Donovan's Pub
- Nearest Transit:
61st St (7)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
- Alcohol: Full Bar
11 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Financial District
"Yummy! It was nearing the end of my I'M ALLOWING MYSELF TO EAT WHATEVER I WANT THIS MONTH WITH NO GUILT 2-month period before the New Year…" read more »
37 Reviews for Donovan's Pub
Cozy Irish pub with excellent burgers. The place has amble seating in two separate dining areas. With this being my first visit I had to try to famed NYC best burger, but on my next visit I definitely want to try to Shepard's Pie. This place is conveniently located near the 7 subway and Woodside LIRR stop.
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The Donovan's burger. Succulent and perfect.
This is one of my absolute favorites in the world. I have never had a bad experience at this pub. Everything feels authentic here...nearly everyone that works here has a thick accent. Service is pretty good - it can't slow to a crawl at times.
Don't wear your favorite shirt - these burgers are so juicy you should expect to get a little messy. They grind their own meat - the quality definitely shines through here.
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I have been going to Donovan for the past three years on a regular basis. Not until my last visit, about a month ago, during dinner rush that I was seated at the back dining room. The place is huge and very pretty and cozy. With the fire place and bookshelves it has a feeling of an Irish country manor. The regular dining room is very inviting. I love the booths, it's very comfortable. As for the food I have only good thing to say. We tried all the burgers, Shepard's pie and fish and chips. We have never been disappointed. The burgers are really juicy and the perfect size. The fries that come with it are a healthy portion and I love them. If you can please go and try them.
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When i first moved to woodside, i passed this place all the time considering it was on my way to the 7. With a big banner slapped across the front that says Best Burger in NYC you have no choice but to go in and see if they can back up such a bold statement. The atmosphere is pretty cool. Traditional Irish pub with a few hidden dining rooms. You feel like youre in some Irish castle with hidden passageways. Its kind of cozy and would be a good winter hang out. Anyway, most of the staff seems like theyre family. The waitresses are old and snotty and move around pretty slow. Not the best costumer service at all but I can deal with it, theyre probably family so whatever. For some reason the soda, specifically the pepsi, seems much sweeter than usual. Unfortunately for "the best burger in nyc" they dont have many options. Its just straight up hamburger or cheeseburger. I think you might be able to get some bacon on it. The steak fries are thick and good that come with it. The burger looks small when it comes out but its really dense and fills you up quick. Overall its definitely a good burger. The best? Eh. But its definitely up there. Due to its location, I always find myself going back, but if i didnt live in the neighborhood I don't know if I'd make the hike. I do recommend it though if you havent tried it. Its all personal preference and its definitely worth it.
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If you like juicy burgers, this is the spot to hit up!
The size of the burger is close to perfect - the patty is not too thick like Jackson Hole - so enough balance between burger and bun! Like I said, it can get pretty juicy so I know how some people don't like it when wets the buns too much (that kinda sounded nasty - eeeks)
The ambiance is pretty cozy, little Irish nook in the heart of Woodside, Queens. Waitstaff can be a little rude at times, but it's nothing a New Yorker can't handle!
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Best Burgers in NY!!!!!!!! mouth watering, juice running down your mouth and hand burger. extra napkins needed. awesome imported beer from Ireland. when your craving burgers, this place is worth the trip to woodside. you can forget about any other burger you've ever had, which you thought may have been the best burger you ever ate, because when you bite into this burger, there will be no comparison. Just go and try it out for yourself. You'll be hooked. If it weren't for SOME self-control, i would be there every day.
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I've only been to the Donovan's in Bayside which is no longer around, but I figured I'd leave a review here. Keep in mind that this is not a review for the Woodside establishment which, being the original, may be better.
To start off, I'll be perfectly honest: I don't like this type of restaurant, and I feel bad saying that because then this turns into an incredibly biased review. I went because my father had received a gift certificate and, being the family we are, we couldn't possibly pass up on a free meal.
Noisy and crowded with sassy middle-aged waitresses, it at least had a convivial atmosphere that kept one awake and alert. I decided to get broccoli quiche and a side salad, which my mother also ordered (I suppose we were going for a light meal that night). The slice of quiche was fine, though uninspiring, and I was surprised to see that it was indeed an asparagus quiche! I was in denial the entire night, befuddled as to why a restaurant would call this a broccoli-studded dish, but had to accept the truth when I urinated....
