O’ Mara’s Irish Pub

We were in a group of ten, on 2−6−16 Saturday.
Before we met our friends, we checked out their website. Caution: They DO NOT update their website.
I really wanted a Sherry wine they had on their website and they didn’t have it. My husband had the Orange Roughy and it was missing some ingredients that would have made it taste better.
I’ll only come here once in a great while with our friends but that’s it.

Myself along with 8 friends went here on NYE 2015. I had called and made reservations and was told there would be a $ 5 cover due to the band, but everything else would be the same. When we arrived, we were told the $ 5 would be added to our bill. I would’ve preferred to pay the $ 5 «cover» up front, but ok. When we sat down we realized the menus were specific to that evening and the entrees were very different than the regular menu and we couldn’t order from the regular menu. Additionally, they added $ 5 — $ 7 per entrée for the 9 pm seating (the cheapest entrée was $ 26!). Note: when I called to make the reservation, I was told the 9 pm seating would be better because it we went at 7 pm, we may have to leave before midnight so others could have our seats. The restaurant was half empty that night! The band’s friends and family took up most of the seats! The manager, Thomas, asked us if there was a problem. We expressed our concerns about the menu options AND pricing (and very politely, I might add), and he reacted VERY rudely!!! Has asked who I spoke to when making the reservation so he knew «who to go after»!! Then he said, «I didn’t realize we had to give a full dissertation»!!! Extremely rude. When I told the waitress how rude he was, she said she would tell the owner, who is the chef, but we never saw him nor anyone else. I had heard great things about this restaurant, but service is just as important as the food. Not a good experience at all!

I give this place a shot every now and then. Not any more.
My guest and I waited close to minutes to get noticed at the bar. I felt like I was interrupting something.
I did attempt to finish the worst french dip type sandwich I’ve ever had. The best way I know to recreate the dining experience at O’Mara’s, is to get a sandwich at a gas station.
Won’t be back. How places like this hang on is beyond me.

Bartender amazing… but that’s about it. Food was horrible… Irish pub and no cornbeef on the menu? WTF. Do not microwave or steam steam stuffed mushrooms very rubbery. Shepards pie was a stomach aching mess. Just pass.

My visit at this place might be the most uncomfortable dining experience myself and my family have ever had.
We arrived around 7:30 or so on a Saturday night. Prime dinner time (except the place was at least half empty). We waited alone in the «lobby» by the hostess stand for 6 or 7 minutes before anyone ever acknowledged us. By that time, about 10 more waiting customers crowded in around us until there was no room for anyone to move. Only then did an older (and larger) gentleman come up to us.
He says, «Is 2 hours okay?» [We all look around at each other, «Excuse me?”]
He repeats, «Is 2 hours okay??» real rude like we’re dumb. [We look around at each other, and I say, «2 hour wait?!”]
At this point everyone is like «Oh no, nope, we can’t wait 2 hours…» and starts leaving (us included). And he says, «No! No, is 2 hours enough time for you to eat?»
What…
We all start looking around confused (because who asks guests that?). We says sure, and he seats us about 5 minutes later.
While the 4 of us (my husband and my in-​laws) are sitting there, we watched as this same gentleman walked around the store barking at the rest of the staff, REGULARLY interrupting wait staff WHILE THEY WERE TAKING ORDERS (including interrupting us too)!!!
I’m assuming he is either the owner or the manager, but regardless, he was the single most inconsiderate and RUDE man I’ve ever witnessed working at a restaurant. If he’s the owner, he needs to take a less involved position, and if he’s a manager, he needs to be fired immediately.
Of the 4 meals my table ordered (we all ordered something different), every single one was sub par. I would rather eat at a fast food dive than ever eat here again. The food was terrible, that guy was rude, and we were uncomfortable sitting there watching the wait staff be borderline verbally abused.
We all agreed immediately we will NEVER be back to this place. And I’d highly encourage the staff to find job elsewhere, as none of them deserve to be treated the way I witnessed them being treated. The food, and surely not the pay, is worth it.

BE WARNED! Took amazing alice (recupinin’ from breast cancer) here for a nice pre-​holiday dinner. She looked down and found a quarter inch worm laying on a carrot in her soup. Pretty sad from a joint where the average dinner costs about $ 20. Couldn’t get outta there fast enough. NEVER AGAIN!

Food was good and it had great presentation. We felt rushed by the waitress and the manager was walking around with a nasty attitude. The décor is very out of date and the place could use a deep clean. But prices are reasonable.

