McCarthy’s

McCarthy's is a great restaurant! They've finally opened after a lengthy renovation (taking over the old famous Christopher's) and they've done a good job. The ambiance is good and it's a large place but still feels cozy. They had live music during our visit too! Menu is not very extensive, which is a plus in my opinion and they have a plant based menu as well. We tried the pulled pork sandwich which was excellent, the burger, cooked perfectly and the chicken wrap. The brussel sprouts are also very good! Service was slow but it's understandable as they're brand new. They just need some time to be at 100%! I would also say some of their lights are very bright. I'm looking forward bro going back!

Great to have McCarthys in the neighborhood! Reasonably priced beer and I love the live music. The wings were only ok but the shepherds pie and fish and chips are still on my list to try

Great local Irish pub that already feels like an institution, from the owners of The Burren. Excellent Guinness pour, large selection of other drinks, and the food is similar to the menu at The Burren, with pub favorites and a lot of veggie options. The space is extensively remodeled from the previous restaurant in the building, and is actually attached to Toad, the small pub with frequent live music next door.

My husband and I had a great first dining experience at McCarthy's that we had to go back a second time the night after :). The food was fantastic! I ordered the spicy lamb burger the first evening and the vegan pumpkin chili the second; my husband - the shepherds pie the first evening and the vegan shepherds pie with lentils the second. The live music was hoppin'! Our server Roisin was very warm and attentive. Would love to come back to McCarthy's if we're ever in Cambridge again!

I have high hopes for this place... Reading the other reviews; I don't believe that the paint smell was an issue - They poured a lot of money into the remodel and it looks great, and I don't think it'll smell like paint for very long. It was PACKED! Downstairs (as well as Toad) and the upstairs was busy as well. The staff did their best to keep up. I honestly don't recall seeing any security inside, but that may have changed later in the evening (I hope!)... I will say that I agree with the comment about the live music earlier in the night. Great musicians, but not what I was expecting. True, there can only be one Pat Carroll - but I was expecting a livelier atmosphere. And there were long breaks between songs... It just felt off. Porter Square is a great area, and McCarthy's could be a staple of the community...

A great spot to relax with friends, offering delicious food, friendly service, and an excellent location. Good music as well.

The food was very reasonably priced and I appreciated that there were a lot of vegetarian options. I got the sweet potato boats for $10 and they were perfect (they look a bit burnt but they weren’t). The location is also very convenient, just across the road from Porter station. I thought the music was a bit too loud though, and the maple jug mocktail just tastes like overpriced orange juice.

Having been Ireland recently I must say this pub delivers! The portions are delicious and enormous, plan on sharing. The brussel sprouts app is incredible with sweet, heat and creamy goat cheese. The nachos were piled high and the guacamole was some of the freshest and best I've ever had. Wide selection of drinks and awesome musicians. We like it so much we went twice during our visit to Boston.

First time at McCarthy's and as soon as I walked in I noticed all the beautiful Christmas lights. I had the Toasted Marshmallow Martini and the Buddha Bowl and loved it. I would definitely go again and try their fish and chips. The waitress was nice as well.

First time visiting here and fun place and once in - Irish music was playing and great ambience. Very colorful atmosphere to hangout with friends and family

Great to have McCarthys in the neighborhood! Reasonably priced beer and I love the live music. The wings were only ok but the shepherds pie and fish and chips are still on my list to try

For a pub they have an impressive plant based menu, and I found the vegetarian shepherds pie to be pretty decent, especially the mashed potatoes. Service was lacking, the servers seemed annoyed to be working. Overall not a bad spot for some late night eats, but I wouldn't put this place on my list of "must go's".

Turns out I could wait to try the food - fish was not fresh to order, must be warmed from frozen/fridge. Apps mediocre, tenders and fries were fine. Nonetheless a good time was had listening to Irish session with creamy pints flowing. Service attentive despite a packed house.

Ambience was great - decor and live music made it feel really festive and authentically Irish (5 *****) Service was ok, too (4 ****) The Shepherds Pie, though, was a big disappointment (2 **) as it was nothing like we'd ever had before - it was cold, lacked flavor and texture, and the potato covering was not properly baked. Others in our group felt the bangers and mash were ok, though (4 ****).

I was Upstairs to hear music. I got a Buddha Bowl and it was really good! Large portion, very fresh, and lots of variety,

Oh McCarthys, What hath befallen thee??? Came back with loads of expectations and then got the cauliflower and sweet potato burger. A burger holds its shape always else it would be called a sandwich or a wrap. Okay, I was served the burger after more than 30 mins. When it came it was as already falling apart before it came out of the kitchen. Why o why chef? Why Chef? It felt like a sweet potato mash served between 2 buns. It wasn't disgusting or maybe I was hungry but if there's no other taste the. U need to take it back to the kitchen. Now why 3 stars and not 2? Cause the salad was fresh and tasted good and I tried 2.5 but it gave 3 anyways Maybe we all were good with just Toad and less of the gimmicks. Sorry but it will take me some time before I order food here again

The atmosphere is great. The folk bands playing are really super and they build in numbers over the time you're eating. The food can be a little inconsistent. The Guinness is quite smooth, quite lovely. The servers can be a little inconsistent also, bring your food and don't see them again.

Grand opening today. Place looks great with the red and Kelly green by the Toad. We had a few black and tans and some good Irish food. Beef stew came out Luke warm but was very flavorful. Understandable for its first day. Shepards pie and fish and chips were hot and great. Will come back.

Stopped by McCarthys for first time this past Friday evening- loved the atmosphere - great live music and awesome Irish stew . The bartender Nick was so attentive and prepared me the best Hot toddy . Will be returning soon !! Excellent spot !

