Doherty's Irish Pub & Restaurant

Fantastically delicious food! We will definitely be coming back even if it means commuting over an hour! It was well worth it. My husband who is Irish descent loved it too.

The food was very tasteless
Good ambiance.. lots of stuff filled around

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

The food was great, the service was good. The atmosphere was meh. I was seated out on the patio and noticed a lot of cigarette butts and trash.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Irish Egg Rolls

Average food .
Corn beef and cabbage was below average

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Went here for St. Patrick's celebration was a great time!!! We had a lot of fun.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Good food. Good staff. Good atmosphere.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Celebrated my step daughter’s 15th birthday here on Monday and overall a great experience. Our server, Caleb, was very sweet and very attentive, checking on us several times. We started out with the pretzel bites and a cup of the Potato Leek Soup. Pretzel bites were delicious and I really liked the beer cheese. The soup was a C rating. Not much flavor for my taste buds. I also got the Tri Colour Rice Bowl as my meal and for as simple as it was, it was pretty tasty. My husband got the Sticky Toffee Pudding and that was really good! Maybe just a little more caramel sauce would have made it perfect! Over all we enjoyed dinner and loved that they had Magner’s Irish Cider on tap! We would dine again.

Kid-friendliness: Lots of families dining while we were there

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

The food isn't traditional Irish food. Has a twist to it.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Please bring back the good goat cheese balls.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips

I visited Doherty Restaurant in Apex today with a friend and had a pleasant start to my evening. Later, more friends joined us, and toward the end of our visit, I invited my parents to come over for dinner. Unfortunately, this is where the experience took a turn for the worse.

As my parents were arriving, the manager approached us and informed me that the table we were sitting at had a reservation. She rudely insisted that we either leave or have my parents make a separate reservation, which she said would take another 30 minutes. Her demeanor was condescending and arrogant, completely disregarding any effort to handle the situation with professionalism or courtesy.

Her tone and behavior left not just me but her staff visibly uncomfortable. It was clear that even they were embarrassed by how poorly the situation was handled. To make matters worse, the manager sarcastically handed me her business card, repeatedly suggesting I contact the manager (herself) if I had any complaints. The sarcasm and dismissiveness in her tone were completely unnecessary and only added to the unpleasantness.

Leadership is the backbone of any establishment, and unfortunately, this restaurant clearly lacks that. A good leader sets the tone for the team and ensures guests feel valued—not dismissed. This experience was disappointing, and I would not recommend this restaurant based on how poorly I was treated.

Our waitress was the best she made sure we understood the menu and described each question asked of her

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips, Guinness Beef Stew, Soup

New Year’s Eve review:
We have gone to Dougherty’s for years for many events and love this establishment, so our negative experience surprised us on New Year’s Eve. I made reservations weeks in advanced and arrived five minutes before the reservation time. Booths and tables were open, so I asked for a booth. I was told that the restaurant is at capacity seating that night, so we were escorted to a table in the middle of the room that was very close to two other tables made for two people. The “DJ” was right next to us. After being seated and meeting our “table mates” due to the closeness, the open booth was provided to another couple right in front of us. Interesting. The DJ behind us talked to another patron so loud that I couldn’t hear my wife talk. This went on until the DJ was yelling, telling stories, reading a poem, and ushering in the 7 pm (Irish time) New Year cheer. We were in the center of all that, which was fine, but why are we in the middle of the room like this? Oh, we are seating on the dance floor! The people to our right and left leave, and the tables and chairs were cleared. Now, the equipment starts coming in, and we are trying to finish our dinner as the lone table in the middle of the room. I asked the waitress for our check stating, “I guess we need to leave.” She agreed saying it was the dance floor. So, why did you decide to seat us on the dance floor? We are an older couple, but enjoy our New Year’s Eve like anyone else. Did you think we were a fast turnaround reservation? Wow! Not a great way to treat your repeat customers. Disappointed greatly since we have always enjoyed the experiences in the past. BTW - this was our third New Year’s Eve dinner in a row at Dougherty’s but will be the last one.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips

"Beware of Owner". The day before christmas eve I decided to grab my laptop and stop by this restaurant for a few drinks while I worked remotely, quietly without bothering anyone. Without reason, literally just sitting and minding my own business the owner randomly walks up to me and says "I can give you water but I cant serve you another drink". WHAT? I never asked for another drink, and regardless I only had a couple to begin with while I was working on my laptop minding my own business as a paying customer. I am a respected customer at many local businesses and, I am shocked at the misstreatment, DO NOT go to this restaurant while the owner is there. You will likely be treated the same.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Had an amazing lunch today! The bangers and mash were out of this world. Flavorful, seasoned just right and fully satisfying! I arrived just before the lunch crowd, and my food came out quickly with no issues. I will definitely patronize this pub again

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

We don't get by here enough but every time we go to the NC Zoo, we cap it off with a trip to Doherty's. Amazing place with great ambiance. Awesome local crowd. Friendly service and the food is amazing. I love the Shepherds Pie. Great beer and whiskey selection. Do yourself a favor and go by. If you love a good pub, you will love this place

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5