun hang for trivia on Tuesday's! I'm not much for Irish food, but their Bailey's cheesecake was delish!

    (5)

  • Victor R.

    Felt for some Irish food & a friend said I had to go here & try the stew & corned beef bites. Didn't get a chance to try the stew but the bites were excellent. Service was fantastic & really looking forward to next visit. Everything that passed near our table looked & smelled great & I heard multiple good comments from other patrons as well.

    (5)

  • Kevin B.

    This was a great find! We were looking for somewhere to go on a Thursday night while on vacation and we stumbled on this pub since it got such great reviews. I really wish we found it earlier since we just caught the end of a live music set (no cover), which was really good. The service was very prompt and the waitress was very nice. They poured a perfect Guinness and the prices were pretty good. The salt and vinegar homemade kettle chips were pretty awesome and went perfect with the beer and music. The decor is really nice and it has a perfect Irish Pub feel. I would definitely come here often if I lived in Nashville and I'll deifnitely be back when I'm in town again!

    (5)

  • Andy B.

    I really want to be a regular here, and although I don't remember much of my visit here, I know I enjoyed it (the next morning told me so). I do remember really enjoying the food and I believe my craft IPA was only $4 or $4.50 which is more than reasonable, especially for not being happy hour. 4.5 stars, maaaaaaaybe 5, but let's not get carried away.

    (4)

  • Vickie W.

    St Patrick's I was to join a group of 30 people there. When I got there , there were no parking places so I was 15 mins late. There were 2 extra people in the group so no seat for me. I asked both the owners if I could just put a chair at the table. They both said the waitress could only handle so many people so they could not give me a chair. I had to leave the party because there was no place to sit. Friends offered to let me sit on there chair with them no way I would give my money to those crazy people. I would never go St Patrick's day and I wont ever go period. The Owner thought he was it ,because he was one of the Owners He probably inherited it from his mommy and daddy and now he is a big shot that cant find a chair for a lady.

    (1)

  • Nancy B.

    So, yeah understanding were here at an odd time, we don't really excuse the mayo or the broccoli and cheese casserole having a little crust on them. Gross. Overall the service was good but then we has almost no competition for stuff. Cindy Lou was great at keeping our drinks full and was friendly. Portions were big. Mom got corn beef and cabbage and it was tasty. The cream of asparagus soup was just so so. I don't recommend it. Ugly woman's bathroom.

    (3)

  • Brooke W.

    I really love this place. The people are always so friendly and the food is amazing. They have a to die for chicken salad sandwich and I had to order two sides of their sweet potato fries.

    (4)

  • Natasha M.

    McNamara's is a charming restaurant that gives the impression that you are arriving at a formal dining establishment when driving up. Once inside, you will be greeted by attractive decor that matches the Irish cuisine that is served. The hostess greeted me right away and had a very upbeat demeanor. She was joined by a co-owner that provided us with a brief, yet thorough description of the building's seating area. Once seated, our attentive server described the menu offerings in a very desirable way. We opted for the Irish Pot o' Tea, Bailey's Irish Cheesecake, and 6-piece wings with ginger sauce. The tea was presented on a lovely green serving tray with matching green teapot, and other service pieces. The tea had great flavor & temperature which blended well with the cold milk. The cheesecake arrived chilled, yet smooth enough to cut through easily with a fork. The drizzle was very appealing and I could not wait to sink my teeth in it. And I was not disappointed. The ginger sauce of the wings was warm in temperature and had a tasty zingy flavor. The wings were cooked to a perfect crisp too. We did have a problem with our seating arrangement and the co-owner immediately addressed our concern and displayed genuine concern. Overall, great atmosphere for couples, groups, families, etc

    (5)

  • Rachael P.

    Great place! Fantastic food! Good drinks! Amazing house band! They've officially been here a year today (3/5) and it is very rocking party tonight. Swing by on a Tuesday for trivia.

    (5)

  • Lisa C.

    Awesome food. Awesome service. Awesome atmosphere. Ordered the Shepherds Pie D-lish and came with two hearty pieces of soda bread and Irish butter $12.00. The live music was very entertaining and very setting to an authentic irish pub. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    Another great place in Nashville. Great music, does get loud if you are on the side next to the band area. So if you don't want that, then sit on the other side. Music was great though. Had the reuben, was very good. Our server was excellent and had a great sense of humor. Would definitely would come back.

    (4)

  • Grant C.

    Visited on a Friday night. Very busy! Food was great. Service was great. I'm a cheap skate, so unless it' an absolute bargain, I won't race about price. I will write that their beers prices are good. On a Friday night, non-happy hour, I got a half and half for $5.00. That's a real half and half too. I've had many items on the menu before. Tonight I had the bangers and mash. It was awesome! Serving was large and I took some home with me. This is a great restaurant. If you come during peak periods, expect to wait. However, it will be worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Marcus H.

    The food is good, the waiters are awesome, and the music is AMAZING. The atmosphere is awesome. I have came here 5 times over the last year and every time i leave with a full stomache and a great mood. The music is wonderful and always alot of fun. Make sure you ask for the music room and make reservations!

    (5)

  • Sarah A.

    I love this place! This spot is friendly, consistent and fun! We took an out of town friend here as a way to get some tasty grub, good brew and some of that great Nashville music without the stereo type of Country Western and BBQ. Nothing wrong with that stereotype, but this was a great alternative for someone who had already been through that song and dance. I've actually had the same server every time I've visited and he is always top notch. He stops by at the right times and is even good with the hand signals, head nods, and other random motions I'll use to indicate I want another stout. Kitchen pumps out some mighty fine Irish grub and everything we've had has been consistent and fresh. Stew, Fish'n'Chips and Scottish Eggs are our favorites. Parking lot is big, music is lively, food is fresh and service is attentive. Lots of space to bring a group and all in a cute setting. It's quickly becoming one of our favorite spots!

    (5)

  • Cathy M.

    I have been here for dinner twice now. The first time, I ordered the bangers and mash which was really good. Last week, I tried the shepherd's pie, and it was also very satisfying and tasty. My friend and I shared a bowl of bread pudding too. I'm really glad we shared it because the serving is very generous. It was delicious! The atmosphere is very warm, cozy, and inviting. Our server, Maureen, was terrific and she made great suggestions too. I'm really looking forward to going again on a night when they have live music.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Great food, staff, music and drinks a touch more expensive than I would expect but they make up for it. New York native here and I love Irish pubs. This place was a great find here in Nashville. I recommend it.

    (4)

  • Kylie W.

    Absolutely amazing! This is my favorite place in hermitage! The fish and chips are awesome as well as the ShepardS pie! I went there for st. Pattys and the atmosphere was surreal, I felt like I was in ireland!

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    Fantastic atmosphere, food, service and music. A true winner!

    (4)

  • Kimberly T.

    Being locals, we try to go almost monthly. Never had a negative experience. At times we just hang at the bar for drinks and dinner. Love having it in our neighborhood!!

    (5)

  • Corey W.

    Food is good, price is good, come on a night when the owner's bad is playing and you are in store for a real Irish treat. I really liked the place, the food was good. It wasn't anything particularly exciting but it fit the bill and I was satisfied with everything I got. Had a few beers along with dinner and prices were reasonable for everything you were getting. Service was great but what really made the experience was the atmosphere of the place and the owner has an Irish band that was playing that night. The music really set the scene and mood and my group had a phenominal time.

    (4)

  • Summer W.

    We just adored this place! I thought it would be more like a bar, but it is this cute restaurant with wonderful Irish memorabilia. My spouse and I got the tea for 2 deal, where you get a pot of Irish tea to share - it was wonderful, and really elevated the experience. We shared the scotch eggs appetizer - definitely as delicious as everyone says. For the main meal, we both got the poor man's pie with soda bread - it was the lunch portion of the shepard's pie, but a really nicely-sized one! Finally, we sprung for dessert with the bread pudding - which was wonderful. Really terrific Irish-like experience. Also want to note that we came during lunch on a busy Tuesday, and our waitress, Cindy Lou, was taking care of out table and several others at the same time. She was so busy, but SO attentive. We were really impressed. She even insisted on bringing us a bag for our boxed leftovers. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Clayton M.

    I've been several time and enjoy the food immensely. They do great pub food and the staff are very friendly. There is live music on occasion but it's quite loud so conversation can be tough. You must have the scotch eggs!

    (4)

  • Chris J.

    We visited McNamara's for the first time yesterday. Overall, the best feature of this restaurant is the ambiance and the feel. The servers and staff are friendly and responsive. The live music is outstanding. We enjoyed the location. The food was average to above average overall. Nothing knocked my socks off with the entrees. The roasted chicken was just okay. It was a little soft on the outside and a little dry on the inside. I did not care for the batter on the onion rings. The corned beef was good, but skip the corn casserole. On the other hand the desserts were very good. We had the ice cream pie and the blackberry pie. Both were very good. If you are in the search for a great place to enjoy a drink, this would be at the top of my list. They had a great beer selection. Combined with the music and atmosphere, it will be a great place for a drink.

    (4)

  • Brenda R.

    I've lived in this area for about 15 years and knew this restaurant was there but never went. I finally was told it was the best Irish Pub and a have to say it was amazing!!! Anyone who hasn't been needs to go check it out. Not only is the food and drinks amazing; the music is fabulous.

    (5)

  • Caleigh E.

    Being from out of state, we looked up gluten free selections nearby. This seemed like a good option. Although they don't really have any specific gluten free options besides the obvious removal of bread from sandwiches... we were very impressed by almost all our selections. The only one we weren't completely impressed by was the shepherd's pie. Just didn't have much flavor. HOWEVER, that may just be Irish style? So I won't complain about it. All other entrees we had were delicious. There are no specialty beverages. It's all liquors that we can get back home. (PA) If I was a local I'm sure I would come back often. But this is nothing all that special for a traveler.

    (4)

  • K M.

    This restaurant was recommended by the concierge at the hotel I was staying at. The food was excellent and so was the service. The waitress knew about the dishes and how they were prepared. My guest & I were thoroughly impressed with the taste of the dishes from the appetiser to the entrees. We'll done guys!

    (4)

  • Benjamin O.

    Great atmosphere...awesome food. Cindy Lou (our server) was great!! Will definitely be back!! :-)

    (5)

  • Christa P.

    Its ok for an Irish Pub. I was honestly expecting a little bit more. I went on St Patty's Day with a few co-workers. I only order a drink and fries. They did not have a drink list, only beers & whiskeys, which is understandable. It was super busy & the service was slow- also understandable. I was hoping they would have more entertainment or events going on for St Pattys Day, but we were upstairs and nothing was going on. Some others at the table order sandwhiches and the scotch eggs- all which did not seem excited about the quality and did not really finish their meals. I would give another try, but overall the atomosphere and food didn't leave an impression to go back.

    (2)

  • Terri H.

    Wish I lived closer! I would be a regular here if I lived closer. Everything is great. The only thing better would be going back to Ireland. The walls are covered with pictures of Ireland. The dark green ceiling and the old style light fixture hanging from the ceiling give the pub an old world feel. We started with the boxty with spinach dip and I'm glad we did. I've tried cooking these at home and didn't like them. They were delicious so I'm obviously doing it wrong. I ordered the shepard's pie as it is my favorite Irish dish ever. It was incredible. I can't wait to try everything on the menu. We were there during the day so there wasn't any music. We must return when they have music. The Guinness was good and our waitress was wonderful. I think I'm in live with this place!

    (5)

  • Lady C.

    Love the food and the atmosphere. This spot is a must go-to for all Nashvillians! The live music makes it interactive and is always catchy and regardless of how late I stay, I always get an Irish coffee!

    (5)

  • LeeAnn B.

    I was in Nashville for work and was staying at a hotel around this area with some other co-workers. We just wanted a chill place to go grab lunch and a few beers. We saw that McNamara's was right down the street and figured we couldn't go wrong with an Irish Pub. I ordered the French dip which was fine. It wasn't delicious and it wasn't bad. One of my co-workers ordered the fish and chips and said he wasn't too impressed with them either. He did like his Guinness however and I supposed that is the most important part. =] I can't remember much about the décor unfortunately. The staff was friendly enough. I wouldn't say that I'd recommend the place to anyone, but I wouldn't be opposed to going again.

    (3)

  • Rachel H.

    This is a favorite of my family. We live in the area and there isn't much for dining. This place has it all. I can go with the family or alone with my husband. Upstairs there is sports bar with plenty of tables and tvs, and downstairs is more family and large party oriented. The food and drinks are good and reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is welcoming. There is also a balloon man who comes once a week I believe. My daughter loves him.

    (4)

  • Shawn L.

    Nice place to grab a drink and some pub type food.

    (3)

  • Mike M.

    Great atmosphere. The reubens, corn beef and cabbage, and shepherd's pie are all really good but somehow the chicken tenders are the best thing on the menu. Go figure. The kettle chips are really good as well but the homemade ranch dressing is tartar sauce-esque. The staff is friendly and the drinks are strong. Trivia upstairs was fun until some of the teams started using racist names to be "funny."

    (4)

  • Jenn G.

    Fun atmosphere that celebrates Ireland without being over-the-top cheesy. We went on a rainy Saturday night, so it was busy and we had a bit of a wait, but there's lots of things to look at and explore while you wait! There's live Irish music and separate bars you can order from, and the room without the band has a large and lovely picture of Irish countryside. But the food is what really makes this place the emerald of the public eye! Several Irish classics are listed on the menu, such as Sheppards Pie, and they don't disappoint. The "Main Fare" is a bit pricier but with good reason -- try the Dublin Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. There's a fair price range through the menu, and they don't skimp on portion size! Everything we had was delicious, and paired perfectly with good Irish whiskey.

    (4)

  • Jason R.

    What a fricken awesome time!. Quality food, good service, and music that was spot on! We'll be back often!

    (5)

  • Sheena T.

    Have I mentioned how much I love spending less than $10.00 on lunch? Well, I do. And McNamara's has a variety of tasty things for under 10 bucks! I had the Poor Man's Lunch (shepherd's pie) and it was $6.00, very tasty, and plenty of food! The bowl was a good portion, not gigantic, but not 5 bites and it's gone either. I even debated not eating it all, but the waitress didn't take my plate away quickly enough :) It comes with a slice of soda bread and butter. Perfect! They had some great looking sandwiches also; I was considering the spicy black bean burger or the salmon, but told myself I was in an Irish pub and needed to step up with some Irish food! The place is an old funeral home converted into an Irish restaurant, and I can see it being a fun place for music and a brew if you live close! I'll be back for the lunch again!

    (4)

  • Jenifer G.

    Customer service alone makes this place awesome, from the hostess to servers to owners. I went for lunch and got fish and chips. I ate the fries, skipped the fish and was ok with that, since I really was just eating lunch to get to the bread pudding (apples and whiskey bourbon custard, sigh). The waitress conveyed my disappointment (which wasn't necessary), and here came one of the owners, Paula, smelling good (her perfume is fantastic) and apologizing. I was not the ticked off customer I usually am when I don't like something, because, again, there was bread pudding. She insisted on sending me home with something, so I chose the shepherd's pie. I will get that every time from now on! It is giving me an excuse to travel to Donelson to get it. I even want to make some now, but I know it won't be as good. Thumbs up for the pie and the pudding and Paula and Kelly. It was also a draw for customers of all ethnicities.

    (4)

  • Shannon A.

    I recently had the pleasure of dining for lunch at McNamara's in Nashville. I had a business lunch, and my clients suggested it. As a southern gal, it makes me all warm inside to drive up to a place that looks like Twelve Oaks from Gone with the Wind. My inner Scarlet O'hara wanted to twirl around on the front lawn and talk about how I'll never go hungry again! The building is gorgeous! You step inside, and all of a sudden, you are in an Irish pub! Magic!!! The staff were as friendly as could be, and sat us in the very Irish dining area. In the corner was a stage where in the evenings, an Irish band plays. (Note to self: next time I am in Nashville, go here for dinner) The menu had lots of options. Being a vegetarian, I was a bit worried about what I would eat, but I settled on the soup and salad. The soup was a cream of broccoli soup that was no kidding, the best I have ever had. Others at my table, got some true Irish-type items and everyone left thrilled with their meals! The big hit were these sliders that everyone at the table was raving about. Not only was it scrumptious, it also is super affordable. Honestly, they should/could charge more for their lunch, but for now, it will be just another bonus!

    (5)

  • Ross M.

    Great food and great atmosphere. Go to the upstairs bar. Perfect pours of Guinnes. Fish and chips is great. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Ryan A.

    We are visiting Nashville from St. Louis. I have to say this is the best food and service we have had during our visit. Cindy Lou was an amazing server and she added so much to our experience at your establishment. I had the french dip and my wife had the Fish and Chips. The food came out in less than 10 minutes and it was amazing. The best french dip i have ever had! This is our 1st trip to Nashville and we plan to have one every year. You can bet McNamara's will be at the top of our list of places to eat. I will not hesitate to recommend your establishment to friends that visit Nashville. Thank you for a great experience and great food!

    (5)

  • Jamie D.

    Came here last night with a small group of friends. 45 minute wait for a table, it was Saturday at 6:30pm so we that was understandable. Got seated and ordered drinks but they ran out of Chardonnay I ordered. Ok, ordered something else. After we placed our orders for dinner, we waited, and waited, and waited. It was 45 minutes until we received our food. My friend and I both ordered the Steak and Guiness and it came out barely lukewarm and tasted awful. But at this point, we had been waiting so long we ate about half of it anyway. The server came around and we told her we really just hated the food. She ended up taking it off the bill because we had waited so long for the meal. I loved the atmosphere and the decor (hence the two stars), but I seriously hated my meal. I may give this place another shot and try something different or come during lunch. But for the time being, I'll be going elsewhere for good times out with friends.

    (2)

  • Justin W.

    When I went yesterday, there was a decent wait (It was St. Patty's day weekend, after all.), but we had no trouble finding a place at the bar. Once we were seated, our server was very attentive and friendly. We started with the scotch eggs and the corned beef bites, and both were excellent. Our food came out very promptly, and everyone enjoyed their dishes. I got the corned beef and cabbage, and I was impressed by the portion size. It was good, but I wouldn't recommend the potato medley as a side dish. My wife ordered the Reuben, and my brother ordered the fish and chips, and they both enjoyed their meals. Overall, it's not the type of food I seek out very often, but I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • John G.

    Listen folks if you are in the mood for some seriously good Fish 'N Chip and other Irish fare, this place is it. I really like a proper Fish 'N Chips and was pleasantly surprised to find McNamara's in Nashville, TN. The restuarnt had a pub feel. There is no doubt that I will return to McNamara's when I can back in Nashville. They also have live Irish music.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Out of all of the pubs in Nashville, I feel as if this one represents what a pub is supposed to be: a public house. Great food, great prices, (great craic!) And great service. Traditional dinner tables for seating, live music on certain nights, beautiful decorations showing Irish culture, and the staff are the friendliest you could ask for in a pub. My recommendation: Rachel P as your waitress.

    (5)

  • Emily H.

    I've lived about 2 miles from this place going on 5 years now. Have always been intrigued, and heard good things but hadnt tried it until recently. It didnt really live up to expectations. First of all, yes it was a Saturday night. I realize they get busy. We put in for a table with a preference on the side with the music. We were told it would be 30 mins. A-ok with us. We expected to wait. However less than 15 mins later we were sat over in the room opposite of the music, right next to the kitchen. I'd say they didn't even try to let us wait for a table with the music. They just wanted to heard people through to turn over empty tables, not worry about the customers experience. There were at least 3 empty tables over on our side the rest of our meal. We ordered pretty quickly and our server immediately comes back and tells my friend they are out of mashed potatoes and my friend has to change his shepards pie order. Well I ordered the bangers and mash and mention his to the waitress and she's like "oh yeah.." Doesn't offer me a menu - I have to ask. To me, the main point of irish pub food is the potatoes. How are they out of all potatoes (turns out they had no baked potatoes either) at 8 pm on a Saturday night?! I'm sure there was a grocery store open nearby...it greatly affected our experience. I changed my order to the Ruben. It came with very little sauce or sauerkraut - in my opinion what makes a ruben and dried up corned beef. The fries on the side were a small portion and undercooked. Not to mention they were the pre-fab frozen variety of steak fries. Overall the portions were small. my friend ordered the steak and biscuits after the shepards pie was a no go and it came with 4 very small, half-dollar size sliders and a side of corn casserole. We all ordered dessert and weren't over stuffed. You'd also think a manager would have offered a free dessert or even come over to apologize for being out of a main staple of their restaurant, but no go. Maybe we tried them on a bad night. But I'll be a little more careful to make a reservation and go early on a Saturday night if I try them again.

    (2)

  • Mel D.

    Arrived into Nashville after a long day of flying. Called to make sure they would still serve us if we got there 15 mins before closing, they said they would. Super quick drive from BNA. Very friendly staff, great atmosphere, a great feel for Ireland (perfect place to be during the month of March). Food was delish! Hit the spot!

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    I loved this place! The food was excellent and the service was right. I got the Shepherd's Pie and it was solid. My partner got the banger's and mash and it tasted great. I loved everything about it.

    (4)

  • Cheryl L.

    First time to Nashville, and we were looking for a live music venue near where we were staying. We weren't very hungry so tried the Scottish eggs at the bartenders suggestion. I was a little dubious of breaded, fried hard boiled eggs but they were delicious. Our bartender was very friendly, the Guiness and Smithwick's beer was great! But the Live music of Colm Kerwin & Celtic Country was the highlight! I felt like we were in Ireland! What a great, lively performance. You couldn't help but be happy & tap your toes. I felt like I got the Irish Blessing.

    (5)

  • Luke M.

    Service was good. The atmosphere was comforting and nice. The facilities were clean and the food was excellent. I truly enjoyed this restaurant!

    (4)

  • Tony G.

    I came for lunch, I was alone and the hostess said if you sit at the bar you get a 10% discount. I had the lunch special fish sandwich and coleslaw for $7. The fish was very good it was crispy batter the fish was hot, tender and not at all greasy. The coleslaw was very good also. I will return the next time I am in the area.

    (4)

  • Martí M.

    Geez. I lived close to this restaurant for several years, but had no clue it existed until I started Yelping. Fast forward a bit, I find myself visiting for a friend's birthday gathering. I was rather disappointed in the beer selection (too bad I wasn't in the mood for liquor -- holy mother...), so I settled for a Sam Spring...x3. Hunger finally won it's battle during my stay. Not veggie friendly (not that I anticipated it would be), so I took the plunge and ordered fish and chips. The fish wasn't over or undercooked; tasted pretty nice. That says something for a very, VERY picky gal when it comes to fish. The batter wasn't too thick, but far more greasy than I prefer. The fries were the typical home-style type and boring. The coleslaw was great though; obviously house made and not too heavy on the mayo. The atmosphere is fun, and the restaurant was currently hosting a pirate convention of sorts. Fantastic to see all the crazy costumes. The service was GREAT! No complaints there at all; especially with such a large group. I can certainly see why the English, Scots and Irish love this place as it certainly must feel home-like to them. Kudos for that. I would not say I would be dragged here again against my will, it's just not my cup of tea. Carry on McNamara's!

    (2)

  • Jennifer P.

    This place is sooo cute. The owners are great people, the menu makes me feel like I'm nestled in a pub in the hills of Ireland and they have an Irish rock band that plays on the regular. Great atmosphere, good food, awesome music... definitely check it out!

    (4)

  • Kenb H.

    Tuesday evening dinner Number 1 pub? Not sure but Gail was outstanding, the food very good. The egg appetizer wonderful

    (4)

  • Pat D.

    Paula McNamara visited with us at our table when she found out she had a Brit in the house. She is entirely charming, and the pub/restaurant is an absolute treasure. What a treat for us to come across it accidentally by asking Siri!! I had bangers, mash, and broccoli in cheese sauce. My husband had the ploughman's lunch and he said it was the best he'd ever had, even though he has eaten them all over England. We took bread pudding to eat later at the hotel. It was like heaven ... with apples ... APPLES ... who'd have thought to put apples in it! I would highly, highly, highly recommend this pub for food, atmosphere, music, friendliness, and drinks whether it is a tall glass of Guinness or a pot of REAL tea for two! Please go here if you're in Nashville. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Tara W.

    Wonderful atmosphere, great food! Not a quiet place to chat. The steak and biscuits and Reuben sandwich options are delicious!

    (5)

  • Roger K.

    I can't say enough good about Mr. McNamara and his great restaurant. He is a very accomplished musician; well-read in Celtic music. His humble nature weaves it's way throughout all facets of the establishment. The entire staff loves their work and it shows. There is no sub-par food. If you like Irish, your first visit won't be your last.

    (5)

  • John S.

    Came here with come out of town coworkers for dinner to show them a bit of town besides the downtown area. We had a very nice waiter who had a lot of patience for one of my coworkers... she brought us a jug of water. I don't know why my friend asked for it, but she brought one with a smile.Politely conversed with us and helped our coworkers understand the menu items. The food took an average amount of time to arrive. I had the grilled salmon with carrots and mashed potatoes. The Salmon was cooked throroughly, and flavored very well. It also was soft and juicy, not dry in the slightest. Meanwhile, the carrots are carrots, and the mashed potatoes were cooked well, a standard serving, and pretty filling and tasty. Overall, I would say the food here is above average, as is the service. Would definitely come back if I felt like some tasty sheperd's pie....

    (4)

  • Carmen P.

    this place is pretty splendid. its' a family friendly irish pub (no smoking, debauchery, scallywags, or shenanigans). it has traditional irish pub/restaurant food that is pretty tasty. the hubs and i were here to celebrate a friend's birthday, sitting in the pub room/performance/jig room. we had the corned beef bites for an appetizer--and it was amazing! so moist and juicy and delicious! then for dinner we had bread pudding!--we had eaten about three hours before, so we weren't very hungry. the bread pudding was pretty darn tasty as well. the music was great--i've been here before, and it's always a lively, celebratory, forget your troubles and sing an irish jib type of thing. sad? come here. happy? come here. birthday/ come here. half-birthday? come here. want corned beef bites/sandwiches? come here.