Our second time here, last visit we sat at the bar at Toad and had a fantastic Irish beef stew. This visit we sat at the bar on the McCarthy's side so we could hear the session players. Went for the steak tips and a kale salad. Tips came with broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, mashed potatoes and enough steak that we didn't finish between the two of us. We ordered rare because a whole lot of places around seem to think that medium-rare means well done. What a pleasant surprise when it arrived *how we ordered it*! The auld fashioned drink was great both times. Think this might become a staple for us. Great quick service. It is a bit loud on a Saturday night but that's to be expected. Definitely will be back!

Had Irish Beef Stew and it was tasty and an ample portion and reasonable price. My friend had the Shepard's Pie and he liked it. Decent gluten free and vegetarian alternatives. Fast and friendly service.

It is so hard to find a great plant based menu... Here it is!! I will be trying everything on it today was the hummus salad with falafel.....MMMMMMMM jut MMMMMMM!!! I am so excited for an Irish Pub that sees dairy free vegetarian's!!!!!

The day I went it was pretty crowded so service was a little slow. I believe a band was about to perform that evening so our table was surrounded by people drinking, waiting for it. We were seated in the middle dining area with flood lights pointed directly at our faces. The whole dining area was like this. I asked them to turn it down, but they would not. Overall it was a very uncomfortable experience and I won't be going back. I couldn't enjoy my time there. My eyes hurt lol. The food was ok, nothing stood out. The waitress was however helpful and friendly.

Had dinner upstairs before seeing Session Americana. The seating was great and the room very comfortable. We ordered the kale salad, eggplant pizza, the McCarthy's burger and veggie burger with sweet potato fries. The kale salad was good and the sweet potato fries great. The eggplant pizza was inedible because the eggplant was very undercooked and not easy to cut. Hardly any cheese on the eggplant. The burger was tough and too well done for medium. The draft beer selection was fair and should have a bigger selection. The veggie burger was ok. This is a bit picky but the table and chairs could use a good wipe down. My chair was really sticky . We'll definitely be back for music but will prob eat elsewhere.

great local spot with live music. nice pint of guinness as well. not too busy with plenty of room to move around. friendly and helpful staff.

Beef stew could use some more flavoring, brown bread delicious, not sure what is up with the fried calamari- odd breading- almost wet like texture. Great pints and our server Liz was friendly and attentive. The booth seats are uncomfortable and parking is terrible. No street parking available.

Wide vegetarian menu at least. Got the beef stew and was not good, tasteless and beef was super chewy and had stomach aches for 3 days after. Probably won't be back.

I'm just a little stunned at what happened here. I like this place and the burren a lot, but when food is inedible AND you're charged for it I find this level of service v poor. It was pointed out to the server as she took our plates and we were not compensated for the meal nor were we even offered an apology. I am certainly not going to call this out when I am with guests and make a big point but nor should I. The rest of the food was honestly great, but one dish was standout bad.

Only come here if you want drinks! Drinks are great and pretty cheap, and they have live music. BUT the food is awful, everything is canned but is advertised and priced like it won't be. Good fries though

Great food and music. The atmosphere was perfect! Service was great and the location was convenient.

Went on a Friday evening around 6:30 and got the last table downstairs since we wanted to hear the trad music at 7. Damn, it was very loud. The place could use some acoustic tiles to quiet things down a bit. Got the sweet potato boats and veggie tacos. Both were decent but not exceptional. The draught beer selection was good. Took a peek at the room upstairs where there was additional seating and was quieter. Would consider going back though I far prefer the feel of The Burren more.

Ate for the first time at McCarthys. Excellent! Live Irish music, great food, very friendly staff! Place is great and fun! Definitely recommended! Try it!

Fish and chips platter looked awesome. And was. Live traditional music wasn't too loud if one is alone and not needing to converse. Service was horrible. If the idea of a pub is to encourage libation orders these servers need dramatic training in being attentive to what's left in the glass. I could gave had two more pints with my meal. But server never came back to ask "how is the food" and I had to ask the host to find her. Then she delivered it and took my plate without asking the critical, how was it?? Maybe that's the new deal dont keep people downing pints. Let them wonder what might have been...

Went for Brunch. Trad music excellent. Food very disappointing. Both poached eggs and medium fried eggs were overcooked. Hollandaise sauce on the Benedict was not made in house and had poor flavor. Also, the height of the booth seats is very strange. I'm 5'5" and the table height was mid-chest. I'm not sure I could have effectively sliced a steak. Probably won't go again.

Yummy beef stew, pulled pork sandwich, "The Auld Fashioned". Definitely worth a try under new management. We had great service at the bar sitting in the Toad. Traditional Irish pub ambience. Happy with the experience.

Unfortunately, our first experience wasn't great and I doubt we'll be going back. I ordered the buffalo Caesar wrap but when I received it, it was a 5" thick wrap of kale with a few pieces of parmesan sprinkled in. When I asked the server about it, she admitted that she ordered the wrong item. When she redelivered the supposedly correct item, I received a 5" thick wrap of kale (again) with a few pieces of buffalo chicken and tomatoes sprinkled in. A side of blue cheese rounded out the "Caesar" wrap. Not one piece of this meal could be considered a "Caesar" and nothing on the menu stated kale as a substitution for romaine. And a side of blue cheese??? When I mentioned this to the server, she just responded flippantly that that's how they make their Caesar there. I could only stomach half the sandwich because it was pretty horrible and then when the bill came, got charged for it. Bring Christopher's back!!!