McNamara's Pub and Restaurant

Overall, it was a good experience. The service was great. Decided to try their breakfast as the diner next door was pretty full. We tried one of the breakfast platters and French toast. My main reason for 4 stars is that the French toast was soggy. I did not think that could be possible but it happened.

Food is excellent, so is the service 3 out of 4 times. The other days service was ok to great. Today it was nonexistent. Got up and left after sitting waiting on a server that never came. Shepherds pie was fantastic and reasonably priced. Atmosphere is pretty quiet to moderate.

Such a laid back place, perfect after a long drive. Food & service was great. The apple pie was fantastic

Cute little pub with delicious food. Friendly service. They have a seasonal drink menu. I had their spice bag so pics are as delivered to table and after pouring out of the bag. The curry sauce is delicious!! I'd definitely order the curry next time based on the sauce alone. My husband had the bangers and mash, and he said it was quite good. They make the sausage in house.

Some of the coldest beer and best cheese fries anywhere! The chicken quesadillas are the best around! Way better than the Mexican places!

I visited McNamara's Pub and ordered the Shepherd's Pie—it was absolutely fantastic! The dish was hearty and flavorful, with perfectly seasoned ground meat and creamy mashed potatoes baked to golden perfection. The ambiance of the pub added to the experience, offering a cozy and authentic Irish vibe. The staff was attentive and friendly, making me feel welcome throughout my visit. Whether you're a fan of classic Irish dishes or just looking for a great meal in a warm setting, McNamara's is an excellent choice. I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu!

🍀 We set out looking for a late lunch spot where we could enjoy the weather, and stumbled upon this charming Irish pub tucked into a welcoming corner of Arlington. The bartender was an absolute delight, keeping us laughing the whole time, even as he juggled serving food and drinks to our solo outdoor table. Never once did he seem bothered. The beer was ice cold, the fried pickles were crisp and addictive, and the Cuban sandwich special was fresh, hot, and full of flavor. Surrounded by other friendly establishments, McNamara’s stands out as a gem. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in town.

Cute pub with great service & delicious food. Definitely give this place a shot if you are in town. Decent Irish whiskey selection tonight, and the bangers & mash as well as the spice bag were delicious.

First timer here. Great service by a very responsive team. Excellent beer selection and the menu is exceptional. I ordered the fish & chips and it didn't disappoint.

I came here with a large group to watch the Eagles game on a Sunday. I ordered the calamari, which was a huge miss because they were really soggy-- to the point where they were dripping. I actually had to stop eating the calamari, and switch over to eating the marinara sauce (which was good!) The fries were great! The reuben was also a miss unfortunately for me because there just wasn't enough meat in it. I know our group was there for a couple hours to watch the game, but we also had to serve ourselves water

My friends and I wanted to check this place out after our rock climbing session. Was a pleasant surprise, with great services and, a lively ambiance for a Wednesday night, and the food was great. I had the fish and chips, the fish was not greasy, light batter, and the fish didn't taste like it was frozen. The tartar sauce was solid, the chips were ok, nothing to complain about. The mimosa was good as well, pretty refreshing.

We came here to try the spice bags and were absolutely blown away by how delicious the food was. Everyone was very friendly and the service was great! We started with the artichoke spinach dip and then had a spice bag and the bangers and mash. Absolutely phenomenal and highly recommend. It was a normal pub inside with a spot for live music, so have to come back and check that out. GET THE SPICE BAG!!!

First time at McNamara's Pub in Arlington, VA. We enjoyed eating the following: -Thai chicken wings -Buffalo chicken wings -Chicken pot pie -Apple pie a la mode -Bacon cheese sandwich -Crispy French fries Everything we ate was so delicious!! The servers were very nice but a bit slow getting our drink refills. They had karaoke at restaurant and wished I had the courage to go on stage and sing like the girl in video! Lol The restaurant was clean with indoor and outdoor seating. The east coast is very HOT this time of year so best getting a table inside restaurant where there's AC. Looking forward to coming back for the chicken wings. Give this place a try when in the area. Happy Yelping :)

The customer service was top notch. I asked what I should order between three dishes, and I agreed to let him surprise me. I ended up with the shepherds pie, which was good. They had a stage so, I believe they offer live music. Overall, good food and customer service. I would recommend.