    (5)

  • Lindsay W.

    I am an international food junkie. And am so happy to have found a place that serves decent Irish food. Their bar selection is quite large and they have a great sampling of everything for even the pickiest of drinkers (even Irish cider for the non-beer drinkers like myself!). .

    (4)

  • Larry S.

    A bunch of us old submariners descended on McNamara's after our regular meeting. I wish I knew our waitress's name because she did a marvelous job. After giving us some time to look over our menus, she stood at the head of the table and asked if we had any questions. Then, without missing a beat, she said she could answer any questions about the food or the menu, but we'd have to take our other questions elsewhere. The service was quick, and she somehow kept everyone's order straight. I decided to try the Full Irish Breakfast, which is only served on weekends. I enjoyed it. I'll probably never order blood sausage again, but it was interesting to try. And they got my eggs exactly how I ordered them, something even Cracker Barrel isn't consistent about. There were enough of us that we probably ordered most everything on the menu. And we all liked our lunch. The shepherds pie looked great, so I may well try that when I bring my family to McNamara's. The people that ordered the fish and chips really liked them. I'll save that for another trip.

    (4)

  • G W.

    This is husband's fave place to go when we get a babysitter. The bar upstairs has darts which is awesome (the good kind, too, not cheap plastic darts). I love the Ploughman's lunch and the Irish breakfast, which is very unfortunately only offered on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    Great Irish pub and awesome food! Only been here twice but both times it was great. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was authentic. Our server was even from Ireland which made it feel even more authentic. I had the Fish n' Chips one time and the Sheppard's Pie the other time. Both were really good. The fish was great and fried perfectly. My only issue was that I wanted more fish! It comes with 2 decent size pieces but I felt I could have ate 3. Next time I'll make sure to get an appetizer to go with my meal. I'm definitely gonna go back and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good Irish pub!

    (4)

  • Natasha C.

    Went Friday for a friends birthday party and had an amazing time! Rosie our waitress was fantastic!!! Part of 17 and no order was messed up and she kept the drinks coming and everyone happy. Also the chocolate cake is sooooo delicious!

    (4)

  • Helga N.

    Had an amazing time celebrating my 40th with friends and family. Our waitress Rose was fun and excellent. She did an amazing job!! Food was out of this world delicious as always!!

    (5)

  • Simone P.

    This place never misses! We have eaten here for lunch and dinner multiple times. I love dinner on the weekends because of the Irish music BUT please call way in advance for reservations! Lunch is a great alternative if you can not get an evening reservation. We have sampled almost the whole menu but we have settled on the Irish nachos for an appetizer. I love the fish and chips, shepards pie... Their hard ciders on tap are also amazing. I can not wait until we get to go back!

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    I have never been over to Ireland or England, but I have been to a few countries around the globe and I would hope it is this good. Had the corn beef sliders with fries with a side of curry to dip my fries. The curry was awesome the sliders where awesome too. I've been here a few times fish chips rock. I can't wait to try the sausage covered eggs. They look so good. Go here you'll love it and the friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Ken T.

    I love this place. The food is great. The music is astounding. The ambience makes you feel like you're in Ireland. My wife and I shared the Boxty Spinach Dip $8 served with crisply fried potato cakes. Our entrée was the Shepherds Pie and it was excellent too. We finished off dinner with some delicious bread pudding and Irish coffee. My favorite thing about coming here is the music. The owner plays and sings and along with two other members of the band, they're great!

    (5)

  • C H.

    Upstairs bar was a great place for a few pints of properly poured Guinness. Rose was an excellent bartender, and the food rocked. Corned beef and cabbage is superior to most other examples I've tried.

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    The food is good and the atmosphere is nice but the bar service was terrible. Two bartenders on a week night and both stayed on one side of the divided bar structure most of the time. 5 minutes before being greeted, (didn't see us because of being on the other side or talking with servers, 10 minutes before having our food order taken, same reason, decided to get the food to go because of this lack of service, then another 5 min before getting our check AFTER bringing out the to go food. I will give it another shot because the food was good, but I won't be at the bar.

    (3)

  • Mark H.

    This place is the real deal! I love the Kerry Lamb and the Scotch Eggs! Having been to Ireland I can assure you that this place is authentic!

    (5)

  • Terrell L.

    Guinness Draught ! Great neighborhood pub, good food, drinks and atmosphere. The waiter was in tune with his guests, someone in our party was not happy with her order, she didn't say anything however she barely ate any of her dinner. The server took the uneaten dinner off the bill and asked if he could get her anything else, then Mr. McNamara (the Owner) stopped at our table to check on us and said that the server had told him about uneaten dinner, he also offered to get our friend something else for dinner. Very kind and caring about their guests and that is why we always enjoy McNamara's.

    (5)

  • Mark W.

    I had a classic bacon cheeseburger and it was fabulous! Great food & service! Fish & chips are best in town too!

    (4)

  • Patrick M.

    This is going to be tough review to write because everything was so amazing. You can't beat this place when it comes to an Irish pub. My girl friend and I just got back from Ireland and this place was giving us flashbacks. The food, service, and atmosphere was perfect. I would recommend this place to family, friends and strangers alike.

    (5)

  • Eatalot F.

    This place was the best Irish place we've ever gone to. Corned beef was perfect as was the cabbage with a Guinness flavor or something. Bread pudding was a great ending. The owner was playing in the group the Flynns or something close to that. He thanked us for coming which was impressive since there were a hundred other people there. His daughters were dancing the whole time and it was just a great family feeling place. If you're in Nashville you need to go here!

    (5)

  • Fred V.

    Based on a recommendation from one of the local hotels we drove past at least a dozen restaurants to enjoy a late night dinner and music. A Smithwicks beer, fish & chips and a slice of Bailey's cheesecake to finish off an enjoyable meal made it a very good night.

    (4)

  • Janette C.

    Irish breakfast and Irish coffee with my beau :-) great way to start the day!

    (5)

  • Gail S.

    We are in Nashville for the week on vacation and found McNamara's not far from the house we rented. What a fun place! Food was delicious. I had fish & chips; fish not greasy, homemade coleslaw, food HOT! My husband had corned beef & cabbage. Excellent! Mashed potatoes freshly made. As we were eating, the Irish band started playing and that was such fun. We will definitely go back while we are in town!!!

    (4)

  • Jamie A.

    I've only been to McNamara's twice. The first time I was blown away by the delicious authentic Irish food, excellent beer selection and fun atmosphere (especially in the upstairs bar area). The second time, last night, was not near as good. The first time I had almost perfect fish and chips and also enjoyed a few bites of a friend's carrots and parsnips (I'm a sucker for parsnips...so good). Last night, I think the oil just really needed to be changed. We had fish and chips and Scotch eggs and both were just not good. The fish and chips were so greasy we each only ate half of a piece of fish. I didn't try the Scotch eggs, but my boyfriend was only able to eat one. Everything looked pretty good, so I really think this was a one-off. All was not bad, though. The potato soup was delicious and I love that they serve Kerrygold butter along with the soda bread. The coleslaw is also delicious. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. If I find myself hungry and in the Donelson area again, I wouldn't think twice before giving McNamara's another try.

    (3)

  • Kristin R.

    My husband and I went here last night for dinner, and we were both very impressed! We ate upstairs as the wait downstairs was about 20 minutes. The service was a bit slow and there were times where we looked over and our waitress was having her dinner, but the food more than made up for the lack of service. I had the shepards pie and it had such great flavor, I finished the whole thing! My husband got the stuffed pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and gravy, and he was lucky it was such a big portion because we had a little to take home. We also had a couple of Blue Moon beers and they were fresh and extremely delicious served with an orange slice. We will definitely be coming back for breakfast as the other reviews have said it's delicious. Yummm! Worth the drive, and we can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Charlotte L.

    Being from England and seeing they had bangers and mash on the menu, I had high hopes for this place. Bangers and mash with gravy was my favorite as a kid. I was very disappointed. The bangers were not the same as when I was growing up. Fat, mushy sausages as opposed to the skinny ones I was expecting. And no gravy! How do you serve mash with no gravy?! The coleslaw was...ok. Overall, not the best. I might go back to try the shepherd's pie but I am in no rush.

    (2)

  • Robert M.

    McNamara's is a pleasant escape from the typical Country and Western tourist traps. oops attractions. The atmosphere while there is no music is relaxing. The staff even look Irish, whether intended or otherwise. The menu gives much to offer and you won't make up your mind. My choice was the Shepherd's pie, with a creamy potato soup. Very good meal. Next time will be the Bangers and Mash.

    (4)

  • Joanne R.

    This place was quite the experience. We went to McNamara for a business dinner, so I was expecting something calm and ordinary, but it was neither. The service is great and the wait staff is super nice, but don't expect to do much talking with the band playing. This is purely a social environment. The food was decent. I recommend the shepherds pie-it's warm and comforting. The Scottish eggs were slightly overcooked but the sauce paired with them is delightful. Overall it's a great place to hang out, drink beer and enjoy your friends.

    (4)

  • Rob D.

    Had a really good time, live music, great feel, good food, drink, nice staff.... Will return

    (5)

  • Guglielmo F.

    Great atmosphere, and the food is very good. The people here are also very very nice. So why only 4 stars? I'd wanted something a little more quiet so I could have some time with my lady, as we'd both been very busy and needed to reconnect. They had a group playing traditional Irish tunes, so it was too loud. Now, I understand that there isn't always live music, and had we arrived then, it would have been perfect. If we were in the mood, it would have been great, so this may get the bump to 5 stars on the next visit. Will there be a next visit? ABSOLUTELY. Shepard's pie is awesome here!! UPDATE: I've been here many times since this review, and it's always - ALWAYS - great. Have not had a a bad or even mediocre meal, and the service is STELLAR!! It had been 4 stars (because on a night we wanted a quiet place they had live music) but they get the full 5 stars because they earn it. Shepard's pie is stilly fave here, but you won't go wrong with the rest of the menu.

    (5)

  • Tina C.

    Such a fun experience! We're staying by the airport in Nashville and decided to try this little gem out. The food was really good and the staff was wonderful! Very welcoming environment and they go the extra mile to ensure their customers have a great time. Would definitely go back and highly recommend!!

    (5)

  • Trilce M.

    I love this Irish pub. Food is delicious and I love the live music. I am hispanic and I have never experienced the whole Irish music, food and beer drinking. I dont even like beer but there is nothing like Irish beer. The service is great.

    (5)

  • Matthew A.

    Really good Irish pub, corned beef is very tasty, live Irish music. Excellent selection of whiskeys too.

    (4)

  • B G.

    Yo, I don't even LIKE Irish pubs and this place is great. Bar has great range, servers super friendly and helpful, food is yummy! There's an Irish folk band playing right now and I HATE IRISH FOLK MUSIC, but these kids are so cool I just seeded their tip jar with a ten just to make everyone else in here recognize. Pay your band, kid! Check this place out. It's cool, aren't you?

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Amazing food and music. I had the chicken curry and chips. Get it on mashed potatoes instead of chips, though. Much better.

    (5)

  • Daniel S.

    McNamara's is fun and has a great environment to hang out. The upstairs dart area is my favorite, but you have plenty of options in the large building. Prices are good and the food is good for "bar food."

    (4)

  • Dave J.

    The best Pub food I have had so far and in an unlikely place. The servers and hostess were are welcoming and beyond friendly. The owners band is top-notch entertainment and worth reservations in "the venue room". Bring friends and bring an appetite because both are necessary to fully enjoy the experience here. The appetizer menu has cheese sticks and other stuff- I can speak for the cheese sticks because they were the best I have ever had... ever. The fish and chips (that is my go-to for pubs when I travel) are deceiving to look at. The fish looks like a small portion, but those are solid pieces on your plate and can fill you up fast. The Snickers Pie was the recommended dessert by our server and a great suggestion. It looked like we got a 1/4 portion of the entire pie that was 3-4 inches thick. It took 2 people to put a dent in it and I think 3 or 4 would have had a run for their money after the previous two courses we had. When the band plays- audience participation is key:) the unicorn song is the crowd favorite as well as a song the owner says is "mythbusters" inspired. The band is very very good. These are two guys who love what they do and it shows in the traditional Irish music. Now if you are looking for 5-star dining experience at a high-quality restaurant, well, go to a high quality restaurant. Like most traditional euro-style pubs, this food is designed to be comfort food, and this menu is definitely a pub menu. As far as all the pubs I go to in many states, this is one of my top 3.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    My husband and I had been going to Dan McGuiness for years. Some friends recommended McNamara's. The food was hands down a better quality and more authentic. I loved the atmosphere and the service was excellent. I would recommend this place as a restaurant if you are looking for great Irish food but will still go back to Dan McGuiness for their live music, outdoor seating and bar selections.

    (3)

  • Damon D.

    Am I the 100th review...? Cool! This place is a great Irish pub with pretty damn good Irish food! The setting is nice. Downstairs is a well decorated restaurant, with upstairs having more of a pub/bar feel. Darts are nice, watching EPL games are good too...and trivia night! I'd give them 5 stars if they had a better beer selection. It's pretty good, but you would expect this place to have way more! Definitely worth checking it out!

    (4)

  • Zeb M.

    I can't say much about the food because I met some friends late after they had dinner and munched on some appetizers, but what I had was pretty good. Regardless, the four stars come from the overall vibe/atmosphere. The live folk music was surprisingly good, and I like that the place is divided into three parts - tables and stage to your left, the quieter side with cozy booths to your right, and a tavern-like bar upstairs. We ended up playing darts upstairs along with a few drinks. Everyone seems to really love the food there. I didn't feel like ordering much because nothing seemed appealing (seems more like a place to order snacks rather than dinner, unless you like Shepherd's Pie), but McNamara's is definitely worth coming to for a relaxed atmosphere upstairs.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    Only been here a couple of times, but man do I wish I could go more often. The fish and chips were amazing. I ate some plain, some with tartar sauce, some with hot sauce, and finally malt vinegar. All rocked! I will be trying the bangers and mash next time.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    The atmosphere is good. The food is bland. I've given it several tries and not impressed. Fish & Chips - fish is all batter... no flavor. When my wife complained about it, she was told that since everyone else loves the bland batter consumed fish, she must be weird. She's Australian... her parents owned a Fish & Chips shop... she knows fish and chips. Shepherds Pie was dry and bland, no flavor at all. The people are nice, music is nice, but the food is crap.

    (2)

  • Misty M.

    Best fish & chips in town! There's always at least a 30-min wait so keep that in mind, but the food is excellent! Great atmosphere and wonderful live music! It's definitely worth it. I highly recommend the Clare Roasted Chicken, Salmon Patties and the Corn Casserole. All are so delicious! Definitely get a pot of their tea too. So yum!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth P.

    Love this place! Tuesday's are Trivia Time upstairs and it gets pretty packed. The staff has always been super friendly and helpful. Best shepard's pie & cheese sticks around!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    Good food, fast. Almost ate airport food. That would have been a mistake. Cup of soup and lunch sized fish and chips still put me in a food coma...

    (4)

  • Elise G.

    The service was fast and the food was good, but the food is so overpriced. The restaurant puts a lot of effort into creating a great atmosphere, and I guess that's why 3 little pieces of fish and some fries cost $14. I would probably go back with friends on a weekend, but I wouldn't order any food.

    (3)

  • Randy N.

    Great food, great music and great drinks! What more do you need? McNamara's is a great pub and restaurant. Go and visit I know you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Tim M.

    Amazing band, the Corned Beef and Cabbage was excellent, it was cooked and seasoned perfectly and they cut it thick and it is not mushy or bland. Jenny the bartender did an amazing job of pouring the perfect pint of Guiness, whe put the best shamrock ontop. This is a real deal Irish pub, with excellent food. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Jennifer H.

    I had the salmon and it was cooked perfectly on the grill. The vegetables were tasty! My friend had the bangers and mash and it was so delish!!!! :-) Music is authentic. Servers are attentive, friendly and helpful. This is a must if you are looking for Irish food and music in the Music City. You won't be disappointed! :-)

    (4)

  • Eddy W.

    They have the best Fish and Chips in town. The fish is meaty, moist and buttery. You can't go wrong getting this meal.

    (5)

  • Christopher B.

    I dined at McNamara's Irish Pub and Restaurant for the first time last night. Wow what an awesome place. I love the fact that when you walk in the door you are greeted with a smile and a thank you. I was there with a party of ten and we were treated awesome, our waitress was top notch. Now the food started with appetizer's, we had the Irish nachos, potato skins, corn beef sliders all were awesome. I had the steak and Guinness pie it was awesome. It was a Friday night so the had live music a 3 man band playing Irish music. Overall a great place great food I highly recommend You check it out.

    (5)

  • Leigh F.

    Here in Nashville for a meeting. A group of us had dinner here and we all loved it. I especially loved the local vibe. I would be a regular here if I lived nearby. The food ws really good, service was good, she really managed our large table well. Prices very fair. Give it a try.

    (4)

  • Veronica D.

    If you are looking for a place that doesn't feel like Nashville (and a lot like Ireland), spend an evening here. My husband is Irish and I am hispanic. One thing our cultures have in common is big families and that's exactly what it feels like there. The servers and bartenders are always friendly and attentive. The food is always spot on from the potato skins appetizer, the chicken salad, the sheperd's pie, to the fish and chips and any other meal you decide on. The draft beers are always at the perfect temp and the Irish coffees are a swift punch in the mouth of robust coffee, Irish Whiskey and bailey's. Catch all the Notre Dame games here in the upstairs bar area. And you can always enjoy lovely Irish music with live bands in the main dining room.

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    Good food. Good music (although I think the singer was faking his Irish accent). Only in Nashville will you hear a Johnny Cash song performed in Irish folk style. The fish and chips was authentic and good. The coleslaw was even handmade with fresh cabbage.

    (4)

  • Aaron D.

    I grew up listening to Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers on LPs. I know Irish music. I love good Irish music. And McNamara's (specifically the house band Nosey Flynn, led by Sean McNamara) offers world-class Irish music. In fact, outside of the Emerald Isle itself, McNamara's is most likely the best Irish pub I've ever visited. The food is delicious. Scotch eggs. Bangers and mash. Fish and chips. Bread pudding. You can't go wrong. Our waitress was not only good at her job, she was also kind, welcoming, cute AND a good Irish dancer to boot! Do you want to listen to music that just makes you feel GOOD? Music that makes you bang the table, sing out loud, laugh, maybe shed a tear in your beer (or cider) and then laugh and sing some more? Then get to McNamara's pronto. ps - To get the full experience, you'd want to eat on the bar side on Thusrday - Sunday nights when Nosey Flynn performs. Make reservations well in advance for Friday or Saturday nights. Just remember it's loud. We may bring earplugs next time. That would be my only complaint really. Yes, a bar should be loud, but I think they could turn down the volume just a wee bit and the experience would be even better. Alternatively, you could have a calmer evening in another part of the restaurant and you'd still probably hear the amplified music just fine.

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    My family has a saying - a trip to McNamara's is never a mistake. The food - as authentic pub fare you will find on this side of the Atlantic - is superb. The servers go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The music is fantastic. This is truly a Nashville treasure you will come back to time and again.

    (5)

  • Suz E.

    Best Irish Pub!! From the food to the decor, everything was perfect! There was live Irish music playing and lots of authentic Irish decor. I got the potato cakes and spinach dip (to die for!) And the fish and chips were the best I've ever had! Very prompt and friendly service. Great place for groups or dates!

    (5)

  • Abbie G.

    Stopped through Nashville on a family road trip and stumbled upon this place and we are so thankful we did! Absolutely the delicious! The food was fantastic, the beer was cold, and the service was delightful! Definitely check this place out if you're ever in town!

    (4)

  • Derrick W.

    I live in Dickson, TN so you know that means that I have to travel into Nashville to find a GOOD and AUTHENTIC TRADITIONAL IRISH PUB and McNamara's has it. The food is wonderful, the band and the atmosphere. May I mention that the owner, Sean McNamara; his wife, Paula is ACTUALLY FROM IRELAND and carries a lovely Irish accent?! Can't get any better than that. I'm NOW a regular and I will get up and entertain the crowd with an Irish dance and two other workers will do dances too. Mostly I order food from the 'Irish Classic' and the Scotch Eggs which is to die for! Love the Irish Breakfast especially the Black and White Pudding and most of all the Irish Stew, YUMM!!!!!! Dan McGuinness is toooo commercial (both locations) and McFadden's is NOT an Irish Pub!!! I haven't tried Findlay's so I really couldn't comment on it!

    (5)

  • Stefanie P.

    I'm in love with this place. It's in an old massive white house. It has creaky wood floors and dim lighting. It has fish and chips and bangers and mash and Guinness on tap. Long wooden tables and an authentic irish band most nights. It's really loud and the service is quick, 'what'll have?" attitude. We went on a Saturday Night about 7pm. Every table was seated and there was a 45 minute wait. A few birthday parties, tons of families. No parking spot to be had. We finally got a spot at the bar. Even though the menu is a bit limited everything we got was great. I recommend: Kettle Chips Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Fish and Chips. Even though they were so busy, our food came out in less than 10 minutes and was good. They say to reserve your table 24 hours in advance. They said they are very busy on the weekends. This place is loud but I'm okay with that because its a loud-sing-songy irish bar/restaurant. The service just how I like, no chit-chat, straight up and too the point. "Want another!?" yes! yes I do! I look forward to going back forsure and maybe getting there a bit earlier to get primo seating. There's even an upstairs bar i didn't even get to check out! Only downside, it can be kinda a haul depending where you live ad a bit sneaky to find. Still a 5-star place in by book! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Carolyn M.

    Very cute Irish place in the middle of nowhere Donelson. The Irish bands was great and one of the waitresses was both adorable and a fantastic Irish dancer. I didn't eat, but the service was great and every one seemed happy with their food. I had to take a few stars off for the incredibly desolate and random locale. It was a royal pain to get to and from. But if I lived anywhere near there, I'd be in often.

    (3)

  • Jennifer R.

    Quite literally the best Irish Pub I've ever been to. The food, atmosphere, entertainment, and service completely surpassed all expectations. We happened upon this pub by accident during a short weekend trip in Nashville. We arrived for a late dinner at 8:30pm and were able to get a table in the music room/bar/venue spot. We had NO idea how lucky we were! We ordered beer and wine, potato soup, Rib Eye, Fish and Chips, and the bread pudding. Everything was incredible. We're from the midwest and snobby about steak... the chef cooked that steak better than some 'steak houses' we've been to! The Fish and Chips was great... I loved the coleslaw! The bread pudding had a tad too much cinnamon for me but was still really good. Our server Jessica was attentive and super friendly. The most wonderful part of the evening was the live music played by the band. The owner of McNamara's happens to be a member of the band and they are quite simply amazing. You can tell they love what they do! We had such an amazing evening on a Friday night that we tried to get reservations for Saturday night as well! Tips: -Make reservations. -Sit in the music room! It's not too loud! -Ask for Jessica to be your server. -Request your favorite Irish songs. -Come hungry!

    (5)

  • Elissa E.

    This is an easy review to write. Food - GREAT, Atmosphere - GREAT, Staff - GREAT. I had the shepherd's pie and my husband had the corned beef. Both were absolutely fabulous. We sat in the bar so we could listen to the live music. I'm so glad we did. McNamara's was ranked as the best Irish Pub by an Irish publication, and I know why. If you have a chance, GO EAT HERE! Can't say enough good things.

    (5)

  • E W.

    Found this restaurant on Yelp and was glad I did! The food is authentic Irish style and was delicious. We had Beef Guinness Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Nachos and the kids had chicken fingers and Mac n cheese. Everything was delicious and the portions are large. Their chicken fingers were some of the best I've tasted. The kids didn't care for the Mac n cheese, but I thought it tasted good so I guess they were just being kids. The decor is homey and fun and the music is good, although we didn't get to hear the Irish band. Our waitress Gail was so friendly and welcoming! We are hoping to return and listen to the Irish band next time.

    (4)

  • Peter K.

    They've stepped up the service and the price of the pints seems to be slightly lower. Cheers to that. I will come back every week if Sean continues to play his version of "Sunday Bloody Sunday". Swoon.

    (5)

  • David O.

    Stopped in with a large party and had a decent meal. I'd never had Scotch Eggs before and found them to be pretty good. The Fish and Chips were also quite delicious. Not the best I've ever had, but quite good. Waitress was prompt and courteous but I did have to ask for a refill, which was mildly disappointing. The parking lot is pretty large, but it seems to fill up pretty well. There appears to be an overflow lot across the street. All in all, I have no serious complaints. I'd be very curious to see what the atmosphere on St. Patrick's Day here is.

    (3)

  • Jennette F.

    Food was okay, but prices were outrageous. $14 for fish and chips- small portion. Small bowl of beef stew $12 and a stringy rueben sandwich $10. On top of that $7 for a pot of tea for two. A family of four $70 without tip.

    (1)

  • Dawn S.

    Not much to say on the food. I have been here a few times and the service was excellent and love their house wine. However, I had the fish and chips which had too much breading and not enough fish. My friend had a burger that was ok, but lacked any type of seasoning. Tried the wings as an appetizer and they were ok. I frequent Donelson, I just wish there were more quality places to eat.

    (2)

  • Nathan S.

    A great place for a good time! It had a great "regular crowd" vibe. The food was excellent as well.

    (5)

  • Nate K.

    First time here and I'm really impressed. The bartender, Rose, was really busy yet had time to be personable and friendly. She had great recommendations for food and drinks. Plus shamrock on my Guinness.

    (5)

  • Jann S.

