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The Irish Heather
Categories: Restaurants Irish Restaurants Gastropubs Irish, Gastropubs [Edit]
210 Carrall StVancouver, BC V6B 2J2
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(604) 688-9779
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
118 reviews for The Irish Heather
Review Highlights
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"Love LOVE LOVE the Long Table Series." In 23 reviews -
"I had the bangers and mash and it was super tasty." In 12 reviews -
"Had the turkey pot pie and was in comfort food heaven." In 13 reviews
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118 reviews in English
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Review from Brendon D.
2/19/2012
Bartender was so nice and fun.
We love going to foreign cities and chatting with the local bartenders. This guy was super fun, helpful with recommendations and a wealth of knowledge for local places to see during our trip.
We simply had some cocktails and were on our way, but we are glad we stopped here.
Don't half step. Come here for a nice, casual cocktail on a day of sightseeing. -
Review from Edward L.
Found this place randomly. Normally you'd imagine that the bars would be more along Water or Cordova streets, but on the sides there are still good watering holes.
Parking here is horrendous. Just a heads up.
The inside is delightfully Irish. They really do a good job of keeping the "old" look here, with the worn (but classy) interior. The chairs are made of hard-looking aluminum (I think of them as a taller version of the ones you see in interrogation rooms in movies) but they were actually quite comfortable. The bartender was a real deal Irish guy, and he was actually pretty entertaining to talk to. Nice guy for sure. There was a 3 person band playing at a table. Initially I thought they were guests. One harmonica, one banjo, and one keyboard if I recall correctly. On the walls are many old-style posters praising Ireland, as well as some Guinness ads.
The wall of whiskies here really is something. Definitely one of the larger collections I have ever seen in one place, though I'm no connoisseur. With that said, there were plenty of non-whisky drinks as well. My friends and I focused on the mixed drinks part. I had a Shandy, which is beer mixed with lemonade. This one was surprisingly good. I can recommend it to the ladies. The other drink on my radar is the Guinness & Black (the "black" being Ribena blackcurrent). Anything with blackcurrent is awesome.
Though it's not quite up my alley, the Shebeen would be a place to be if you're into your whiskey. -
Review from TheHungryNomad E.
2/12/2012
I was invited to the Irish Heather's Long Table Series a few months back. The concept is interesting: a long table of friends gathering for drinks and family style cooking. Although, technically we weren't seated at a long table and were separated from our group by a wall. We were told they had no room for our whole party which begs the question what then is the purpose of the LTS if you can't be seated with your entire party?
On this occasion, the special was sunday pot roast served with vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. I wasn't expecting much given that I have never heard anything great about English food (although I do enjoy a good Shepards Pie). Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when our food arrived. It was delicious, filling and ever so tasty. The meat- tender and juicy, and that Yorkshire pudding- who knew it would have tasted so good? I would go back just for that pudding which isn't really a pudding but a baked puff like bread served with a special tangy sauce.
The entire meal and one pint of beer was $18. I liked it and think its a great idea for a large group of people...if you can actually be seated at their long table. -
Review from Yashar Y.
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
One my fav new places in gastown.
They have a very extensive scotch list. On top of that, they have an even more extensive of mixed drinks list, however their beer list is not that big. Service was amazing, they had a live band sitting in a corner and playing, and food smelled very good. Four stars until I try the food and make it 5!!! -
Review from Michelle V.
2/10/2012
I've only been here for their Long Table Series dinner. While it was a fun and very well-priced meal, I strongly caution you against booking the evening they're serving hamburgers. Our tablemates explained to us that apparently in Canada, they usually cook burgers well-done despite any personalized requests. Something about mad cow. Unfortunately, the result in this case was a hockey puck served on a platter-sized bun, and that huge amount of overhanging bread certainly didn't help matters in the dryness department.
