John Kavanagh The Gravediggers

There are few things I love to do more than grab a drink on a sunny warm day and lie on the green outside the pub with my dog.
The tapas ain’t bad too!
I know a lot of tourists come here after Anthony Bourdain popped in but it has not lost any of its traditional charm. I have lived in Glasnevin my whole life and still go here all the time.
Tourist or not while your here make sure you drop into the cemetery and make the walk across to the Botanic gardens.

There are people out there that will tell you with a straight face that this pub has one of the best pints of Guinness in all of Dublin. When you ask why, they will then either stumble about, making up reasons they know nothing about or just say «I don’t know, it said so on Tripadvisor».
The truth is, my Unilocal friends, that most pints of Guinness in Dublin will be very, very good (for those of you who enjoy that sort of thing), and while they may vary to the slightest degree based off how they are poured, the temperature they are chilled at, etc, you will never really notice the difference, and any perceived quality spike is based solely on you being told it was there.
Now, will all that negativity being said, this is still a nice, friendly pub with wonderful owners, a relaxing, old-​world feel to it, a welcoming crowd, and yes, a fantastic pint of Guinness.
We came here as a part of a tour, learning about the macabre history of Dublin (won’t spoil any tour for anyone, but suffice it to say there is a reason it is known as the Gravedigger Pub). I recommend it to anyone seeking a pub away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin’s younger set.
…and yes, I am starting this year off reviewing a place in a country 99% of my Unilocal peoples do not live and may not visit, meaning most of you get nothing out of this. Suck it. All of you suck it… happy new year.

Suggested to me by a friend who remembers the place fondly even several years after he visited. John Kavanagh The Gravediggers does not disappoint.
If you are after a traditional Irish pub a little bit off the beaten track then this is your place. If you want to be transported back in time then this is your place. If you want to have a chat with locals then this is your place. If you want to while away an evening drinking a few pints of Guinness and enjoying some tapas or some traditional Irish food then this is your place.
The Gravediggers is found at the rear of Glasnevin Cemetery in the middle of a small collection of houses. Although there were other tourists inside I believe that they found it mostly by accident or perhaps like me it was suggested by word of mouth.
It receives 5 stars straight away because they served the best pint of Guinness I have had in my life. My love of Guinness has waned over the years and in Australia and the UK it is done a disservice by being served ‘Extra Cold’ in a lot of places. The Gravediggers clearly know their city’s foremost beer well and look after it.
One half of the pub has been left in what I can only imagine is it’s original décor with dim Victorian lights and dark lacquered wood panelling everywhere. No tv’s, no music, barely any advertising that blankets every wall in most modern pubs.
If this side doesn’t interest you the other side of the building where they serve food has been modernised but kept basic still with some padded saloon seating. It doesn’t have irish boozer appeal of the older section but I realise why they modernised this area. The two sections of the pub are separated and you have to walk outside to go between them unless you are staff who use a door behind the bar (or at least I found no internal door).
The staff make you feel like a local immediately by being welcoming and as firendly with tourists as they are with the locals, they really love their work which you can tell through their demeanour and banter, joking with each other and the patrons.
The menu is a selection of hot and cold tapas and traditional irish dishes which I believe they change every night. As such it’s not extensive and their is a reasonably short window between 6pm-​9pm to enjoy it, but everything we had was extremely good in small to medium serves so you could order a couple of things every now and then and while away an evening.
One of the staff even asked what I thought about one of the dishes which was on it’s first night on the menu. It was a kind of de-​constructed colcannon; a hash made with bacon and kale served on a potato mash.
My only reservation is might become even more popular over time as more people find this gem, and next time I drop in which I would definitely do when in Dublin I would find myself at the end of a massive queue of tourist coaches which would just kill that ‘happened upon a treasure’ feel.

Went exploring the neighbourhood and stumbled upon this humble old tavern. I lied I didn’t stumble upon it, I was looking on Unilocal and Trip Advisor to find one of the best bars in Dublin and I may have found it.
It truly does take you back in time. The atmosphere did seem lively for 4pm during the week. The barkeep was quite friendly and it seems he knew how to properly pour a Guinness.
I should really check it out late at night, especially on Halloween. I wonder if it is creepy being next to so many dead people.

Had seen the Anthony Bourdain show that highlighted Gravediggers and thought I’d give it a try.
Got there about 2:00, and sat in the lounge /​lunch area. Was greeted by the daughter of John Kavanagh with a friendly smile and a warm welcome. Had a pint and their famous coddle. Both were excellent.
Chatted with the staff for a few minutes and was introduced to Ciaran Kavanagh– who runs the kitchen/​diner side of the establishment. We chatted for a few minutes and he had to get back to work. But, said to come to the bar later and he’d have a pint with me.
I took a couple of hours to tour the cemetery and botanical gardens next door, and came back to the bar side of the establishment for a pint.
Ciaran joined me and we spent about an hour and a half talking about the pub, his travels, and life in general.
What can I add that hasn’t been said by others here?
Genuine, down to earth, friendly, the heart and soul of Dublin.
If you are a real traveler — one who cares as much about meeting the people as seeing the sights — Gravediggers and the Kavanagh family should be at the top of your list.
Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to share a pint and a few stories with Ciaran as well.

Off the beaten track with true authenticity dripping off the walls! Great food… yes I had the coddle and it was delicious! Add a pint of Guinness and you are in food heaven

I love this little gem in the heart of Glasnevin. Hidden in what looks like a housing estate in Prospect Square and next to the gate into the cemetery is what’s better known as the gravediggers named for those that dig the graves in glasnevin cemetery. On one side you have a modern lounge area where you can buy food and sit in comfort and on the other you have the original bar where everyone prefers to hang out.
Going into the left hand side is a bit like going into an old saloon with wood panelling and narrow benches. It’s been around too since just after the cemetery opened and been in the same family since. There’s a real relaxed atmosphere here and some say that they serve the best Guinness in Dublin outside of the brewery.