    We like to sit in the parlor dining room, where the waitresses are sweet and the live Irish music is a lilting tune in the background. The food has always been tasty, whether the fish and chips, the shepherd's pie, or the roasted chicken. Four stars because it is a little inconsistent. Once I had the best potato soup of my life. Other days I've had decent potato soup. And they're not as generous with the homemade soda bread as they once were. Still, there are a lot of little treats on the menu. The carrots and parsnips are a nice side dish. And the Ploughmans Lunch, with lettuce, cold cuts, cheese, bread, and fruit, is good for a crisp meal. Speaking of lunch, several dishes are available at the noon hour (not on Monday, though) and very reasonably priced. Beverages are good, from the hot Irish tea pot to the perfect pour of Guinness. It's an average price for a good meal out. The two of us can have a meal and an imperial pint and tip the lovely waitress for under $50. And don't forget the upstairs lounge for a more laidback dining experience.

    (4)

  • Jena S.

    Update for McNamara's - upgrading to 5 stars! A group of friends and I decided to head to McNamara's on St Patrick's Day, despite knowing that every Irish pub in the nation was going to be ridiculously packed. And we were not let down in that department....when we walked in the door, we were told dinner was a 5 hour wait! Not daunted by the number 5 (we were there to drink after all), we put our name down and hit the bar. Despite the large crowd, the bartenders were servicing everyone at a normal pace - hardly any wait for your drink. Don't know how they did it! Due to the enormous crowd and lack of ability to find anyone in it, the table wait was dropping and we ended sitting down for dinner in an hour (not 5). The menu had been limited to McNamara's signature items. Our waitress was on top of everything and our food came out super fast. As usual the food was tasty, and the staff were great. They really rocked it out! I was also impressed since they had hired security to watch over the party. I felt quite safe knowing that there was someone there to handle any trouble. So an additional star for McNamara's for keeping up the quality under pressure, and handling it all with grace! Super impressed!

    (5)

  • Krissy R.

    This is one of my fave places in Nashville. The food, service, and entertainment is out of this world. The music is what definitely keeps me coming back! So much fun anytime I've been. Nosey Flynn are wonderful!

    (5)

  • April E.

    Delicious! We had the Scotch eggs & corned beef bites to start. Amazing. The fish & chips and the steal & biscuits were also delicious. VERY thankful we opted to have the bread pudding dessert. Wonderful! Our waitress, Gail, was so friendly & helpful. Highly recommend McNamara's!

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Lovely wood-trimmed ambience with live musicians playing Irish reels on fiddle and banjos the Tuesday night we dined. I ordered the filet of lamb which I'll next time ask for medium because they served it seriously rare. My broccoli cheese casserole was too cheesy and overcooked and the carrot-parsnips a bit too buttery - an $18 meal that could have been better. My husband chose more wisely with a "tasty" reuben sandwich and great fries at $9. I stole many fries. My Magners cider was a bit weak and there are far better ciders but at least it was draft ... though they really should have more than one cider on draft. Of course they had Guiness on draft. Disappointingly non-Irish dessert selection. Still, though, a solid meal and a good time.

    (3)

  • William H.

    Stumbled on this pub while on vacation. What a treat!! We had corned beef and cabbage and bangers and mash and ate till we were stuffed. The waitress was top notch as well. Such a sweetie!! An Irish pub band played the night we were there as I think they do most nights. Highly recommend!!

    (5)

  • Kelly Ann W.

    My favorite place in Nashville!. Great food, great staff, great music ! Fish n chips n Reuben's are our usuals , along with the Scotch Eggs which sound weird but are amazing! Go listen to Nosey Flynn, and raise your pint in the air... You won't be sorry!!!

    (5)

  • David S.

    Service at the bar wasn't great but I give it five stars anyway because the scotch eggs are pretty much the tastiest thing I've ever eaten.

    (5)

  • R R.

    Very fun place! The food is great, drinks are delicious. It's a very laid-back place. I have been there when they have Irish music downstairs, but there is also a good bar and darts area upstairs. It's just a low key place that's great for hanging out, where you can actually carry a conversation. The atmosphere feels more authentic than some of the more touristy "Irish pubs".

    (5)

  • Kirk M.

    Needed an after work attitude adjustment, and this was close by. Walked out in a much better mood.

    (4)

  • Jerry L.

    First the Good: Great live music. Nice cold beer. Pretty attentive staff. The Bad: The food. Our party of three ordered three different items (burger, salmon, and steak). While not inedible, certainly not very tasty. So we drank more beer, which filled us up. If you are looking for a nice meal, I would eat elsewhere. If you're looking for good live music and a nice choice of beers - this is your place.

    (2)

  • Pam S.

    Stopped here after a round of golf. Hubby had a banger sammy, I had 1/2 reuben with a salad, which was fresh and delicious. Service was excellent. Cool stuff to look at on the walls.

    (5)

  • Tony C.

    I'll try not to be bias in my review since the McNamara family have been friends of my family for years. I've had the pleasure of working with Sean so I knew when someone with a work ethic like his combined with experience, he'd make a great pub owner, and he does. Music is obviously my favorite thing about this place as is many other customers but the entire ambiance, food, drinks etc makes it all around a great pub. Wish you all the best

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    I have frequented this pub for a couple of years now. It has excellent food, and good service. The live music is top notch and adds to the already authentic atmosphere. Weekend nights are very busy. They have an excellent selection of Irish drafts and make a mean Irish coffee. I would change nothing, but make two requests. 1- Open a location in south Nashville! 2- Add Killkenny ale to the drafts!

    (5)

  • Jeff A.

    I called in advance for a party of 18 and requested the bar area for Friday night (2/3/12) at 6:00. Everyone enjoyed their food and drink! Some guests could not believe the amount of people at the restaurant. It was packed! Even though it was, our service was terrific and the food was a 10 !! I hope I don't spell the name wrong but want the powers at be to know Caleb took care of us. One of our guests was a retired long time restaurant/club owner and he was very impressed.

    (5)

  • Daniel M.

    Had a great time an McNamara's! Good food, good beer, fun atmosphere. What I like the most is that it's intentionally not just a bar, it's a place where the adults can enjoy a good drink, but the kids can have fun as well.

    (4)

  • Susie N.

    The fish & chips are outstanding. Cod at its best! The cole slaw is lightly dressed & perfectly seasoned. Top it off with crispy fried chips & a black & tan.....yum!

    (5)

  • Anthony T.

    Honestly, this is the best pub I've ever been to in America, and I've been to a few. I can only surmise that McNamara's employs certified Guiness pourers, as the pints I got were absolutely perfect; temperature was correct (no one ever gets that right, its always too cold everywhere else), they were allowed to rest on the bar for the correct period of time before being served, and the head was amazing and creamy. That's worth the drive from Atlanta alone, in my opinion. As if that weren't enough, the food is amazing. Scotch eggs and Black and Tan battered onion rings make for great starters, and the fish and chips are authentic - though don't look for them to be served on newspaper, because honestly, that's just not very sanitary. Steak and Guiness and Shepherd's pies are mouth-wateringly great. Our waitress Diane was amazing, skilled, and perfect - a feat unto itself. Its so hard to find a great server, and McNamara's seems to be full of them. I tipped 35% and was really happy to do so. to let her know how much we appreciated her. The band was entertaining and not so loud that we couldn't hear ourselves talk and make moaning noises because the food was so good. Very talented folks. I've been here twice, and will go every time I get to Nashville. McNamara's is on par with some of the best pubs I've been to in the UK, and better than many there. Just go. YOU'RE WELCOME.

    (5)

  • Toni B.

    The foods good but if your looking for Irish pub music you will be disappointed .they closed at 11 pm on a Friday night and while the band played Irish tunes and were good it was more soft folk music not drinking pub songs was quite disappointed

    (2)

  • Tonya P.

    I'd give the fish from the fish and chips a 4 easily but nothing else really worked for me. The waiter, Chris (found the receipt with his name on it) was bad. He was so interested in flirting with the blonde chick on a date with another guy that he ignored our party all meal. Even asking for extra ketchup was a hassle for him. He was tipped accordingly, but the service would make me consider not returning here. Also they use Ore Ida frozen french fries instead of making their own. Any good fish and chips at a pub comes with house made chips. The Irish are a potato people, and you can't truly call yourself an Irish pub without making your own chips in house. While the fish was quite good, especially for an inland establishment, I was underwhelmed by my meal as a whole. In reading so many good things about this place, I had high hopes. Needless to say, I was disappointed.

    (2)

  • Christine L.

    Get to this place in a Sunday night to enjoy some fantastic traditional Irish playing...oh and the fish and chips are pretty good too!

    (4)

  • Carolyn S.

    I would give it 3.5, it was good. I wish I got at least one more piece of fish with my fish and chips

    (3)

  • Claire B.

    If you're actually Irish or English, then the most important thing to know about McNamara's is that they have a real breakfast, a real "full Irish," complete with black and white pudding, rashers, and Irish sausages. As far as I know, they are the only place in Nashville that makes this possible. It's not the best Irish breakfast I've ever had, and the sausage could use improvement (you can find much better than this on the internets), but it's lovely to go and be able to have a little taste of home (and a possible heart attack) on a plate. McNamara's is an establishment with a split personality. There's the almost kitschy downstairs bar and restaurant, where you will often hear live diddle-y-de music (always fun), and the upstairs bar, which has big screen televisions and dart boards and has more of a bar atmosphere. I usually prefer the upstairs, but if I'm going to eat, or there's good music, I'll sit downstairs. Things to try: The Breakfast (If you're not of British Isles descent, then don't give me that rubbish about "blood" pudding and how disgusting you think it is. Try it. I promise it's less disgusting than what's in a hot dog, or what's in a fast food burger, and it's tastier too, but don't take my word for it if you don't want to - that means there's more for me). Kettle chips - They come with ranch or curry sauce. This might sound odd, but culinary choices coupled with beer often are: get both sauces and alternate chip dippings. Really, really good stuff. In fact, I am writing this review because I currently crave these chips, but am too lazy to drive to fetch them. Coleslaw- they have amazing coleslaw. It actually tastes like Irish coleslaw.

    (4)

  • Josh R.

    I had a great experience here on my first visit tonight. Almost all the food was delicious, the service was excellent and fast, and the drinks were amazing. For the appetizer we had the Irish nachos, which is actually dressed french fries with meat, cheese, scallions, etc. Then for the entree I had the bangers and mash, after taking a long time to choose between that, the fish & chips, and the Irish stew. The waitress was very helpful as I was asking about the menu, and she seemed to be extremely knowledgeable about all the options. In addition to the bangers and mash I got to try a steak & biscuit, which was also excellent. The drink I had with my meal was an Irish margarita, which is a margarita with Jameson Irish whiskey instead of tequila. I didn't know you could improve on the Mexican margarita, which is one of my favorite drinks of all time, but they did it! I would strongly recommend trying this drink if you haven't yet. For dessert we had a Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake, which tastes even better than it sounds. One note though, this dessert is rather small. Unlike most restaurants where desserts come large enough for four people to share, this slice was one-person sized. I don't know if that's the case with all their desserts, but keep that in mind if you get dessert here. The only disappointing part of the meal was the side I got with my bangers and mash, the macaroni & cheese. I think it may be that they used Irish cheese, and it just wasn't to my taste, but I don't know. In any case it sort of reminded me of something I'd get off a cheap buffet. Next time I think I'll try the coleslaw. But everything else was definitely five star worthy taste. The waitress was excellent and the food came out amazingly fast compared to what I'm used to in most restaurants. One final note, and that's that they seem to have excellent lunch options here. Most items are $6 and the menu says if you sit at the bar during lunch hours (11a-4p), you get 10% off your meal and soft drink.

    (5)

  • Thomas G.

    We had an excellent meal here while visiting Nashville. Kerry Lamb was great as we're the Scotch eggs. Setting in an old house is not your typical Irish pub but makes for a nice atmosphere. Fairly authentic otherwise. Guinness and Smithwicks on draft along with others.

    (5)

  • Shaun B.

    This is my home away from home. To the point when my fiancee "kicks me out" she sends me here. When I lived in the NW Indiana area, I would visit The Fifth Province in the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. The food, drinks, and service were always amazing. Moving back home to TN left an empty hole in my heart, liver, and stomach having to leave that place behind. By the time I had come back home, Seanachie's was gone and all that was left was Mulligans and Dan McGuinness. The former was a temporary fix and the latter catered to a crowd I didn't feel or want to be part of. I was driving back from lunch early last year when I saw a white house with the Tri-Colors flying proudly. I had to know what was going on there. My fiancee and I stopped in later that week to have dinner. We were seated in a circular booth that proudly displayed pictures of Michael Collins on the wall behind it. My first meal there was Bangers and Mash. I don't normally eat pork but I had to know if it was up to par. I accompanied that meal with two Imperial Pints of Guinness. A veteran of the bar business, I knew what it took to create the perfect pint. And these folks knew it too. My fiancee had the Fish and Chips though she rarely eats fish and loved it. The Bangers and Mash were top notch and I was already planning my next visit. They had put the hook in me - hook, line, and sinker to be exact. Anytime I go in, regardless of who is there, either Sean, Paula, or Kirk greet me and stop to talk to me even though they are always busy making things happen. It also made it more impressive that after I hadn't gone in for awhile, my fiancee was asked where I had been as she made reservations for that night. It's nice to feel like more than just a customer. The bar and wait staff are amazing, though Rose is always who I look forward to seeing behind the bar. Some bartenders can draw shamrocks in the head of a Guinness. She can "draw" just about anything. To amuse me on a particularly dismal day I was having, she drew a teapot for me as I had clued her in before on an inside joke among users of 3ds Max. Nosey Flynn, Sean McNamara's trio, never fails to make a great experience better. They break the mold of the commonplace "house band" you find in many Irish restaurants. You can go from hearing traditional Irish music that most Irish/Irish-American groups cover to rebel songs and even The Proclaimers' "500 Miles." They're even quick to learn a new song upon your mentioning it. They make any Thursday - Sunday night a good night for me. In the time I've been going, I watched the World Cup there, celebrated Saint Patrick's Day and proposed to my fiancee there that night on stage in front of all the revelers(the restaurant's first proposal). I've tried just about everything on the menu and haven't found something I truly dislike. Why else would it be my home away from home?

    (5)

  • Joanna F.

    This place is fun. You should come here at night when they play music, but be sure to reserve a place. It's so much fun when the whole audience is singing to the song! Everybody gets into the Knocking/banging on the table and shouting "McIntyre" while singing "Old Dun Cow'! Most of the Irish songs are about drinking, women, and perverseness. TeeHee! Hilarious songs that they sing are the "Great Big Sea" and one about 7 maids/women spending 7 nights in a laboratory (bathroom). They sang "Raglan Road" one night, and it just put me to ease and made me want to cry. Such a beautiful, sad song. Ok, food review. I've had the Shepherd's Pie. Although I've never had it before this, it was ok. It was filling, but not a favorite meal of mine. I've had the Irish Cream Potato soup. I like creamy soups, and it was perfect on a cold night. I'm not a beer drinker, so really can't rate on that. But they do have it! The one thing you should get and make room for is Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake. It's so so good. So go there. Enjoy a night with your friends, singing, drinking, eating, and laughing.

    (4)

  • Melissa L.

    I have had two visits here since April and both were much improved over my first visit. On the visit in May I had their salmon and it was as good as any place in town. Definitely will order again. On the visit in August, my daughter ordered for both of us because she wanted both the sheppard's pie and the steak and guinnesse pie. The sheppard's pie was okay but the steak pie was the winner. We like lamb so I really like a lamb sheppard's pie and this was ground beef or at least it tasted mostly like ground beef. The gravy was nice but it's just a preference of mine for the lamb. The steak and guinness pie was hands down a winner with a nice flaky puff pastry crust full of nice chunks of beef in a well balanced gravy that wasn't too heavy on the guinness. We will definitely be going back. The service was good however I will say that on both occassions the servers messed up orders that were not standard straight off the menu - ask for a substitution and it likely won't come out the way your ordered it. So that would have to be my main thing keeping me from going higher on the score.

    (3)

  • Krista A.

    Awesome waitress and great fish and chips. The cole slaw was amazing as well.

    (5)

  • Linda A.

    We had so much fun here! Great Irish music, friendly crowd. can't give it five stars because the service was a bit ditzy. The food was good too...we had shepherd's pie and fish and chips so it wasn't too tricky...but it was Irish food and pretty good. we'll definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    If you are looking for every Irish whiskey available in the Nashville market, this place has it. Every visit is entertaining. The staff is knowledgeable and laid back. They know the menu and they truly love the food. The only negative thing about this place is there is just not enough tables and the hostess isn't as helpful as she could be - no matter which one you get. I'd try this place on St. Paddy's day but I just know I couldn't get in. Still, may give it a shot!

    (4)

  • Tonya O.

    Hellllllo Scotch Eggs! I discovered this tasty dish many years ago when Sherlock's was still on Elliston but was disappointed to find out that they are usually served cold. I guess McNamara's has Americanized their version, which pleases my preference, and serves theirs hot. I believe they only offer them as appetizers, but there's enough to make a meal, if you like. For my entree, I experienced my first ever Bangers and Mash. Quite the tasty dish, indeed. Their sweet potato fries are also a good choice. I'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Nestor H.

    We had the pleasure of being taken to McNamara's by friends and were absolutely thrilled with the evening. Where else can you get a free concert by an excellent trio of performers that include the pub's owner? The venue has multiple areas ranging from the main "event" room (that was packed on the Saturday night we were there) to a sport bar upstairs, a small "writer's room", and a "cottage" room for a more secluded environment. The food was typical Irish fare and while I'm not an aficionado, I can confidently state that the fish and chips were some of the best I've tasted--and that includes those I've had in Dublin. Contrary to one of the negative reviews below, they were lightly battered--more fish than batter. My friend had corned beef and cabbage and the beer I tasted was moist and tasty. Even the fried mushrooms tasted fresh! They've created a little island of something different from the dominant southern fare found in the area so I imagine locals flock there just to taste something different and they aren't disappointed based on the crowds. Highly recommended! PS I don't think I've met a friendlier and more sincere proprietor than Sean who is clearly a man concerned about customer service and catering to as broad a clientele as possible--from young to old.

    (5)

  • Tom E.

    Traveling through on our way back to Chicago and I yelped to find a place to eat near our motel (La Quinta, airport). This place sounded good so we gave it a try. Wow! Best irish pub food I've ever had, and I've eaten at quite a few. I had the F&C substituting black&tan onion rings for the chips - really, really good. My wife had a special of lamb tenderloin with a vinegary sauce that complimented the tender lamb perfectly. We ate at 6 PM on a Saturday and had a 5 minute wait. When we left it looked like the wait was considerable. Service was excellent. We will definitely come again the next time we're in Nashville

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    Excellent... My wife and I sat at the bar to enjoy great music and singing from the owner. Collin at the bar was excellent! Casual, great food. Fish and Chips very good. No complaints to be had from us.

    (5)

  • David K.

    I only had to-go food but the level of service was just incredible. He noticed from my number that I was from Atlanta, and welcomed me to Nashville. He asked me how far I was so he knew exactly when to put the order in so that the food never got cold. Scoth eggs were delish so were the sheppards pie

    (4)

  • Kevin P.

    One of my favorite places in Nashville/Donelson. Great music, great food, great spirits (many of the spirits you cannot find anywhere else in Nashville), and great atmosphere. I wish I lived within walking distance!

    (5)

  • Aubrey D.

    I still like this place but my 2nd visit didn't live up to my first. I went on a Friday afternoon with my toddler and 2 others. Firstly, the hostess tried to seat us in a very stuffy room with a bar. I objected and asked to be seated in the more pleasant room I had initially experienced. She told me I couldn't sit there because the server's shift was almost over (?!) I maintained that I didn't want to sit in the other hot room, and she ended up letting us sit in the other room--at a table by the noisy kitchen. It took the server at least 15 minutes just to get our drink order. We ordered our drinks and food at once to speed things up. I ordered the 1/2 reuben again which was good but didn't live up to the first time. The chicken soup was great, so that was the one improvement from my first visit. My mom ordered a breakfast sampler which had all sorts of wierd sausages and beans. She said it was just ok. My son had the kids chicken fingers and fries--decent but overpriced at $5! I felt embarrassed for having us meet here as I had raved about the place after my first visit. It ended up being fine but, if this had been my first time there, I would not have returned. The charming hostess / co-owner was not there this time which probably had something to do with the significant decrease in TLC!

    (3)

  • Brent W.

    Hey, I live right down the street from the best Irish Pub in America and I've only been there twiced!!! Ain't that the way it always goes? You live there, but you don't go there...stoopid. Anywayzzz, I went there last night and the Bar, Band, Food, and drink were all fantastic. They really take you away from the real world america and you can escape to a nuther country via this place. No stinkin TV for starters. Ask to be seated in the bar. It's non-smokin' and they let kids sit in there too AND the vibe is so right on old school Irish baby! If I have anything to be weird about, it's the relaxed way the employees work. No pressure, no upselling, they bring the food out done right and fast. All that no-pressure-sales kept me from drinking more than two...and away from kissing the Blarney Porcelain...YES!!!

    (4)

  • Steve T.

    The lamb is awesome. Great live music. Not too loud. Just right. This place looks so much smaller on the outside.

    (5)

  • Steve M.

    Went in as a single but very comfortable. Was offered seat at one of the bars or table and I chose table as they had live performer this evening. He was outstanding by the way and was direct from the Emerald Isle according to the posted info. Hostess also had a heavy accent which led to the comfort of the place. Fare was authentic, Scotch Eggs very good and the Fish and Chips prepared properly and tasty. Large, flaky white fish with steak fries and slaw. Smithwick's was delicious and ice cold. I'll be back on me next trip.

    (4)

  • Clay G.

    The food is better than you would expect. Especially good are any of the corn beef dishes. I really like their Rueben because it isn't made with deli sliced corn beef. But my favorite reason for going is the music. Thursday nights they start at 6. Fun Times.

    (5)

  • David G.

    So, generally speaking I should review this place based upon food and the likelihood that I would revisit this pub as a bar scene. I'll be honest, my review is going to be slightly skewed because... THE UPSTAIRS IS DECKED OUT IN NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH GEAR (my alma mater). So, yeah, damn it... it's skewed. This place is the frickin' bomb diggity because the owner has decked this joint out! Hell-to-the-freaking-yeah. Alright, I've gotten it out of my system now (Go Irish!... last time, I promise). The bar food here was fairly mediocre. My cheese sticks were not hot and melty, but rather somewhat cool and not-anywhere-close-to-melty. That's just not how I'd want my cheese sticks to be. The sweet potato fries were alright, as well, but again not all that warm. They were in a frier, right? How are they not warm? Plus, I think it is rather weird to have put brown sugar instead of sea salt on french fries, even if they are sweet potato. The beer selection is a nice traditional irish pub set: Smithwick's, Guiness, Hard Cider, Bass, etc. The service was fairly decent and so was the scenery. All-n-all, I probably would have given this joint two stars, but did I mention it's FREAKING AWESOME that it is covered in ND paraphrenalia?

    (3)

  • Janet S.

    Whilst profoundly suspicious of all these high ratings and the Donelson location, talk about snobbish and suspicious, we ventured in at 10.30pm last Friday, immediately impressed with the interior and decor, a Music Room with the band leading to a dining room with a sectioned off bar, leading to another two dining spaces a little further from the music, topped off with a darts and pool upstairs room. A chalkboard greeted me with a Lamb loin special, how could I resist, huge portion, pink in the middle, accompanied by some fine cabbage, parsnips and carrots all for $18 (the most expensive thing on the menu. Other delights include fish and chips, shepherds pie, irish stew etc , burgers and salads, various cobblers and and extensive libation menu featuring delicious magners cider on draft. Whilst the diddly diddly music is not for us, the crowd seemed pleased. Tuesday is open mic or jam night. Lunch time specials all around $10 or less. When I need a UK fix for food I will head here. Well done for surpassing the usual mediocre attempts at British/Irish pubs. Open until 1.00am and a handy stop on the way to the airport if you are picking people up. Lamb on Friday and Saturday only for some reason.

    (4)

  • Tim P.

    This is my first visit to McNamara's. Friday night, 7pm, no tables available and a single seat at the crowded bar, right under the PA speaker playing music from the live band. This was a set-up for things not going so well, but strangers made room for me at the bar, the bartender, Rose, asked my name, told me hers and the other bartender's name, and made sure to remember me. Dinner was great, the music was terrific, I felt like I was treated like their best customer. I'm a fan of Irish pubs and Irish music, and have visited many. This is among the best!

    (5)

  • Tom S.

    A solid place for food. Seems very popular with the locals. I sat at one of the three bar areas but there were s bunch of tables and lots of families. I won't say it is the most authentic representation of Irish food (like a pickle served on the side of Bangers and Mash) but it was good food. I had the Bangers and Mash with carrots and parsnips. The food came out lightning fast and was hot. I ordered gravy on the side which does not normally come on the dish. The Bangers were nice as were the sides. My only comment would be there could have been more Mash and the pickle on the plate was an odd addition. For dessert I had the bread pudding. Dessert rated good but came with apples and ice cream. It actually tasted more like apple pie a la model ham true bread pudding but was really tasty. Overall a nice dinner and fast, friendly service. I will come back when I am in town.

    (4)

  • Danny N.

    A good Irish Pub is always one of my faves and McNamara's did not disappoint. This is the closest to home cooking Irish Pub in Nashville. The Guinness was on point which is usually a rarity for it to taste correct. For dinner we ordered bangers and mash and corn beef and cabbage. Both meals were fantastic and recommended.

    (5)

  • Danny L.

    I love this place, from the food to the music, to the comedy always playing in the bathrooms. Consistent, charming, excellent service, great food done to perfection. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. And, they hustle when it's busy so you don't wait any longer when they are full to the brim than you do on a casual week night. Great Irish and folk music push this place over the top!

    (5)

  • Jeff H.

    good irish restaurant, good food, slightly pricey for some dishes such as lamb but reasonable on other dishes like the salmon patties. irish music often. good staff. clean. i give it an 8 out of 10

    (4)

  • Timothy M.

