Restaurants in Springdale

The taps flow with Guinness, Smithwick’s, and Harp. High-definition televisions play overseas soccer matches in surround sound. Walls of flagstone and exposed brick flank the tiered dining space of the cozy corner pub. The Irish Times truly does embody the vivacious Gaelic spirit—a spirit that thrives until 2 a.m. seven nights a week. CBS Philly praised this dedication to authenticity and placed The Irish Times on its 2012 list of Top Philadelphia Irish Pubs for St. Patrick’s Day.

In between pints, the menu tempts diners with a selection of traditional Irish staples and assorted international comfort foods. The slow-simmered stew features hunks of lamb, carrots, and celery in a Guinness, merlot, and lamb gravy, and the traditional Irish breakfast—complete with black and white puddings, rashers, and Irish sausage—is served all day long. Dishes from farther abroad include a trio of hummus, pico de gallo, and baba ghanoush and wraps filled with teriyaki-glazed chicken tenders, pineapple, and individually polished sesame seeds.

Burgers, wraps, and other American pub food fuel the clatter of toasting glasses and athletic cheers at Red Zone late into the night. The bustle swells and ebbs as athletes on TV score touchdowns or turn out to be two children with access to the equipment locker. As sweet-potato fries and buffalo chicken crackle in a deep fryer, chips fill tables during poker nights.

In a video for the blog Philly in Focus, Leziz Turkish Cuisine owner Sal Kucuk greets his son at the appetizer-prep station. He stops by the grill line to thank the head chef, who brings his own experience from owning a restaurant in Istanbul for 14 years. In the dining room, Sal stops for a moment to pay respect to his mother's framed image––a beloved photograph blown up by his fiancée as a gift. Formerly S & H Kebab House, Leziz Turkish Cuisine is still the same family-owned restaurant that was bestowed with Talk of the Town's Excellence in Customer Satisfaction award for 2010 and 2011.

Specializing in authentic Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine, the eatery employs organic lamb, top Choice Black Angus steaks, and fresh seafood for kebabs and sautés. Amid hanging lights and butter-yellow walls, warm pita sops up creamy hummus and whipped caviar to pair with patrons’ BYOB beverages. Live bands on Fridays and monthly belly-dancing events fill the air with music, unlike the falafel-juggling mimes hired by most restaurants.

Periodically, cries of "Nevermore!" reverberate through The Raven Lounge, which continually reaches out to local celebs such as NBC 10's John Clark to deliver in-house readings of the classic Poe poem. They are among many famous faces that fill the club, where six area DJs spin the latest jams every week, bands frequently blast out their tunes, and comedians H. Foley and Chris Cotton host open mic comedy every Thursday.

Neon lettering scrawled on the ceilings helps illuminate the two-floor lounge, where projectors and flat-screens showcase sports and, as reported on BBC Two, members of the rock, papers, scissors league compete for a spot in the world championship in Las Vegas. To complement optional bottle service from the fully stocked bar, The Raven Lounge's menu of bar classics includes chicken and vegetable dumplings or hot dogs from a late night menu that starts at 2 a.m.