Buckhead’s own Little Ireland, practically the entire interior of Fado’s was imported directly from the homeland, down to its slate floors. With the stone, brick, dark woodwork, wrought-iron trimming, and plenty of private nooks typical of a traditional Irish pub, you’ll feel like you’re actually on the native soil throwing back your Guiness with the other fine chaps. All four corners of Fado’s are uniquely adorned, with one section designed like an old Celtic Cottage with a flickering fireplace, and another decorated with cobbled floors and elaborate columns. There’s a museum area displaying the history of Irish pub culture, and even the area where the live bands perform is reminiscent of a rural Gaelic library.

The atmosphere in Fado’s is completely unpretentious, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a friendlier place in Atlanta. The crowd is jovial, including both locals and internationals, businessmen and college students. The bartenders are eager to please, and pride themselves on perfecting the ideal pint of Guinness Stout with a thick, creamy head. Fado’s delightful house band The Charms performs live Irish music on Monday and Thursday-Saturday, utilizing such traditional instruments as tin whistles, mandolins, and Celtic frame drums. Another attraction is the live televising of soccer and rugby matches, and on game days you can find Fado open as early as 6 am.

The pub is also a popular lunch destination, and some of the dishes are so true to tradition that even the ingredients are imported from Ireland. Fado’s most famous are their boxties, which are griddle-cooked rolled potato pancakes, stuffed with your choice of seafood, Cajun meats, steak or veggies. Other hearty traditional dishes include shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, black pudding, and fish and chips. Be sure to down it all with a Lucozade, which is similar to a carbonated Gatorade. There are a few American fusion dishes as well, such as the chicken boxty quesadillas.