McNamara's is a popular sports bar in Crystal City with a nice old-school vibe. Kind of reminds you of the pubs in London or the bar from the old sitcom, Cheers. Wooden decor and signed jerseys from famous athletes everywhere. I came here for solo dinner and started with a Candied Bacon Old Fashioned. Very good classical cocktail with that twist at the end, and yes bacon goes well with everything! For entrees, I went for the Honey Glazed Salmon, Good portion size and the salmon was cooked perfectly along with the rice and generous portion of veggies. I wished it had more glaze though, since the carrot puree was soaked up by all the rice. Solid dish, but next time I'm eating at an Irish Gastropub it's probably better to have local favorites like fish and chips or Shepherd's Pie. Speaking of pie, their Apple Pie is a solid dessert. It came out hot (as all good apple pies should be!) wide a side of both vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

Horrible horrible horrible. I can only believe the great reviews are from staff posting high reviews. The food was HORRIBLE. I'm sitting here sick to my stomach. Grease dripped from my food. Quesadillas disgusting. Fish and chips tasted like SOAP. Health inspectors need to to visit this restaurant (and I think I will make that happen). That fish was definitely months old frozen. The Shepards pie?? Filllllllled with grease....I cannot express to you in words how bad this food was...

Good ol Irish Pub with all the standards. The stew was quite yummy and a generous portion. Wish they had soda bread though. The service was great and the crowd lively. Definitely a place I go to when you need a good meal.

The food was mediocre and overpriced. The ambience was meh. The service was terrible. Four people cost $190. Do yourself a favor and eat elsewhere.

Met a co-worker who was in town for lunch. He got the Sheppards pie and said it was very good. It was big but he ate the whole thing! The waiter said they make the chicken pot pie fresh everyday. Glad my friend got to try it. I got the American burger with a side of Mac and cheese. I ordered the burger with blue cheese crumbles, extra lettuce, and onion rings instead of the fries that come with the it. Burger was a minute over cooked but still delicious. Not sure if I got the extra lettuce. The onion rings were worth every calorie! So crunchy. So fresh. Mac and cheese was delicious but needed a little salt. I'd like to come back and try the cocktails.

Good beer selection, a great selection of food, and more of a beach-bum vibe than Irish pub but still a cool place. I got the fish and chips, and I was able to sample a few other things from the people who were with me. The chips were nothing to write home about but the fish was good. Cod, with not too much batter, good and firm. Our server also rocked. Cool kid, good sense of humor, and he didn't get overwhelmed by a 12-top walking in unannounced.

Came here to watch football games this past Sunday and sadly I have to say I was disappointed with the food. I got the salt and pepper calamari and a shepherds pie. The calamari was seasoned well and the meat was well cooked, but the fried batter was falling apart and extremely soggy. Guessing with oil. There wasn't any crunch or crisp so it ended up being a chewy pile of fried batter and squid. The marinara sauce was average as well, but at least helped get through the heaviness of the moist calamari. The shepherds pie was decent. Large portion which is always appreciated and tasted as I'd expect. Wasn't blown away, but I'd definitely get it again if I'm in the right mood for it. I won't come back for the food, but I will come back to catch a game and grab a drink. The ambiance of the establishment is good especially when a lot of people are watching games together

Awesome place, love the ambiance. Service was outstanding (even though one server). He did a great job. Always making sure we needed anything. Food was out of this world. I had the corn beef, huge portion. my hubby and son had the burgers. Burgers were huge, cooked to perfection. Fries were very tasty and crispy. Thank you

Tuesday nights are bingo night and just how fun!!! Their food here is also fantastic. I cannot recommend the fried pickles enough.

Great local pub with mid day and after work regulars. Pub Trivia nights get busy and are always a good time. Food is very good and hasn't disappointed me yet. I have been ordering the chicken Caesar wrap with French fries the last three or four times I went so that tells you how much I like it. I've been with large groups and they can always accommodate. Overall, solid vibes and great food every time!

