St. Paddy’s Day means it’s time to wear green and celebrate all things Irish. Whether it’s a hearty brunch, a spirited dinner, or a late night out you’re looking for, these area pubs and restaurants will give you a taste of the Emerald Isle.
Brunch Bets
The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub & Restaurant
Our readers have named this Fairfax favorite the best Irish bar in NoVA for eight years running. On Saturdays and Sundays, patrons can enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast complete with Irish sausages and bacon, Irish black-and-white pudding, grilled tomatoes, plus a choice of mashed potatoes, house-cut fries, or breakfast potatoes. Or indulge in a corned beef skillet, a farmhouse omelet with Dubliner cheddar, or a brisket Benedict. Add a traditional Irish coffee with Bushmills whiskey, an Irish beer (zero-proof options are available), or a Shebeen Spritzer with Gunpowder Irish gin. 3971 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax
The Old Brogue
For Sunday brunch at this family-owned Great Falls gathering spot that’s been around since 1981, go for a pub classic (beer-battered fish and chips, cottage pie, an Irish breakfast, bangers and eggs, etc.) or something a little more creative. How about Irish-style shrimp and grits featuring Irish back bacon, andouille sausage, a grilled Irish banger, and a fried egg? Or Swedish eggs with smoked Irish salmon? On the impressive spirits menu, Irish staples are included in the list of more than 150 whiskeys. If the weather’s nice, sit on one of the three seasonal patios and stay a while. Or if it’s cold, warm up by the fireplace. 760 Walker Rd., Great Falls
Dinner Date
O’Connell’s
This Old Town Alexandria gem has been a go-to for casual date nights since 2006. Tuck into a cozy nook with your sweetheart and share some shepherd’s pie as you listen to live Irish music and admire the pub’s architectural pieces imported from castles, monasteries, and churches. Authentic eats include a Scotch eggs starter, fish and chips, curry, and corned beef and cabbage. Find Harp lager, Guinness stout, Magners cider, Smithwick’s amber ale, and Kilkenny cream ale on tap, just as you would in Ireland. 112 King St., Alexandria
Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub
Find beef Wellington and Dublin coddle at this Shirlington gastro pub, where the menu goes beyond traditional Irish dishes (although those classics are a hit). You can’t go wrong with an order of lamb stew with Irish brown bread and Kerrygold butter on a cold day, and there’s also a hearty selection of vegetarian dishes, such as chickpea curry or mushroom and spinach gnocchi. The lively pub also hosts live music, trivia nights, bingo, and other activities. 2800 S. Randolph St., Ste. 110, Arlington
Feature image courtesy Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub
This story originally ran in our March 2026 issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