The final straw for me, was the promise of Dubliner Cheddar. Dubliner is one of my all-time favorite cheeses, I love its sharpness. When we arrived, they did a sly switcheroo. They announced the burger would be topped with Dubliner Cheddar "and mozzarella." What? Did they say mozzarella? Why would they add mozzarella on top of Dubliner cheddar when Dubliner is great just on its own?
When the burger came, I was dismayed. Not only by the aforementioned size and dryness, but when I opened up the bun I saw they had topped it with the thinnest sliver of Dubliner, so thin it became completely translucent upon melting, and covered that up with a thick slice of mozzarella. It became clear to me that they purposely substituted a cheaper cheese in place of a proper slice of pricier Dubliner, and specifically chose mozzarella because of its stretchiness so that it would *look* cheesy so as to mask the fact it didn't *taste* cheesy.
I had a feeling that going on the burger night would be a mistake, but with our itinerary I just didn't have a choice. I really should've rearranged something so we could do a different night. On top of it, my husband did not enjoy the chosen beer , and it garners generally poor reviews. But on principle, I really enjoy this idea of having an ongoing special dinner series - particularly one that is so well priced. Vancouver is not an inexpensive city. If I go back, I'd definitely do the Long Table again with a different menu. -
Review from Crystal L.
Burnaby, BC
I heard that Irish Heather was great for dineout so a group of 4 of us came here with relatively high expectations because of all the good reviews. The service was great, prompt, and our server separated the bills for us with no problem.
I had the salad, ling cod, and chocolate pate dessert. The ling cod was a pretty good portion, and totally delicious. I can definitely say I got a pretty good deal! For my friends, it was another story. Their bangers & mash were not the potato and meat feast that they had imagined. Perhaps they were downsized for dineout, two teeny weeny sausages on top of a bed of small mashed potatoes. My friends exchanged looks when their mains arrived, but were too polite to say anything. I have a feeling my friend`s brother was still hungry afterward. Next time, if they come back, they are definitely going to get the pot pies instead! -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 1/17/2012
I am normally really NOT a fan of bitter but oh man, the Blood Alley Bitter is to die for. Just thinking about it is making me salivate and yearn for it's perfect blend of tart and malty sweetness...
Please just tell me you'll try it next time you go...especially if you are a non-believer.Listed in: Beer me!!!, Gastown Goodness
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/30/2011
Well this is a combined review for Shebeen and Irish Heather...let's start with the former... I… Read more »
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Review from Teresa O.
Vancouver, BC
4/5/2012
I went here on a week night with my husband. They seated us in the corner of a back room (The Whiskey Room) where a party was going on. We were not a part of the party and were largely ignored. I had the Steak Guinness pot pie, $18. Very overpriced for bland pot pie and a tiny ramekin of salad. My pot pie was piping hot and my husband's roast chicken was cold. We were disappointed and will not be returning :(
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Review from Emma L.
Updated - 11/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I came here last night for a special event with a group. We had the long table booked and we had a set menu including dinner, dessert, drink, tax and tip for $26. Totally reasonable considering the usually long table menus are $16 plus tax and tip for the dinner and drink (no dessert). I notified our group organizer that I would need a gluten-free menu and in the past have had no problem with that at the Irish Heather. I was assured it would be fine, and several other people had the same dietary requirements.
When they brought around our beverages, it was beer for everyone. When I told the server that I had requested a gluten-free menu and couldn't drink the beer, she rudely told me it was beer or nothing. Seriously? Seriously?
The dinner itself was gluten-free, thankfully, but right before we ate the customer service manager or whoever came out to thank us all for coming and to mention specially that they were accommodating our several gluten-free requests, as the dessert was meant to be a bread pudding. Sorry, but don't pat yourself on the pack for being so accommodating to our dietary needs when you're not giving me a drink option that won't make me sick. When I've already paid for it. Ugh.
When the desserts were brought around, this guy was the one to stick a bread pudding in my face. I asked about the gluten-free dessert he had mentioned and he had the audacity to tell me there were only four, and they had been specially requested. Uh, yes, I know that, as I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO REQUESTED ONE. When I told him that he said he would "go check to see if they had one for me." Again, seriously?