    I took my mother here for her birthday last weekend. It was her first visit ever to Nashville and I wanted to make it special. And McNamara's helped me make it very special indeed. We went on a Friday night when Nosey Flynn was playing. I spoke to Sean McNamara, the owner of the place and the singer of Nosey Flynn, about singing Happy Birthday to my mother when they brought out the cake I had them hide back in the kitchen earlier. Everything worked perfectly. The cake came out, candles lit, and Sean announced my mothers birthday and sang Happy Birthday. I've never seen my mother as happy as I saw her then. Three cheers for McNamara's wonderful staff and the awesome food we were served! I will not forget that night for years to come and I will definitely, DEFINITELY be going back here. If I could give them more than 5 stars I would. They deserve 10 stars.

    (5)

  • Anthony S.

    McNamaras has a great vibe- family friendly, great drinks, and decent food. There are not many places in Donelson to rival it, but there are a few things they could stand to address. The menu is heavy. I get it, it's Irish, so starches are a mainstay. I have been a little disappionted with my food in the half-dozen times I've eaten there. Items like fish 'n chips are good and satisfy, but their curry was a little weak and the veggies bland. My wife and I both have had sides come out and been bad enough to go cold and get sent to the rubbish. If you're looking for healthy eating, beware. They serve "Irish Nachos" which are loaded steak fries. Goes great with Guiness but not situps. It's also surprisingly pricey. Not expensive, but I always find myself staring at the bill. They have a nice selection of beers and whiskeys, so it's a great place to drink, but they're really more of an eatery and don't stay open late enough for the real lushes. Not that it's a bad thing, just sayin. McNamaras is a good place to take friends and family out to enjoy some live music and decent food as long as you are sure what you are in for.

    (4)

  • J R.

    So as I sit here at the bar with a drink and ordered food, I feel invisible. Thank you red bearded bartender. He barely even tried to make eye contact with me. The bar wasn't even busy by me! Another patron just walked up and sat down and he greeted him with open arms. He also was cordial and got the drink for the guy sitting next to me. I was waiting for 10 mins before he arrived! Anyways, I ordered a beer and the bangers and mash dish. My food came cold. I didn't want to complain so I just ate it. I asked for some gravy later just to warm up my meal. It was the warmest part of my meal. The sausages were unnaturally mushy. The sweet potatoes fries had cinnamon sugar on them. You can't do that! Lol they are supposed to be sweet potato fries for a reason! All I could do is laugh hysterically as I finished my meal. I didn't feel welcomed. If that was the objective, it worked. I won't be returning.

    (1)

  • Erik F.

    Some of the best times you can have. Live music most days of the week. The upstairs bar Rose was taking care of us and she was awesome. I had a grilled Salmon that was delicious. Beers that had on draft were traditional Irish and were also excellent.

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    We hit Trivia upstairs on Tuesday nights regularly. McNamaras is a great addition to the Donelson area. I recommend many menu items: scotch eggs, spin dip, Reuben, club, Guinness pie and more. But some items fall flat. The salads are pretty blah, and the fish and chips are inconsistent. I REALLY wish we could get cider draft upstairs. Paying extra for bottles because the server doesn't want to go downstairs isn't cool. Still. McNanaras is definitely worth a stop.

    (4)

  • David N.

    One of the best Irish pubs I've been in outside of Ireland,had the fish n chips washed down by a few pints of Smithwicks,excellent! Great live music and Tommy the bartender was the best...... I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Jay R.

    My waitress was an angel. Such a sweetheart for always checking in on me, and for giving me time to order. Even though I knew what I wanted early on! Their corned beef is so delicious! It got stuck in my teeth! They have all the authentic Irish drinks, platters with meat and vegetables, as well as ambiance. Tremendous hospitality and they treat you like family.

    (5)

  • Q Y.

    Jameson and Guinness, all my favorites! What not to like about Irish?! Now Irish cider should be added to the list. A good day drink for those who don't want to be perceived as drink on the job. Corn beef is good, just a little too salty for me. Broccoli cheese casserole is delicious. But didn't get discount on my bill as offered to by sitting at the bar.

    (3)

  • Wayne K.

    We stopped here for a relaxing lunch. WOW, what a treat! Service was friendly from the second we walked in. It felt like we were at a friend's house. Server took our order and within 3 mins our appetizer was served. The main course arrived just as we finished the spinach dip, which was amazing. No pressure or feeling like we were being rushed. The main courses was all that we desired. Opted for a bowl of chicken-tomato-basil soup to finish off the meal. This was a meal in itself! My wife thought there were croutons on the top, only to discover it was all bites of chicken breast. The broth was phenomenal! My wife has an Irish coffee for dessert. That simply completed the experience perfectly. If you are looking for a great dining experience at a reasonable price, we urged you check them out. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!!

    (5)

  • Noell C.

    Stopped by after a long day of flying. Stayed at the nearby Hilton garden inn. Customer service was exceptional. Hostess not only sat me but then saw my server taking a large parties order so immediately came back and took my drink order. Started with the potato soup which tasted much better than it looked. I should've added some shredded cheese but even alone it was really good. Entree I chose the lamb medallions. It was a little too vinegary for my liking but cooked perfectly and over good taste. With it I chose the corn casserole which was a bit dry but flavor was there. I also got the broccoli and cheese casserole which was great. I would go back and would like to try the salmon or beef next go round.

    (4)

  • A B.

    Excellent beer selection, excellent whiskey selection, and excellent food. We were only in town for a day and we're very happy we found this place. We will return!

    (5)

  • Otis G.

    Another great dinner and live music experience. Kerry Lamb is delicious as always as is the Steak and Guinness pie. Smithwick's is the freshest in town I swear. Great time all around for our party of six. Very highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Jordan L.

    I enjoyed this place! Atmosphere was very nice, good location without the downtown traffic. The Irish nachos were interesting- they were actually fries , but the menu clearly stated that - Still liked them!! I had my first scheperds pie and I was not disappointed. Yummy! I wish I could have been in the section with the live music, but that's ok! I will be back!

    (4)

  • Breandán W.

    Seemed like the place would be great craic, with the live music in the side room when we walked in. Stood around waiting to get a table, and then once seated waited 10 min before a waitress acknowledged us. The food came out shortly after the first round, which was slow for the drinks to arrive, but fast for the food. The grilled salmon was not fresh (pre-cooked frozen would be my guess). It also had the taste of carbon from a poorly maintained grill it was heated up on. The carrots and parsnips were great, and the broccoli and cheddar would have been great if not for being lukewarm at best. Attempting to be proactive we ordered the next round before needed, but still no luck at getting them by the time we were ready. Great music and pints, but I will eat before coming next time and sit at the bar.

    (2)

  • Grace A.

    When in Nashville, have a pint at this place. It's close to the airport so it's a great place to stop by for lunch before a flight or after a flight. Our Lyft driver recommended this place and we asked her to have lunch with us and she actually did. I had the corned beef and cabbage. The corned beef was perfect! It was melt in my mouth goodness. The cabbage was great too. Sour, but not too sour to complement the flavor of the corned beef. It's simple, yet so incredibly delicious. It makes me mouth water just thinking about it. The portions were a little bit on the big side so I took some home, but it's perfect for someone who's really hungry. The place itself was like being welcomed into someone's home. It was cozy, but there was a ton of space. There's a nice bar area where you can watch soccer games. I suppose I should've written this review before the World Cup, huh? The servers and hostesses were all very nice and the owner even came out and greeted us (I think it was because our Lyft driver frequents that place almost everyday apparently). After we were done stuffing ourselves, our Lyft driver dropped us off at the airport and said from the restaurant to the airport, no charge! Wooooohoooo!! I love the kindness of strangers!

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    I've tried several different things here and I must say the Shepards pie is my favorite

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    I've been to McNamaras on St. Patricks Day and it was great ... but all I had was my fill of Smithwick's and Harp beer because it was too crowded for food in the upstairs bar .....and who eats on St. Patty's Day ! Today , we had an early evening dinner there and it was as good as I expected . I had the Steak and Guinness pie and it was tender and flavorful . My daughter had the Corned beef and cabbage which was superb . My wife had the fish and chips which were light and crispy without being greasy and tasted good. The ice cream pie was huge and incredibly good and 4 of us could barely finish it off. McNamara's is a great neighborhood Irish Pub .

    (4)

  • Casey A.

    Very fun and great food. The owner sings some great Irish folk songs on stage with the band.

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    Excellent entertainment, 5 stars all the way. The food however could be better. Corned beef is super salty, curry n Chips are soggy, salads are just okay, fish n Chips are basic, fresh peas would be a great option. Bonus is they have HP sauce

    (4)

  • Kelsey C.

    We came to eat here on a Saturday night and had a great time. The food was great and the people were so nice. The only reason I give it a 4 instead of 5 was the wait time. They told us it would be 15 to 20 minutes to be seated, but it was over 45 minutes. Then, after we were seated, the service was slow. It was obvious the waitress had too many tables to handle. But she was really nice, as was everyone else who worked there. The owner or manager brought us our food and apologized for our wait. He was very kind! We would definitely go back, because the food is great, as is the music and people, but it's just good to be prepared to wait awhile.

    (4)

  • David W.

    We decided to visit this place after reading all the great reviews. The night we visited they had live Irish music, which was really good. The wife loved her food...and for the life of me I cannot remember what she had. I had the shepherd pie, which was about 90% potatoes and 10% filling. I am not sure this is the way it is supposed to be served. Seems like there should be more meat and such in there. The drinks were good...we both had nice beers. Overall I would say visit this place as it is nice for a date night.

    (4)

  • Billy H.

    Such a warm & inviting restaurant. Upon entering, you feel as if you're entering someone's home. The couple that owns the restaurant has done a great job at making a place that everyone feels welcome. There's a bar downstairs & a bar upstairs. Lots of seating around the bar areas, it's very easy to get a drink & spend some time. The dining area is large, booths & tables. The menu has a lot of Irish fare. I've had the fish & chips twice, both times were GREAT. The fish is tender but not overly greasy. The cole slaw is a little less than yummy. They've have an appetizer called Irish nachos that consist of steak fries topped with sheppard's pie meat, cheese, scallions & tomatoes​. It was delicious. I could've made a meal out of the Irish nachos.

    (4)

  • Bonnie B.

    Celebrated Father's Day here. Service was good & food was excellent despite a packed house. Great option for kids in a pub setting. Sunday evening music is a "family show." Dad was happy to finish from the list of "all the Irish whiskeys available in Nashville."

    (5)

  • Fabiano L.

    Not a bunch of options for vegetarians. Potato cakes are good. Music is awesome at night.

    (3)

  • Bridgette C.

    I love this place. I love the atmosphere, the music, the service, and even the fried-laden menu offerings. This place is like visiting Ireland without leaving Nashville (not counting the slight drive out of town). It's like sitting in some old mansion where everyone in town has also showed up to eat. And the live music...well let's say its not what you'd expect in Nashville, meaning its straight-up old Irish folk singing. And its damn good. The have an excellent selection of beers on tap and an abundance of TVs to watch games, while you eat, drink, and listen to music as well. There's even a sports bar upstairs. Despite the large space it is always packed in here. The music room is booked up weeks in advance thought you can hear the music in other parts of the establishment. The bar is open seating and if you can get a seat, its the best in the house. The rest of the space is a restaurant and a very busy one at that. Large parties, HUGE parties, dominate the tables. You can tell this is a place many people frequent, and lucky locals like me had someone bring them there once and they loved it and kept coming back. We are talking seriously traditional bar food and classic Irish/Scottish favorites, like fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage. This is a place to leave your diet at the door. Their Scottish eggs are a great starter! The staff here are so friendly despite being inundated with patrons at all times. The service is fast and done with a smile. Be prepared though: this is very much off the beaten path. There aren't any other places around and if you're coming from downtown you'll need a DD. It is absolutely worth the trip though, if laid back bars with good food and a different vibe than the norm are your thing. This is a great place to hang with friends and have some laughs. I absolutely love this place!

    (5)

  • Gregg G.

    We had the greatest time. Though we had a 45 minute wait. The staff was very hospitable and we were offered beverages while we waited. Our meals were fantastic! The fish and chips were as expected - wonderful. The live music was professionally done and very enjoyable. We'll go again for sure.

    (5)

  • Zoraida K.

    I have been here many times over the years and really my only complaint is that in the evenings, If seated on the "bat side" the music will be to loud to hold a conversation, but hey is you're there to drink and listen to music, it's perfect! The pot of tea is always perfect and today's lunch special of 1/2 Rueben and homemade cream of broccoli soup was served the correct temperature (hot) and sandwich was hot but kraut was still crunchy, a sign it was assembled correctly and waited not to be served! Cheers Mcnamaras! Until next time!

    (4)

  • Hannah W.

    Lovely atmosphere, amazing food and staff, and the live music is wonderful. I highly recommend the freshly brewed hot Green Tea, and the Mozzarella cheese sticks! Even though I've only just recently been introduced to McNamara's, it is one of my favorite places to go. I've not been disappointed by any item on the menu since day one!

    (5)

  • Katie H.

    So delicious! I had the Corned Beef and Cabbage and it was amazing! I paired it with the Black and Tan onion rings and I'm telling you those were the BEST onion rings I have ever eaten! Our server, Gail, was fantastic as well!

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    A bar/restaurant with a homey atmosphere, great food, great beer, and excellent service....just what Donelson needed!

    (5)

  • Ed B.

    I used to live in Nashville and loved to go see McNamara at other pubs around town. We had a crew of guys for a bachelor party and thought McNamara's would be a fine choice for music, drinking, singing, and pint banging. The music, the beer choices, and the service were all great. McNamara and Nosey Flynn are the best band for Irish "drinking songs" I have ever heard. The atmosphere is really good. Not at all what I expected from a location in the burbs. We did not have any food, so I can't comment on that. Regardless, this is a great place to go and relax and enjoy some fine music.

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    Great place for a basic dinner and good drinks. Live music and such. Food is good with a few great standouts (Shepard's pie and scotch eggs). Imperial pints and a great Irish whiskey selection. Service has always been excellent even on St. Pats. Definitely a great place to grab lunch or dinner and a drink.

    (4)

  • Tony J.

    Good Irish pub close to the Nashville airport. The live band was great. They sang some original songs as well as Irish classics.

    (4)

  • Mike B.

    Who knew the best Irish pub would be in Nashville?! Seriously good food, our Waitress -Diane- was flawless. Wonderful live Irish music. I would come back to Nashville to come to this place. If you're near... Stop in and you won't be sorry! When you stop by tell Diane the guys from Connectecut told you to come!

    (4)

  • Andy P.

    Five stars from a guy who doesn't give five stars often and has eaten at a lot of Irish pubs and restaurants, including on the Emerald Isle herself. We ate here twice in three days and both times were outstanding. Bangers and mash with real imported Irish sausage, fish and chips that melt in your mouth, and corned beef and cabbage that was a little spicy but still excellent. The full Irish breakfast on weekends is so authentic I couldn't believe it - including white and black pudding. Great place and owned by Sean - who has a wonderful Irish accent - and his family - who do as well. Traditional Irish music most nights.

    (5)

  • Eric B.

    this is a tale of two visits, and i apologize in advance. i'm just not into this place. at all or in the least. irish music isn't my thing, but i can understand the appeal of this place if you are. my first visit was for a couple of drinks. the drink itself was fine; strong actually. my problem came with paying for it. i handed the bartender a ten to pay for it, and this mother fucker THREW MY CHANGE ON THE COUNTER. i worked in gas stations for years, and in many different ones. the principal lesson i came away with (aside from learning how to steal lighters and cigarettes without being caught) was to not throw money at people or on the counter, it is incredibly rude. second visit, this same guy was our server. he dropped two menus down for a party of five. after leaving these two menus, he wasn't seen again for about 15 minutes. after our food came out, he wasn't around for a long time either. i'll say something positive, the food came out super fast. not always a good thing, but better than the alternative, i suppose. not into this place in the least and don't anticipate a third visit. eric b

    (1)

  • Margaret P.

    Met mom for dinner as she had just returned from Ireland a few days ago...she said fish and chips rivaled those in dublin

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    My husband and I go here all the time for lunch. I love this place! The food is awesome, everything is homemade from scratch, and the service is spectacular! If you go ask for Amy to be your server, she is amazing! Their lunch menu is great for a budget. I would say my favorite is their chicken salad sandwich with chicken tortilla soup. You will not be disappointed in the service at this place, the food, or the price!

    (5)

  • Matthew C.

    The weekend breakfast is amazing. I usually get the bangers for dinner, and have never had anything less than amazing.

    (5)

  • Jennifer M.

    We recently returned to McNamara's, and I'm happy to report it seems the restaurant has worked out the kinks- added additional staff, improved the level of service, and even improved upon the food! I'm happy with the improvements, and look forward to visiting again soon!

    (4)

  • Mark A.

    We've been there twice in one weekend. Live Celtic music is played at night. The food is ridiculously good. The first visit we had Shepherd's pie and Corned Beef & Cabbage. Both tasted great and were generous in size. The corn casserole, as a side item, is worth going for by itself. The wait staff were gracious and helpful as well as friendly. The award-winning bread pudding is a must. Today we had Fish & Chips, which were authentically delicious. This will be on our list every time we return to Nashville.

    (5)

  • Kenny H.

    I'm not sure what the draw of this place is. Everyone seems to be talking about it, and I have given it a few chances since it is close by. The best thing I have had here is the Wicklow Pork Chops, which was quite good. Everything else has been meh, to not very good at all. Steak and biscuits and hamburger were pretty forgettable. Grilled chicken sandwich was not bad. The worst was the fish and chips, which was Captain D's level. Young restaurant, so it may get better. Donelson needs some cool places, so I hope it does.

    (2)

  • Kimberly S.

    I really like this place and it's a great little gem in this area. We always go upstairs for the bar atmosphere and the service has been mediocre, at best. Food tonight was okay but usually much better.

    (3)

  • Ryan O.

    The fish and chips are some of the best I've had in Nashville. Pints are a little pricey not really much higher than most other pubs. The food and drinks are not what makes this place special though. The real reason to go to McNamara's is the music. I was never really a fan of Irish music but the owner and his group Nosey Flynn have changed that.

    (4)

  • Alethea S.

    My boyfriend & I went to McNamara's for lunch last week. We arrived just after noon and were promptly seated by the friendly hostess. The other customers were a mix of working folks on their lunch break and retired people enjoying a meal out. The noise level was low; there might have been Irish music playing over the speakers but it wasn't intrusive. While the tables have plenty of space between them, we could still hear other people's conversations (I guess the sound carries a bit). Our waitress greeted us almost immediately and was very attentive throughout our meal. We ordered the bangers & mash with a side of green beans and the shepherd's pie. We drank water and shared a 20oz pint of Harp. The food was tasty but not outstanding. I don't have any complaints, it's just that this kind of Irish food (meat & potatoes) can be fairly bland. The bangers (sausages) were particularly good and may have been homemade. There were 3 on the plate and they were lighter than we expected and made with an unidentifiable herb that gave them a nice flavor. From the other plates we saw brought out from the kitchen, the portions appear to be consistently large. The average lunch entree costs $10 and draft beers were $4.50. I did notice that there were several vegetarian options on the menu as well as the usual fish & chips. There was also a small kid's menu. During the daytime, this is a relaxed & casual lunch spot where you can linger over your meal or probably be in & out pretty quickly if you have a limited amount of time (and mention this to your server). McNamara's is a nice addition to such a bleak part of town and I would gladly go back for drinks & live music some evening.

    (3)

  • Chris L.

    Such a gem to have in Nashville, and on my side of town! The owner never forgets a face, the music is great, the upstairs bar is great for football, darts and trivia, and the guinness is flowing! The staff is welcoming and the place is very family friendly early in the night. Love the food, the atmosphere, the whiskey club and the flag out front.

    (5)

  • greg p.

    Nice place. Scotch Eggs are great! So are the Corned Beef Bites. Actually, everything I've had there is pretty good. Only downside is that it's a bit pricey if you are planning on having a few drinks.

    (4)

  • Alex D.

    Great ambiance and friendly service. We ordered scotch eggs as an appetizer, I ordered shepherd's pie, and two other people ordered irish stew and bangers and mash. I'd never had scotch eggs before, but I quite enjoyed these. My shepherd's pie was very good as well. However, each of us tried a bit of the bangers, and I will say that I think it was the best sausage I've ever had. Maybe I've never had real irish sausage before, but it's the reason I give this place five stars.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Cozy atmosphere and great service. Had the fish and chips and was delicious. Nobody mentioned the lunch specials to us which would have saved us 8 bucks, but hey, I was full up for the rest of the day so..

    (4)

  • Barb B.

    After having a bad 1st impression (due to their St. Patty's Day policy...the owner did take the time to follow up with me after I posted my first review on YELP.)...I finally had a chance to actually go to McNamara's & try them out with some friends last night. EXCELLENT! We were seated quickly, the service was very friendly & quick. More importantly the food was wonderful! We had the Scotch Eggs, Fish n Chips & Steak & Biscuits. Also, it was nice because we were seated on the opposite side of the restaurant where it was quieter & we were able to talk (vs. near the music, although it sounded like everyone in that room was having a great time). I'm anxious to take my husband.

    (5)

  • David G.

    So, generally speaking I should review this place based upon food and the likelihood that I would revisit this pub as a bar scene. I'll be honest, my review is going to be slightly skewed because... THE UPSTAIRS IS DECKED OUT IN NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH GEAR (my alma mater). So, yeah, damn it... it's skewed. This place is the frickin' bomb diggity because the owner has decked this joint out! Hell-to-the-freaking-yeah. Alright, I've gotten it out of my system now (Go Irish!... last time, I promise). The bar food here was fairly mediocre. My cheese sticks were not hot and melty, but rather somewhat cool and not-anywhere-close-to-melty. That's just not how I'd want my cheese sticks to be. The sweet potato fries were alright, as well, but again not all that warm. They were in a frier, right? How are they not warm? Plus, I think it is rather weird to have put brown sugar instead of sea salt on french fries, even if they are sweet potato. The beer selection is a nice traditional irish pub set: Smithwick's, Guiness, Hard Cider, Bass, etc. The service was fairly decent and so was the scenery. All-n-all, I probably would have given this joint two stars, but did I mention it's FREAKING AWESOME that it is covered in ND paraphrenalia?

    (3)

  • Janet S.

    Whilst profoundly suspicious of all these high ratings and the Donelson location, talk about snobbish and suspicious, we ventured in at 10.30pm last Friday, immediately impressed with the interior and decor, a Music Room with the band leading to a dining room with a sectioned off bar, leading to another two dining spaces a little further from the music, topped off with a darts and pool upstairs room. A chalkboard greeted me with a Lamb loin special, how could I resist, huge portion, pink in the middle, accompanied by some fine cabbage, parsnips and carrots all for $18 (the most expensive thing on the menu. Other delights include fish and chips, shepherds pie, irish stew etc , burgers and salads, various cobblers and and extensive libation menu featuring delicious magners cider on draft. Whilst the diddly diddly music is not for us, the crowd seemed pleased. Tuesday is open mic or jam night. Lunch time specials all around $10 or less. When I need a UK fix for food I will head here. Well done for surpassing the usual mediocre attempts at British/Irish pubs. Open until 1.00am and a handy stop on the way to the airport if you are picking people up. Lamb on Friday and Saturday only for some reason.

    (4)

  • Tim P.

    This is my first visit to McNamara's. Friday night, 7pm, no tables available and a single seat at the crowded bar, right under the PA speaker playing music from the live band. This was a set-up for things not going so well, but strangers made room for me at the bar, the bartender, Rose, asked my name, told me hers and the other bartender's name, and made sure to remember me. Dinner was great, the music was terrific, I felt like I was treated like their best customer. I'm a fan of Irish pubs and Irish music, and have visited many. This is among the best!

    (5)

  • Martin D.

    My wife and I really love this place!! We're both fans of live Celtic music and have gone to many a so-called "Irish Pub" only to find another sports bar with a garage band playing bad metal cover tunes and whose only connection to Ireland is the shamrock-shaped neon Budweiser sign over the bar and a blow-up leprechaun in the corner. So imagine our delight at finding a place with an authentic Irish band playing real Celtic tunes! The pub is housed in what appears to have been a house at one point in its life. The interior décor features lots of wood and exudes the kind of warmth you'd expect from an Irish pub. They feature a number of beers on tap (though I have only ever opted for the Guinness) and the mixed drinks usually feature a heavy pour. The servers here have always been great, especially considering the kinds of crowds they've had to work on the Saturday nights that we've been here. Be forewarned...McNamara's gets huge crowds on Friday and Saturday nights when the house band, Nosey Flinn, plays. Even arriving as early as 6 o'clock, we've found the place packed with folks waiting in the front for tables to open up. Reservations are pretty much a must in the music room if you want to see the band perform and are usually necessary even in the restaurant section. Even when we're leaving at around 10pm, we still see people waiting for tables. As far as the food is concerned, it's the only thing that I would ding McNamara's on. The menu is Irish-themed but we have yet to find a dish we particularly like. Much of the food is fried, which I don't particularly care for from a health standpoint, and we just haven't had any entrees that struck us as particularly tasty. That said, we've never left the place hungry either. The band is truly top notch...very talented musicians, sings authentic Irish ballads and drinking songs and has a real talent for getting the crowd involve in the sing-along numbers. If you're looking for an edgy, nightclub atmosphere this is not the place for you. But if you're looking for a real Irish pub experience, McNamara's is definitely the place for you!!

    (4)

  • Kenneth W.

    Shepherds pie was great. Even better with the HB sauce. Reuben was made with pulled corn beef, not sliced lunchmeat. The service was very friendly and attentive. I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu!

    (5)

  • Andrea R.

    Went on a Saturday night. Great lively atmosphere with the owner's band playing Irish music. I had the grilled salad and added steak on top. The salad was awesome but the steak was cut up in weird round pieces and scattered on top of the salad, and it seems that the outside had too much char on it to be tasty. Next time I'll try the chicken. The hubs had fish n chips with huge steak fries. He said it was great. We will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Dinah T.