I stopped here on my way to the airport in Washington DC and what a great find! It was happy hour, so it was a few dollars off all of the appetizers, and the drinks were three dollars off no matter which liquor you chose. My bartender was extremely friendly, the food was excellent, and the drinks were strong. Very relaxing and great vibe in a super cute Irish pub!

My 2d visit in 5 years and the ambience did not disappoint. It was bingo night so it was very busy but the host made it very entertaining. I enjoyed the beef au jus and a few cold drafts. The bar, dining area and outdoor patio are all very inviting. This is a fantastic Irish Pub.

This place was phenomenal! Very cleanly and good vibes throughout. Wait staff is super friendly and helpful. Food was super good and tasted fresh which is rare for a "pub" restaurant. Even the veggies were fresh in some capacity and came out al dente instead of complete mush. Short review but that's all I have to say, this place was delicious (The restaurant is fairly warm but I was wearing pants and a large shirt and run warm in general and was not sweaty)

We had a great time at McNamara's! We had the beef stew and fish and chips on a cool rainy night, the food was delicious and hit the spot. We also won at BINGO! Boisterous, busy place, we loved it!

Food was above average Irish fare. Service was the real selling point here though. Jen B. behind the bar was one of the most attentive and informed servers I've ever encountered. She told us it was her first day but it was probably just her being humble. She was so kind and responsive...we can't wait to go back!

I think the biggest thing to say about this place is that not only is it where my now-wife and I had our first date, but it's also where we held our wedding. The entire menu is delicious, the rotating specials are always a fun excuse to order something new, and the cocktails are great. There are multiple TVs and plenty of tables, so you will very likely have a chance to see any game you're looking for. They also have a back patio when the weather is nice! But hey, a lot of places have a great menu and lots of TVs, right? Does any of it matter if the service sucks? Well, thank god, the service here is EXCEPTIONAL. There aren't many restaurants anymore ANYWHERE that make you feel like you're family. The staff at McNamara's are really invested in repeat business, repeat customers, and a unique experience. They really want you to love eating or drinking or watching a game there. I truly cannot recommend McNamara's highly enough, and there isn't enough room here to thank their incredible staff by name, but rest assured, you won't have a bad experience if you stop in.

Pretty solid for a hotel pub! I mean, they didn't do much for me besides pour a couple of beers, but they did that well and I could walk to my room.

Service was great. Food was okay. On a very cold evening we were seated in an area that was quite chilly. There was plenty of seating available inside where it was warmer and cozier.

Fantastic service and great sports atmosphere. And by the way the burger was very tasty. If you're an adventurer drinker try a pickle back.

Melvin was super friendly and helpful. Food was good. I ordered a chicken club sandwich and a side of vegetables. The chicken sandwich was hot and tasty and the vegetables were seasoned just right.

My friends and I are big fans of McNamara's trivia and the host, Joe. He creates such interesting and fun categories/questions. We also love the staff, especially the sever Kate. The spice bag is amazing everyone should try it! I also recommend the Guinness burger and the chicken pot pie. I like that they have some NA beers on the menu too.

The food and service, portion size and customer service was on point. I work in the crystal city area so I've tried almost everything. I don't know when they opened but I discovered this place as restaurants started to reopen in 2020. I've tried a variety of items on the menu and I've always loved everything. I've enjoyed them so much during my personal lunch journey that I've even had a few company sponsored lunches and employee farewells here. I've had; Shepherds Pie- very light and filling at the same time. The portion is big enough for two people. Fish and Chips- fish was cooked perfectly when I've had it. French fries are French fries and the cold slaw is an acquired taste. Beef Stew- looked like mush but it taste so yummy! Loaded tot- now this right here!!! This was differ and filling and good! The meat and gravy on tops of the tots was an unexpected pleasant surprise. I'll be going back and back and back. A stay tuned for the rest of the menu!

Truly great food. While it was only a salad, the steak was cooked to perfection, the ambiance was very pleasant and the staff was super attentive. My travel companion had the shish kabob monthly special and stated it was excellent. A gem here in DC.