When he finally brought back the dessert I could eat I asked about the drink, and told him his server was really rude about it. Nope, they could only offer me the beer, because it was from their beer sponsor. WHY WERE WE PAYING FOR A DRINK IF IT WAS SPONSORED AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO PAY FOR IT?
I just don't understand how they can normally be so accommodating but when there is a special event, and we're paying more, the Irish Heather all of a sudden can't accommodate us. And has to be rude about it. Really, I'm not asking because I don't like beer, I'm asking so that I'm not violently ill the next day.
Thanks for nothing, Irish Heather.Listed in: Great eats, gluten-free, Date night!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/26/2011
Great drinks menu, great dinners with the Long Table Series. I was super impressed that they made my… Read more »
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Review from Scotty E.
11/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Want to feel like a MAN.... Come here!
Me and my buddy were looking for a delicious meal and some good drinks before hitting the the bar scene. We decided to sit at the bar so that we could be closer to the alcohol. After ordering a beer we started asking about the whiskey that they had. The bar tender knew everything about them! We learned about the Scotland Isles and how different each whiskey tastes because of the location. We both got a $12 shot of whiskey and enjoyed the delisiousness.
I decided to order the Bangers and Mash after consulting with our new bartender friend. My buddy got the Guinness pot pie. The bangers and mash were out of this world and the onion rings were the best I have ever had! The Guinness pot pie was also epicly delisious.
There is definitely a more upscale irish pub feel to this place, which is kind of comforting. All in all, if you want some great food, good drinks or just a great experience you need to stop in here. -
Review from J N.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
The reviews are correct. The beer is great and they have the best wine selection that I've ever seen in an Irish pub!
If you like bangers and mash, this is the place for you. The pot pie was absolutely delish when ordered with the mashed potatoes. My only complaint is that the pastry was too buttery. If I'm going to order food this fattening, I don't need the pastry to have extra butter, too! Otherwise, it was perfect.
The bartenders are great, even when packed. And if seating is scarce, the bar area is more fun, anyway.
I love that there are tons of bathrooms, too.
I just wish it wasn't so cold by the door, but what can you do?
If I was a dude, I'd totally check out the long table series (for the beer). It would also be a great place to "meet" a dude, I imagine (probably in the late 20-early 30 something age range).
Overall, the best pub to imbibe in food + drink, but most Vancouverites know this already! -
Review from Roy C.
Richmond, BC
2/28/2012
Best Guiness stout beer in the city perfectly chilled and foamy. Also the best steak or chicken pot pies for $15 each they're worth every mouth watering bite. This place never disappoints.
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Review from Tabatha Anne Y.
Richmond, BC
Pot pie, pot pie, and in case you didn't quite get it...pot pie.
Holy crap in a crust, that is the best pot pie I have ever had the pleasure of shoving down my gullet. I ordered the musroom-veggie and my boyfriend had the turkey, both served on a little mound of mashed potatoes. We were talking about the silly little pies for days after, they had made quite the impression.
The staff here are awesome. We sat at the bar for food and drinks and chatted with one of the bartenders. I'd had a few drinks and decided that the wall of whiskey was no longer intimidating and slightly nauseating but instead intriguing and full of wonderment. I told our new friend straight up that my experiences with whiskey consisted solely of Fireball and JD, to which he responded in a way that was humorous, helpful and not at all condescending. He explained to me how to actually drink the whiskey (not slam it back like I intended and had already braced for) and offered me a little pot of cold water to dilute it if I chose to. I gotta say, now that I know how NOT to drink whiskey I can see the appeal! Wish I'd remembered what kind I'd had, but it looked like there was an ankh on the bottle. Goth whiskey? I dunno, it was pretty good for my first experience outside of cinnamon death. -
Review from Eva B.
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
The pints are reasonably priced, cold and properly sized. The beverage selection is more than adequate. The food is honest, simple, tasty and well portioned. The staff are friendly and efficient. The venue is clean and well appointed. What more could you want in a pub?
