Restaurant Reivew
Ri Ra Irish Pub
Ri Ra is a popular Irish Pub located inside The Strip's Mandalay Bay casino. If you find yourself planning a Vegas vacation during the busy St. Patrick's Day/March Madness week, Ri Ra will be one of several Vegas Irish themed pubs you will want to check out. Or, you may just want to try it out anytime of the year if you are craving some traditional Irish food!
Although Ri Ra's ambiance pales in comparison to New York, New York's Nine Fine Irishmen, the fabulous food and service more than make up for the less than stellar setting.
Food
Ri Ra serves up some tasty authentic Irish fare. The Fish & Chips, a favorite amongst most tourists was recommended by our server, and I can say it was pretty darn good. The potato cakes are the most delicious appetizer in which to start your meal. The onion rings were a bit of a disappointment. The Stout Mussels are another good choice.
In terms of soups, you cannot go wrong with the classic Potato Leek option. Before your meal, your server will bring out some tasty Irish bread with Kerrygold Butter. The bread is a bit different if you are not used to it, however, very good.
Tempting entree choices include Irish Cheddar Mac, McDonnell's Irish Curry, Guinness Stew, and traditional Shepherd's Pie.
There are lots of choices for everyone at Ri Ra, even vegetarians and those dining gluten-free. Several menu items can be prepared gluten-free on request. For vegetarians, they have some great salads on the menu, so you will definitely not leave hungry! And the mac and cheese is delicious! Basically everything is delicious and totally affordable, especially for a touristy area like Vegas!
Service
Service was just fantastic here. Our waiter was friendly and more than willing to make recommendations. Most restaurants on The Strip have fabulous service, and Ri Ra is definitely one of them.
Atmosphere
If there is anything disappointing about the Ri Ra experience, it is the dining atmosphere which feels a bit cramped. The back room is especially unattractive with a bright red color theme and crowded seating. The ambiance is noisy and uncomfortable with too many crowded tables as opposed to private booths. The front of the restaurant is designed more like a traditional Irish pub, although seating often fills up early.
The pub was constructed n Ireland and shipped to the Mandalay. If you can get a seat in this area, the ambiance is great, and as an extra bonus there is often live entertainment.
Final Remarks
Overall, Ri Ra is a decent Irish pub on The Strip. The food and service are both fantastic here, the live music (with bands direct from Ireland) is great, and the service exceptional. The setting is a bit loud, however, fun for anyone planning a fun night out on The Strip/social gathering.
