Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant

Fado is one of the few chains that I actually really really like and this is why:
Great for football and futbol games — tons of fun for tournaments and especially for world cup games
Great Guinness — they are very diligent at keeping the lines clean and providing the perfect pour (they have Boddingtons on draft too!)
Great Irish Coffees — they are the best in town and always consistent
Great for a variety of Irish Whiskeys — Jameson black barrel, gold reserve and more
Great for St. Patty’s Day — super festive!
Great for live music –Blaggards always put on a good show
Great food — at least the things I’ve had
Great bartenders — efficient, nice, and I was surprised at how good their sazerac is
Great atmosphere — they capture a nice pub feel inside with numerous tucked away pockets and a big outside area.
Each Fado I’ve been to feels its own so isn’t just copy and paste which I like. However, their Irish Coffees have been identical which I do like. So the gist is, this place is great. Check them out, get an Irish coffee and enjoy, sláinte!

Service was excellent & the food was delicious! Thank you for a very pleasant experience. Will definitely be a repeat!

I just got finished eating brunch. It’s now one of my favorites here in Austin!!! They have a great selection of beer but you can’t beat their Guinness. Has definitely become one of my favorite weekend brunches, with great Irish coffees.

A really cute little Irish pub. Great to come here and watch the soccer matches with friends. I tried their brunch and had one of the iced Irish coffees with chameleon cold brew– it was so good. Definitely coming back here during copa!

Really cool atmosphere with lots of little nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy a drink and/​or food with friends. Good sliders, tasty salmon bites, and tummy fish and chips cup! I will be back to try one of the main entrees (looking ’ at you Corned Beef and Cabbage!).

My first couple of experiences at Fado’s were average — the service was slow, but the food was good and the beer was cold.
I’m obsessed with their wedges with cheese dip though, so one day when my husband was there with some friends, I asked him to bring me an order home. He did and when I got them they were completely burnt and crispy — not like the soft wedges I had come to love. I posted on their Facebook page and complained that these were not on par. A manager responded and offered to take care of my meal if I came back in.
Well months go by and I forgot about the offer. Then a couple of weeks ago I found myself back at Fado’s for dinner. I asked to see a manager to see if I could get that order of wedges and cheese remade even though it had been a while. The manager said no problem and he would take care of it. I wasn’t expecting my whole meal to me comped by any means, it had been months really and I just wanted to be reimbursed for the wedges I wasn’t able to eat.
Well not only did we have the cheese wedges, but two entrees and two drinks each and the manager comped it all. We insisted that he charge us for the other items we ordered but he said he wouldn’t accept — he appreciated us giving them another shot and he wanted to take care of us.
I was so happy for the service that I will definitely continue to go back to Fado’s! We’ve already been back twice since then because of the service! Thank you!

Ok y’all, I’m gonna give it to straight. Fado’s is the Irish pub you’ve always wanted to find. In fact, it’s utterly fantastic. The décor is old world and winds around private booths and nooks creating a private feeling. The beams on the ceiling and well worn wood floors. Drinks are great. Be sure to order a Half and Half or an Irish coffee. The burgers, fries, cheese dip are so delicious but the fish and chips are amazing. I don’t think think anything here is bad. Watch your favorite sports, eat and drink good food. Hell, you’ll want to stay all day. Smoking area outside with tables and chairs too. Oh and live music on Saturday nights. Slainte!

It’s definitely one of those place I would place in the category of «What took me so long to come here?» I know I pass by it so many times. My friends were meeting up one afternoon at Fado to watch the England vs Germany international friendly. I came in from a nice, sunny day to a dark, refuge of Fado. It may sound bad when I describe Fado’s inside being dark. It’s not meant to be a horrible thing. Inside was dark with wood paneling which made you feel at home. It made you feel as though you weren’t in Austin.
I had a hard time looking around for my friends. Then I found them in the back where they had multiple TV’s. They reserved two TV’s for the game. There was a small group of people who came and watched the game. I ordered a pink lemonade which came with a cherry (awesome!) and a small order of fish and chips (which was very good). The big order of the fish and chips is enough to share for two people which my friends order. They have an extensive menu with a good selection of appetizers and burgers. The patio is located at the side of Fado which is a decent size and perfect to sit outside on a nice day.

This is no doubt the most authentic, cool and best tasting pubs I’ve ever been to. All pubs should strive to live up to heir standards! From the outside you already can tell the level of detail you can expect in your experience, I mean it’s beautiful looking. Inside feels like true definition of a pub with not just the people but the atmosphere, which is second to none I’ve been in, down to the creaky wooden floors. And luckily the food more than lives up to the surroundings. I couldn’t resist the fish and chips, and they were exceptionally tasty, for sure the best I’ve ever had, assisted by the gorgeous dark frothy beer next to my plate and very pure malt vinegar. The chips were plenty crunchy, fluffy in the center, and deeply satisfying. Just being in here almost coerces one into having a Guinness. Can’t wait to return!