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Review from Robin M.
Updated - 7/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Last minute change of venue with 30 people in tow? No problem, says the Irish Heather. What about if we bring in Jenga to crash on the concrete floor? Also fine, apparently. A communal table all to ourselves, the nicest server in the house and great people all around has earned The Irish Heather one more star!
** NOTE: if it weren't for nostalgia, this place would move all the way up to the big 5 **Listed in: Which town? Gastown., Goings On and Going Out, Gluten Free Vancouver, Fill Me Up Vancouver, Best Service Award Goes To...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/23/2011
Communal table! MASSIVE scotch list! Bangers and mash!
... but it's missing something. The Irish… Read more »
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Review from Namit M.
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Whiskey-Scotch-Bourbon - if any of these things mean anything to you than this is the place for you. An excellent collection of essential whiskeys from everywhere.
The room is clean and comfortable. The only surprise is how the good the food is. We ordered the Guinness and Steak pie and the Pork Belly. The pie was excellent. The Pork Belly was very good, but could have been a done a tad bit more crispy.
All in all this is a great place to grab some serious drinks and a light a meal. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 8/18/2011 6 Check-ins Here
As per my first review, I give this place huge props for being so accomodating with respect to providing gluten-free options for the Long Table series. I called the day before and asked if the veggie option was gluten free, and they told me they would make sure that they took care of me. Since the menu that night was a lamb burger, it turned out they made me a special lamb burger without bread crumbs, served with the toppings and a salad but no bun. I'm not usually a huge carnivore, especially with respect to red meat, but the burger was juicy and delicious and tasted excellent paired with the acidity of the salad and carmelized onions. The brie cheese on top was a great touch, as well. They also allowed me to have the cider they have on tap instead of the feature beer as my drink.
In terms of the service, I think that they do a great job with giving such quick and efficient service given the huge group of people. Yes, it is a bit easier given that everyone is having the same meal, but they seemed to handle any unique requests beyond that no problem and are always very friendly. I'll definitely be back for another Long Table series or at least more of their cider.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/11/2011
I thought I had written a review for this pub months ago! Well, apparently not, so here goes: I've… Read more »
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Review from Mark H.
8/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Euphemisms. I don't like having to use them, so I'm not going to use the word Lamb. If you are going to eat baby sheep, at least be honest about it. Irish Heather makes an awesome baby sheep burger.
Thanks to Vincci L for organizing a Long Table UYE here. For 1st timers, for $16 you get a good meal with beer (Kronenburg Blanc in this case) at their Long Table. It truly is long. Slip-and-slide long.
Seating ~40-50 people, the communal table is a great way to meet people, well at least that's the idea.
Back to the baby sheep love. Sean Heather owns several establishments in Gastown and married ingredients from his different places very well. The semi-crusty bun from his bakery, Asiago cheese from his cheese store, and baby sheet meat freshly ground at the Irish Heather. And supposedly he owns an orchard in the Okanagan whose fruits are used in the desserts.
Juicy and balanced, the baby sheep burger was also helped with caramelized onions and subtle mint salsa. I've never been a fan of mint with lamb, but it's subtle use worked well. Kronenburg Blanc paired just right and one of their reps even at at the table!
Bonus points for servers with accents. Well attentive servers with accents at that. -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
8/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
You know, I've heard people say that they don't like how the Irish Heather has "changed" over the years, but I've only become acquainted with it recently and I like it. I find the staff friendly and knowledgeable, the drinks list interesting and exciting, and the food delicious. I love how their menu changes seasonally, and they offer more than upscale pub food like most similar places in Vancouver.
I have yet to experience the Long Table Series, which everyone seems to rave about, but it seems like just another truly awesome thing this awesome bar/restaurant provides.
No complaints at present.Listed in: Just One Drink
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Review from Sarah D.
