📍The West Cork Irish Pub – 701 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G6
🌍 Country: Ireland
🔥 Must-try dish: Spice Bag
🎭 Dinner guest: Big Daddy, Chief Jesse & Pornstar Sam
🪑 Seating: Indoor seating only.
👍 The high: The spice bag came just as it should—served in an actual paper bag that you pour onto your plate.
👎 The low: We were expecting Irish ballads, but got Top 40 hits instead—not a dealbreaker, just not quite the vibe we were hoping for.

Potatoes, meat, pints. Repeat.

There’s a new Irish pub in town, and it’s already becoming a go-to weekend spot for live music and endless pints. The West Cork Irish Pub serves up a solid food menu packed with Irish classics, and yes, Guinness and Magners are both on draft.

The space is generous and welcoming, located right at the corner of Queen and Broadview, with dartboards, roaring fireplaces, and striking scarlet sofas that catch the eye. With Toronto’s large Irish community, it’s no surprise the entire staff has authentic accents. Better yet, they offer spot-on recommendations for what to order from the homeland.

While the menu leans toward North American tastes, the real gems are the Irish classics – the ones you’ll find in pubs across the Republic. That’s exactly what we focused on for dinner. But first: a round (or two) of Guinness and Magners. Because honestly, if you can’t have a pint in an Irish pub, where can you?

Cheese Curry Chips
The evening kicked off with a wild fusion of Irish, Indian, and Québécois influences, a dish that’s basically a poutine smothered in curried gravy. The fries, cheese, and sauce were perfectly balanced. It might sound like a cultural collision, but it worked. Maybe it’s more of a cultural marriage? Either way, we seriously considered ordering seconds if it weren’t for the feast ahead.

Atmosphere Check
If there’s one word that sums up Irish food, it’s cozy. West Cork nailed both the vibe and the food. The fireplaces, dim lighting, and leather bar stools all helped transport us somewhere far more Celtic. The only thing missing? Traditional music. But once you’re deep in conversation and halfway through a pint, what’s playing in the background barely matters.

Spice Bag
Don’t let the name fool you, this dish is nothing like it sounds, and that’s what makes it brilliant. A Dublin Chinese takeaway staple, it’s a late-night legend served in a brown paper bag. And true to form, West Cork does the same – pour it out and reveal the magic: crispy fried chicken, chips, sautéed peppers and onions, all tossed in Chinese five-spice and curry. It’s random. It’s amazing. It’s made for sharing after a few drinks. Easily the winner of the night.

Shepherd’s Pie
A hearty helping of comfort. Think: seasoned ground lamb topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and gravy. It’s exactly what you’d hope for: rich, homey, and perfectly matched with a creamy pint of Guinness. We were hoping for a Cottage Pie option too (just to do a beef-vs-lamb taste test), but hey, maybe next time.

Bangers & Mash
A classic for a reason. Sausages, mashed potatoes, mushy peas, sautéed onions, and a side of gravy. Pure comfort food that feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket by the fire. No surprises here, just solid execution and satisfying flavours.

Butter Chicken
This version leans mild, with lots of cream and very few spices. It’s still tasty, just not your traditional bold butter chicken. The chicken is tender, and the sauce is perfect for soaking up with naan and rice. Feels like a friendly intro for those not ready to go full spice.

Beef & Guinness Stew
Of all the dishes, this one was the least memorable, not because it wasn’t good, but because everything else was just that good. Still, it’s hard to go wrong with a rich, beefy stew and a pile of mashed potatoes. It’s the kind of dish you crave on a cold winter night.

Bread & Butter Pudding
Simple, warm, and not too sweet. Made in-house, this dessert is perfect for sharing (or not). The vanilla ice cream melts into the pudding, coating the buttery bread in creamy goodness. A solid ending to a hearty meal.

Even though our visit was on a quieter Tuesday night, it was an excellent setting to catch up with friends and indulge in way too much food. Next time, we’ll definitely be back for the live music.

Eat with you soon,

Mandrea Bike
(Mat & Andrea)