I’ve been here a few times and always had great Craic. The bar is always full of characters and locals that have been drinking there for years. Recently myself and a friend went into the lounge for food. The lounge is not as charming however the service and yummy food made up for that. Apparently the best guinness in dublin!

Was here yesterday for a quick drink with a bunch of Unilocalers after an amazing tour of Glasnevin cemetery and museum! What an amazing way to end the afternoon. The pub has an old world feel, it’s like stepping back in time to days when the oil lads were singing ballads in the corner.
It was a little full so we ended up streaming out onto the street which was also nice!
I can’t wait to get back for another peek!

Very scenic, great location the interior has a really lived in irish pub feel to it and wonderful drinks too!

Neat old place by the cemetery but not especially welcoming for outsiders. No cider on tap but a fine place for a lager or Guinness while visiting the incredible cemetery next door.

I finally made it here to see what all the fuss is about. It didn’t disappoint. It’s a classic old Irish pub beside glasnevin cemetery that really feels like it is steeped in history. That’s because it is by all accounts!
I’ll leave it to others to explain the illustrious past of this fine establishment. All I can say is the pints are good, the food is surprisingly tasty and it’s as cost and lively as it gets. Good prices too, much cheaper than the tourist trail in the city centre.
They also sell cool tshirts– I bought one, even though I was not a tourist!

Yes! A local good old style pub. This isn’t a place to find the tourists, just good old boys drinking nothing but Guinness. They serve traditional dishes. Plus, they are family operated. A pub you must visit and it is across the street from a graveyard.

Without doubt one of my top 5 favourite pubs in Dublin. And like all great pubs it is DARK inside.
It doesn’t matter what time if year it is, this place is perfect. Winter indoors, or summer sitting outside.
It’s one of those bars where change has been kept to a minimum and that is definitely a good thing.
I could not recommend it enough, a must-​go for anyone who likes a great atmosphere (no TV or music), great service, and proper old décor.

Just incredible! An absolute revelation!
My first couple of visits introduced me to the wonderful old school interior steeped in history, relaxed friendly vibe from the staff and locals along with some of the best Guinness in the world (and I’ve sampled my fair share). But on top of that, after a long time of having good intentions to do so, I tried the tapas which is just another fantastic string to this pub’s bow. A super ever-​changing menu of hot and cold tapas that doesn’t cost the earth and goes down very well with a few pints.
Overall its the holy grail of Dublin pubs that completely deserves all of the positive attention it has begun to command!

Tapas that’s served here is excellent great selection of both hot and cold tapas very fairly priced and good wine and beer secretion to go with it. Even tho it’s tapas there are good portions. Perfectly possible to share food and half a bottle of wine and spend less than € 20!
No bookings doesn’t stay open late but worth the chance for sure!

Myself and 3 others were on holiday over Thanksgiving week.
We saw a lot of the touristy stuff that we loved but wanted something more local and less touristy. We had a local on the bus recommend gravediggers.
We loved the food and the hospitality. This family owned and operated restaurant and tavern is the one thing all 4 of us miss about our trip.
We all have the tavern on Facebook and when we see the great food and fun we miss it more. My friend Sean is always trying to make the dishes that we had and even though they are good it’s not the same. If your traveling in Ireland and don’t mind an out of the way, down a dark alley, on a died end circle and want a true taste of Dublin. I can’t say enough good things about this place. If your looking for the Ritz this is not your stop, it is however full of history and stories that you will remember for ever. A true Ireland gem. I want to thank everyone at Kavanaghs for 2 amazing nights with hospitality and Great Irish dishes that I did not get any place else. God Bless :)

I have nothing but high praise for this pub and it’s incredibly friendly staff and beautiful
wooden space. Favorite pub in Dublin!

A fantastic old-​fashioned Dublin pub that’s great after a visit to Glasnevin Cemetary or the Botanic Gardens. It is beside a gate of the Cemetary, but not one you can actually walk through. This is *the* place for Guinness. Any time I visit, at least 80% of the clientele are drinking it. It looks exactly like I imagine a pub would have 100 years ago, with uneven wooden floors and old benches and tables. The staff are friendly as are the customers. People will happily offer you space at their table if it’s standing room only. If it’s quiet, you can ask behind the bar for the rings to play the ring-​toss game on the wall near the back. Each hook has a different value and you collect points for every ring you hook on. It is a lot tougher than it looks!

Forget Temple Bar. Forget spotless Irish pubs with freshly polished wood and fancy embossed Guinness pint glasses. Forget your preconceived notions about Dublin pubs. Just go to Gravediggers (Kavanaghs).
This was, hands down, my favorite pub in Dublin. Two reasons: One, the most exquisite pint of Guinness I’ve ever had, and two, the inappropriate but highly entertaining craic courtesy of the regulars. I’ve been in my fair share of Irish pubs in Ireland and also around the world. Kavanaghs rests in my mind as one of those special places that immediately levels its patrons as commoners on fair playing ground — you walk in and you’re suddenly a member of a community, and no one gives a crap where you came from or what you do, as long as you’re a conversationalist.
We went on a sunny Saturday at noon, perhaps not the most common time to visit this place. The cigarette stragglers were in belly-​laugh form outside the front door and the loyal regulars were huddled up at the doorway, chatting and taking the piss out of each other. We got warm welcomes, amazing pints, lots of ridiculous banter, and an invitation to sign the guest book. All this, and we’re not even that interesting. Imagine the carpet that they’d lay out for people who are actually funny!
Head out of Temple Bar, eschew the trendsetters downtown, and make time for Kavanaghs. Your soul needs it.