    I had meant to leave 4 stars, not 3. I am editing to reflect that change. I'm new to Yelp and not sure how else to do it.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Nice atmosphere and prompt service, but this is where all things good end. The food comes out of the kitchen at a lightening paced speed. When food comes out this fast, it immediately raises a red flag telling me that it's not fresh and has either been sitting under a hot lamp or has seen the inside of a microwave. The potato skins were overdone and very bland. And although the stuffed pork tenderloin was moist and tender (at the beginning), it was dreadfully bland as well. As time went by, the tenderloin got harder and harder to cut. It was like when you put leftover biscuit in a microwave and heated it up a tad too much. It comes out very fluffy but over the course of a few minutes it gets really hard. I've had better food at a chain restaurant. I suppose if you're looking for a place to drink and party, this is your place. But that's about it. Bland food and a $40+ dollar bill means we won't be going back to this restaurant anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Sonya N.

    I have no doubt the band and alcohol are really great at McNamara's. The food for me, however, is a different story. I was there a couple of months ago for dinner and ordered the roasted chicken with sides of coleslaw and broccoli with cheese. The chicken looked as though it was left over from lunch, but I decided to try it anyway. When I pulled back the meat, it was dry, dry, dry and had no taste. The coleslaw had absolutely no seasoning and the broccoli with cheese was a tasteless gloppy mess. When I told the waitress (who, by the way, was terrific), she suggested grilled salmon with a side of green beans. Unfortunately, the salmon was overcooked, dry, had no flavor, no seasoning, and the green beans were also tasteless. I read others' reviews before choosing this restaurant and was really looking forward to a new place to dine right in my neighborhood! The staff was gracious and concerned that my dining experience was less than good.

    (1)

  • Sarah S.

    I'd visit again -- we were seated right away around 9:30 on St. Pat's Day. We ended up sharing a table in order to sit right away but, hey, we got to make some new friends including a guy dressed as a leprechaun = priceless! They had a set menu for dinner so I enjoyed the bangers and mash while my husband had Irish stew -- not gonna lie, I was coveting his Irish stew and he kindly let me have as much as I wanted. We also had large pints of Smithwicks and Magner's Cider, both on draught. We checked out the live band playing that night and the entire atmosphere was festive and fun, especially with all the staff dressed in green blinking light jewelry!

    (3)

  • Edwina S.

    It was a fun Friday night. We were seated in the bar area. Lights were dimmed really low when the music started... and it was Irish music. Lot of audience participation. The menu was sufficient and reasonable, I had a chicken dish. The chicken was wrapped in bacon. I visualized a breast filet but it was wrapped around a leg and a wing portion. That was disappointing. If there was floor space people would probably be dancing and socializing between tables.

    (4)

  • Frank K.

    Wonderful authentic Irish place. What a fantastic jewel. A must stop in Nashville. Food was great, drink just the same(Harp & Guinness) but the hospitality was awesome. Colm waited on us Saturday and we found out he is following his Dad who is a great Irish entertainer. On second visit we saw Colm provide great entertainment in the form of Irish and country music and song. We also found out that Colm has produced his first cd .We listened to it today and it was fantastic. Best of luck Colm. Just remember us when you get to perform at the GOA. Paula McNamara greeted us with a most warm welcome. Paula and her husband Sean are fully engaged in overseeing the business and it is very clear how proud they are of their product. The brown bread and tea was on the table in no time.we enjoyed great salmon as well as bangers and mash. For dessert we listened to Colm and his team captivate the audience. In short this was a wonderful smoke free extremely clean facility with great food and drink. It was capped by the fantastic service and hospitality shown by the entire staff. As Irish born customers (3 of 4) we visit many Irish restaurants accross the country. We find many Irish in name only. McNamaras is the real deal. It is 15 minutes from airport and the same from the GOA.

    (5)

  • Catherine K.

    Love this place! Scotch eggs, Bangers and Mash, and a pint of Smithwicks! Doesn't get any better!

    (5)

  • Ann W.

    Good beer on tap Smithwicks. Fish and chips OK but nothing special. My dining companion said his corned beef was very good and a huge portion. (It looked it) Potato soup pretty good. Would try something else next time.... probably shepherds pie.

    (3)

  • Diane B.

    Had dinner here last night with 4 friends -- Gail, our waitress from New York who I spoke to on the phone before we went there was fabulous! She recommended the lamb and that was all that she said and more. This is really reasonably priced for the amount of food you are served. Gail was a wonderful, attentive waitress -- actually everyone we encountered was great there. I wish I was going to be in Nashville more -- and I wish this restaurant was in my town because I'd be a regular -- delicious food, wonderful evening!

    (5)

  • Matt W.

    Been driving cross country and this was the best meal I have had so far. Corned beef hash was amazing with sweet potato fries. Dessert was awesome. Irish cream cheese cake. Yum! Service was good. Atmosphere is cool. Looks like an old frat house. Try this place out.

    (5)

  • Jacquelyn G.

    The absolute best Lamb I ever tasted and the blackberry cobbler was better than my mother in law according to my husband. The band played Irish folk songs and were quite talented. We will remember this place and bring friends next time. Superb food, great music awesome service.

    (5)

  • Chris N.

    Love love love this place! Bangers and Mash side of cabbage!

    (5)

  • Chuck R.

    I write this review after having visited this establishment 5 times. I truly hoped this venue would provide a new vision of Irish Pub atmosphere in the Nashville area, but I must say it falls far from its mark. McNamara's Irish Pub needs to find its niche. You can't be all things to all people, so either be a pub or be a restaurant! The establishment is nice inside and out. Much detail was taken to provide the backdrop for enjoyable dining and live music performances. Your first impression after waiting in the long lines to get in is usually a good one and until the music starts that is all this place has going. The wait staff is slow and green, with little focus on actual service. Granted most nights the wait staff must dodge small children running around unchecked and your usual busy bar environment, but that is what they do for a living. An average drink order time to the table of 22 minutes on any given night is too long! Not to mention the average 45 minute wait on appetizers or dinner, often served back to back. On every visit the kitchen was slow and the food was either cool or the order was wrong. The menu is a joke as usually a third of it is sold out, especially desserts. These problems suggest that as a pub or restraint the place is failing. Now the BIG issue. The drink menu is always void of major beers or liquor. On 3 of 5 visits, the bar did not have a beer in stock I will drink and there are 4 beers on the menu I like. I am not a Guinness drinker so perhaps that is the problem. The last time I took my family in we ended up drinking not so sweet 'sweet tea' that was warm and ate cold food over an hour after we ordered on a Sunday night with only half the dining area full. I love the place, but it offers nothing after the appeal to the eyes and ears. Suggestions? Sure find a niche. 1. Be a pub and get the drinks to the table fast and right and seldom run out of alcohol stock. Be bawdy and arrange the tables to face the music so camaraderie and conversation flow. Set a time of night when children are only welcome in the dining areas away from the stage. Most importantly DO NOT manage, bounce, direct or scold from the mic, your customers don't want to be involved in drama they are here to have a good time. Get the attention of your manager and have him handle problems. OR 2. Be a restaurant and focus on better quality hot food to the table in 30 minutes or less. Make your servers pay closer attention to the tables and give them the room to maneuver so they can serve. Forget your people wanting a pub style good time because you are not providing it. Those patrons can go upstairs to be rowdy or hover around the bar. Channel your clientele toward what they are looking for and focus on what you do best. Over all there is a lot of opportunity for McNamara's Irish Pub. In a few months if they are still there, we will see if they have found their groove but for now it ranks 2 on a 1-5 scale with 5 being the highest. Good Luck McNamara's Chuck R, Nashville freelance writer

    (2)

  • Jason C.

    Great food. Priced perfect. They have some pretty cool traditional Irish dishes (I'm guessing that's legit because I've never been to Ireland). On the latest visit I had cornbeef and cabbage. Great. The big three Irish beers are all on tap (Smithwicks, Harp, and Guiness). Live musicians have been top notch from what I've seen. No surprise considering this is Nashville.

    (5)

  • Dagan B.

    besides the good company i had. this place shocked me. if u were beamed like in star trek to this place. u would sware u were in ireland. the irish band and atmosphere were great. the scotched eggs are a must. the fish n chips very good. the fish and its batter were very very good. the fries were better than average. the corn pudding was decent. the shepards pie was good. the beer selection was very good. the bread pudding with apples was good. the highlights were the fish the eggs and the music and atmosphere. i could go here just have some eggs with friends. a couple of beers and just chill.

    (4)

  • Erik N.

    Love this place ! Great food, good music. The best appetizer are the mini corned beef sandwiches although the cheese sticks look insanely good (handmade) and ill try those next time (one of the last remaining items to try). Main course- my favs are the Shepherd's Pie and Fish n Chips but they have a few other awesome dishes as well. Dessert is pretty good too, the Finn Mccool ice cream pie is delicious as is the bread pudding. I always get a pot of tea with my dessert and it comes out with a full service, which is a nice touch. If you like pub food, you definitely need to hit this place up as it is by far the best in Nashville and one of the best ive ever been to!

    (5)

  • David G.

    After having visited here a couple more times this place has really grown on me. If you swing by here for a drink be sure and check out the second bar upstairs!

    (4)

  • Erik F.

    Some of the best times you can have. Live music most days of the week. The upstairs bar Rose was taking care of us and she was awesome. I had a grilled Salmon that was delicious. Beers that had on draft were traditional Irish and were also excellent.

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    We hit Trivia upstairs on Tuesday nights regularly. McNamaras is a great addition to the Donelson area. I recommend many menu items: scotch eggs, spin dip, Reuben, club, Guinness pie and more. But some items fall flat. The salads are pretty blah, and the fish and chips are inconsistent. I REALLY wish we could get cider draft upstairs. Paying extra for bottles because the server doesn't want to go downstairs isn't cool. Still. McNanaras is definitely worth a stop.

    (4)

  • David N.

    One of the best Irish pubs I've been in outside of Ireland,had the fish n chips washed down by a few pints of Smithwicks,excellent! Great live music and Tommy the bartender was the best...... I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Wayne K.

    We stopped here for a relaxing lunch. WOW, what a treat! Service was friendly from the second we walked in. It felt like we were at a friend's house. Server took our order and within 3 mins our appetizer was served. The main course arrived just as we finished the spinach dip, which was amazing. No pressure or feeling like we were being rushed. The main courses was all that we desired. Opted for a bowl of chicken-tomato-basil soup to finish off the meal. This was a meal in itself! My wife thought there were croutons on the top, only to discover it was all bites of chicken breast. The broth was phenomenal! My wife has an Irish coffee for dessert. That simply completed the experience perfectly. If you are looking for a great dining experience at a reasonable price, we urged you check them out. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!!

    (5)

  • Noell C.

    Stopped by after a long day of flying. Stayed at the nearby Hilton garden inn. Customer service was exceptional. Hostess not only sat me but then saw my server taking a large parties order so immediately came back and took my drink order. Started with the potato soup which tasted much better than it looked. I should've added some shredded cheese but even alone it was really good. Entree I chose the lamb medallions. It was a little too vinegary for my liking but cooked perfectly and over good taste. With it I chose the corn casserole which was a bit dry but flavor was there. I also got the broccoli and cheese casserole which was great. I would go back and would like to try the salmon or beef next go round.

    (4)

  • A B.

    Excellent beer selection, excellent whiskey selection, and excellent food. We were only in town for a day and we're very happy we found this place. We will return!

    (5)

  • Breandán W.

    Seemed like the place would be great craic, with the live music in the side room when we walked in. Stood around waiting to get a table, and then once seated waited 10 min before a waitress acknowledged us. The food came out shortly after the first round, which was slow for the drinks to arrive, but fast for the food. The grilled salmon was not fresh (pre-cooked frozen would be my guess). It also had the taste of carbon from a poorly maintained grill it was heated up on. The carrots and parsnips were great, and the broccoli and cheddar would have been great if not for being lukewarm at best. Attempting to be proactive we ordered the next round before needed, but still no luck at getting them by the time we were ready. Great music and pints, but I will eat before coming next time and sit at the bar.

    (2)

  • Kelsey C.

    We came to eat here on a Saturday night and had a great time. The food was great and the people were so nice. The only reason I give it a 4 instead of 5 was the wait time. They told us it would be 15 to 20 minutes to be seated, but it was over 45 minutes. Then, after we were seated, the service was slow. It was obvious the waitress had too many tables to handle. But she was really nice, as was everyone else who worked there. The owner or manager brought us our food and apologized for our wait. He was very kind! We would definitely go back, because the food is great, as is the music and people, but it's just good to be prepared to wait awhile.

    (4)

  • Grace A.

    When in Nashville, have a pint at this place. It's close to the airport so it's a great place to stop by for lunch before a flight or after a flight. Our Lyft driver recommended this place and we asked her to have lunch with us and she actually did. I had the corned beef and cabbage. The corned beef was perfect! It was melt in my mouth goodness. The cabbage was great too. Sour, but not too sour to complement the flavor of the corned beef. It's simple, yet so incredibly delicious. It makes me mouth water just thinking about it. The portions were a little bit on the big side so I took some home, but it's perfect for someone who's really hungry. The place itself was like being welcomed into someone's home. It was cozy, but there was a ton of space. There's a nice bar area where you can watch soccer games. I suppose I should've written this review before the World Cup, huh? The servers and hostesses were all very nice and the owner even came out and greeted us (I think it was because our Lyft driver frequents that place almost everyday apparently). After we were done stuffing ourselves, our Lyft driver dropped us off at the airport and said from the restaurant to the airport, no charge! Wooooohoooo!! I love the kindness of strangers!

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    I've tried several different things here and I must say the Shepards pie is my favorite

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    I've been to McNamaras on St. Patricks Day and it was great ... but all I had was my fill of Smithwick's and Harp beer because it was too crowded for food in the upstairs bar .....and who eats on St. Patty's Day ! Today , we had an early evening dinner there and it was as good as I expected . I had the Steak and Guinness pie and it was tender and flavorful . My daughter had the Corned beef and cabbage which was superb . My wife had the fish and chips which were light and crispy without being greasy and tasted good. The ice cream pie was huge and incredibly good and 4 of us could barely finish it off. McNamara's is a great neighborhood Irish Pub .

    (4)

  • Casey A.

    Very fun and great food. The owner sings some great Irish folk songs on stage with the band.

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    Excellent entertainment, 5 stars all the way. The food however could be better. Corned beef is super salty, curry n Chips are soggy, salads are just okay, fish n Chips are basic, fresh peas would be a great option. Bonus is they have HP sauce

    (4)

  • Otis G.

    Another great dinner and live music experience. Kerry Lamb is delicious as always as is the Steak and Guinness pie. Smithwick's is the freshest in town I swear. Great time all around for our party of six. Very highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Jordan L.

    I enjoyed this place! Atmosphere was very nice, good location without the downtown traffic. The Irish nachos were interesting- they were actually fries , but the menu clearly stated that - Still liked them!! I had my first scheperds pie and I was not disappointed. Yummy! I wish I could have been in the section with the live music, but that's ok! I will be back!

    (4)

  • David W.

    We decided to visit this place after reading all the great reviews. The night we visited they had live Irish music, which was really good. The wife loved her food...and for the life of me I cannot remember what she had. I had the shepherd pie, which was about 90% potatoes and 10% filling. I am not sure this is the way it is supposed to be served. Seems like there should be more meat and such in there. The drinks were good...we both had nice beers. Overall I would say visit this place as it is nice for a date night.

    (4)

  • Billy H.

    Such a warm & inviting restaurant. Upon entering, you feel as if you're entering someone's home. The couple that owns the restaurant has done a great job at making a place that everyone feels welcome. There's a bar downstairs & a bar upstairs. Lots of seating around the bar areas, it's very easy to get a drink & spend some time. The dining area is large, booths & tables. The menu has a lot of Irish fare. I've had the fish & chips twice, both times were GREAT. The fish is tender but not overly greasy. The cole slaw is a little less than yummy. They've have an appetizer called Irish nachos that consist of steak fries topped with sheppard's pie meat, cheese, scallions & tomatoes​. It was delicious. I could've made a meal out of the Irish nachos.

    (4)

  • Bonnie B.

    Celebrated Father's Day here. Service was good & food was excellent despite a packed house. Great option for kids in a pub setting. Sunday evening music is a "family show." Dad was happy to finish from the list of "all the Irish whiskeys available in Nashville."

    (5)

  • Bridgette C.

    I love this place. I love the atmosphere, the music, the service, and even the fried-laden menu offerings. This place is like visiting Ireland without leaving Nashville (not counting the slight drive out of town). It's like sitting in some old mansion where everyone in town has also showed up to eat. And the live music...well let's say its not what you'd expect in Nashville, meaning its straight-up old Irish folk singing. And its damn good. The have an excellent selection of beers on tap and an abundance of TVs to watch games, while you eat, drink, and listen to music as well. There's even a sports bar upstairs. Despite the large space it is always packed in here. The music room is booked up weeks in advance thought you can hear the music in other parts of the establishment. The bar is open seating and if you can get a seat, its the best in the house. The rest of the space is a restaurant and a very busy one at that. Large parties, HUGE parties, dominate the tables. You can tell this is a place many people frequent, and lucky locals like me had someone bring them there once and they loved it and kept coming back. We are talking seriously traditional bar food and classic Irish/Scottish favorites, like fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage. This is a place to leave your diet at the door. Their Scottish eggs are a great starter! The staff here are so friendly despite being inundated with patrons at all times. The service is fast and done with a smile. Be prepared though: this is very much off the beaten path. There aren't any other places around and if you're coming from downtown you'll need a DD. It is absolutely worth the trip though, if laid back bars with good food and a different vibe than the norm are your thing. This is a great place to hang with friends and have some laughs. I absolutely love this place!

    (5)

  • Gregg G.

    We had the greatest time. Though we had a 45 minute wait. The staff was very hospitable and we were offered beverages while we waited. Our meals were fantastic! The fish and chips were as expected - wonderful. The live music was professionally done and very enjoyable. We'll go again for sure.

    (5)

  • Zoraida K.

    I have been here many times over the years and really my only complaint is that in the evenings, If seated on the "bat side" the music will be to loud to hold a conversation, but hey is you're there to drink and listen to music, it's perfect! The pot of tea is always perfect and today's lunch special of 1/2 Rueben and homemade cream of broccoli soup was served the correct temperature (hot) and sandwich was hot but kraut was still crunchy, a sign it was assembled correctly and waited not to be served! Cheers Mcnamaras! Until next time!

    (4)

  • Hannah W.

    Lovely atmosphere, amazing food and staff, and the live music is wonderful. I highly recommend the freshly brewed hot Green Tea, and the Mozzarella cheese sticks! Even though I've only just recently been introduced to McNamara's, it is one of my favorite places to go. I've not been disappointed by any item on the menu since day one!

    (5)

  • Katie H.

    So delicious! I had the Corned Beef and Cabbage and it was amazing! I paired it with the Black and Tan onion rings and I'm telling you those were the BEST onion rings I have ever eaten! Our server, Gail, was fantastic as well!

    (5)

  • Fabiano L.

    Not a bunch of options for vegetarians. Potato cakes are good. Music is awesome at night.

    (3)

  • Hollie H.

    We stopped here after driving all day. The atmosphere was lovely. There was live music. The food was delicious! We had Scotch eggs, I had bangers and mash with corn casserole, and my boyfriend had the Irish stew. Everything was so good we couldn't stop sampling each others food....probably mostly me. I was also able to get a nice hot pot of Irish tea, which was great because it was a chilly night. :)

    (4)

  • Wayne D.

    McNamara's Irish Pub and Restaurant was a good experience in many ways. The fish and chips meal was very generous and the fish was flavorful. Also well done were the steak and Guinness shepherds pie. The french fries were routine. The variety of beers was diverse as was the offered scotch and whiskies. Live music was offered. You could sit near the band or go to another area if you wanted to talk with your companions. The service was very slow but may have a kitchen issue. The server was good but never spoke of the food being tardy. Would go again nevertheless. The menu had items that need a revisit.

    (3)

  • Jacoby D.

    Really fun hang for trivia on Tuesday's! I'm not much for Irish food, but their Bailey's cheesecake was delish!

    (5)

  • Victor R.

    Felt for some Irish food & a friend said I had to go here & try the stew & corned beef bites. Didn't get a chance to try the stew but the bites were excellent. Service was fantastic & really looking forward to next visit. Everything that passed near our table looked & smelled great & I heard multiple good comments from other patrons as well.

    (5)

  • Kevin B.

    This was a great find! We were looking for somewhere to go on a Thursday night while on vacation and we stumbled on this pub since it got such great reviews. I really wish we found it earlier since we just caught the end of a live music set (no cover), which was really good. The service was very prompt and the waitress was very nice. They poured a perfect Guinness and the prices were pretty good. The salt and vinegar homemade kettle chips were pretty awesome and went perfect with the beer and music. The decor is really nice and it has a perfect Irish Pub feel. I would definitely come here often if I lived in Nashville and I'll deifnitely be back when I'm in town again!

    (5)

  • Andy B.

    I really want to be a regular here, and although I don't remember much of my visit here, I know I enjoyed it (the next morning told me so). I do remember really enjoying the food and I believe my craft IPA was only $4 or $4.50 which is more than reasonable, especially for not being happy hour. 4.5 stars, maaaaaaaybe 5, but let's not get carried away.

    (4)

  • Vickie W.

    St Patrick's I was to join a group of 30 people there. When I got there , there were no parking places so I was 15 mins late. There were 2 extra people in the group so no seat for me. I asked both the owners if I could just put a chair at the table. They both said the waitress could only handle so many people so they could not give me a chair. I had to leave the party because there was no place to sit. Friends offered to let me sit on there chair with them no way I would give my money to those crazy people. I would never go St Patrick's day and I wont ever go period. The Owner thought he was it ,because he was one of the Owners He probably inherited it from his mommy and daddy and now he is a big shot that cant find a chair for a lady.

    (1)

  • Nancy B.

    So, yeah understanding were here at an odd time, we don't really excuse the mayo or the broccoli and cheese casserole having a little crust on them. Gross. Overall the service was good but then we has almost no competition for stuff. Cindy Lou was great at keeping our drinks full and was friendly. Portions were big. Mom got corn beef and cabbage and it was tasty. The cream of asparagus soup was just so so. I don't recommend it. Ugly woman's bathroom.

    (3)

  • Brooke W.

    I really love this place. The people are always so friendly and the food is amazing. They have a to die for chicken salad sandwich and I had to order two sides of their sweet potato fries.

    (4)

  • Natasha M.

    McNamara's is a charming restaurant that gives the impression that you are arriving at a formal dining establishment when driving up. Once inside, you will be greeted by attractive decor that matches the Irish cuisine that is served. The hostess greeted me right away and had a very upbeat demeanor. She was joined by a co-owner that provided us with a brief, yet thorough description of the building's seating area. Once seated, our attentive server described the menu offerings in a very desirable way. We opted for the Irish Pot o' Tea, Bailey's Irish Cheesecake, and 6-piece wings with ginger sauce. The tea was presented on a lovely green serving tray with matching green teapot, and other service pieces. The tea had great flavor & temperature which blended well with the cold milk. The cheesecake arrived chilled, yet smooth enough to cut through easily with a fork. The drizzle was very appealing and I could not wait to sink my teeth in it. And I was not disappointed. The ginger sauce of the wings was warm in temperature and had a tasty zingy flavor. The wings were cooked to a perfect crisp too. We did have a problem with our seating arrangement and the co-owner immediately addressed our concern and displayed genuine concern. Overall, great atmosphere for couples, groups, families, etc

    (5)

  • Rachael P.

    Great place! Fantastic food! Good drinks! Amazing house band! They've officially been here a year today (3/5) and it is very rocking party tonight. Swing by on a Tuesday for trivia.

    (5)

  • Lisa C.

    Awesome food. Awesome service. Awesome atmosphere. Ordered the Shepherds Pie D-lish and came with two hearty pieces of soda bread and Irish butter $12.00. The live music was very entertaining and very setting to an authentic irish pub. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    Another great place in Nashville. Great music, does get loud if you are on the side next to the band area. So if you don't want that, then sit on the other side. Music was great though. Had the reuben, was very good. Our server was excellent and had a great sense of humor. Would definitely would come back.

    (4)

  • Grant C.

    Visited on a Friday night. Very busy! Food was great. Service was great. I'm a cheap skate, so unless it' an absolute bargain, I won't race about price. I will write that their beers prices are good. On a Friday night, non-happy hour, I got a half and half for $5.00. That's a real half and half too. I've had many items on the menu before. Tonight I had the bangers and mash. It was awesome! Serving was large and I took some home with me. This is a great restaurant. If you come during peak periods, expect to wait. However, it will be worth the wait.

    (4)

  • Marcus H.

    The food is good, the waiters are awesome, and the music is AMAZING. The atmosphere is awesome. I have came here 5 times over the last year and every time i leave with a full stomache and a great mood. The music is wonderful and always alot of fun. Make sure you ask for the music room and make reservations!

    (5)

  • Sarah A.

    I love this place! This spot is friendly, consistent and fun! We took an out of town friend here as a way to get some tasty grub, good brew and some of that great Nashville music without the stereo type of Country Western and BBQ. Nothing wrong with that stereotype, but this was a great alternative for someone who had already been through that song and dance. I've actually had the same server every time I've visited and he is always top notch. He stops by at the right times and is even good with the hand signals, head nods, and other random motions I'll use to indicate I want another stout. Kitchen pumps out some mighty fine Irish grub and everything we've had has been consistent and fresh. Stew, Fish'n'Chips and Scottish Eggs are our favorites. Parking lot is big, music is lively, food is fresh and service is attentive. Lots of space to bring a group and all in a cute setting. It's quickly becoming one of our favorite spots!

    (5)

  • Cathy M.

    I have been here for dinner twice now. The first time, I ordered the bangers and mash which was really good. Last week, I tried the shepherd's pie, and it was also very satisfying and tasty. My friend and I shared a bowl of bread pudding too. I'm really glad we shared it because the serving is very generous. It was delicious! The atmosphere is very warm, cozy, and inviting. Our server, Maureen, was terrific and she made great suggestions too. I'm really looking forward to going again on a night when they have live music.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Great food, staff, music and drinks a touch more expensive than I would expect but they make up for it. New York native here and I love Irish pubs. This place was a great find here in Nashville. I recommend it.

