Feeney's 5 Lloyds Avenue

Feeney’s is a straightforward City bar by Tower Hill, full of people who probably do CrossFit at lunch. Still, the service is all warm, Irish hospitality, the Guinness is good, and the spice bags—courtesy of Scaldy—are even better. Order at the bar, from a member of staff who will kindly try to warn you that, no, you really can’t manage a munch box—two spice bags with chicken balls, spring rolls, curry, and satay sauces—all by yourself. 

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

We like to take our pint upstairs, where this glass box of a bar feels more pub-like. Framed horse racing pictures and brown leather seats make it a cosy place to relax while waiting for your spice bag: a white paper bag, with enticing drops of condensation from crisp, steaming chips, comes with either chicken, tofu, or beef. All the meat can be a bit dry, but the mild, creamy curry sauce helps to rectify that. It's comforting and carby enough to be suitable end-of-night food, but you could also eat one at lunch in front of a colleague and still have a job on Monday.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Munch Box

The only question with the munch box is: will you or your wooden fork break first? A 12-inch pizza box comes full to the brim and while the small spring rolls and chicken balls are pretty average, the chips are excellent. They remain crispy all the way to the bottom of the box, with a pleasing salty, sweet spice blend. We're also big fans of the thinly sliced and caramelised peppers and spring onions. All in all, it ticks the box for messy, comforting carbs. And if you've had a spice bag before, you'll find it a step up from the average soggy takeaway.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Spice Bag

Spice bags include everything in a munch box, but without chicken balls and spring onions. So actually, we would order this instead. If anything, they could use even more of that tasty, scorched vegetable mix. But to talk about balance with a spice bag feels like missing the point.