Espresso martini, candied bacon old-fashioned, amazing drinks, fabulous service, and wonderful atmosphere! Would recommend!

My family and I stumbled upon this place (no Irish Bar pun intended), When the Bob and Edith's restaurant down the street was way too crowded for our liking. We've now visited here at least three times in a row, and McNamara's is now among our favorite breakfast options in the Arlington/Crystal City area. The food is delicious. The staff are super friendly and eager to accommodate! We very much enjoy coming here!

Great food and service on the patio! An excellent menu of choices so that if you want Irish cuisine you can get it or just get comfort food. I had the chicken club and was delicious!

Visiting from Florida. Found this place while looking on Yelp. Great Food. Fresh ingredients, awesome flavor. Not normal basic bar food. Great service and wonderful atmosphere. Highly recommend Stout Burger and Chicken Pot Pie.

Food was solid. We had the steak frites, club sandwich, and onion rings. Food was solid. What really made our night was our server, Kait. She was so attentive, patient, and made sure we were taken care of. Definitely would recommend if you're in Arlington! We came by in Tuesday night for bingo with Mr. Barbie. So funny. Good times!

Made a reservation for 10:15 on a Sunday morning- really shouldn't have bothered, we were among the first ones there. The server was prompt and attentive, the portions were good and ample, and we weren't rushed. A perfect place for brunch in a casual atmosphere.

Overall: MacNamara's is fun, casual fare, with generally good flavors, and some items more memorable than others. Appetizers: Chili Nachos ($14) - Above average pub nachos, loaded with tasty ground beef, and bold flavors. Irish Sausage Rolls ($12) - This was the highlight of the night by far. Think if a Beef Wellington had a baby with a pig in a blanket. Entrees: Shepherd's Pie ($17) - Execution of the pie was flawless, with a beautiful crispy whipped potato top, and a piping hot filling. Though taste-wise, the ground beef interior tasted a little more like chili than the classical flavors of a shepherd's pie, but was tasty nonetheless. Chicken Quesadilla ($14) - One word: Meh. It was fine.

I come here pretty regularly for trivia on mondays and it is always a great time with great food. I have tried a lot of things on the menu and I have yet to be disappointed. If you plan on coming for trivia, I would recommend making a reservation as this place fills up fast!

McNamara's Pub & Restaurant is a great place to grab a beer and food to watch sporting events. Or you can sit outside where it's a lot less noisy and enjoy time with company. The food was good. Breakfast Burger was alright. Would recommend asking for some extra sauce on the side/on the burger. Our sever had the whole back patio so he did a great job with the time he had.

Came in and met up with an old friend. Ordered a few of their IPA's, their sausage crescents, and of course some Bangers and Mash. Excellent food all around. Awesome service for a Wednesday afternoon! Will return when in the area. Parking was tight and both of us had to park a couple blocks away.

I had the wings to start, followed with steak frites. The wings were absolutely delicious and hit the spot, they were quickly followed with the steak, which was well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Great beer and cocktail selection, Guinness on tap, which is always a plus. Fast and friendly service with a great ambiance for a place to kick back with some friend and catch up. There was a fun trivia contest going on when I stopped in, and while I wasn't there the play, it was fun to hear the questions and feel the energy of the place.

McNamara's opened when I lived a few blocks away, but it was during the beginning of Covid and they were doing pick-up orders only. I moved back to Boston soon after, but during a week-long visit to Arlington I wanted to go in and see everything I had missed (a friend and her husband come here regularly). First night was really cold and it was pouring, who would think that would be a good Monday night to go out? Everyone in the area, apparently, as the place was packed for trivia night. We ordered drinks at the bar but managed to get a table for 3 in about 10 minutes. I ordered the chicken pot pie, it was delicious and there was so much of it that I took leftovers back to the hotel (it was delicious warmed in the microwave the following afternoon). The rain stopped and it was still chilly (for April) a few days later, but it was so sunny out that we went back for dinner and sat outside. The back patio area is HUGE (which made me wonder why the Green Turtle - I think that was what it was prior - never expanded the space?) and we were greeted right away by Ian. Ian was awesome, so sweet and checked in on us several times. I ordered a burger which was cooked perfectly: I always order them medium-well, but so many places will burn the hell out of it or leave it so it is practically still mooing, but this was perfection! The burger and fries were delicious, as was the much-needed Long Island Iced Tea. As happy as I was to move from Arlington 1.5 years ago, if I were still there I would have McNamara's on my regular restaurant rotation. If you haven't been in, definitely go and ask for Ian!