I have been going to Fado for years. Even when I didn’t live in Austin I would make an effort to go to Fado while I was here… and what keeps me coming back is their full Irish Breakfast. I could say it’s the reasonable prices on delicious beers on tap or the $ 4 brunch mimosas on the weekends… which is a plus… but really it’s the delicious black and white puddings, made perfectly! And the Sheep sausage I drool over too. And the soda bread and lightly grilled tomatoes. MMMM. All of their food is pretty good I’d say, salads sammies, but the full Irish Breakfast is the BEST.
It’s very much an Irish Pub, and I would never have known it was a chain until I walked by another Fado in Denver and had to look it up to see if it was a chain. And it is, BUT you would never know it. It’s very charming and unique with lots of wood chairs and tables, nooks and crannies… and plenty of TVs to watch the Soccer (Futbol) matches.
An outdoor patio with plenty of seating. And they have live music every know and then, usually Irish Folk, sometimes Irish Punk on the outside patio, a must see.
St. Patrick’s day, fuggettaboutit

Wow, where to start. The WORST customer service experience I have ever had.
My wife and I drove down from Dallas. The band was to start at 9:30PM. We arrived early around 8PM, so we would be able to get a seat. We were not allowed inside unless we paid a $ 10 cover, because they were showing the UFC fights. We were directed to go to the side patio for the live music. So, I can’t comment on what the inside looks like, but the patio area was pretty small for a live band. It only had a handful of very large tables that could fit around 6 – 8 people with most only having a couple of people sitting at them. I had to track down a waitress to take our drink order. My wife got a cider draft beer, and I got a Guinness draft. They cost $ 7.50 each which I felt was a little high for the area.
There were two huge tables that were empty that said reserved until 8:30 on them. So, we stood next to them around 8:30PM just in case no one showed up. That way we would have a seat. Around 9PM I went to our waitress and explained the time had passed on the reservations, and asked if we could sit there. She said go ahead. The table we picked was closer to the stage but all the chairs were missing except for one. I let my wife sit, and I stood next to her. About 10 min later some young girls at the table next to us said we need to move, because they had the table reserved, and they had friends showing up later. I explained to her how reservations work, and it was way past 8:30PM and no one was sitting there. The young lady went on saying derogatory things toward me. I just ignored her and turned around. Her friend then asked if they could share the table with us. I said I didn’t have a problem with that. A few minutes later the waitress came over, and asked if we could move from the table now that one person showed up. I said I didn’t feel that was right, since they missed their reservations. I also told the waitress we had just agreed to share the table with them. The waitress went and got the manager John O’Brien. He came over and was very rude right from the start. His first words were «you need to move now». WOW, not «Hi», or «Thanks for coming out tonight». Not, «Sorry but can I move you somewhere else». When I tried to explain to him that the reservation was at 8:30 and it was almost 9:30, he said that it didn’t matter. He could do what he wanted. He insulted my wife, so she crumpled up the piece of paper that had the reservation and tossed it since he said it meant nothing. He took her beer, and said we were kicked out. He then put his hand on my arm and started pushing me. I told him to get his hands off me. He did and said he was calling the cops. I told him no need for that, we would leave since good paying customers are not wanted. I guess this place is only for the regulars.
In conclusion, I have gone to hundreds of bars around the country and that was the worst experience ever. Based on the Unilocal reviews I was looking forward to trying their food and watching the live band. I would NEVER go back to that bar no matter what.

«It’s a rare gift, this life»
I know someone said this at some point. Hell, it might have even been me. I was probably walking through my parent’s barn, listening to the slow hum of grasshoppers. You know that soft, starting crescendo that hits a fevered pitch around sunset. I might have been laying on my bedroom floor, nursing the sharp pain that comes with older age. Trying to decipher, sarcastically, how I came to be alive this long. I could have yelled it. Probably down the hallway at my ranting son.
«I hate doing dishes!!», he would exclaim.
«IT’S A RARE GIFT, THIS LIFE!!!» I would yell at the top of my lung. Then think for a second. That was an odd time to say that phrase.
Yet, if it was not me. If it was some eloquent, master of poetry. Or some Literary figure that is invoked in college English classes. The kind of author that upon a student over mentioning them, causes the instructors eyes to permanently get stuck inside the back of the skull. I am for certain he had the forethought of imagining me.
Seated comfortable across the table from a beautiful woman. A plate of fresh fish and chips, set between us. As I’m sure a neutral country tries to divide the conquering masses of two great nations. Not two nations at war, but at peace knowing the power of the other. I sit there, watching as we both match our progressive stares, with the slow demise of the Irish coffees we wisely ordered. There is no one watching. Yet, we talk as if the masses’ lives are held within our collective grasp. Intently on the edge of my seat with every bite she takes, and every drop she sips. I hope that poet, that mincer of words, in grand imagining, said aloud to themselves:
«It’s a rare gift, this life.»