    (4)

  • Kylie W.

    Absolutely amazing! This is my favorite place in hermitage! The fish and chips are awesome as well as the ShepardS pie! I went there for st. Pattys and the atmosphere was surreal, I felt like I was in ireland!

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    Fantastic atmosphere, food, service and music. A true winner!

    (4)

  • Kimberly T.

    Being locals, we try to go almost monthly. Never had a negative experience. At times we just hang at the bar for drinks and dinner. Love having it in our neighborhood!!

    (5)

  • Corey W.

    Food is good, price is good, come on a night when the owner's bad is playing and you are in store for a real Irish treat. I really liked the place, the food was good. It wasn't anything particularly exciting but it fit the bill and I was satisfied with everything I got. Had a few beers along with dinner and prices were reasonable for everything you were getting. Service was great but what really made the experience was the atmosphere of the place and the owner has an Irish band that was playing that night. The music really set the scene and mood and my group had a phenominal time.

    (4)

  • Summer W.

    We just adored this place! I thought it would be more like a bar, but it is this cute restaurant with wonderful Irish memorabilia. My spouse and I got the tea for 2 deal, where you get a pot of Irish tea to share - it was wonderful, and really elevated the experience. We shared the scotch eggs appetizer - definitely as delicious as everyone says. For the main meal, we both got the poor man's pie with soda bread - it was the lunch portion of the shepard's pie, but a really nicely-sized one! Finally, we sprung for dessert with the bread pudding - which was wonderful. Really terrific Irish-like experience. Also want to note that we came during lunch on a busy Tuesday, and our waitress, Cindy Lou, was taking care of out table and several others at the same time. She was so busy, but SO attentive. We were really impressed. She even insisted on bringing us a bag for our boxed leftovers. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Clayton M.

    I've been several time and enjoy the food immensely. They do great pub food and the staff are very friendly. There is live music on occasion but it's quite loud so conversation can be tough. You must have the scotch eggs!

    (4)

  • Chris J.

    We visited McNamara's for the first time yesterday. Overall, the best feature of this restaurant is the ambiance and the feel. The servers and staff are friendly and responsive. The live music is outstanding. We enjoyed the location. The food was average to above average overall. Nothing knocked my socks off with the entrees. The roasted chicken was just okay. It was a little soft on the outside and a little dry on the inside. I did not care for the batter on the onion rings. The corned beef was good, but skip the corn casserole. On the other hand the desserts were very good. We had the ice cream pie and the blackberry pie. Both were very good. If you are in the search for a great place to enjoy a drink, this would be at the top of my list. They had a great beer selection. Combined with the music and atmosphere, it will be a great place for a drink.

    (4)

  • Brenda R.

    I've lived in this area for about 15 years and knew this restaurant was there but never went. I finally was told it was the best Irish Pub and a have to say it was amazing!!! Anyone who hasn't been needs to go check it out. Not only is the food and drinks amazing; the music is fabulous.

    (5)

  • Caleigh E.

    Being from out of state, we looked up gluten free selections nearby. This seemed like a good option. Although they don't really have any specific gluten free options besides the obvious removal of bread from sandwiches... we were very impressed by almost all our selections. The only one we weren't completely impressed by was the shepherd's pie. Just didn't have much flavor. HOWEVER, that may just be Irish style? So I won't complain about it. All other entrees we had were delicious. There are no specialty beverages. It's all liquors that we can get back home. (PA) If I was a local I'm sure I would come back often. But this is nothing all that special for a traveler.

    (4)

  • K M.

    This restaurant was recommended by the concierge at the hotel I was staying at. The food was excellent and so was the service. The waitress knew about the dishes and how they were prepared. My guest & I were thoroughly impressed with the taste of the dishes from the appetiser to the entrees. We'll done guys!

    (4)

  • Benjamin O.

    Great atmosphere...awesome food. Cindy Lou (our server) was great!! Will definitely be back!! :-)

    (5)

  • Christa P.

    Its ok for an Irish Pub. I was honestly expecting a little bit more. I went on St Patty's Day with a few co-workers. I only order a drink and fries. They did not have a drink list, only beers & whiskeys, which is understandable. It was super busy & the service was slow- also understandable. I was hoping they would have more entertainment or events going on for St Pattys Day, but we were upstairs and nothing was going on. Some others at the table order sandwhiches and the scotch eggs- all which did not seem excited about the quality and did not really finish their meals. I would give another try, but overall the atomosphere and food didn't leave an impression to go back.

    (2)

  • Terri H.

    Wish I lived closer! I would be a regular here if I lived closer. Everything is great. The only thing better would be going back to Ireland. The walls are covered with pictures of Ireland. The dark green ceiling and the old style light fixture hanging from the ceiling give the pub an old world feel. We started with the boxty with spinach dip and I'm glad we did. I've tried cooking these at home and didn't like them. They were delicious so I'm obviously doing it wrong. I ordered the shepard's pie as it is my favorite Irish dish ever. It was incredible. I can't wait to try everything on the menu. We were there during the day so there wasn't any music. We must return when they have music. The Guinness was good and our waitress was wonderful. I think I'm in live with this place!

    (5)

  • Lady C.

    Love the food and the atmosphere. This spot is a must go-to for all Nashvillians! The live music makes it interactive and is always catchy and regardless of how late I stay, I always get an Irish coffee!

    (5)

  • LeeAnn B.

    I was in Nashville for work and was staying at a hotel around this area with some other co-workers. We just wanted a chill place to go grab lunch and a few beers. We saw that McNamara's was right down the street and figured we couldn't go wrong with an Irish Pub. I ordered the French dip which was fine. It wasn't delicious and it wasn't bad. One of my co-workers ordered the fish and chips and said he wasn't too impressed with them either. He did like his Guinness however and I supposed that is the most important part. =] I can't remember much about the décor unfortunately. The staff was friendly enough. I wouldn't say that I'd recommend the place to anyone, but I wouldn't be opposed to going again.

    (3)

  • Rachel H.

    This is a favorite of my family. We live in the area and there isn't much for dining. This place has it all. I can go with the family or alone with my husband. Upstairs there is sports bar with plenty of tables and tvs, and downstairs is more family and large party oriented. The food and drinks are good and reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is welcoming. There is also a balloon man who comes once a week I believe. My daughter loves him.

    (4)

  • Shawn L.

    Nice place to grab a drink and some pub type food.

    (3)

  • Mike M.

    Great atmosphere. The reubens, corn beef and cabbage, and shepherd's pie are all really good but somehow the chicken tenders are the best thing on the menu. Go figure. The kettle chips are really good as well but the homemade ranch dressing is tartar sauce-esque. The staff is friendly and the drinks are strong. Trivia upstairs was fun until some of the teams started using racist names to be "funny."

    (4)

  • Jenn G.

    Fun atmosphere that celebrates Ireland without being over-the-top cheesy. We went on a rainy Saturday night, so it was busy and we had a bit of a wait, but there's lots of things to look at and explore while you wait! There's live Irish music and separate bars you can order from, and the room without the band has a large and lovely picture of Irish countryside. But the food is what really makes this place the emerald of the public eye! Several Irish classics are listed on the menu, such as Sheppards Pie, and they don't disappoint. The "Main Fare" is a bit pricier but with good reason -- try the Dublin Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. There's a fair price range through the menu, and they don't skimp on portion size! Everything we had was delicious, and paired perfectly with good Irish whiskey.

    (4)

  • Jason R.

    What a fricken awesome time!. Quality food, good service, and music that was spot on! We'll be back often!

    (5)

  • Sheena T.

    Have I mentioned how much I love spending less than $10.00 on lunch? Well, I do. And McNamara's has a variety of tasty things for under 10 bucks! I had the Poor Man's Lunch (shepherd's pie) and it was $6.00, very tasty, and plenty of food! The bowl was a good portion, not gigantic, but not 5 bites and it's gone either. I even debated not eating it all, but the waitress didn't take my plate away quickly enough :) It comes with a slice of soda bread and butter. Perfect! They had some great looking sandwiches also; I was considering the spicy black bean burger or the salmon, but told myself I was in an Irish pub and needed to step up with some Irish food! The place is an old funeral home converted into an Irish restaurant, and I can see it being a fun place for music and a brew if you live close! I'll be back for the lunch again!

    (4)

  • Jenifer G.

    Customer service alone makes this place awesome, from the hostess to servers to owners. I went for lunch and got fish and chips. I ate the fries, skipped the fish and was ok with that, since I really was just eating lunch to get to the bread pudding (apples and whiskey bourbon custard, sigh). The waitress conveyed my disappointment (which wasn't necessary), and here came one of the owners, Paula, smelling good (her perfume is fantastic) and apologizing. I was not the ticked off customer I usually am when I don't like something, because, again, there was bread pudding. She insisted on sending me home with something, so I chose the shepherd's pie. I will get that every time from now on! It is giving me an excuse to travel to Donelson to get it. I even want to make some now, but I know it won't be as good. Thumbs up for the pie and the pudding and Paula and Kelly. It was also a draw for customers of all ethnicities.

    (4)

  • Shannon A.

    I recently had the pleasure of dining for lunch at McNamara's in Nashville. I had a business lunch, and my clients suggested it. As a southern gal, it makes me all warm inside to drive up to a place that looks like Twelve Oaks from Gone with the Wind. My inner Scarlet O'hara wanted to twirl around on the front lawn and talk about how I'll never go hungry again! The building is gorgeous! You step inside, and all of a sudden, you are in an Irish pub! Magic!!! The staff were as friendly as could be, and sat us in the very Irish dining area. In the corner was a stage where in the evenings, an Irish band plays. (Note to self: next time I am in Nashville, go here for dinner) The menu had lots of options. Being a vegetarian, I was a bit worried about what I would eat, but I settled on the soup and salad. The soup was a cream of broccoli soup that was no kidding, the best I have ever had. Others at my table, got some true Irish-type items and everyone left thrilled with their meals! The big hit were these sliders that everyone at the table was raving about. Not only was it scrumptious, it also is super affordable. Honestly, they should/could charge more for their lunch, but for now, it will be just another bonus!

    (5)

  • Ross M.

    Great food and great atmosphere. Go to the upstairs bar. Perfect pours of Guinnes. Fish and chips is great. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Ryan A.

    We are visiting Nashville from St. Louis. I have to say this is the best food and service we have had during our visit. Cindy Lou was an amazing server and she added so much to our experience at your establishment. I had the french dip and my wife had the Fish and Chips. The food came out in less than 10 minutes and it was amazing. The best french dip i have ever had! This is our 1st trip to Nashville and we plan to have one every year. You can bet McNamara's will be at the top of our list of places to eat. I will not hesitate to recommend your establishment to friends that visit Nashville. Thank you for a great experience and great food!

    (5)

  • John G.

    Listen folks if you are in the mood for some seriously good Fish 'N Chip and other Irish fare, this place is it. I really like a proper Fish 'N Chips and was pleasantly surprised to find McNamara's in Nashville, TN. The restuarnt had a pub feel. There is no doubt that I will return to McNamara's when I can back in Nashville. They also have live Irish music.

    (4)

  • Jamie D.

    Came here last night with a small group of friends. 45 minute wait for a table, it was Saturday at 6:30pm so we that was understandable. Got seated and ordered drinks but they ran out of Chardonnay I ordered. Ok, ordered something else. After we placed our orders for dinner, we waited, and waited, and waited. It was 45 minutes until we received our food. My friend and I both ordered the Steak and Guiness and it came out barely lukewarm and tasted awful. But at this point, we had been waiting so long we ate about half of it anyway. The server came around and we told her we really just hated the food. She ended up taking it off the bill because we had waited so long for the meal. I loved the atmosphere and the decor (hence the two stars), but I seriously hated my meal. I may give this place another shot and try something different or come during lunch. But for the time being, I'll be going elsewhere for good times out with friends.

    (2)

  • Justin W.

    When I went yesterday, there was a decent wait (It was St. Patty's day weekend, after all.), but we had no trouble finding a place at the bar. Once we were seated, our server was very attentive and friendly. We started with the scotch eggs and the corned beef bites, and both were excellent. Our food came out very promptly, and everyone enjoyed their dishes. I got the corned beef and cabbage, and I was impressed by the portion size. It was good, but I wouldn't recommend the potato medley as a side dish. My wife ordered the Reuben, and my brother ordered the fish and chips, and they both enjoyed their meals. Overall, it's not the type of food I seek out very often, but I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • John M.

    Out of all of the pubs in Nashville, I feel as if this one represents what a pub is supposed to be: a public house. Great food, great prices, (great craic!) And great service. Traditional dinner tables for seating, live music on certain nights, beautiful decorations showing Irish culture, and the staff are the friendliest you could ask for in a pub. My recommendation: Rachel P as your waitress.

    (5)

  • Tony G.

    I came for lunch, I was alone and the hostess said if you sit at the bar you get a 10% discount. I had the lunch special fish sandwich and coleslaw for $7. The fish was very good it was crispy batter the fish was hot, tender and not at all greasy. The coleslaw was very good also. I will return the next time I am in the area.

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    Great Irish pub and awesome food! Only been here twice but both times it was great. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was authentic. Our server was even from Ireland which made it feel even more authentic. I had the Fish n' Chips one time and the Sheppard's Pie the other time. Both were really good. The fish was great and fried perfectly. My only issue was that I wanted more fish! It comes with 2 decent size pieces but I felt I could have ate 3. Next time I'll make sure to get an appetizer to go with my meal. I'm definitely gonna go back and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good Irish pub!

    (4)

  • Natasha C.

    Went Friday for a friends birthday party and had an amazing time! Rosie our waitress was fantastic!!! Part of 17 and no order was messed up and she kept the drinks coming and everyone happy. Also the chocolate cake is sooooo delicious!

    (4)

  • Emily H.

    I've lived about 2 miles from this place going on 5 years now. Have always been intrigued, and heard good things but hadnt tried it until recently. It didnt really live up to expectations. First of all, yes it was a Saturday night. I realize they get busy. We put in for a table with a preference on the side with the music. We were told it would be 30 mins. A-ok with us. We expected to wait. However less than 15 mins later we were sat over in the room opposite of the music, right next to the kitchen. I'd say they didn't even try to let us wait for a table with the music. They just wanted to heard people through to turn over empty tables, not worry about the customers experience. There were at least 3 empty tables over on our side the rest of our meal. We ordered pretty quickly and our server immediately comes back and tells my friend they are out of mashed potatoes and my friend has to change his shepards pie order. Well I ordered the bangers and mash and mention his to the waitress and she's like "oh yeah.." Doesn't offer me a menu - I have to ask. To me, the main point of irish pub food is the potatoes. How are they out of all potatoes (turns out they had no baked potatoes either) at 8 pm on a Saturday night?! I'm sure there was a grocery store open nearby...it greatly affected our experience. I changed my order to the Ruben. It came with very little sauce or sauerkraut - in my opinion what makes a ruben and dried up corned beef. The fries on the side were a small portion and undercooked. Not to mention they were the pre-fab frozen variety of steak fries. Overall the portions were small. my friend ordered the steak and biscuits after the shepards pie was a no go and it came with 4 very small, half-dollar size sliders and a side of corn casserole. We all ordered dessert and weren't over stuffed. You'd also think a manager would have offered a free dessert or even come over to apologize for being out of a main staple of their restaurant, but no go. Maybe we tried them on a bad night. But I'll be a little more careful to make a reservation and go early on a Saturday night if I try them again.

    (2)

  • Mel D.

    Arrived into Nashville after a long day of flying. Called to make sure they would still serve us if we got there 15 mins before closing, they said they would. Super quick drive from BNA. Very friendly staff, great atmosphere, a great feel for Ireland (perfect place to be during the month of March). Food was delish! Hit the spot!

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    I loved this place! The food was excellent and the service was right. I got the Shepherd's Pie and it was solid. My partner got the banger's and mash and it tasted great. I loved everything about it.

    (4)

  • Cheryl L.

    First time to Nashville, and we were looking for a live music venue near where we were staying. We weren't very hungry so tried the Scottish eggs at the bartenders suggestion. I was a little dubious of breaded, fried hard boiled eggs but they were delicious. Our bartender was very friendly, the Guiness and Smithwick's beer was great! But the Live music of Colm Kerwin & Celtic Country was the highlight! I felt like we were in Ireland! What a great, lively performance. You couldn't help but be happy & tap your toes. I felt like I got the Irish Blessing.

    (5)

  • Luke M.

    Service was good. The atmosphere was comforting and nice. The facilities were clean and the food was excellent. I truly enjoyed this restaurant!

    (4)

  • Martí M.

    Geez. I lived close to this restaurant for several years, but had no clue it existed until I started Yelping. Fast forward a bit, I find myself visiting for a friend's birthday gathering. I was rather disappointed in the beer selection (too bad I wasn't in the mood for liquor -- holy mother...), so I settled for a Sam Spring...x3. Hunger finally won it's battle during my stay. Not veggie friendly (not that I anticipated it would be), so I took the plunge and ordered fish and chips. The fish wasn't over or undercooked; tasted pretty nice. That says something for a very, VERY picky gal when it comes to fish. The batter wasn't too thick, but far more greasy than I prefer. The fries were the typical home-style type and boring. The coleslaw was great though; obviously house made and not too heavy on the mayo. The atmosphere is fun, and the restaurant was currently hosting a pirate convention of sorts. Fantastic to see all the crazy costumes. The service was GREAT! No complaints there at all; especially with such a large group. I can certainly see why the English, Scots and Irish love this place as it certainly must feel home-like to them. Kudos for that. I would not say I would be dragged here again against my will, it's just not my cup of tea. Carry on McNamara's!

    (2)

  • Jennifer P.

    This place is sooo cute. The owners are great people, the menu makes me feel like I'm nestled in a pub in the hills of Ireland and they have an Irish rock band that plays on the regular. Great atmosphere, good food, awesome music... definitely check it out!

    (4)

  • Kenb H.

    Tuesday evening dinner Number 1 pub? Not sure but Gail was outstanding, the food very good. The egg appetizer wonderful

    (4)

  • Pat D.

    Paula McNamara visited with us at our table when she found out she had a Brit in the house. She is entirely charming, and the pub/restaurant is an absolute treasure. What a treat for us to come across it accidentally by asking Siri!! I had bangers, mash, and broccoli in cheese sauce. My husband had the ploughman's lunch and he said it was the best he'd ever had, even though he has eaten them all over England. We took bread pudding to eat later at the hotel. It was like heaven ... with apples ... APPLES ... who'd have thought to put apples in it! I would highly, highly, highly recommend this pub for food, atmosphere, music, friendliness, and drinks whether it is a tall glass of Guinness or a pot of REAL tea for two! Please go here if you're in Nashville. You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Tara W.

    Wonderful atmosphere, great food! Not a quiet place to chat. The steak and biscuits and Reuben sandwich options are delicious!

    (5)

  • Roger K.

    I can't say enough good about Mr. McNamara and his great restaurant. He is a very accomplished musician; well-read in Celtic music. His humble nature weaves it's way throughout all facets of the establishment. The entire staff loves their work and it shows. There is no sub-par food. If you like Irish, your first visit won't be your last.

    (5)

  • John S.

    Came here with come out of town coworkers for dinner to show them a bit of town besides the downtown area. We had a very nice waiter who had a lot of patience for one of my coworkers... she brought us a jug of water. I don't know why my friend asked for it, but she brought one with a smile.Politely conversed with us and helped our coworkers understand the menu items. The food took an average amount of time to arrive. I had the grilled salmon with carrots and mashed potatoes. The Salmon was cooked throroughly, and flavored very well. It also was soft and juicy, not dry in the slightest. Meanwhile, the carrots are carrots, and the mashed potatoes were cooked well, a standard serving, and pretty filling and tasty. Overall, I would say the food here is above average, as is the service. Would definitely come back if I felt like some tasty sheperd's pie....

    (4)

  • Carmen P.

    this place is pretty splendid. its' a family friendly irish pub (no smoking, debauchery, scallywags, or shenanigans). it has traditional irish pub/restaurant food that is pretty tasty. the hubs and i were here to celebrate a friend's birthday, sitting in the pub room/performance/jig room. we had the corned beef bites for an appetizer--and it was amazing! so moist and juicy and delicious! then for dinner we had bread pudding!--we had eaten about three hours before, so we weren't very hungry. the bread pudding was pretty darn tasty as well. the music was great--i've been here before, and it's always a lively, celebratory, forget your troubles and sing an irish jib type of thing. sad? come here. happy? come here. birthday/ come here. half-birthday? come here. want corned beef bites/sandwiches? come here.

    (5)

  • Lindsay W.

    I am an international food junkie. And am so happy to have found a place that serves decent Irish food. Their bar selection is quite large and they have a great sampling of everything for even the pickiest of drinkers (even Irish cider for the non-beer drinkers like myself!). .

    (4)

  • Larry S.

    A bunch of us old submariners descended on McNamara's after our regular meeting. I wish I knew our waitress's name because she did a marvelous job. After giving us some time to look over our menus, she stood at the head of the table and asked if we had any questions. Then, without missing a beat, she said she could answer any questions about the food or the menu, but we'd have to take our other questions elsewhere. The service was quick, and she somehow kept everyone's order straight. I decided to try the Full Irish Breakfast, which is only served on weekends. I enjoyed it. I'll probably never order blood sausage again, but it was interesting to try. And they got my eggs exactly how I ordered them, something even Cracker Barrel isn't consistent about. There were enough of us that we probably ordered most everything on the menu. And we all liked our lunch. The shepherds pie looked great, so I may well try that when I bring my family to McNamara's. The people that ordered the fish and chips really liked them. I'll save that for another trip.

    (4)

  • G W.

    This is husband's fave place to go when we get a babysitter. The bar upstairs has darts which is awesome (the good kind, too, not cheap plastic darts). I love the Ploughman's lunch and the Irish breakfast, which is very unfortunately only offered on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Helga N.

    Had an amazing time celebrating my 40th with friends and family. Our waitress Rose was fun and excellent. She did an amazing job!! Food was out of this world delicious as always!!

    (5)

  • Simone P.

    This place never misses! We have eaten here for lunch and dinner multiple times. I love dinner on the weekends because of the Irish music BUT please call way in advance for reservations! Lunch is a great alternative if you can not get an evening reservation. We have sampled almost the whole menu but we have settled on the Irish nachos for an appetizer. I love the fish and chips, shepards pie... Their hard ciders on tap are also amazing. I can not wait until we get to go back!

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    I have never been over to Ireland or England, but I have been to a few countries around the globe and I would hope it is this good. Had the corn beef sliders with fries with a side of curry to dip my fries. The curry was awesome the sliders where awesome too. I've been here a few times fish chips rock. I can't wait to try the sausage covered eggs. They look so good. Go here you'll love it and the friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Ken T.

    I love this place. The food is great. The music is astounding. The ambience makes you feel like you're in Ireland. My wife and I shared the Boxty Spinach Dip $8 served with crisply fried potato cakes. Our entrée was the Shepherds Pie and it was excellent too. We finished off dinner with some delicious bread pudding and Irish coffee. My favorite thing about coming here is the music. The owner plays and sings and along with two other members of the band, they're great!

    (5)

  • C H.

    Upstairs bar was a great place for a few pints of properly poured Guinness. Rose was an excellent bartender, and the food rocked. Corned beef and cabbage is superior to most other examples I've tried.

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    The food is good and the atmosphere is nice but the bar service was terrible. Two bartenders on a week night and both stayed on one side of the divided bar structure most of the time. 5 minutes before being greeted, (didn't see us because of being on the other side or talking with servers, 10 minutes before having our food order taken, same reason, decided to get the food to go because of this lack of service, then another 5 min before getting our check AFTER bringing out the to go food. I will give it another shot because the food was good, but I won't be at the bar.

    (3)

  • Mark H.

    This place is the real deal! I love the Kerry Lamb and the Scotch Eggs! Having been to Ireland I can assure you that this place is authentic!

    (5)

  • Terrell L.

    Guinness Draught ! Great neighborhood pub, good food, drinks and atmosphere. The waiter was in tune with his guests, someone in our party was not happy with her order, she didn't say anything however she barely ate any of her dinner. The server took the uneaten dinner off the bill and asked if he could get her anything else, then Mr. McNamara (the Owner) stopped at our table to check on us and said that the server had told him about uneaten dinner, he also offered to get our friend something else for dinner. Very kind and caring about their guests and that is why we always enjoy McNamara's.

    (5)

  • Mark W.

    I had a classic bacon cheeseburger and it was fabulous! Great food & service! Fish & chips are best in town too!

    (4)

  • Patrick M.

    This is going to be tough review to write because everything was so amazing. You can't beat this place when it comes to an Irish pub. My girl friend and I just got back from Ireland and this place was giving us flashbacks. The food, service, and atmosphere was perfect. I would recommend this place to family, friends and strangers alike.

    (5)

  • Eatalot F.

    This place was the best Irish place we've ever gone to. Corned beef was perfect as was the cabbage with a Guinness flavor or something. Bread pudding was a great ending. The owner was playing in the group the Flynns or something close to that. He thanked us for coming which was impressive since there were a hundred other people there. His daughters were dancing the whole time and it was just a great family feeling place. If you're in Nashville you need to go here!

    (5)

  • Fred V.

    Based on a recommendation from one of the local hotels we drove past at least a dozen restaurants to enjoy a late night dinner and music. A Smithwicks beer, fish & chips and a slice of Bailey's cheesecake to finish off an enjoyable meal made it a very good night.

    (4)

  • Janette C.

    Irish breakfast and Irish coffee with my beau :-) great way to start the day!

    (5)

  • Gail S.

    We are in Nashville for the week on vacation and found McNamara's not far from the house we rented. What a fun place! Food was delicious. I had fish & chips; fish not greasy, homemade coleslaw, food HOT! My husband had corned beef & cabbage. Excellent! Mashed potatoes freshly made. As we were eating, the Irish band started playing and that was such fun. We will definitely go back while we are in town!!!

