Pat Murnane’s Irish Pub

Pat Murnane’s Irish Pub sits on South Main Street in Wake Forest, serving pub fare, burgers and comfort food alongside a salad bar, soups and a fruit bar. It aims for an authentic Irish feel, warm and inviting from the door in.

Regulars call it a hidden gem, and reviews tend to land on the same few things: kind staff, an owner who is around and paying attention, and a dining room kept clean. It is a neighborhood gathering spot more than a destination, and the crowd reflects that.

What to know

• The pub holds a 4.3-star rating on Google from more than 650 reviews.
• Catering is offered for corporate events, banquets and private parties.
• The kitchen will take on a catering job of almost any size.
• Reviewers single out the California Burger, which comes with onion rings.
• Shrimp dishes also come up often in customer reviews.