A Taste of Ireland in Niagara Falls – Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub

Magilligans-Outside

A while back, we discovered this gem in Niagara Falls.  Many hotel restaurants can be overpriced and the themed ones a little tacky when it comes to touristy areas, but not Doc Magilligan’s.   I found it an amusing name for an Irish pub since there is a prison named Magilligan – part of what made me want to go in as we drove past intending to head to a chain restaurant.

Doc Magilligan’s was comfortable, friendly and despite being fairly big and busy at the time, did not feel crowded.  We went twice and the staff were excellent both days.  Doc Magilligan’s is based on and old Irish proverb says, “laughter is brightest in the place where good food is!” and they have done a great job living up to it.

We shared Doc’s Sharing Platter the first time we went to Doc Magilligan’s, it was just $18.95 and it was plenty of food to share.  It went well with our beers plus they had live music while we ate.

  • Scotch eggs: Fresh hardboiled egg, wrapped in seasoned ground pork, coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown. Served with a Guinness mustard dip
  • Fresh Potato Crisps: Hand cut, fresh potato chips served with a mild curried mayonnaise dip
  • Reuben Bites: Made-from-scratch corned beef blended in bite-sized balls with Swiss cheese, cream cheese and sauerkraut, rolled in seasoned breadcrumbs and served with garlic aioli
  • House-Made Sausage Rolls: Locally-sourced Storm’s fresh-ground seasoned pork wrapped in puff pastry and baked until golden. Served with a savoury maple dip (and totally delicious!)

Magilligans Irish Pub Niagara Doc's Sharing Platter

One of the things that I love about Doc Magilligan’s is that they have Irish soda bread which they make in house and serve with honey butter.  I love soda bread, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t make it like my grandma’s bread. At just $2.45 per serving, we had a few (to the point we may have joked about just asking them to give us a whole one to take back to the hotel).

Magilligan's Irish Pub Niagara Falls Soda Bread

It was so good, we had to go back the next day when we met friends.  One had the poutine and it was gone before I could snap a photo.

  • Magilligan’s Fish & Chips Delicate fresh haddock fillets dipped in house-blend Harp lager batter and fried until crispy outside and moist and tender inside. Served with hand cut fries and tartar sauce $11.95 (or $14.95 for two pieces)
  • Guinness-Braised Steak & Mushroom Pie Braised beef, button mushrooms, carrots, potato, celery and onion simmered in Guinness Stout and crowned with a fresh baked golden puff pastry cap, served with fresh vegetables $14.95
  • The Doc’s Poutine Hand cut fries topped with mozzarella, chopped Irish rasher (bacon) and Gaelic peppercorn gravy sprinkled with green onions $8.95

I had the Steak & Mushroom Boxty.  If you are not familiar with a boxty, it is a pancake made with champ (mashed potato with spring onion & butter) and shredded potato,  Mine came with braised beef and button mushrooms with blue cheese dressing for just $13.95.

Not sure what you want to try?  Get the Taste of Ireland sampler for a taste of some of their customer favourites – Shepherd’s pie, Madras chicken curry, and steak & mushroom pie, served with grilled Irish soda bread.  Yes, chicken curry is an Irish favourite!

Mahilligan's Irish Pub Niagara Falls - Fish, Boxty and Pie

Niagara can be so overpriced so it is great to find somewhere we actually like to spend time with good food at decent prices.  You can find Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub at the Best Western Cairn Croft on Lundy’s Lane.

Find out more about Magilligan’s by visiting their website or connecting with them on twitter | facebook | pinterest

5 Replies to “A Taste of Ireland in Niagara Falls – Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub”

  1. Looks like a neat place for St. Paddy’s Day

  2. Looks good! I am always looking for a place to celebrate St. Paddy’s…

  3. kristen visser says: Reply

    mmm steak and mushroom pie!!! delicious

  4. This sounds like a delicious place to eat and a fun place to go to.

  5. A friend just went on vacation to Niagra Falls, it has me thinking about it. I’d love to have the Taste of Ireland sampler – I’ve never been to an Irish pub or restaurant – looks great and lots of fun!

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