Food is great, and this place has so much potential. I've been here many times since they opened, and every time, it was usually the service that was lacking or lack of product. I would have to hunt down a server or just order from the bar. First time, they were out of everything - no food/kitchen closed early, barely any drinks, couldn't even get tea, soda or juice, so we left very disappointed. The next several times, I was able to order food but still had to hunt down a server. Sometimes, we would get a server but they'd forget to put in our orders so we wouldn't know until 30 minutes later and then find out they forgot about us. I want this place to succeed as I would any place, but the service needs improvement. The only thing that will keep me coming back is that they recently added a karaoke night. Finally, something fun! Despite the issues, the food is good enough to still give them 3 stars. I hope I can update this with better things to say next time.

From the moment our party of six walked through the door we experienced great service. Food was spot on and one of our best meals on vacation. One of our party had a cocktail and said it was tasty. Spinach dip and burger made a filling meal for two to share. Food tasted fresh. Impressed!

Solid as the Blarney Stone and easier to reach. Thanks to a Trio of Publicans Crystal City has a wonderful Irish Pub. Separate Bar Area a great patio and a very solid kitchen. The menu is classic Pub fare and the portions are large enough to share. The "Proper Pint" from the St. Jame's Gate brewery in Dublin is well poured and always available. You can sit at the rail and feel comfortable striking up chats with the bar-mates. Being so close to the airport you have a wonderful mix of stories. Soccer, Rugby, and other sports are always in view but not so predominate you are unable to enjoy your mates. I regret it is not closer to my home but always a good journey.

I have to give this place four stars, despite the initial disappointment. Experience on NYE is probably not par for the course so I'm adding the additional star for that consideration. We were coming to town for a New Year's Day football game so I booked a reservation for dinner on NYE for my elderly father and I (he's a huge Irish pub fan). I booked it through Yelp and had to extend the reservation last minute by an hour, and it was nice that they still had space for us. Well upon arrival around 7 pm, I was dismayed to see we had been reserved a two person hightop in the bar area around screaming football fans. The hostess explained that every other table was reserved...I think she assumed we were there for the party. Well, I did all but get on hands and knees and beg her to put us anywhere else in the restaurant so that we could try to enjoy a decent meal in peace. It took some prodding (well begging) but she eventually found us an adorable tucked away table in the front room of the restaurant...totally separated from the bar area. Father was delighted. He enjoyed his fish n chips, and I enjoyed a chicken quesadilla (sans pico). The jalapeños gave it a great kick but too spicy for my palate. Only food complaint was the martini I ordered being way too empty for $13. Cute pub, decent fare. Recommend for anyone looking for an Irish pub in Alexandria! (Or wherever we were) lol

Outstanding Burgers with great service. My wife and I each had a burger, which honestly, was one of the best burgers I have ever had. We also had a nice side salad. All staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. Thanked us for visiting.

Delicious food and great service! We loved everything we had. The sides are very generous portions. I enjoyed the the potato leak soup, small house salad and mac & cheese. My husband and son liked the sausage rolls, beef stew & classic club.

I came here for Bingo night and it was a lot of fun. The burger was amazing, drinks and beer were fine. The service was strained. There were five of us. Some of us had silver wear, some did not. There were a few glasses of water but not enough. I would go again for Bingo because the guy running the games was very entertaining.

Meh. Nothing to write home about. Went for breakfast and it was fine. Service was fine. Prices were very reasonable. It was a comfortable spot for brunch. If you want a basic breakfast and good prices, it's a fine pick. If you're a foodie, go somewhere else.