My sister, whom I always thought had an amusing penchant for English and pub food, ordered shepherd's pie which I angrily declared was really cottage pie due to the presence of beef instead of lamb. Speaking of beef, my father went the burger route, and declared, "you know, it was fine, yeah." I can't remember what my brother ordered, but instead remember how the waitresses were doting on him. I found this sweet until one of them, spotting the cross he wears on a chain (purely for sentimental reasons toward my grandmother; we're not religious), made some comments about communion and how he should be having one soon. My parents took it with a grain of salt, but I was so turned off that I could barely smile at her. Restaurants and religion should not intertwine!
Donovan's is a traditional Irish pub nestled below the rumble of the 7 line. The sign outside advertises best burgers in the city but I prefer the ones at Shake Shack. I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance of the back room with a roaring fire, perfect for dining with that special someone on a cold winter night. The burger was huge and juicy and came with a side of steak fries. I'm not a fan of beer so I tried the Apple martini and Raspberry Lemonade martini which were both excellent.
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Came here a few weeks ago after the Met game, because maria and i were in the mood for a good burger. We dragged a few people with us, in the 200 degree weather that day.
First let me say: its an Irish pub with a few tables so i guess its also a restaurant. And the employees are definitely Irish. I could tell by their accents. Yeah, i'm pretty smart about stuff like that. Unfortunately, the service is very, very slow. How slow? it took about 15 minutes just to get a menu. And our waitress was also the hostess of the restaurant, which only made the whole thing worse.
So lets get to it: the burger was outstanding, truly delicious. Is it the best I've had in New York? no it isn't, that distinction still goes to Corner Bistro in the west Village. But still, this was a very good burger.
Oh and don't put another dime in the jukebox, baby. It ain't working.
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I came here a few months ago after a Mets game. After a day of ballpark food, I was SO in the mood for a burger. I was thinking that Donovan's was indeed the best burger in the city, and so, I led my caravan down Roosevelt Ave. to what I thought was the holy grail of (allow me to use Michael F's term here) burgaciousness.
The service was very slow. Painfully. "OY, YOU!!!!" I wanted to shout. There weren't a lot of people there, so why the waitress ignored us for the first, oh, I don't know, 10-15 minutes, is beyond me. It took around this length of time to get the menu, and then the wait to get the order taken, and the wait to get the burgers. But what is always more important to me is the product, and it disappointed.
When you go to a place that's so hyped up for being the best burger in town, you would expect, I don't know, a little variety with toppings. For example, one of my favorite burgers in the world is a Bronx Bomber, which has sauteed onions, cheese and BBQ sauce. At Donovan's, your choices are straight burger or cheeseburger. The most adventurous they get is bacon. The burger was good, but it didn't, uh, hit any home runs. Much like the Nationals (for shame).
The decor is definitely old school Irish pub, and I'll go back for the "Piano Man" sort of ambiance, and of course for the drink. Maybe even a burger should I get too sloshed. But this is not a place I will seek out for a good dinner. I'm afraid that my little burger holy grail is still the Piper's Kilt, the home of my beloved Bronx Bomber. I have to travel about an hour to get it, but it would be more worth it to travel all the way there than the 15 minutes from my place to Donovan's. For real.
2.5 stars.
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The burgers here are touted as being the best of queens/nyc, but I don't quite see it that way. I've had burgers on par or even better, but I will however give it kudos for being a juicy, tasty burger to chomp on if I'm in the Woodside area.
It's quaint decor and family friendly staff makes this place a cozy place to just come and chow. So far (*knocking on wood), no run-ins w/obnoxious drunks or pretentious snobs like other places.
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Donovans is awesome for really good burgers and a good selection of beer. It has a really cozy and dark atmosphere and the place is huge; ive never had to wait for a table. You can get a fresh packed burger and steak fries for around $7 which is awesome and you'll leave so full you'll think you'll never be able to eat again. The only negative here is the service, SOMETIMES it can be a little slow, but not always. I highly reccomened Donovans if you're in Woodside and want a cheap, but delish bite to eat
They offer a decent burger.
It's quite juicy (yet messy) and the bacon is a must. Plus a burger and fries is less than $7.