Guaranteed always good food and great staff. We have been coming to omaras for years now. Look at the parking lot, it is always full.

If you want to wait forever for your food and have orders in a large party completely screwed up, this is the place for you. Barely anyone in the restaurant too, so I can’t imagine what it’s like when it’s busy, if that ever happens.

I come in for breakfast once a month or so. The service is great, the food is good, the selection is somewhat limited though what they have is good. It is a bit on the pricey side for what it is. I know they make their own jams… but none of them (mixed berry, marmalade and strawberry) taste any good to me… maybe it is just me, they all taste sour. I guess everyone else seems to like them so maybe it is just me. I’ve ordered from their lunch/​dinner menu, it is good, but again pricey but decent food. I’d like them one star more if they would lower their prices and/​or expand their menu a bit but for what they are they are good. The waitstaff is very nice and polite.

This Irish pub in Berkley is a low-​key neighborhood gem. A well rounded beer selection (maybe a little light on trendy microbrew drafts) with typical Irish and pub food as well as delicious main course entrées add to the allure. They have standard entrées such as steak and burgers, but they also have some interesting options including a scrumptious cherry and duck salad. Their house wines in my experience so far have been universally delicious. I’ve noticed they do try to update their beer selection, especially with respect to bottled options. Mixed drinks in my opinion have been the weak point in the alcoholic selections. I had a mojito the other night that tasted like Sprite and rum with some muddled mint.
The atmosphere at O’mara’s is a strong point. You definitely get that friendly neighborhood restaurant feeling. The bartenders and waitstaff are helpful and not overly aggressive, and the patrons are pretty nice as well.
There is a pretty rockin’ karaōke session hosted on Wednesday nights by Julie Haven that is always fun. They do have live music on the patio many nights in the warmer months. Of note, they also allow well-​behaved, leashed dogs on the patio. I brought my dog in this week, and the waiters made sure to bring him a dish of water. It was really cute.

I visited O’Mara’s for the first time after having passed it everyday for nearly 4 years (as it is within walking distance from my house). If I feel a place has potential or is exceptional, I like to visit it 3 times, across the day and with different shifts. This first visit came on a Monday around 10:15am, for its «famed» Breakfast.
Upon walking in, I was pleasantly surprised with the old pub feel. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but it was rather nice, for back in the day and I felt a bit under dressed. I was quickly greeted and seated and a gentleman brought water and filled my glass. Eventually, a server greeted me and I told her I was ready to order. She cleared my table of the extra settings and took my order — Greek Omelette, Rye toast and Turkey Sausage. About 15 minutes later, she brought fresh in-​house jams and explained them. Another 15 minutes, and food finally arrived (turkey sausage coming separately). I opened my silverware and found it to be dirty. The server at the tables around me (who was extremely nice to her customers) noticed me waiting to eat and asked if I needed anything. I discreetly asked for a clean set of silverware and she apologized profusely and switched my silver. Then my server came and asked if I was ok. I told her I was fine.
I ate my breakfast and the food was. The house made jam is not the prettiest, but it is tasty. Everything seems fresh, which is a huge bonus for me. As for ambiance, it’s a nice, old-​style restaurant. Feels like an old country-​club or lodge to me, but a little more upscale (emphasis on ‘a little’). Be aware, however, that you will inadvertently overhear EVERY conversation around you. One group on the other side of the room had a chatty ringleader. I was annoyed by her boisterous, uninteresting stories. She almost drowned out the politely-​conversing women directly on either side of me… Almost.
And finally, the bill. I expected to pay under $ 20 for my meal, and I did. The food is moderately priced, per person. There seems to be a good variety of dishes to choose from and my food all came out hot. I had water and had to ask for my refill. The same gentleman who filled my glass initially came around with a pitcher and filled my glass again. Then my server came with a pitcher of water. I can’t say I’d be compelled to ever come back. I didn’t have a good or a bad experience, per se. It was just ok. As for the breakfast being considered the best in Berkley, I don’t think that is accurate. But then again, Berkley is pretty small and lacks diversity. There is plenty of diversity among Europeans, but otherwise, I found none of that here either.

