If you’ve ever wished for a “Cheers” bar of your own—where the owners greet you with a smile, the staff feel like family, and even the regulars know your name—welcome to Harp & Crown in Cornelius. Owners Pat and Mary didn’t just stumble into this dream. After moving down from Connecticut to Raleigh to be near their grandbaby, they spent ten years touring restaurant after restaurant, waiting for the one.
Pat has spent more than 20 years in food service, mostly back of house, and owning a restaurant has been their dream for decades. When they walked into Harp & Crown, Mary fell in love with the patio bar, the pub-like neighborhood vibe, and most of all, the staff—many of whom had been there so long it felt like joining a family instead of just buying a business. That was it. The dream was real, and the Irish pub vibes sealed the deal.
Pat now runs the restaurant full time, and Mary balances her nursing career while supporting their new adventure. Together, they’ve created a spot that’s cozy, friendly, and unmistakably theirs.
Now let’s get to the real reason you’re here: the food. You already know I’m all about real, whole ingredients, and Harp & Crown delivers. Everything—and I mean everything—is made from scratch in-house. We’re talking dressings, sauces, mashed potatoes, egg rolls, and even those crispy fries fried in beef tallow. (Praise hands, hallelujah!)
Pat was excited for us to try a little bit of everything, so Steve and I didn’t hold back. First up: the Full English breakfast. Beans, toast, banger sausage—basically a plate of comfort you didn’t know you needed. I ate nearly the whole thing myself, which tells you how good it was because normally I let Steve handle the heavier plates.
Then came the fish and chips. Y’all, I don’t say this lightly: they were perfect. Perfectly battered, perfectly seasoned, perfectly fried. My mouth is watering just writing about it. And paired with those beef tallow fries? Game over.
Next was the Guinness beef stew, rich and flavorful with a golden puff pastry crown that took it over the top.
And then Mary insisted I try the Quinoa Harvest Bowl. Look, I’m a steak-and-bacon girl, and quinoa bowls usually sound like rabbit food to me. But this one? Fresh, bright, balanced, and delicious!
But the dish that stole my heart? The Irish meatloaf. Magic. Pure magic. I am fairly certain they have a magic wand in the kitchen and use it to do whatever that is they did with the sauerkraut. This is not the meatloaf my momma used to make and I am here for it!
We would have been crazy not to pair all these with some Guinness! Check out Steve’s beer stache
Harp & Crown isn’t just about eating—it’s about gathering. The entertainment lineup is as lively as the food is hearty. Mondays are trivia nights, Thursdays bring a Family Feud–style game, and the third Sunday of every month features an Irish Seisun, where Irish musicians gather and play whatever their hearts desire.
They’re also known for going all out on St. Patrick’s Day, with Irish dancers, bagpipes, and a daylong celebration that pulls the whole community together.
Check out their live music line-up too! This is of course just what was coming up when we visited so go see what they have right now and grab some friends!
And for the daytime crowd, they’ve got $10 lunch specials during the week that make it easy to become a regular without breaking the bank
The neighborhood pub theme is strong here, and Harp & Crown is growing right alongside its community. Pat and Mary recently bought the space next door and have plans to turn it into a moody wine bar with bites—a perfect complement to the lively pub atmosphere.
But even as they expand, the focus never shifts away from people. When I chatted with our server, Bethany Marlowe, she got emotional talking about how much it means to work somewhere you truly feel cared for. That feeling extends to the guests, too. Sit at the bar for five minutes and you’ll see it: handshakes, hugs, and neighbors chatting like old friends.
Pictured above are regulars Dave and Christine with server Bethany Barlowe
Regular Dave and Christine told me that sitting on the patio with your back to Catawba Avenue traffic is basically like being on vacation. “The whooshing sounds just like the ocean waves,” Dave laughed. I’m not sure how much Guinness it takes to make that true, but I’m planning to find out next brunch!
Okay, you know I’ve got to give you the Fit Foodie spin here. Yes that quinoa bowl was amazing and they have several great salads and whole food options too.
Order the fish and chips, the Irish meatloaf, or the Guinness beef stew—because life is too short to skip the good stuff. Remember, real food made from scratch beats processed junk every single time and if you are going to have fried food at least here you know it is done in tallow! (awesome job Pat and Mary!!!)
Harp & Crown isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a neighborhood gathering spot, a pub where everyone really does want to know your name, and a dream come true for Pat and Mary. Between the scratch-made food, the welcoming vibe, and the lively entertainment, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again
So here’s my recommendation: grab some friends, claim a table on the patio, and let Harp & Crown remind you what a true neighborhood pub feels like. And save me a seat, because Steve and I are already planning our next visit! See ya there!
