Best Irish Restaurants Near Indianapolis for St. Patrick's Day

The Claddagh Irish Pubs have multiple locations around Indianapolis: downtown, E. 96th St., and one in nearby Plainfield on the west side. The only location I am familiar with is the downtown location on S. Meridian St. Here you will find wonderful food, great staff, and a drink selection any Irish-American will enjoy. I am also always impressed with the rich woodwork that gives the Claddagh that Irish pub ambiance.

One of my favorite items on the menu is their Steak Burger on a Brioche bun. If you want something a little more unique, try the Dublin Salad. This is a grilled chicken breast with candied walnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, goat cheese and tarragon Dijon dressing, served on a bed of field greens.

The prices on the menu range from around $9 for a sandwich to about $12 for a dinner entre. The exception being the $20 Guinness Baby-Back ribs which I will try out ASAP.

The other St. Patrick's Day restaurant I recommend is Bloomington, Indiana's Irish Lion. This is as real an Irish Pub as you can get outside of Ireland. Here you will find more authentic Irish food with dishes like their Pride of Erin Soup made with corned beef stock and cabbage. Another favorite is the Celtic Stew which is composed of lamb, potatos and vegetables.

It has been a while since I last visited the Irish Lion, so I can't list the prices. But I do not remember their salads or sandwiches being any higher than I described for the Claddagh above. However, they do boast many more upscale diner entrees that will, of course, cost a bit more. Some of those are the Donegal Lobster, Filet Mignon and Roast Duckling Rinneana.

A traditional St. Patrick's Day Irish Toast:

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here's a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!