    (4)

  • Rob D.

    Had a really good time, live music, great feel, good food, drink, nice staff.... Will return

    (5)

  • Jamie A.

    I've only been to McNamara's twice. The first time I was blown away by the delicious authentic Irish food, excellent beer selection and fun atmosphere (especially in the upstairs bar area). The second time, last night, was not near as good. The first time I had almost perfect fish and chips and also enjoyed a few bites of a friend's carrots and parsnips (I'm a sucker for parsnips...so good). Last night, I think the oil just really needed to be changed. We had fish and chips and Scotch eggs and both were just not good. The fish and chips were so greasy we each only ate half of a piece of fish. I didn't try the Scotch eggs, but my boyfriend was only able to eat one. Everything looked pretty good, so I really think this was a one-off. All was not bad, though. The potato soup was delicious and I love that they serve Kerrygold butter along with the soda bread. The coleslaw is also delicious. Our server was very pleasant and attentive. If I find myself hungry and in the Donelson area again, I wouldn't think twice before giving McNamara's another try.

    (3)

  • Kristin R.

    My husband and I went here last night for dinner, and we were both very impressed! We ate upstairs as the wait downstairs was about 20 minutes. The service was a bit slow and there were times where we looked over and our waitress was having her dinner, but the food more than made up for the lack of service. I had the shepards pie and it had such great flavor, I finished the whole thing! My husband got the stuffed pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes and gravy, and he was lucky it was such a big portion because we had a little to take home. We also had a couple of Blue Moon beers and they were fresh and extremely delicious served with an orange slice. We will definitely be coming back for breakfast as the other reviews have said it's delicious. Yummm! Worth the drive, and we can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Charlotte L.

    Being from England and seeing they had bangers and mash on the menu, I had high hopes for this place. Bangers and mash with gravy was my favorite as a kid. I was very disappointed. The bangers were not the same as when I was growing up. Fat, mushy sausages as opposed to the skinny ones I was expecting. And no gravy! How do you serve mash with no gravy?! The coleslaw was...ok. Overall, not the best. I might go back to try the shepherd's pie but I am in no rush.

    (2)

  • Robert M.

    McNamara's is a pleasant escape from the typical Country and Western tourist traps. oops attractions. The atmosphere while there is no music is relaxing. The staff even look Irish, whether intended or otherwise. The menu gives much to offer and you won't make up your mind. My choice was the Shepherd's pie, with a creamy potato soup. Very good meal. Next time will be the Bangers and Mash.

    (4)

  • Joanne R.

    This place was quite the experience. We went to McNamara for a business dinner, so I was expecting something calm and ordinary, but it was neither. The service is great and the wait staff is super nice, but don't expect to do much talking with the band playing. This is purely a social environment. The food was decent. I recommend the shepherds pie-it's warm and comforting. The Scottish eggs were slightly overcooked but the sauce paired with them is delightful. Overall it's a great place to hang out, drink beer and enjoy your friends.

    (4)

  • Guglielmo F.

    Great atmosphere, and the food is very good. The people here are also very very nice. So why only 4 stars? I'd wanted something a little more quiet so I could have some time with my lady, as we'd both been very busy and needed to reconnect. They had a group playing traditional Irish tunes, so it was too loud. Now, I understand that there isn't always live music, and had we arrived then, it would have been perfect. If we were in the mood, it would have been great, so this may get the bump to 5 stars on the next visit. Will there be a next visit? ABSOLUTELY. Shepard's pie is awesome here!! UPDATE: I've been here many times since this review, and it's always - ALWAYS - great. Have not had a a bad or even mediocre meal, and the service is STELLAR!! It had been 4 stars (because on a night we wanted a quiet place they had live music) but they get the full 5 stars because they earn it. Shepard's pie is stilly fave here, but you won't go wrong with the rest of the menu.

    (5)

  • Tina C.

    Such a fun experience! We're staying by the airport in Nashville and decided to try this little gem out. The food was really good and the staff was wonderful! Very welcoming environment and they go the extra mile to ensure their customers have a great time. Would definitely go back and highly recommend!!

    (5)

  • Trilce M.

    I love this Irish pub. Food is delicious and I love the live music. I am hispanic and I have never experienced the whole Irish music, food and beer drinking. I dont even like beer but there is nothing like Irish beer. The service is great.

    (5)

  • Matthew A.

    Really good Irish pub, corned beef is very tasty, live Irish music. Excellent selection of whiskeys too.

    (4)

  • B G.

    Yo, I don't even LIKE Irish pubs and this place is great. Bar has great range, servers super friendly and helpful, food is yummy! There's an Irish folk band playing right now and I HATE IRISH FOLK MUSIC, but these kids are so cool I just seeded their tip jar with a ten just to make everyone else in here recognize. Pay your band, kid! Check this place out. It's cool, aren't you?

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Amazing food and music. I had the chicken curry and chips. Get it on mashed potatoes instead of chips, though. Much better.

    (5)

  • Daniel S.

    McNamara's is fun and has a great environment to hang out. The upstairs dart area is my favorite, but you have plenty of options in the large building. Prices are good and the food is good for "bar food."

    (4)

  • Dave J.

    The best Pub food I have had so far and in an unlikely place. The servers and hostess were are welcoming and beyond friendly. The owners band is top-notch entertainment and worth reservations in "the venue room". Bring friends and bring an appetite because both are necessary to fully enjoy the experience here. The appetizer menu has cheese sticks and other stuff- I can speak for the cheese sticks because they were the best I have ever had... ever. The fish and chips (that is my go-to for pubs when I travel) are deceiving to look at. The fish looks like a small portion, but those are solid pieces on your plate and can fill you up fast. The Snickers Pie was the recommended dessert by our server and a great suggestion. It looked like we got a 1/4 portion of the entire pie that was 3-4 inches thick. It took 2 people to put a dent in it and I think 3 or 4 would have had a run for their money after the previous two courses we had. When the band plays- audience participation is key:) the unicorn song is the crowd favorite as well as a song the owner says is "mythbusters" inspired. The band is very very good. These are two guys who love what they do and it shows in the traditional Irish music. Now if you are looking for 5-star dining experience at a high-quality restaurant, well, go to a high quality restaurant. Like most traditional euro-style pubs, this food is designed to be comfort food, and this menu is definitely a pub menu. As far as all the pubs I go to in many states, this is one of my top 3.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    My husband and I had been going to Dan McGuiness for years. Some friends recommended McNamara's. The food was hands down a better quality and more authentic. I loved the atmosphere and the service was excellent. I would recommend this place as a restaurant if you are looking for great Irish food but will still go back to Dan McGuiness for their live music, outdoor seating and bar selections.

    (3)

  • Damon D.

    Am I the 100th review...? Cool! This place is a great Irish pub with pretty damn good Irish food! The setting is nice. Downstairs is a well decorated restaurant, with upstairs having more of a pub/bar feel. Darts are nice, watching EPL games are good too...and trivia night! I'd give them 5 stars if they had a better beer selection. It's pretty good, but you would expect this place to have way more! Definitely worth checking it out!

    (4)

  • Zeb M.

    I can't say much about the food because I met some friends late after they had dinner and munched on some appetizers, but what I had was pretty good. Regardless, the four stars come from the overall vibe/atmosphere. The live folk music was surprisingly good, and I like that the place is divided into three parts - tables and stage to your left, the quieter side with cozy booths to your right, and a tavern-like bar upstairs. We ended up playing darts upstairs along with a few drinks. Everyone seems to really love the food there. I didn't feel like ordering much because nothing seemed appealing (seems more like a place to order snacks rather than dinner, unless you like Shepherd's Pie), but McNamara's is definitely worth coming to for a relaxed atmosphere upstairs.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    Only been here a couple of times, but man do I wish I could go more often. The fish and chips were amazing. I ate some plain, some with tartar sauce, some with hot sauce, and finally malt vinegar. All rocked! I will be trying the bangers and mash next time.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    The atmosphere is good. The food is bland. I've given it several tries and not impressed. Fish & Chips - fish is all batter... no flavor. When my wife complained about it, she was told that since everyone else loves the bland batter consumed fish, she must be weird. She's Australian... her parents owned a Fish & Chips shop... she knows fish and chips. Shepherds Pie was dry and bland, no flavor at all. The people are nice, music is nice, but the food is crap.

    (2)

  • Misty M.

    Best fish & chips in town! There's always at least a 30-min wait so keep that in mind, but the food is excellent! Great atmosphere and wonderful live music! It's definitely worth it. I highly recommend the Clare Roasted Chicken, Salmon Patties and the Corn Casserole. All are so delicious! Definitely get a pot of their tea too. So yum!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth P.

    Love this place! Tuesday's are Trivia Time upstairs and it gets pretty packed. The staff has always been super friendly and helpful. Best shepard's pie & cheese sticks around!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    Good food, fast. Almost ate airport food. That would have been a mistake. Cup of soup and lunch sized fish and chips still put me in a food coma...

    (4)

  • Elise G.

    The service was fast and the food was good, but the food is so overpriced. The restaurant puts a lot of effort into creating a great atmosphere, and I guess that's why 3 little pieces of fish and some fries cost $14. I would probably go back with friends on a weekend, but I wouldn't order any food.

    (3)

  • Randy N.

    Great food, great music and great drinks! What more do you need? McNamara's is a great pub and restaurant. Go and visit I know you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Tim M.

    Amazing band, the Corned Beef and Cabbage was excellent, it was cooked and seasoned perfectly and they cut it thick and it is not mushy or bland. Jenny the bartender did an amazing job of pouring the perfect pint of Guiness, whe put the best shamrock ontop. This is a real deal Irish pub, with excellent food. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Jennifer H.

    I had the salmon and it was cooked perfectly on the grill. The vegetables were tasty! My friend had the bangers and mash and it was so delish!!!! :-) Music is authentic. Servers are attentive, friendly and helpful. This is a must if you are looking for Irish food and music in the Music City. You won't be disappointed! :-)

    (4)

  • Eddy W.

    They have the best Fish and Chips in town. The fish is meaty, moist and buttery. You can't go wrong getting this meal.

    (5)

  • Christopher B.

    I dined at McNamara's Irish Pub and Restaurant for the first time last night. Wow what an awesome place. I love the fact that when you walk in the door you are greeted with a smile and a thank you. I was there with a party of ten and we were treated awesome, our waitress was top notch. Now the food started with appetizer's, we had the Irish nachos, potato skins, corn beef sliders all were awesome. I had the steak and Guinness pie it was awesome. It was a Friday night so the had live music a 3 man band playing Irish music. Overall a great place great food I highly recommend You check it out.

    (5)

  • Leigh F.

    Here in Nashville for a meeting. A group of us had dinner here and we all loved it. I especially loved the local vibe. I would be a regular here if I lived nearby. The food ws really good, service was good, she really managed our large table well. Prices very fair. Give it a try.

    (4)

  • Veronica D.

    If you are looking for a place that doesn't feel like Nashville (and a lot like Ireland), spend an evening here. My husband is Irish and I am hispanic. One thing our cultures have in common is big families and that's exactly what it feels like there. The servers and bartenders are always friendly and attentive. The food is always spot on from the potato skins appetizer, the chicken salad, the sheperd's pie, to the fish and chips and any other meal you decide on. The draft beers are always at the perfect temp and the Irish coffees are a swift punch in the mouth of robust coffee, Irish Whiskey and bailey's. Catch all the Notre Dame games here in the upstairs bar area. And you can always enjoy lovely Irish music with live bands in the main dining room.

    (5)

  • Josh M.

    Good food. Good music (although I think the singer was faking his Irish accent). Only in Nashville will you hear a Johnny Cash song performed in Irish folk style. The fish and chips was authentic and good. The coleslaw was even handmade with fresh cabbage.

    (4)

  • Aaron D.

    I grew up listening to Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers on LPs. I know Irish music. I love good Irish music. And McNamara's (specifically the house band Nosey Flynn, led by Sean McNamara) offers world-class Irish music. In fact, outside of the Emerald Isle itself, McNamara's is most likely the best Irish pub I've ever visited. The food is delicious. Scotch eggs. Bangers and mash. Fish and chips. Bread pudding. You can't go wrong. Our waitress was not only good at her job, she was also kind, welcoming, cute AND a good Irish dancer to boot! Do you want to listen to music that just makes you feel GOOD? Music that makes you bang the table, sing out loud, laugh, maybe shed a tear in your beer (or cider) and then laugh and sing some more? Then get to McNamara's pronto. ps - To get the full experience, you'd want to eat on the bar side on Thusrday - Sunday nights when Nosey Flynn performs. Make reservations well in advance for Friday or Saturday nights. Just remember it's loud. We may bring earplugs next time. That would be my only complaint really. Yes, a bar should be loud, but I think they could turn down the volume just a wee bit and the experience would be even better. Alternatively, you could have a calmer evening in another part of the restaurant and you'd still probably hear the amplified music just fine.

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    My family has a saying - a trip to McNamara's is never a mistake. The food - as authentic pub fare you will find on this side of the Atlantic - is superb. The servers go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The music is fantastic. This is truly a Nashville treasure you will come back to time and again.

    (5)

  • Suz E.

    Best Irish Pub!! From the food to the decor, everything was perfect! There was live Irish music playing and lots of authentic Irish decor. I got the potato cakes and spinach dip (to die for!) And the fish and chips were the best I've ever had! Very prompt and friendly service. Great place for groups or dates!

    (5)

  • Abbie G.

    Stopped through Nashville on a family road trip and stumbled upon this place and we are so thankful we did! Absolutely the delicious! The food was fantastic, the beer was cold, and the service was delightful! Definitely check this place out if you're ever in town!

    (4)

  • Derrick W.

    I live in Dickson, TN so you know that means that I have to travel into Nashville to find a GOOD and AUTHENTIC TRADITIONAL IRISH PUB and McNamara's has it. The food is wonderful, the band and the atmosphere. May I mention that the owner, Sean McNamara; his wife, Paula is ACTUALLY FROM IRELAND and carries a lovely Irish accent?! Can't get any better than that. I'm NOW a regular and I will get up and entertain the crowd with an Irish dance and two other workers will do dances too. Mostly I order food from the 'Irish Classic' and the Scotch Eggs which is to die for! Love the Irish Breakfast especially the Black and White Pudding and most of all the Irish Stew, YUMM!!!!!! Dan McGuinness is toooo commercial (both locations) and McFadden's is NOT an Irish Pub!!! I haven't tried Findlay's so I really couldn't comment on it!

    (5)

  • Stefanie P.

    I'm in love with this place. It's in an old massive white house. It has creaky wood floors and dim lighting. It has fish and chips and bangers and mash and Guinness on tap. Long wooden tables and an authentic irish band most nights. It's really loud and the service is quick, 'what'll have?" attitude. We went on a Saturday Night about 7pm. Every table was seated and there was a 45 minute wait. A few birthday parties, tons of families. No parking spot to be had. We finally got a spot at the bar. Even though the menu is a bit limited everything we got was great. I recommend: Kettle Chips Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Fish and Chips. Even though they were so busy, our food came out in less than 10 minutes and was good. They say to reserve your table 24 hours in advance. They said they are very busy on the weekends. This place is loud but I'm okay with that because its a loud-sing-songy irish bar/restaurant. The service just how I like, no chit-chat, straight up and too the point. "Want another!?" yes! yes I do! I look forward to going back forsure and maybe getting there a bit earlier to get primo seating. There's even an upstairs bar i didn't even get to check out! Only downside, it can be kinda a haul depending where you live ad a bit sneaky to find. Still a 5-star place in by book! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Carolyn M.

    Very cute Irish place in the middle of nowhere Donelson. The Irish bands was great and one of the waitresses was both adorable and a fantastic Irish dancer. I didn't eat, but the service was great and every one seemed happy with their food. I had to take a few stars off for the incredibly desolate and random locale. It was a royal pain to get to and from. But if I lived anywhere near there, I'd be in often.

    (3)

  • Jennifer R.

    Quite literally the best Irish Pub I've ever been to. The food, atmosphere, entertainment, and service completely surpassed all expectations. We happened upon this pub by accident during a short weekend trip in Nashville. We arrived for a late dinner at 8:30pm and were able to get a table in the music room/bar/venue spot. We had NO idea how lucky we were! We ordered beer and wine, potato soup, Rib Eye, Fish and Chips, and the bread pudding. Everything was incredible. We're from the midwest and snobby about steak... the chef cooked that steak better than some 'steak houses' we've been to! The Fish and Chips was great... I loved the coleslaw! The bread pudding had a tad too much cinnamon for me but was still really good. Our server Jessica was attentive and super friendly. The most wonderful part of the evening was the live music played by the band. The owner of McNamara's happens to be a member of the band and they are quite simply amazing. You can tell they love what they do! We had such an amazing evening on a Friday night that we tried to get reservations for Saturday night as well! Tips: -Make reservations. -Sit in the music room! It's not too loud! -Ask for Jessica to be your server. -Request your favorite Irish songs. -Come hungry!

    (5)

  • Elissa E.

    This is an easy review to write. Food - GREAT, Atmosphere - GREAT, Staff - GREAT. I had the shepherd's pie and my husband had the corned beef. Both were absolutely fabulous. We sat in the bar so we could listen to the live music. I'm so glad we did. McNamara's was ranked as the best Irish Pub by an Irish publication, and I know why. If you have a chance, GO EAT HERE! Can't say enough good things.

    (5)

  • E W.

    Found this restaurant on Yelp and was glad I did! The food is authentic Irish style and was delicious. We had Beef Guinness Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Nachos and the kids had chicken fingers and Mac n cheese. Everything was delicious and the portions are large. Their chicken fingers were some of the best I've tasted. The kids didn't care for the Mac n cheese, but I thought it tasted good so I guess they were just being kids. The decor is homey and fun and the music is good, although we didn't get to hear the Irish band. Our waitress Gail was so friendly and welcoming! We are hoping to return and listen to the Irish band next time.

    (4)

  • Peter K.

    They've stepped up the service and the price of the pints seems to be slightly lower. Cheers to that. I will come back every week if Sean continues to play his version of "Sunday Bloody Sunday". Swoon.

    (5)

  • David O.

    Stopped in with a large party and had a decent meal. I'd never had Scotch Eggs before and found them to be pretty good. The Fish and Chips were also quite delicious. Not the best I've ever had, but quite good. Waitress was prompt and courteous but I did have to ask for a refill, which was mildly disappointing. The parking lot is pretty large, but it seems to fill up pretty well. There appears to be an overflow lot across the street. All in all, I have no serious complaints. I'd be very curious to see what the atmosphere on St. Patrick's Day here is.

    (3)

  • Jennette F.

    Food was okay, but prices were outrageous. $14 for fish and chips- small portion. Small bowl of beef stew $12 and a stringy rueben sandwich $10. On top of that $7 for a pot of tea for two. A family of four $70 without tip.

    (1)

  • Dawn S.

    Not much to say on the food. I have been here a few times and the service was excellent and love their house wine. However, I had the fish and chips which had too much breading and not enough fish. My friend had a burger that was ok, but lacked any type of seasoning. Tried the wings as an appetizer and they were ok. I frequent Donelson, I just wish there were more quality places to eat.

    (2)

  • Nathan S.

    A great place for a good time! It had a great "regular crowd" vibe. The food was excellent as well.

    (5)

  • Nate K.

    First time here and I'm really impressed. The bartender, Rose, was really busy yet had time to be personable and friendly. She had great recommendations for food and drinks. Plus shamrock on my Guinness.

    (5)

  • Jann S.

    We like to sit in the parlor dining room, where the waitresses are sweet and the live Irish music is a lilting tune in the background. The food has always been tasty, whether the fish and chips, the shepherd's pie, or the roasted chicken. Four stars because it is a little inconsistent. Once I had the best potato soup of my life. Other days I've had decent potato soup. And they're not as generous with the homemade soda bread as they once were. Still, there are a lot of little treats on the menu. The carrots and parsnips are a nice side dish. And the Ploughmans Lunch, with lettuce, cold cuts, cheese, bread, and fruit, is good for a crisp meal. Speaking of lunch, several dishes are available at the noon hour (not on Monday, though) and very reasonably priced. Beverages are good, from the hot Irish tea pot to the perfect pour of Guinness. It's an average price for a good meal out. The two of us can have a meal and an imperial pint and tip the lovely waitress for under $50. And don't forget the upstairs lounge for a more laidback dining experience.

    (4)

  • Jena S.

    Update for McNamara's - upgrading to 5 stars! A group of friends and I decided to head to McNamara's on St Patrick's Day, despite knowing that every Irish pub in the nation was going to be ridiculously packed. And we were not let down in that department....when we walked in the door, we were told dinner was a 5 hour wait! Not daunted by the number 5 (we were there to drink after all), we put our name down and hit the bar. Despite the large crowd, the bartenders were servicing everyone at a normal pace - hardly any wait for your drink. Don't know how they did it! Due to the enormous crowd and lack of ability to find anyone in it, the table wait was dropping and we ended sitting down for dinner in an hour (not 5). The menu had been limited to McNamara's signature items. Our waitress was on top of everything and our food came out super fast. As usual the food was tasty, and the staff were great. They really rocked it out! I was also impressed since they had hired security to watch over the party. I felt quite safe knowing that there was someone there to handle any trouble. So an additional star for McNamara's for keeping up the quality under pressure, and handling it all with grace! Super impressed!

    (5)

  • Krissy R.

    This is one of my fave places in Nashville. The food, service, and entertainment is out of this world. The music is what definitely keeps me coming back! So much fun anytime I've been. Nosey Flynn are wonderful!

    (5)

  • April E.

    Delicious! We had the Scotch eggs & corned beef bites to start. Amazing. The fish & chips and the steal & biscuits were also delicious. VERY thankful we opted to have the bread pudding dessert. Wonderful! Our waitress, Gail, was so friendly & helpful. Highly recommend McNamara's!

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Lovely wood-trimmed ambience with live musicians playing Irish reels on fiddle and banjos the Tuesday night we dined. I ordered the filet of lamb which I'll next time ask for medium because they served it seriously rare. My broccoli cheese casserole was too cheesy and overcooked and the carrot-parsnips a bit too buttery - an $18 meal that could have been better. My husband chose more wisely with a "tasty" reuben sandwich and great fries at $9. I stole many fries. My Magners cider was a bit weak and there are far better ciders but at least it was draft ... though they really should have more than one cider on draft. Of course they had Guiness on draft. Disappointingly non-Irish dessert selection. Still, though, a solid meal and a good time.

    (3)

  • William H.

    Stumbled on this pub while on vacation. What a treat!! We had corned beef and cabbage and bangers and mash and ate till we were stuffed. The waitress was top notch as well. Such a sweetie!! An Irish pub band played the night we were there as I think they do most nights. Highly recommend!!

    (5)

  • Kelly Ann W.

    My favorite place in Nashville!. Great food, great staff, great music ! Fish n chips n Reuben's are our usuals , along with the Scotch Eggs which sound weird but are amazing! Go listen to Nosey Flynn, and raise your pint in the air... You won't be sorry!!!

    (5)

  • David S.

    Service at the bar wasn't great but I give it five stars anyway because the scotch eggs are pretty much the tastiest thing I've ever eaten.

    (5)

  • R R.

    Very fun place! The food is great, drinks are delicious. It's a very laid-back place. I have been there when they have Irish music downstairs, but there is also a good bar and darts area upstairs. It's just a low key place that's great for hanging out, where you can actually carry a conversation. The atmosphere feels more authentic than some of the more touristy "Irish pubs".

    (5)

  • Kirk M.

    Needed an after work attitude adjustment, and this was close by. Walked out in a much better mood.

    (4)

  • Jerry L.

    First the Good: Great live music. Nice cold beer. Pretty attentive staff. The Bad: The food. Our party of three ordered three different items (burger, salmon, and steak). While not inedible, certainly not very tasty. So we drank more beer, which filled us up. If you are looking for a nice meal, I would eat elsewhere. If you're looking for good live music and a nice choice of beers - this is your place.

    (2)

  • Pam S.

    Stopped here after a round of golf. Hubby had a banger sammy, I had 1/2 reuben with a salad, which was fresh and delicious. Service was excellent. Cool stuff to look at on the walls.

    (5)

  • Tony C.

    I'll try not to be bias in my review since the McNamara family have been friends of my family for years. I've had the pleasure of working with Sean so I knew when someone with a work ethic like his combined with experience, he'd make a great pub owner, and he does. Music is obviously my favorite thing about this place as is many other customers but the entire ambiance, food, drinks etc makes it all around a great pub. Wish you all the best

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    I have frequented this pub for a couple of years now. It has excellent food, and good service. The live music is top notch and adds to the already authentic atmosphere. Weekend nights are very busy. They have an excellent selection of Irish drafts and make a mean Irish coffee. I would change nothing, but make two requests. 1- Open a location in south Nashville! 2- Add Killkenny ale to the drafts!

    (5)

  • Jeff A.

    I called in advance for a party of 18 and requested the bar area for Friday night (2/3/12) at 6:00. Everyone enjoyed their food and drink! Some guests could not believe the amount of people at the restaurant. It was packed! Even though it was, our service was terrific and the food was a 10 !! I hope I don't spell the name wrong but want the powers at be to know Caleb took care of us. One of our guests was a retired long time restaurant/club owner and he was very impressed.

    (5)

  • Daniel M.

    Had a great time an McNamara's! Good food, good beer, fun atmosphere. What I like the most is that it's intentionally not just a bar, it's a place where the adults can enjoy a good drink, but the kids can have fun as well.

    (4)

  • Susie N.

    The fish & chips are outstanding. Cod at its best! The cole slaw is lightly dressed & perfectly seasoned. Top it off with crispy fried chips & a black & tan.....yum!

    (5)

  • Anthony T.