8/4/2011
What's not to love about the Irish Heather? They pour a mean pint of my all-time favourite brew, Guinness, they serve up some delicious meat pies, and they have a bad-ass selection of whiskeys for your sippin' pleasure. Also, I have to give them extra bonus points for being the ONLY restaurant/lounge in Gastown to have the balls to reserve a spot for twelve on a Friday night. Seriously -Gastown's a hard locale to try to organize weekend activities in!
Like some others have mentioned, I also miss their old location, particularly the all-windows room that overlooked the back alley. It was so charming! Alas, I can't fault them for modernizing, and I do like how the Irish Heather, the Shebeen Whiskey House and the Salty Tongue are all linked together; you can walk down the hallway, and all of a sudden it's as though you've been transported to another dimension! (Wow... my conception of what another dimension would be like is really mundane, no?)
The only thing I'm docking a star for is the variety on their menu. It's a great place to visit if you're in the mood for meat pies, but I think they would do well to put a burger or some sandwiches on the menu. After all, I had one of the best burgers in my life in Dublin! -
Review from Lans S.
9/11/2011
The douche clown manning the door w/the clipboard gives the illusion that this place isn't worth visiting. But, once you pass the door dork, the bartenders greet you warmly and you find yourself amidst a wealth of options to wet your whistle.
I loved the Shandy. But, since our plan A for finding food fell through, we ordered some fries and were beyond amazed with the results! Tasty, crispy fries are served up w/a phenomenal curry dipping sauce. It is true!
I give big thumbs up for this cool, rustic gastropub! -
Review from Betty L.
12/21/2011
Yum, yum yum. Went there for dinner at the long table last night with my foodie friends and we had a blast. For $17, you get an honest rustic main dish with a bottle of beer, so pretty good deal. Unfortunately I worked out before dinner, so I could easily had a second helping of the entire dish instead I ordered the grilled sausage. It was damn good. As for the feature dish, we had ling cod with cooked beans and carrots, sound simple right? Boy was it delicious!! Even though ling cod doesn't have a lot of flavour to it, the chef putted enough seasoning and panseared it perfectly, it was very good. As for the beans, I imagnined it would taste like stuff from the can, in reality, it was fresh and flavourful. The carrots added a nice contrast in texture to the soft cooked beans. I actually finished my bottle of beer because it went well with the dish and I could sure use some carbs after my workout.
Now we're thinking of going back for the oven roasted pork dish. Time to look at our schedules!! -
Review from Jessica K.
Part of what made our visit to Vancouver so fantastic was this place. We read briefly about the Long Table Series and popped in to ask about it. They weren't serving the Long Table dinner that night, but since we were already there, we bellied up to the bar and were soon indulging ourselves in their beer selection and contemplating the extensive scotch list.
The space is beautiful and reminds me of an old saloon. There is a case displaying classic Guinness memorabilia that you can check out on your way to the bathroom. Thoroughly enjoyed the pork bites and the steak and Guinness pot pie. Our server was engaging and helpful, providing great insight into the local beers and their scotch list. I really wanted to try one of the mixed beer drinks, the Guinness & Black in particular-Guinness and blackcurrant cordial but was too busy making my way through the local beer list, all of which I tried over the course of two nights were fantastic.
And the Long Table dinner? Fortunately they were having it the next night which was our last night in town. One of the best deals we found. They offer it Sun-Wed and during our visit it was $16 for the roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes (I think it was originally supposed to be Yorkshire pudding) and paired with the Wee Angry Scotch Ale. The offering changes daily. You could add on dessert for a bit more which I would definitely recommend.
Friendly service, good prices, wonderful food and an amazing beer list? Hell yes! Definitely coming back the next time we are in town! -
Review from Cody S.
6/4/2011
This is an Irish Pub without all the music. Please don't get me wrong. I enjoy a loud band just like any other person. Sometimes you don't want a marching bagpipe troupe coming through the 'beer hall'.
The staff here is excellent. They are all quick and drink whiskey whenever you can. The menu gives you quite a few choices....pretty good selection.
Its just a good place to spend time with your friends, eat, and drink and be merry. -
Review from Larry L.