I'd come again if I were in the area, but I don't know about this place being the "best."
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THE BEST BURGERS PERIOD. Do not be convinced otherwise. Oh they are so so so so so good, and I'm not just saying that because Time Out New York said so; I've known this for years. My favorite is with cheddar cheese and the grilled onions. Mouth watering. Can't stand it. Must go. Now... The prices are ridiculous (so low!) and the staff is really nice (Peggy is the best waitress EVER!) FOOD PICK: As I said, the burger. Ohdeargod the burger. But on days when I feel like I can't handle something that heavy, I go with one of their salads which, who would have thought, are fabulous (and not expensive at all). NOTE: I'm pretty sure the Donovan's in Bayside are the same owners but the food's not half as good, and the place just doesn't have the same charm.
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Donovan's is probably my favorite restaurant in Queens. No it isn't fancy or trendy, but it is pub food at its best. Yes the burgers are great but in my opinion it is the shepard's pie that is their signature dish. Well that and the Guinness. The staff is great as well.
If you want a great casual meal you can do no wrong at Donovans.
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Still in search of the "well-cooked" burger that is juicy and flavorful, I came to Donovan's pub after a co-worker recommended it. Although that "perfect" burger title still sits empty but I do have to agree with my co-worker that Donovan's burgers are tasty. My take on how they make their cheeseburger so tasty is the amount of cheese (both on the top and on the bottom) on it. Definitely a place i would put into my top 5 fav places to have burgers in NY.
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I played golf with Joe Donovan this summer. He is an older gent. He laughs from deep in his belly. And he's got a good and crooked smile.
He was wearing a Donovan's golf shirt. I asked him and he told me, Yes he was the proud owner. I had read that TONY had given them top honors for Best Burger in NYC.
Anyway - the burgers are DAMN FINE. I went with a buddy - we ended up having onion soup and a burger. And four pints of beer.
I have been on my own private search for the best burger, but alas - even Donovan's does not convince me. So - as i continue my search I will say one last thing about this place.
It is what some might call - A Good One.
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My sister and I followed our noses into Donvan's Pub one evening last summer looking for a good burger fix. Juxtuposed to McDonald's across the street it seemed like an appropiate choice. Pass through the cozy bar to reach the dining rooms that open in the back resembling my granfather's smoking den fixed with field and country paintings and the odd hunting trophy on wood panel walls and stained glass windows. (Okay, my granfather doesn't have a smoking den but if he did...) We tuck into a huge meaty burger with cheese melted on both sides. I don't why we never thought of melting cheese on both sides but aside from the In 'n Out drive-ins of California days we were in burger heaven. Return visits reveal a bitchin shephard's pie and my favorite NY fish 'n chips to date.
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pretty mediocre fare, but WONDERFUL ambience. especially in the winter around the holidays. lovely fireplace and holiday cheer. a nice place for a romantic cup o' hot soup.
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Donovan's has been heralded as having the best burger in NYC for quite a while now. The fact that the title has been gone relatively uncontested is a statement to the quality of said burger. They are not too big, certainly not to small, relatively unadorned, and perfect.
However you'd be doing yourself, and Donovan's a disservice by only trying their burgers. Their Shepherd's Pie is out of this world, so is the French Onion soup. Of course all of these delectable goodies need to be washed down with a Guinness. A night at Donovan's is truly a good night.
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I love Donovan's but the only thing I have to remember to do is to order one notch towards the rare side. I usually like my burgers med-rare but it always comes back well done. I just order rare and it comes out perfect. The fish and chips are really good too! REAL fish and chips :)
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I've taken a few people here and most people really enjoy the burgers. Maybe not the best burgers in nyc but definitely worth the trip into queens. They don't have many things for vegetarians though... just a broccoli or asparagus quiche which is actually pretty good but nothing special.
This place feels really huge and it's full of wooden bookshelves and stained glass like you're in a study... good for drinking alcoholic irish beverages!
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this is a really great hamburger. to be more specific, i usually go for the bacon and cheddar burger. comes with steak fries that can tend to the bland side, but all in all, this is one hell of a burger. i would avoid sitting in the tables and try for the bar, if they let you. the waitresses are pretty unremarkable and the ambiance is much better up at the bar.
you will not leave this place hungry!!
i have experimented slightly with the menu (chicken, fish and chips), but never will i do that again. go for the burger!
