We popped into Ryans on Parkgate Street over the weekend to revisit what is an old favourite for several generations of Dubliners. It used to be the case that people went here because of its beautiful Victorian era design, atmosphere, and sumptuous pints. In this century they added another dimension, food.
It’s always a treat to go into a Victorian pub and be greeted by an empty snug. he snug is a place where you have a bit of privacy and the direct line to the bar staff is most welcome too. In the left hand snug of Ryans you have the added element of a door with a latch so only you can give admittance. Well, you and the bar staff who have the ability to open the door via a chain that runs through the wall and behind the bar.
The bar looks as ornate as it did when it was remodeled in the Victorian style somewhere in the region of 140 years ago.
If you have a group of friends in the general Parkgate Street area looking for a feed in beautiful surroundings, then we would wholeheartedly recommend settling into the snug and ordering the full tapas menu. It might sound decadent to order everything on a menu, but these 7 dishes come in at a reasonable price for their quality. They’re also quite filling.
On the menu is F.X. Buckley black pudding croquettes, suckling pork belly, beef skewers, cod fingers, buffalo chicken wings, pigs ears, and polenta chips. Between 4, this is a selection that will keep you going for the next few hours.
There’s also the option to add in a few oysters to go with your creamy stout. From the comfort of the snug you can smell the freshly ground coffee and the idea of a traditional Irish coffee for dessert becomes a hugely tempting proposition.
Not only is this pub one of the most visually beautiful in the city, but it also offers up some of the best Irish cuisine available in a pub or restaurant.