Todd and Bo are always telling us jokes and are very friendly. Great family place, coffee break place, and soccer bar. Although they should play more «Africa» by Toto.
This is to all you Liverpool fans that are reading this. SHUT UP! Nobody wants to hear your stupid uncared for singing. Go yell somewhere else or take singing lessons.
Signed,
Hazel. Someone who has to listen to middle aged men yelling on a Saturday morning.

Bartender Todd has a sunny and sweet disposition. He pretends that everyone thinks he’s a jerk, but is secretly a nice guy.
The ambiance is pretty good, the only thing that they could improve is the music. They don’t play nearly enough «Africa» by Toto.

I have actually been here a handful of times over the years, but thought I’d finally do a review based on a recent visit.
There is usually no issue getting a table or bar seat the times I have come in and you can even make reservations via Open Table.
I came w/​a date on a Friday night around 10pm and the place was almost empty, but after we sat ourselves in an available booth/​table, the place filled up inexplicably quick!
It did take our waiter a hot sec to get to us, but he apologized for the wait and service was lightning fast thereafter.
I had a black n tan here, which is kinda my go to at most Irish bars and it was perfection! My date at the lamb french dip and me being the reuben fiend that I am, had their offering for a late dinner.
I have to say, I wasn’t quite a fan of their reuben. Though it was really tasty, the slaw that they put on it had a sort of odd flavor that honestly conflicted w/​the nice flavor of the meat. Also, it was a little drier than I would have liked. I don’t like my reubens soggy, but I like the sauce to at least lightly drizzle when I bite into it.
I am also a sucker for some good fries, and their thick cut «chips» are where it’s at here, especially when accompanied by their Guiness BBQ and Guiness Mayo (if you mix the two, you have the best thing to put a fry in outside of your mouth!).
My date said his lamb french dip was good and their au jus is on point, so I think w/​my underwhelming reuben experience, that will be next on the hit list.
If you are wandering around downtown, stopping in for a brew and bite is always a safe bet here, especially quasi-​late night.

I love this bar. It’s one of (if not the only?) the few true Irish pubs/​bars in Austin, and it allows a nice escape from the craziness of Sixth. It’s cozy (but spacious), the kind of place that gets better with cold weather.
The interior is filled with booths, tables, and some funky bar/​bench type seating, as well as a large bar and lots of televisions. Surprisingly, they were playing a wide variety of college football games.
We found all the bartenders to be really pleasant, and the food menu is actually pretty extensive. It has some of the typical American pub fare like wings (the Sriracha wings and BBQ are both awesome), but also stick-​to-​your-​ribs dishes such as shepherd’s pie (also good). Finally, the chocolate brownie with Guinness ice cream… oh my goodness. Amazing.
There were a few younger people watching the game, but the crowd was a bit older and more… civilized than the surrounding bars. Good place to get a few pints with your friends and catch up.

We ended up here late night on a Saturday after a wedding reception. Solid spot with a nice vibe. The live band was really good and kept the crowd going.
The inside (if you didn’t have a table) was really cramped and seemed poorly designed around the bar. Maybe it’s what they were going for but it was extremely tough to navigate and actually get to the bar.
There is seating outside behind the band and we were able to escape the madness a bit. Plenty of heaters outside to keep you warm. Our waiter was awesome and did a great job keeping up with us.
The late night chicken tenders and steak fries hit the spot. If you swing through I’d recommend sitting outside. You can still hear the music without all the cramp.

Amazing dinner! Fish Tacos and Lamb French Dip were fantastic. Even better was our bartender Danny. She was a lot of fun and helpful in our food choices :-)
We will definitely be back!

It was a rainy afternoon, the rugby game was on, the pub was packed, and I got a delicious Irish breakfast. My friend visiting from Ireland even remarked that it was above average, and the atmosphere really did remind him of Ireland. Warmed up with a nice Irish coffee at the end, too. Thanks for providing a nice Irish experience here in Austin :)

I have been to a Fado’s a few times over the past 10 years. They have neat inside area that has dark wood. Perhaps what bars in Europe might look like. In the back there’s what looks like a tree that they made into tables so you could sit around the trunk. Décor and feel is just cozy. They also have a really nice outdoor area and a bar outside as well.
We came in here for an afternoon beverage and to meet up with a friend. Service is friendly and quick. They have a nice variety of beers and a full bar. We ordered drinks at the bar and then tried to sit outside. It was humid and the people smoking around us made it hard to breathe. Back inside we went. We found a cozy spot to hang out relax. Justin ended up being our server since we were seated and he was fantastic! So nice and outstanding service. We had a really terrible experience earlier so Justin was a breath of fresh air. I needed a snack and ordered the thin Parmesan and Rosemary fries with ketchup and may to dip. They were the perfect fried, crispy snack.
Atmosphere is great, drink selections a plenty and yummy fries. Sounds like a great afternoon to me.

Tausend und eine Biersorte, was will man mehr? Neben Kilkenny, Guinness & Co. und allerlei internationalem Kram (Heineken …), gibt es auch ein gutes texanisches Bier, das Shiner Bock. Das kann man echt gut trinken … und dann weiter zur nächsten Kneipe.