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Not consistent...I've had amazing burgers to perfectly good burgers. I think one trick is to avoid when it's busy, like when there's a Mets game. And the advice to order on the rare side is good...I hadn't been in a while and the other day I ordered by burger Medium instead of Medium-Rare, and it wasn't nearly as good. But the times I've gone when it wasn't busy and I remembered to order them the way I like them, I've had some of the best burgers I've ever had.
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You just feel at home here. The food is good, the staff is great. Everytime I take people here they are impressed. And if you're like me and don't eat regular beef burgers (which Donovan's is known for having the best of in NYC) they make a pretty damn good turkey burger too.
Based on a review I read on here I saw that they had good salads, so I tried one yesterday and it's true, they even do good salads. I also personally enjoy the chicken fingers.
I am sure you all have read that this place has the best burgers in NYC, well they do! They also have super sweet bartenders and wait staff. My husband and I used to live around the corner and this became our perfect local hangout. They got to know us and we got to love them...the only downside was the amount of drinking we were doing on a Monday.
His favorite dish was the Shepard's Pie which was also awesome. I recommend not coming too hungry because there is usually a wait on weekends because Donovan's rocks so hard.
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a close friend of mine owns this place so I'm a bit biased but have to agree that the burgers here are fantastic! even at 2AM after a Mets game. definitely hit this place up and if you're lucky, you might catch a guest bartender who goes by the name, "Fats" - ask for him!
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i'm very surprsied no one reviewed this place yet....
Claims to have the Best burger in NYC, now i dont know about the BEST but it was very good, its a burger without all the "Fixin's" ... im sure a burger back in the days didnt have sauted mushrooms and bluecheese. Its made the way a burger is sopose to be, Med rare, juicy and thick!.
fyi. cash only, and its cheap!
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Shephards pie was fantastic! Made the mistake of listening to posters on here and insisted my bf order his burger medium rare and it was way too bloody for our liking. Next time will order medium. Fries were good too.
The decor and atmosphere is extremely charming.
Our waitress was a bit curt and when I inquired whether they had rolls ( I was debating about getting the tomato mozzerella app.) she practically barked at me saying they have no bread there! I mean, I would've been happy with a hamburger bun!
Pretty good, overall, but I think I'll stick to Shake Shack when it comes to burgers and maybe come here when the Shack is closed for winter.
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Great! Been going here since the 70's and it's like a place that time forgot. Very old school New York. The menu hasn't changed a bit. Great fireplaces too.
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Over rated, really good, but not great
constantly hyped as the best burger I made the trek out to queens. So I ordered a burger medium and fries. The burger was huge, too big for me and I can eat a lot, not a bad thing but unnecessary. It was really juicy and the meat was delicious, but the juices kinda soaked the bottom bun which is to me way messy. I really think that there are many places (cough jackson hole cough) that serve a large burger and pawn it off as something good, but this place is legitimately a really good (not great) burger. However I personally am a fan of a fresher tasting burger with more quality than quantity. I would never make the trek out to donovans again, however if I find myself in woodside again I would actually still skip this place in favor of sripraphai. So basically save yourself the time and effort of going out to queens for a burger that is not any better than Melon's or Clarke's.
I agree with Michael C., having heard it was the "best burger in NY" I went to check it out (mostly with the prompting...ok, dragging, of a friend who lives nearby and eats there religiously..yes, on every Sunday). It was a darned good burger, but I don't know that I would say it was the best in NY...then again, I haven't tried all that many burgers in NY, or anywhere for that matter. I think Peter Luger's may have a better burger, but it's a bigger schlep. Irish coffee at the end is key to finishing your meal. The main thing is that the service could use a little improvement.
yup... they pretty much DO have the best burgers in NYC. so simple, yet so good. this is a real, down home type of place. the staff is friendlier than you can imagine and the value is top notch. get thee to Donovan's... pronto.
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Pretty decent burgers. The bun on the bottom got a bit greasy.
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Aside from the famous burgers, which are quite good, the salads are humoooooongous.
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excellent fish and chips and even better cheese burgers....make sure u get it rare-medium rare so you get a mouthful of juiciness oozing out of the meat....umm....so good.
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don't let the roaches scare you away from the incredible burgers
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