Food - Good Ambiance - Good Service - Bad Another stragne thing is that for the sandwich, you have to pay for all the add ons. You pay extra for lettuce, onion and tomato. This just feels like penny pinching on the highest degree
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Robert Ayala
Best clam chowder in town
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
The Hub
**ZERO STAR**
Extremely Inappropriate and Unacceptable for Families
We visited this establishment for lunch after a trip to the nearby children’s aquarium, assuming it was family-friendly since they offered a childrens menu and are located within walking distance to the aquarium. Unfortunately, we were shocked and deeply disappointed by what we experienced.
My 6-year-old son went to use the bathroom and came out visibly confused and upset. When I went to check, I found the walls of the men's bathroom covered in graphic, half-naked photos of women—something completely inappropriate and demeaning, especially in a place that clearly markets to families.
I brought this to the bartender's attention, hoping for a prompt and respectful response. Instead, I was met with a smirk and a dismissive “Sure” before he turned his back and returned to his work. I ended up taking the photos down myself, horrified that this was being treated as normal or acceptable.
If you value respect, decency, and a safe environment for your children, this is not the place for you. The lack of accountability and basic awareness is appalling. I sincerely hope management reconsiders what kind of environment they want to create—because right now, it’s one that’s totally unwelcoming to families and sends the wrong message about what’s appropriate.
Jessica Hollander
Extremely Inappropriate and Unacceptable for Families
We visited this establishment for lunch after a trip to the nearby children’s aquarium, assuming it was family-friendly since they offered a childrens menu and are located within walking distance to the aquarium. Unfortunately, we were shocked and deeply disappointed by what we experienced.
My 6-year-old son went to use the bathroom and came out visibly confused and upset. When I went to check, I found the walls of the men's bathroom covered in graphic, half-naked photos of women—something completely inappropriate and demeaning, especially in a place that clearly markets to families.
I brought this to the bartender's attention, hoping for a prompt and respectful response. Instead, I was met with a smirk and a dismissive “Sure” before he turned his back and returned to his work. I ended up taking the photos down myself, horrified that this was being treated as normal or acceptable.
If you value respect, decency, and a safe environment for your children, this is not the place for you. The lack of accountability and basic awareness is appalling. I sincerely hope management reconsiders what kind of environment they want to create—because right now, it’s one that’s totally unwelcoming to families and sends the wrong message about what’s appropriate.
n33077
Nice downtown location. We had no problem parking. Fodd was good. Typical tavern
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Oz Capicu
Pretty good spot for a quick bite. One bartender is pretty rude but a dude named Rafa is very attentive. There is a short spanish lady that works there that is more interested in flitting & goofing off than taking care of customers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Andrew Petro
Fantastic experience at Donovans, as an Australian we know our pubs and this is a great example! Friendly service, wide range of beers on tap and the biggest standout goes to Raf the bar tender. He made the visi most memorable! WIll be back when in sunny Norwalk!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taku Shimura
I've driven by this place for over 35 years but last night was the first time I stopped in. We chose to sit outside because I had my dog with me. Dogs being allowed at the outside seating is a nice touch. The food was delicious albeit the IPA selection is limited, but it is an Irish pub after all and not a brewery. I gave just 3 stars for atmosphere because we were the only ones sitting outside on a rather colder night. Not much atmosphere in this situation. Traffic on Washington St at night can get loud, too, so that also limited my stars for atmosphere but that is not under Donovan's control. Next time, I'd like to try sitting inside and see how the pub experience is like. Stop in for their clam chowder!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Pulled Pork Sliders
Des Smith (askdes)
Great local place for food pub food, sandwiches and salads
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sweet Potato Fries
Alexandria Webster
So cute! Almost no change since the 1800s! If you’re a sports fan-def recommend and we brought 6 kids there for lunch randomly and they were amazing!
Host/server gave me and my girlfriend a weird look when we requested an open booth rather than a high top. They reluctantantly gave us one. For 15 minutes, we watched the same server proceed to sit and serve other newly arrived customers. Just seemed really petty and strange. We didn't feel welcomed there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dan Milano
I had always discounted this place like judging a book by its cover. Never went in because I expected pub food. Guys, get in here. Incredible chili. Amazing Philly cheesesteak sliders. Turkey thanksgiving wrap was divine. Get on it and get in here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Cirillo
The place smelled bad, the food was awful. The slider meat was bad. I witnessed highly inappropriate behavior between male staff to a female staff member. The french fries were ok though.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Adam Apton
Donovan's is a local institution. Good for the right type of dish. Hot meal and fresh pint of ale.