My first time in here today, as I walked in I noticed the layout was quite neat. I like how the bar is upfront and dining is separate. I was here for breakfast, it was nice, quiet and pretty empty. (Monday morning) I ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice, which is absolutely amazing & sweet!
To eat, I ordered a spinach and feta omelette which was unlike any other omelette I’ve tried before. An abundant amount of feta (pricey cheese) and other veggies as well. There was a taziki sauce and a small breakfast salad alongside the omelette that complimented very well. For the toast there was three homemade jams (YUM) there was strawberry, mixed berry and marmalade I believe. Seriously so delicious.
My server, Donna if I’m not mistaken, was very friendly and jolly which just made my experience there that much better. I’ll definitely be coming back for lunch and dinner as well.

First time at O’Mara’s this afternoon for lunch. Passed by it for years always wanted to try it.
Only reason I am giving them 3 stars is the food was actually really good… when we finally got it. Hoagie sandwich was delicious, whatever slaw they have on there is incredibly tasty.
The service was pure 1 star. The hostess had a bad attitude, took way too long for our waitress to finally come to the table. She apologized which I appreciate, I am always understanding, but then after taking out order we waited… and waited. and waited. They had a large group in there and it seemed all the waitresses were too busy handling that to attend to the rest of the room. When she finally did being the food we had still YET to get our drinks which we had to ask for again. Unacceptable in the restaurant business! Then took WAY too long for her to come around again with the check.
Food was excellent, service frankly sucked. This will be my only time visiting O’Mara’s, Too many other choices in the area with good food that also, lo and behold, offer good service.

Last night was our first time at O’Mara’s. Friends made a reservation for 12 up front near the live band, Blackthorn. (Blackthorn was excellent as always, great music and very entertaining.)
When we arrived there wasn’t a host or hostess and we waited five minutes or so. I asked a waitress if a host was on duty, and she was a bit snippy in reply. A guy behind us in line went looking for the host and the host directed his attention to that person first. When it was our turn haha we said we were with the John Doe party and instead of leading us to the table, he pointed out at 15 tables or so and said they are here already at Table 2, as though we knew their table numbering system. We looked and didn’t see anyone we recognized. We apologized and said we don’t know where he was pointing. He was exasperated at having to walk us to the table. And it was true, the people we knew hadn’t arrived yet. So first impression wasn’t very good.
The atmosphere was like an old fashioned supper club– low ceilings, lots of noise and jam packed. Our seats were great, close to the band.
The table ordered appetizers of smoked salmon plates. The plate had a nice presentation, nice size and all the right accompaniments. Yum!
Menu prices were $ 15 — $ 30 for entrees. The salads were very good. The thousand island dressing seemed homemade or at least one of the better store bought brands. I ordered the Shrimp Scampi and the shrimp were large and cooked perfectly, and there were more than 6– maybe 10– on a bed of rice. Lots of garlic and butter with a nice presentation. My husband had a chicken dish that was also quite delicious.
Unfortunately in his bowl of mixed vegetables, he bit into a large, bigger than a marble sized chunk of used ginger swept into the dish from another menu item. He had to remove it from his mouth and find a place for it, which was awkward. We asked the waitress to let the chef know, and she said she was sorry.
Despite the situation at first with the host, the service the rest of the evening was great. We were drinking ice water, and it was refilled continuously. Our orders arrived smoothly with no mix-​ups. The waitress kept separate tabs for our party of 12, no mistakes.
It’s a bit far from Novi just for a meal but I would go back again for the entertainment and arrive early for dinner!

