Dubai: McGettigan’s – An Irish pub in JLT

Last week, I was invited to come by McGettigan’s in JLT to try some of the items on their new menu. McGettigan’s is an international chain of Irish pubs, and they have several branches in Dubai. They are mostly known for cheap beer and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, refreshingly different from the typical glitter-and-glam that dominates the nightlife scene in Dubai.

I had expected traditional heavy pub fare, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the selection of vegetarian dishes on the menu. I try to cut down on meat, so the mushroom arancini and the pumpkin ravioli were a no-brainer.

Pumpking dishes can often be a bit too sweet for me, but this ravioli was really nice, and the hint of truffle oil provided a nice touch to the flavor. Would definitely order again (or try recreating at home). When I studied in Sweden, Guinness was always my first choice of beer, but then I discovered IPA and forgot all about stout. At McGettigan’s I had my first Guiness for years, and it was a great match for the ravioli.

Poul was about to try one of the vegetarian dishes too, but when he saw the pork belly burger on the menu, he just couldn’t resist. In Dubai restaurants need a special license to serve pork, so it is seldom you find pork dishes at more casual restaurants. It was good but not great and he regretted that he did not have the pumpkin ravioli too.