Food - Good
Ambiance - Good
Service - Bad
Another stragne thing is that for the sandwich, you have to pay for all the add ons. You pay extra for lettuce, onion and tomato. This just feels like penny pinching on the highest degree
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Best clam chowder in town
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
**ZERO STAR**
Extremely Inappropriate and Unacceptable for Families
We visited this establishment for lunch after a trip to the nearby children’s aquarium, assuming it was family-friendly since they offered a childrens menu and are located within walking distance to the aquarium. Unfortunately, we were shocked and deeply disappointed by what we experienced.
My 6-year-old son went to use the bathroom and came out visibly confused and upset. When I went to check, I found the walls of the men's bathroom covered in graphic, half-naked photos of women—something completely inappropriate and demeaning, especially in a place that clearly markets to families.
I brought this to the bartender's attention, hoping for a prompt and respectful response. Instead, I was met with a smirk and a dismissive “Sure” before he turned his back and returned to his work. I ended up taking the photos down myself, horrified that this was being treated as normal or acceptable.
If you value respect, decency, and a safe environment for your children, this is not the place for you. The lack of accountability and basic awareness is appalling. I sincerely hope management reconsiders what kind of environment they want to create—because right now, it’s one that’s totally unwelcoming to families and sends the wrong message about what’s appropriate.
Extremely Inappropriate and Unacceptable for Families We visited this establishment for lunch after a trip to the nearby children’s aquarium, assuming it was family-friendly since they offered a childrens menu and are located within walking distance to the aquarium. Unfortunately, we were shocked and deeply disappointed by what we experienced. My 6-year-old son went to use the bathroom and came out visibly confused and upset. When I went to check, I found the walls of the men's bathroom covered in graphic, half-naked photos of women—something completely inappropriate and demeaning, especially in a place that clearly markets to families. I brought this to the bartender's attention, hoping for a prompt and respectful response. Instead, I was met with a smirk and a dismissive “Sure” before he turned his back and returned to his work. I ended up taking the photos down myself, horrified that this was being treated as normal or acceptable. If you value respect, decency, and a safe environment for your children, this is not the place for you. The lack of accountability and basic awareness is appalling. I sincerely hope management reconsiders what kind of environment they want to create—because right now, it’s one that’s totally unwelcoming to families and sends the wrong message about what’s appropriate.
Nice downtown location. We had no problem parking. Fodd was good. Typical tavern
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Pretty good spot for a quick bite. One bartender is pretty rude but a dude named Rafa is very attentive. There is a short spanish lady that works there that is more interested in flitting & goofing off than taking care of customers.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Fantastic experience at Donovans, as an Australian we know our pubs and this is a great example! Friendly service, wide range of beers on tap and the biggest standout goes to Raf the bar tender. He made the visi most memorable! WIll be back when in sunny Norwalk!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've driven by this place for over 35 years but last night was the first time I stopped in. We chose to sit outside because I had my dog with me. Dogs being allowed at the outside seating is a nice touch. The food was delicious albeit the IPA selection is limited, but it is an Irish pub after all and not a brewery. I gave just 3 stars for atmosphere because we were the only ones sitting outside on a rather colder night. Not much atmosphere in this situation. Traffic on Washington St at night can get loud, too, so that also limited my stars for atmosphere but that is not under Donovan's control. Next time, I'd like to try sitting inside and see how the pub experience is like. Stop in for their clam chowder!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fries, Pulled Pork Sliders
Great local place for food pub food, sandwiches and salads
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sweet Potato Fries
So cute! Almost no change since the 1800s! If you’re a sports fan-def recommend and we brought 6 kids there for lunch randomly and they were amazing!
Restaurantji Recommends
Host/server gave me and my girlfriend a weird look when we requested an open booth rather than a high top. They reluctantantly gave us one. For 15 minutes, we watched the same server proceed to sit and serve other newly arrived customers. Just seemed really petty and strange. We didn't feel welcomed there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I had always discounted this place like judging a book by its cover. Never went in because I expected pub food. Guys, get in here. Incredible chili. Amazing Philly cheesesteak sliders. Turkey thanksgiving wrap was divine. Get on it and get in here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The place smelled bad, the food was awful. The slider meat was bad. I witnessed highly inappropriate behavior between male staff to a female staff member. The french fries were ok though.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Donovan's is a local institution. Good for the right type of dish. Hot meal and fresh pint of ale.
Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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