Updated - 8/19/2011
Another success-full long table session at the Irish Heather.
Thanks to Vincci L who organized it for a bunch of us.
It was the lamb burger that night with an arugula salad that seemed on it's own a bit salty. However; with the lamburger, it was perfect!
The taste of the juicy lamb and the layering of flavours on top of the burger patty was mouth watering heaven. Asiago cheese, caramelized onions and a hint of mint made for something that looked like a simple burger with an oversized bun.
Yet it was somehow exotic and the flavours just downright erotic.
Yes, even comments that the bun looked too big for the patty, but it was just the right size.
Everything in concert, the motion of the ocean was at work here. The pairing of the ale, smooth and citrusy made for the complete meal. From their customary introductory speach to the rounding up of the tabs.
Perfection.
The sildenafil citrate of long tables, this "is" the long table series baby and when you come to the Heather. It's all Irish, or the cute Australian server or the great people you meet there. Whutevah. You'll have a good time regardless.
And don't forget to tip.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/2/2010
Second time trying the long table series wasn't as good as the one Ihad before.
The meat at this… Read more »
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Review from Kevir K.
North Vancouver, BC
4/19/2011
This is the fourth in a five part evening. Part three was the No. Five Orange.
We came to the Heather after we closed down the No. Five. We walked in and had no issue with seating. The staff were great and we were getting drinks quickly. Unlike the No. 5, a double Crown and Coke here will run you $8 plus tax and tip. My companions enjoyed exploring the massive scotch menu, to the point that I started getting an education.
The Heather closes at 2:00. We asked about The Railway Club and Smiley's and were warned that both are likely club style (it's abhorrent that one cannot find a pub that remains a pub in downtown Vancouver). We were recommended to go to The Blarney Stone and sit at the front bar to keep some semblance of quiet.
At 2:00 we still had drinks going and we weren't rushed out. We were given our time to casually finish our drinks and were sent on our way with smiles.
Next part is The Blarney Stone.Listed in: MJP's Stag
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Review from Vincci L.
Long Table Series here are awesome. A great way to meet strangers, and also have a great time with your friends, while enjoying some delicious food.
I've tried the suckling pig and the braised beef short ribs. Suckling pig with apple-rosemary Sauce, braised cabbage & potatoes and braised beef short ribs with roast parsnips, mashed potatoes & horseradish jus. For about $16, you get that and a beer/ cider. A great deal, in my opinion.
Always make a reservation to secure a spot.
Recently read that the chef from Campagnolo is now there, and as a result, putting a little Italian influence into their LTS menus.
Time for another UYE?!Listed in: Gastown Goodness.
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Review from Gumikoya R.
Updated - 1/5/2012
I visited this Irish crazy restaurant with some friends during their Long Table Series. They made a delicious braised beef over mushroom risotto. Even though I don't like mushrooms, I ate it because it was that good! You can dine here at the restaurant outside of the dinner series, but I like the small foodie atmosphere of it.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/28/2011
This was one of the coolest dining experiences I have ever experienced! Maybe I don't get out much,… Read more »
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Review from Sara M.
3/22/2011
I have ate the crap out of the Long Table Series - seriously how can you go wrong with food and a drink for under $20?! Tasty food paired with a tasty beverage - that you get to learn about before dinner.
I will say that it does seem like more of a deal for the meat eaters out there - the portion sizes have seemed significantly different on certain occasions. BUT they do offer a vegetarian option, and a vegan option upon request - which allow all the kids to participate!
I think that I like the Long Table better than just ordering off the regular menu... and the experience is way more fun.
But the vibe in the place is always welcoming and alive - peeps seem to be having the grandest time. They sometimes have live music which seemingly random but pretty cool. The service is almost always spot on - the servers are friendly and helpful. Aaaand the drink menu is GREAT - lots to choose from and even some taster choices. -
Review from Gina I.