    Honestly, this is the best pub I've ever been to in America, and I've been to a few. I can only surmise that McNamara's employs certified Guiness pourers, as the pints I got were absolutely perfect; temperature was correct (no one ever gets that right, its always too cold everywhere else), they were allowed to rest on the bar for the correct period of time before being served, and the head was amazing and creamy. That's worth the drive from Atlanta alone, in my opinion. As if that weren't enough, the food is amazing. Scotch eggs and Black and Tan battered onion rings make for great starters, and the fish and chips are authentic - though don't look for them to be served on newspaper, because honestly, that's just not very sanitary. Steak and Guiness and Shepherd's pies are mouth-wateringly great. Our waitress Diane was amazing, skilled, and perfect - a feat unto itself. Its so hard to find a great server, and McNamara's seems to be full of them. I tipped 35% and was really happy to do so. to let her know how much we appreciated her. The band was entertaining and not so loud that we couldn't hear ourselves talk and make moaning noises because the food was so good. Very talented folks. I've been here twice, and will go every time I get to Nashville. McNamara's is on par with some of the best pubs I've been to in the UK, and better than many there. Just go. YOU'RE WELCOME.

    (5)

  • Toni B.

    The foods good but if your looking for Irish pub music you will be disappointed .they closed at 11 pm on a Friday night and while the band played Irish tunes and were good it was more soft folk music not drinking pub songs was quite disappointed

    (2)

  • Tonya P.

    I'd give the fish from the fish and chips a 4 easily but nothing else really worked for me. The waiter, Chris (found the receipt with his name on it) was bad. He was so interested in flirting with the blonde chick on a date with another guy that he ignored our party all meal. Even asking for extra ketchup was a hassle for him. He was tipped accordingly, but the service would make me consider not returning here. Also they use Ore Ida frozen french fries instead of making their own. Any good fish and chips at a pub comes with house made chips. The Irish are a potato people, and you can't truly call yourself an Irish pub without making your own chips in house. While the fish was quite good, especially for an inland establishment, I was underwhelmed by my meal as a whole. In reading so many good things about this place, I had high hopes. Needless to say, I was disappointed.

    (2)

  • Christine L.

    Get to this place in a Sunday night to enjoy some fantastic traditional Irish playing...oh and the fish and chips are pretty good too!

    (4)

  • Carolyn S.

    I would give it 3.5, it was good. I wish I got at least one more piece of fish with my fish and chips

    (3)

  • Claire B.

    If you're actually Irish or English, then the most important thing to know about McNamara's is that they have a real breakfast, a real "full Irish," complete with black and white pudding, rashers, and Irish sausages. As far as I know, they are the only place in Nashville that makes this possible. It's not the best Irish breakfast I've ever had, and the sausage could use improvement (you can find much better than this on the internets), but it's lovely to go and be able to have a little taste of home (and a possible heart attack) on a plate. McNamara's is an establishment with a split personality. There's the almost kitschy downstairs bar and restaurant, where you will often hear live diddle-y-de music (always fun), and the upstairs bar, which has big screen televisions and dart boards and has more of a bar atmosphere. I usually prefer the upstairs, but if I'm going to eat, or there's good music, I'll sit downstairs. Things to try: The Breakfast (If you're not of British Isles descent, then don't give me that rubbish about "blood" pudding and how disgusting you think it is. Try it. I promise it's less disgusting than what's in a hot dog, or what's in a fast food burger, and it's tastier too, but don't take my word for it if you don't want to - that means there's more for me). Kettle chips - They come with ranch or curry sauce. This might sound odd, but culinary choices coupled with beer often are: get both sauces and alternate chip dippings. Really, really good stuff. In fact, I am writing this review because I currently crave these chips, but am too lazy to drive to fetch them. Coleslaw- they have amazing coleslaw. It actually tastes like Irish coleslaw.

    (4)

  • Josh R.

    I had a great experience here on my first visit tonight. Almost all the food was delicious, the service was excellent and fast, and the drinks were amazing. For the appetizer we had the Irish nachos, which is actually dressed french fries with meat, cheese, scallions, etc. Then for the entree I had the bangers and mash, after taking a long time to choose between that, the fish & chips, and the Irish stew. The waitress was very helpful as I was asking about the menu, and she seemed to be extremely knowledgeable about all the options. In addition to the bangers and mash I got to try a steak & biscuit, which was also excellent. The drink I had with my meal was an Irish margarita, which is a margarita with Jameson Irish whiskey instead of tequila. I didn't know you could improve on the Mexican margarita, which is one of my favorite drinks of all time, but they did it! I would strongly recommend trying this drink if you haven't yet. For dessert we had a Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake, which tastes even better than it sounds. One note though, this dessert is rather small. Unlike most restaurants where desserts come large enough for four people to share, this slice was one-person sized. I don't know if that's the case with all their desserts, but keep that in mind if you get dessert here. The only disappointing part of the meal was the side I got with my bangers and mash, the macaroni & cheese. I think it may be that they used Irish cheese, and it just wasn't to my taste, but I don't know. In any case it sort of reminded me of something I'd get off a cheap buffet. Next time I think I'll try the coleslaw. But everything else was definitely five star worthy taste. The waitress was excellent and the food came out amazingly fast compared to what I'm used to in most restaurants. One final note, and that's that they seem to have excellent lunch options here. Most items are $6 and the menu says if you sit at the bar during lunch hours (11a-4p), you get 10% off your meal and soft drink.

    (5)

  • Thomas G.

    We had an excellent meal here while visiting Nashville. Kerry Lamb was great as we're the Scotch eggs. Setting in an old house is not your typical Irish pub but makes for a nice atmosphere. Fairly authentic otherwise. Guinness and Smithwicks on draft along with others.

    (5)

  • Shaun B.

    This is my home away from home. To the point when my fiancee "kicks me out" she sends me here. When I lived in the NW Indiana area, I would visit The Fifth Province in the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. The food, drinks, and service were always amazing. Moving back home to TN left an empty hole in my heart, liver, and stomach having to leave that place behind. By the time I had come back home, Seanachie's was gone and all that was left was Mulligans and Dan McGuinness. The former was a temporary fix and the latter catered to a crowd I didn't feel or want to be part of. I was driving back from lunch early last year when I saw a white house with the Tri-Colors flying proudly. I had to know what was going on there. My fiancee and I stopped in later that week to have dinner. We were seated in a circular booth that proudly displayed pictures of Michael Collins on the wall behind it. My first meal there was Bangers and Mash. I don't normally eat pork but I had to know if it was up to par. I accompanied that meal with two Imperial Pints of Guinness. A veteran of the bar business, I knew what it took to create the perfect pint. And these folks knew it too. My fiancee had the Fish and Chips though she rarely eats fish and loved it. The Bangers and Mash were top notch and I was already planning my next visit. They had put the hook in me - hook, line, and sinker to be exact. Anytime I go in, regardless of who is there, either Sean, Paula, or Kirk greet me and stop to talk to me even though they are always busy making things happen. It also made it more impressive that after I hadn't gone in for awhile, my fiancee was asked where I had been as she made reservations for that night. It's nice to feel like more than just a customer. The bar and wait staff are amazing, though Rose is always who I look forward to seeing behind the bar. Some bartenders can draw shamrocks in the head of a Guinness. She can "draw" just about anything. To amuse me on a particularly dismal day I was having, she drew a teapot for me as I had clued her in before on an inside joke among users of 3ds Max. Nosey Flynn, Sean McNamara's trio, never fails to make a great experience better. They break the mold of the commonplace "house band" you find in many Irish restaurants. You can go from hearing traditional Irish music that most Irish/Irish-American groups cover to rebel songs and even The Proclaimers' "500 Miles." They're even quick to learn a new song upon your mentioning it. They make any Thursday - Sunday night a good night for me. In the time I've been going, I watched the World Cup there, celebrated Saint Patrick's Day and proposed to my fiancee there that night on stage in front of all the revelers(the restaurant's first proposal). I've tried just about everything on the menu and haven't found something I truly dislike. Why else would it be my home away from home?

    (5)

  • Joanna F.

    This place is fun. You should come here at night when they play music, but be sure to reserve a place. It's so much fun when the whole audience is singing to the song! Everybody gets into the Knocking/banging on the table and shouting "McIntyre" while singing "Old Dun Cow'! Most of the Irish songs are about drinking, women, and perverseness. TeeHee! Hilarious songs that they sing are the "Great Big Sea" and one about 7 maids/women spending 7 nights in a laboratory (bathroom). They sang "Raglan Road" one night, and it just put me to ease and made me want to cry. Such a beautiful, sad song. Ok, food review. I've had the Shepherd's Pie. Although I've never had it before this, it was ok. It was filling, but not a favorite meal of mine. I've had the Irish Cream Potato soup. I like creamy soups, and it was perfect on a cold night. I'm not a beer drinker, so really can't rate on that. But they do have it! The one thing you should get and make room for is Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake. It's so so good. So go there. Enjoy a night with your friends, singing, drinking, eating, and laughing.

    (4)

  • Melissa L.

    I have had two visits here since April and both were much improved over my first visit. On the visit in May I had their salmon and it was as good as any place in town. Definitely will order again. On the visit in August, my daughter ordered for both of us because she wanted both the sheppard's pie and the steak and guinnesse pie. The sheppard's pie was okay but the steak pie was the winner. We like lamb so I really like a lamb sheppard's pie and this was ground beef or at least it tasted mostly like ground beef. The gravy was nice but it's just a preference of mine for the lamb. The steak and guinness pie was hands down a winner with a nice flaky puff pastry crust full of nice chunks of beef in a well balanced gravy that wasn't too heavy on the guinness. We will definitely be going back. The service was good however I will say that on both occassions the servers messed up orders that were not standard straight off the menu - ask for a substitution and it likely won't come out the way your ordered it. So that would have to be my main thing keeping me from going higher on the score.

    (3)

  • Krista A.

    Awesome waitress and great fish and chips. The cole slaw was amazing as well.

    (5)

  • Linda A.

    We had so much fun here! Great Irish music, friendly crowd. can't give it five stars because the service was a bit ditzy. The food was good too...we had shepherd's pie and fish and chips so it wasn't too tricky...but it was Irish food and pretty good. we'll definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    If you are looking for every Irish whiskey available in the Nashville market, this place has it. Every visit is entertaining. The staff is knowledgeable and laid back. They know the menu and they truly love the food. The only negative thing about this place is there is just not enough tables and the hostess isn't as helpful as she could be - no matter which one you get. I'd try this place on St. Paddy's day but I just know I couldn't get in. Still, may give it a shot!

    (4)

  • Tonya O.

    Hellllllo Scotch Eggs! I discovered this tasty dish many years ago when Sherlock's was still on Elliston but was disappointed to find out that they are usually served cold. I guess McNamara's has Americanized their version, which pleases my preference, and serves theirs hot. I believe they only offer them as appetizers, but there's enough to make a meal, if you like. For my entree, I experienced my first ever Bangers and Mash. Quite the tasty dish, indeed. Their sweet potato fries are also a good choice. I'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Nestor H.

    We had the pleasure of being taken to McNamara's by friends and were absolutely thrilled with the evening. Where else can you get a free concert by an excellent trio of performers that include the pub's owner? The venue has multiple areas ranging from the main "event" room (that was packed on the Saturday night we were there) to a sport bar upstairs, a small "writer's room", and a "cottage" room for a more secluded environment. The food was typical Irish fare and while I'm not an aficionado, I can confidently state that the fish and chips were some of the best I've tasted--and that includes those I've had in Dublin. Contrary to one of the negative reviews below, they were lightly battered--more fish than batter. My friend had corned beef and cabbage and the beer I tasted was moist and tasty. Even the fried mushrooms tasted fresh! They've created a little island of something different from the dominant southern fare found in the area so I imagine locals flock there just to taste something different and they aren't disappointed based on the crowds. Highly recommended! PS I don't think I've met a friendlier and more sincere proprietor than Sean who is clearly a man concerned about customer service and catering to as broad a clientele as possible--from young to old.

    (5)

  • Tom E.

    Traveling through on our way back to Chicago and I yelped to find a place to eat near our motel (La Quinta, airport). This place sounded good so we gave it a try. Wow! Best irish pub food I've ever had, and I've eaten at quite a few. I had the F&C substituting black&tan onion rings for the chips - really, really good. My wife had a special of lamb tenderloin with a vinegary sauce that complimented the tender lamb perfectly. We ate at 6 PM on a Saturday and had a 5 minute wait. When we left it looked like the wait was considerable. Service was excellent. We will definitely come again the next time we're in Nashville

    (5)

  • Jim R.

    Excellent... My wife and I sat at the bar to enjoy great music and singing from the owner. Collin at the bar was excellent! Casual, great food. Fish and Chips very good. No complaints to be had from us.

    (5)

  • David K.

    I only had to-go food but the level of service was just incredible. He noticed from my number that I was from Atlanta, and welcomed me to Nashville. He asked me how far I was so he knew exactly when to put the order in so that the food never got cold. Scoth eggs were delish so were the sheppards pie

    (4)

  • Kevin P.

    One of my favorite places in Nashville/Donelson. Great music, great food, great spirits (many of the spirits you cannot find anywhere else in Nashville), and great atmosphere. I wish I lived within walking distance!

    (5)

  • Aubrey D.

    I still like this place but my 2nd visit didn't live up to my first. I went on a Friday afternoon with my toddler and 2 others. Firstly, the hostess tried to seat us in a very stuffy room with a bar. I objected and asked to be seated in the more pleasant room I had initially experienced. She told me I couldn't sit there because the server's shift was almost over (?!) I maintained that I didn't want to sit in the other hot room, and she ended up letting us sit in the other room--at a table by the noisy kitchen. It took the server at least 15 minutes just to get our drink order. We ordered our drinks and food at once to speed things up. I ordered the 1/2 reuben again which was good but didn't live up to the first time. The chicken soup was great, so that was the one improvement from my first visit. My mom ordered a breakfast sampler which had all sorts of wierd sausages and beans. She said it was just ok. My son had the kids chicken fingers and fries--decent but overpriced at $5! I felt embarrassed for having us meet here as I had raved about the place after my first visit. It ended up being fine but, if this had been my first time there, I would not have returned. The charming hostess / co-owner was not there this time which probably had something to do with the significant decrease in TLC!

    (3)

  • Brent W.

    Hey, I live right down the street from the best Irish Pub in America and I've only been there twiced!!! Ain't that the way it always goes? You live there, but you don't go there...stoopid. Anywayzzz, I went there last night and the Bar, Band, Food, and drink were all fantastic. They really take you away from the real world america and you can escape to a nuther country via this place. No stinkin TV for starters. Ask to be seated in the bar. It's non-smokin' and they let kids sit in there too AND the vibe is so right on old school Irish baby! If I have anything to be weird about, it's the relaxed way the employees work. No pressure, no upselling, they bring the food out done right and fast. All that no-pressure-sales kept me from drinking more than two...and away from kissing the Blarney Porcelain...YES!!!

    (4)

  • Steve T.

    The lamb is awesome. Great live music. Not too loud. Just right. This place looks so much smaller on the outside.

    (5)

  • Steve M.

    Went in as a single but very comfortable. Was offered seat at one of the bars or table and I chose table as they had live performer this evening. He was outstanding by the way and was direct from the Emerald Isle according to the posted info. Hostess also had a heavy accent which led to the comfort of the place. Fare was authentic, Scotch Eggs very good and the Fish and Chips prepared properly and tasty. Large, flaky white fish with steak fries and slaw. Smithwick's was delicious and ice cold. I'll be back on me next trip.

    (4)

  • Clay G.

    The food is better than you would expect. Especially good are any of the corn beef dishes. I really like their Rueben because it isn't made with deli sliced corn beef. But my favorite reason for going is the music. Thursday nights they start at 6. Fun Times.

    (5)

  • Rob G.

    We have been going to McNamara's since it opened years ago. Two areas - music & restaurant. Music - We typically go on a weekend night to both dine as well as enjoy Nosey Flynn the house band. Great music and always entertaining. We have both CDs and are eagerly awaiting a third CD. We like the live album better. Restaurant - Great food! I have had almost everything on the menu and I have yet to have a bad meal. We always start with the Scotch Eggs for an appetizer as they are a must have! The service for us has always been very attentive, pleasant and helpful. We love it and go often!

    (5)

  • Austin M.

    Ok, this place has pretty good food but there are definitely some issues with the place. It's been awhile since I've had an Old Fashioned since going here and understanding it's an Irish Lub I wasn't expecting much. But it was terrible. I had to turn it back and I never do that. They've music was good but ended at 9 on a Thursday. Not a big deal, but once the music ends the place is terrible. Lights go off and they don't play any music after. Thirsty Thursday turns into to Toddler Thursday, go home we're tired... Cool place but needs development on potential. Management step it up!

    (3)

  • Jay R.

    My waitress was an angel. Such a sweetheart for always checking in on me, and for giving me time to order. Even though I knew what I wanted early on! Their corned beef is so delicious! It got stuck in my teeth! They have all the authentic Irish drinks, platters with meat and vegetables, as well as ambiance. Tremendous hospitality and they treat you like family.

    (5)

  • Angie Q.

    We went on a Friday night and only had a 10-15 minute wait, which is reasonable for a popular place with live music. We were greeted by two very friendly hostesses. The decor is cute, more of an American's idea of Irish pubs rather than authentic, but that's okay. It seems to be working for them! There are several dining rooms (this used to be a funeral home): one with live music, and others, as well as a bar and upstairs sports bar. It was a little loud, but not unexpected. While waiting for our table, we went to the bar and had drinks. There is a very nice selection of Irish whiskies and beers. The bartender was quick and friendly. We were seated and our server was Gail. She was very prompt, friendly, and informative. She has a great smile and was very welcoming. My husband ordered the Irish stew, served with brown bread. It was very thick and dark, had a nice tang from the beer. He enjoyed it and said he would order it again. I had the shepherd's pie, served with soda bread. It was good, but nothing special. It's comfort food and I would probably order it again, but am looking forward to trying other things. For dessert, we had bread pudding. It was not what we expected, as there were apples in it and what appeared to be a slice of bread baked on top. It was tasty, but was more like apple pie than bread pudding, so won't order it again. The whisky sauce was fabulous, so if I can get it on the side to pour over something else, I'd definitely do that. I had a pot of hot Irish tea, which was exactly as expected-served in a teapot with cream and sugar. I enjoyed it quite a bit. The restrooms were clean and not cramped, something that it important to me!

    (4)

  • Jase G.

    I was able to walk in without reservation. My waitress was attentive and kept my glass full while I waited for my meal. The decode was very authentic for an Irish restaurant. Lots of hard wood furniture and accents. I ordered the lamb and when it arrived the presentation was delightful. I prefer mint "jelly" with my lamb and when I requested it they brought out a lovely home cooked version. It was very strong and a new experience for me. Since I was use to the mint jelly from the jar. I would recommend this restaurants to anyone and would welcome the opportunity to return.

    (4)

  • Joelle P.

    When my grandmother suggested this place, I was a little hesitant (although agreed to go based upon the overall 4 stars on Yelp)...and I was quite certain my initial hesitation was warranted when asked if I wanted to sit on the quiet side or the live music side...obviously we went for the "quiet" side so my lovely Nana could somewhat hear me...you can still hear the music by the way. The service was polite. The tea was delicious. The food was A-OK. I think this would have actually been 4 stars for me if I had been drinking on the live music side...but given that my experience was just based on the food, I think a solid 3 is about right.

    (3)

  • Justin B.

    Definitely a winning Irish experience. I always make a point of trying Irish places when out of town since Memphis is a bit short on good Irish places, and McNamara's has been one of my favorites. This is the kind of Irish place I want to be 5 minutes down the road from my house. It was the first time I've found a place that serves scotch eggs, and ever since I think my day dreams have been filled with the crispy, tangy goodness of dipping these suckers in that amazing dip they served with it. I find myself thinking of them when my mind wanders, they come to mind in quiet moments, almost like they are whispering to me to come back and make a meal of them..."Justin, come back to us. We are here for you. We love you." I love you too, scotch eggs. I love you too. All joking aside, everything else we had had some kind of alcohol in it. Even the onion rings tasted like they had been soaked in beer and then fried in a beer batter. Which was awesome. The Guinness beef stew was quite good, with the puff pastry and mushrooms. A little too much Guinness for me, but then again that's not usually my favorite Irish dish (my wife's choice). Great steak fries too. Then the Irish Creme cheesecake. My gosh. There was so much going on in that slice of heaven I was almost confused. Oreo crust (that tasted like it had espresso in it...maybe just me but it was amazing), plus it has some kind of rich mousse on top with chocolate and caramel syrup. I think I would forget about every other kind of cheesecake if I could have that every time. All the awesome food made me forget about the service and the atmosphere, which was as good as any other place we've been. Made for a great Sunday brunch, but I'm sure the dinners are even better. Highest recommends!

    (5)

  • Lindsay M.

    Wow. I have lived in Donelson for a year now and somehow just had a chance to eat here. It's not often that anything leaves me speechless, but this place managed to do it. We started with cocktails and draft beer (poured properly and at the proper temperature, I might add). We ordered the corned beef bites as an appetizer. What a great start! The sauce served with them was to die for. I'm not sure what it was, but I dipped everything in it. I ordered the Steak and Guinness pie. Wowowowowowowowowow. Our awesome waitress asked how everything was at one point and I couldn't even respond. Food heaven. I got cabbage as my side and that was great, too. My dinner company ordered the steak and biscuits and the shepherd's pie. Both of which were also to die for- I made sure to try both...just to be sure. I ordered a cup of the potato soup to eat later on...also great. I am still in awe of this place and the quality and authenticity of the food and atmosphere. I have been to a lot of "Irish pubs", but this is the real deal. I will be going here as much as humanly possible.

    (5)

  • Q Y.

    Jameson and Guinness, all my favorites! What not to like about Irish?! Now Irish cider should be added to the list. A good day drink for those who don't want to be perceived as drink on the job. Corn beef is good, just a little too salty for me. Broccoli cheese casserole is delicious. But didn't get discount on my bill as offered to by sitting at the bar.

    (3)

  • Tom S.

    A solid place for food. Seems very popular with the locals. I sat at one of the three bar areas but there were s bunch of tables and lots of families. I won't say it is the most authentic representation of Irish food (like a pickle served on the side of Bangers and Mash) but it was good food. I had the Bangers and Mash with carrots and parsnips. The food came out lightning fast and was hot. I ordered gravy on the side which does not normally come on the dish. The Bangers were nice as were the sides. My only comment would be there could have been more Mash and the pickle on the plate was an odd addition. For dessert I had the bread pudding. Dessert rated good but came with apples and ice cream. It actually tasted more like apple pie a la model ham true bread pudding but was really tasty. Overall a nice dinner and fast, friendly service. I will come back when I am in town.

    (4)

  • Danny N.

    A good Irish Pub is always one of my faves and McNamara's did not disappoint. This is the closest to home cooking Irish Pub in Nashville. The Guinness was on point which is usually a rarity for it to taste correct. For dinner we ordered bangers and mash and corn beef and cabbage. Both meals were fantastic and recommended.

    (5)

  • Danny L.

    I love this place, from the food to the music, to the comedy always playing in the bathrooms. Consistent, charming, excellent service, great food done to perfection. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. And, they hustle when it's busy so you don't wait any longer when they are full to the brim than you do on a casual week night. Great Irish and folk music push this place over the top!

    (5)

  • Jeff H.

    good irish restaurant, good food, slightly pricey for some dishes such as lamb but reasonable on other dishes like the salmon patties. irish music often. good staff. clean. i give it an 8 out of 10

    (4)

  • Timothy M.

    I took my mother here for her birthday last weekend. It was her first visit ever to Nashville and I wanted to make it special. And McNamara's helped me make it very special indeed. We went on a Friday night when Nosey Flynn was playing. I spoke to Sean McNamara, the owner of the place and the singer of Nosey Flynn, about singing Happy Birthday to my mother when they brought out the cake I had them hide back in the kitchen earlier. Everything worked perfectly. The cake came out, candles lit, and Sean announced my mothers birthday and sang Happy Birthday. I've never seen my mother as happy as I saw her then. Three cheers for McNamara's wonderful staff and the awesome food we were served! I will not forget that night for years to come and I will definitely, DEFINITELY be going back here. If I could give them more than 5 stars I would. They deserve 10 stars.

    (5)

  • Anthony S.

    McNamaras has a great vibe- family friendly, great drinks, and decent food. There are not many places in Donelson to rival it, but there are a few things they could stand to address. The menu is heavy. I get it, it's Irish, so starches are a mainstay. I have been a little disappionted with my food in the half-dozen times I've eaten there. Items like fish 'n chips are good and satisfy, but their curry was a little weak and the veggies bland. My wife and I both have had sides come out and been bad enough to go cold and get sent to the rubbish. If you're looking for healthy eating, beware. They serve "Irish Nachos" which are loaded steak fries. Goes great with Guiness but not situps. It's also surprisingly pricey. Not expensive, but I always find myself staring at the bill. They have a nice selection of beers and whiskeys, so it's a great place to drink, but they're really more of an eatery and don't stay open late enough for the real lushes. Not that it's a bad thing, just sayin. McNamaras is a good place to take friends and family out to enjoy some live music and decent food as long as you are sure what you are in for.

    (4)

  • J R.

    So as I sit here at the bar with a drink and ordered food, I feel invisible. Thank you red bearded bartender. He barely even tried to make eye contact with me. The bar wasn't even busy by me! Another patron just walked up and sat down and he greeted him with open arms. He also was cordial and got the drink for the guy sitting next to me. I was waiting for 10 mins before he arrived! Anyways, I ordered a beer and the bangers and mash dish. My food came cold. I didn't want to complain so I just ate it. I asked for some gravy later just to warm up my meal. It was the warmest part of my meal. The sausages were unnaturally mushy. The sweet potatoes fries had cinnamon sugar on them. You can't do that! Lol they are supposed to be sweet potato fries for a reason! All I could do is laugh hysterically as I finished my meal. I didn't feel welcomed. If that was the objective, it worked. I won't be returning.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : Live
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

McNamaras

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