The Ivy House Bar & Restaurant

You'd drive past this corner spot on Drumcondra Road Upper without a second glance if you didn't know better. Inside though, The Ivy House has carved out a decent niche as one of the northside's more reliable pub-restaurants, the kind of place that does Sunday roasts justice and doesn't flinch when you rock up at half eleven on a Tuesday. The dining room feels like someone's ambitious aunt decorated it – a bit formal, a bit trying, but ultimately sound. The menu walks the line between traditional pub fare and something slightly more adventurous, though they're wise enough not to stray too far from what works. Staff are genuinely friendly rather than just professionally so, and the fact they're open until 1am seven days a week makes this a proper neighbourhood asset for Drumcondra locals.