Doth mine eyes deceive? Be there an Irish pub in downtown Berkley? Until the rumoured renovation of Hiller’s Grocery happens, the answer is a resounding no. O’Mara’s is Irish, yes, and the theme is evident from the glowing sign on the corner of Coolidge and 12 Mile. They serve alcohol, yes. A pub? Not particularly.
In fact, this counts as one of the finest dining establishments in the People’s Republic. It may not offer while tablecloths, though the napkins are linen and the menu at a higher price point than any pub dares to charge outside Temple Bar. I don’t know many pubs that serve up gourmet omelettes and steaks, rather than cheap burgers and delicious boxty (Irish pancakes, but savory).
O’Mara’s really has two menus to consider; their everyday menu with its sandwiches, a few choice soups and salads, and plenty of entrees with a gently Irish slant. Then there’s the brunch menu, the granddaddy, offering a hearty plough man’s breakfast, corned beef hash, eggs Benedict, and do I need to go on because your mouth should be conspicuously drooling. Whatever you get, request toast or an English muffin — yes, even in an Irish restaurant, you aren’t sinning against Éire doing so. Why? Jam.
Homemade jam.
Resplendent, sticky fingers and conspicuously bright mouth jam. It’s the adult form of Saturday morning all over again when your parents made you toast and slathered it in the good stuff. Maybe the jellies your Irish grandmother made, or the special preserves that only came out if you’d been good. It’s delicious. 1 star is earned for the jars of happiness that leave yucky old Smuckers in the dust. I particularly like it with the heavy Irish rye or soda bread.
O’Mara’s also serves tea from Kristie’s, a local shop which thrives on a lot of loose leaf blends that are well worth sampling. Their proper tea menu contains greens, herbals, blacks, and fruity combinations as far away from the norm as you can get. Tuesdays see tea time, but for a girl with a job, I never get to attend these lovely times. Boo! I would give a lot for a weekend teatime or an evening tea.
The food here is spendy, even at brunch. $ 12 for an egg dish seems excessive, though the portions are comfortably filling and the preparations beautiful. We always wince a bit seeing the price for orange juice and brunch, although you won’t lack for savory food. Alex’s next door covers more run of the mill breakfast options if that’s more your speed. But you won’t get that awesome freaking jam.
Another special factor about this place is the live music, which admittedly I don’t get to see often due to scheduling conflicts and my small child. However, Friday and Saturday frequently feature live acts beyond the usual Gaelic Storm knockoffs. They have jazz, rock, folk, and pop acts just to name a few, and it’s always worth to see who is on the roster.
Don’t get too deep into your cups because the parking lot is a tragic nightmare, a pitted wasteland of potholes and uneven gaps that doesn’t belong outside so nice a restaurant. The number of times I’ve had to skitter through no man’s land in the rain and almost broken my neck is no fun at all, and I really wish they’d repave it all!

o’mara’s is like your sad irish sister. kinda dumpy and her food is tasteless. being a nurse, i often eat breakfast and have cocktails around 8am. i’m pretty well versed with most the options in south oakland county for this type of meal. o’mara’s is the worst. the service is slow, the servers have no idea what kind of beer they have on any given day, and the food is overpriced. best thing for breakfast is the little salad that comes with everything.
love, juston

I’ve been here for lunch and thought it was good. Well dinner tonight was bad enough we probably won’t come back. Anniversary salad with chicken, gross and ugly. I was starving so I ate the salad. Tasted alright but tossed with heavy dressing that wilts the shredded salad, like eating $ 12 coleslaw. Chicken was flavorless and gnarly looking. I didn’t eat and asked them to take it off the bill. Husband got pot roast with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Was easier to eat but still not great. Heavy tomato tang. Box potatoes? Just not great for $ 14. Like truck stop food or Ponderosa buffet.

I am not a frequent visitor of O’Mara’s, but throughout the years I have gone many times. It is a classic neighborhood restaurant/​watering hole, with plenty of regulars — like the Berkley Cheers. The food has always been solid — not fantastic, certainly not horrible.
Then, I got the word — they have a great Maurice Salad! In my never-​ending search for the best Maurice Salad, I raced to O’Maras to check it out.
It was solid. Not fantastic, certainly not horrible. Lots of cherry tomatoes (huh?), decent lettuce, light on meat and cheese and so/​so pickles (for me, the tell tale sign of a great Maurice is a good pickle). Three stars for the salad, 4 stars for the place O’Mara’s plays in the neighborhood. By the way, I can’t speak to the Sunday Brunch or the weekend entertainment, but Ive heard good things.
Well O’Mara’s, you’re the closest Maurice Salad to my work — so I’m guessing I’ll be back. but I won’t be giving up my search!

Let me preface this by saying that as a rule we only go to O’Mara’s for breakfast. It may have delicious lunch or dinner, and I would have no idea.
O’Mara’s is reasonably priced and delicious. They’ve got a plethora of omelettes, frittatas, and scrambles. Also delicious pancakes and waffles. I usually get an omelette, and normally the spinach, gorgonzola and walnut one. You can also build your own, and there are a billion choices (most of which boyfriend takes advantage of all at once. Bring on the bacon.) It comes with toast (I recommend the honey oat) and a bunch of delicious jams (sounds weird, but you’ll see what I mean). They also have a $ 5 Bloody Mary bar, which we rarely skip. The waitstaff is always really friendly and chatty.
The only thing is that O’Mara’s, at least at brunchtime, doesn’t really have a «happenin» atmosphere. More like people’s grandparents after church. Doesn’t take away from the experience at all… just something to note.