Updated - 2/16/2011
Another great LTS at the Irish Heather. Full of good beer and good food (who knew that kale tasted so good?!) and the best medium rare pieces of lamb with a nice crumbly gremolata on top. A great table full of good people - these are what awesome nights are made of.
Drink
Food
Friends
Sigh.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/16/2010
I'm writing an update because I came here for their Long Table Series. I was so excited because that… Read more »
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Review from WK H.
3/7/2012
I had a the steak pie, which came out really good. Fries were generous. Service was great. Waiter was awesome.
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Review from Linzi M.
3/25/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Top o' the morning to ya, Yelpers. Sure, begorrah begorrah this isn't your typical Orisih bar.
No diddidly iddidly music.
No excesses of shamrock shame
A grizzly Belfast bartender - yes!
A decent selection of whiskey - separated by country - yes
Nice classy Irish quote on the wall - yes
A separate whiskey room - yes. But it smells like damp - no. Authentic though.
All in all, I've been here three times and I will go back. It certainly doesn't make me feel like I'm back in the old country but it doesn't make me cringe in embarrassment either. The Irish Heather is a classy Irish bar and we don't have enough of those. -
Review from Mo m.
10/13/2011
Great place in the Gas Lamp District. It's simple, friendly, welcoming and comfortable. Was visiting the area for a few days and this was a welcome place for a bite and drink. Had the turkey pot pie and was in comfort food heaven. The crust was super light and flaky and the inners were warm and juicy. On a healthy portion of mash and cranberries, this thing made me so happy. Accompanied with a Black and Tan and this thing put me over the top for the evening. This is a great spot to meet up with some people to just relax and enjoy some great food. The staff is great too. Much love for this place for making a visitor feel at home.
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Review from Richard H.
New Westminster, BC
4/1/2011
It's been my second LTS at the Irish Heather.
You can't beat the value - an interesting meal and a drink. Good company.
Both times I've visited the service has been attentive and friendly.
The scotch list out back is one of the best I've seen.
My only beef? The one thing that keeps this from a 5-star review for me?
Portion size, or their inconsistency thereof.
Last night's meal, roast suckling pig: my plate had literally 1/3 less food than my girlfriend's plate. She generously offered to trade plates with me, but that wasn't really the point.
Regardless, the food *was* good.
I'll go back... hopefully I won't feel like I got the short end of the stick (or in this case, the pig!). -
Review from Adam R.
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Checked out Irish Heather with some friends who recommended the place. A lovely combination of old and new, Irish Heather has a warm homey feel with some modern twists. Old exposed brick and floor to ceiling glass make for a stunning room. And old fixtures -- like Guinness posters, old bar mirrors, and what appear to be almost antique furniture -- add to the Irish Heather's ambiance.
We sampled their charcuterie and cheese plates and were not dissapppinted with the varieties of fine meats and delicious cheese that greeted us -- salami, a duck paté, guinness cheddar and a fine blue cheese were all part of the mix. These all went surprisingly well with the Howe Sound IPA I ordered.
The staff were attentive and friendly. I will definitely be coming back here on my next trip to Vancouver. -
Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
8/17/2011
Irish Heather
This was my first time at the Irish Heather pub. It was for a long table Yelp event which was awesome. It was good to put a faces behind names to some of the culinary reviews that I have read over the months and of course re-connect with familiar faces. I liked how the beer and the burger was verbally presented and explained. I am not much of a beer drinker. Actually I do not drink at all, therefore, exchanged my beer with a ginger ale. The ginger ale complemented the burger well.
Menu for the night:
Lamb Burger, Mint Salsa, Shaved Asiago Cheese, Caramelized Onions with a Radish & Arugula Salad. This is one of the best burger's that I have ever had in the city. It's just a shame that it took me months of being here on yelp to find a good burger outside L.A. The lamb was nice and fresh and had an awesome gamey after taste, the cheese had a slight sweetness that complimented the burger perfectly. The caramelized onions were nicely sweetened which also complimented the overall gamey taste. The Mint Salsa almost went un-noticed which was a shame 'cause hitting a fair amount of the taste would've made this burger from 9.5 to a 10. The bread is freshly made from the bakery next door. I could taste the freshness in the bun which was amazing. In spite of the somewhat absence in mint taste, it is still one of the best burgers I have had in the city. The salad was a bit too bitter for me to be honest and I gave most of it away. I am not used to arugula and haven't been a fan in the past of this species of leafy salad. The dressing was too subtle that it the signature flavor notes were lost through the arugula.
