An Beal Bocht Café

Up the hill on West 238th Street, between Greystone and Waldo Avenues, An Beal Bocht has been Riverdale's Irish living room since 1991. The name comes from Flann O'Brien's satirical novel — 'the poor mouth' — and the place has always been more arts café than sports pub: art on the walls that changes monthly, plays by the house Poor Mouth Theatre Company, poetry, comedy, and live music most nights, including a traditional Irish session the café says has run for more than twenty-five years.

The kitchen keeps to Irish comfort food. Shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, fish and chips with hand-cut fries and an Irish-style chicken curry over rice are the standbys, and weekend brunch brings a full Irish breakfast with rashers and black and white pudding. Pints are poured with care and the craft beer list leans local. Come for dinner, stay for the session.