For dessert I had the cherry tart. The cherries looked fresh, however, for some reason there was no real taste to the cherries. It was almost as though the flavor was somehow extracted. I am not a cherry expert, however, I would like to think that I have a good handle on the flavor as this is one of my all time favorite fruits. The cream in the tart was awesome and the sugar cookie crust was an amazing change from the traditional graham cracker crusts that you see on most tarts. This dessert sadly failed due to the flavorless cherries.
The price for a beer and gourmet burger was $16. It was a really good deal, better than those annoying sub par places that charge the same amount for burgers that aren't even fresh (I am aiming this one at the whole: Earl's & Moxie's chain).
The location is about a 15 minute casual walk from Gastown. At night, I still get weirded out by walking home alone. It's near to a lot of cool shops in the daytime, a location with character all on it's own. -
Review from Nikki W.
Vancouver, BC
12/31/2010
I'm definitely a fan! I came for the roast suckling pig Long Table Series with a few friends on Wednesday. They're not kidding when they say long table: this baby seats roughly 50 people! Besides their LTS, this table is also available for large parties e.g. birthdays or company dinners.
For $16, we got 2 large pieces of pork in an apple-rosemary jus atop a bed of mash and braised cabbage, paired with an apple cider, plus some great conversation and a few new friends. Unbeatable value IMO! The food was tasty, although a bit heavy and salted for my usual taste. What can you expect though, from an Irish gastropub that specializes in hearty comfort food?
The long, skinny table definitely promotes conversation, and we had some good conversation with the two couples sitting nearest us, one visiting from Alaska and the other from New Mexico.
I never visited The Irish Heather at its original location, so the haters might be right that the new Heather is a letdown from the former. But I think it's great! I'll be back for sure. -
Review from Sarah A.
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
After a dinner in Gastown we stopped by here for a nightcap (or four). When we walked in this place was absolutely bursting at the seams with people (always a good sign). It's a narrow space so you have to move past the crowds to find a seat. We managed to find a table in the back. The drink list was very impressive. I love the fact that they organize their scotch by region, and wow, what a scotch list! They also serve snake bites and many other favourites. I loved their inventive cocktail selection as well (the Robbie Burns was very good).
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Review from Dru C.
3/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Love LOVE LOVE the Long Table Series! It really is a must to go and experience the lovely time with you and your friends with great food!
Everything placed in our dishes were all homemade by hand and it was delicious! I wish they didn't limit us with just 1 block of lasagna. It was amazing, and the flavors really reminded me of the my first bite of lasagna by my mother. Brings me back the memories of home. The great thing as well is that there was a BOWL, literally you can say, of beer! I was so surprised by the size of the pint they served as well.
The people that work here are extremely nice, and I really enjoyed that! The hostess was nice and friendly. The waitress was very attentive with our group. She was nice, but I wished maybe she could smile a bit more.
I had a great time and will come back again!! :D -
Review from Luisa D.
7/16/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Hard to believe this was my first time in their new location. We went for an early lunch on Monday. I like the long room and simple pub decor with all the Guinness memorabilia.
I had the steak and Guinness pie with a pint of, well Guinness of course. The pie was delicious - no watching your waistline with this dish! It's served on a bed of mashed potatoes! It was hard to NOT eat ALL of the crust and potatoes but really I prefer to get my carbs from beer so I ate some and then stuck to the yummy filling. The service was very good but we were the only ones in there so it would have been sad otherwise.
I look forward to going back some raucous evening for the true flavour of this Irish pub!
