I came in yesterday with my lady friend... atmosphere upon entering is very relaxed...what you would expect for a cloudy Sunday mid-morning, but seldom find. I was overjoyed (slight exaggeration) that they still had breakfast. The breakfast menu only had about 6 options, which I like, not a huge fan of a menu that has so many items you find it hard to choose. Additionally, I prefer a restaurant that does a few things well rather than a lot of things poorly. I was torn between a more traditional menu of Irish fare...bangers (which i have never had, but heard of many times), cooked tomatoes and soda bread, and a more American plate of potatoes, eggs, bacon, and Irish toast. Lucky for me (no, really i am so lucky) my lady friend was torn between the same two... Logic quickly dictated we get both and split..I do so love it when a plan comes together. Waitress was friendly and always there, but not in a chatty annoying way. Breakfast came in about 20 minutes, which was great as my lady friend is very easy on the eyes and i was in no hurry to divert my eyes from her to the food (tiny bit smitten). The food presentation was great, simple and attractive on square plates, ya im a sucker for square plates. I split the plates (i recently recieved an ethics lesson from my grandma and was instructed i must do this), the waitress was extremely accommodating in giving us extra plates. Now about the food presentation (if your still reading), the aforementioned bangers were a little disappointing to me...not really my thing. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and moist, very good, soda bread was crisp and toasty warm, probably because it was, in fact, toasted. The bacon was delicious, the rashers were little disappointing, to tough for my taste and i had to spit some out ( yes i created a diversion for my lady friend so she would not have to see this) but in truth i have never had rashers before so maybe this is normal? Well, to wrap this up, the ambience was excellent for a quiet breakfast, the staff friendly, prices were great, service quick and the food was good. If you are in the mood for a good place to eat a leisurely weekend breakfast, this is a good choice.
(3)
Jessica W.
I was in town for the weekend to visit my sister for her college graduation with my family. We came here every day (at one point or another) and had a great time with each visit. It's exactly what you expect from an Irish pub -- within reason, of course (keep in mind there is not an overwhelming Irish population in Portland, OR). Their Irish nachos are one of my new favorite bar snacks and the drink prices are relatively reasonable. They've got TVs all over the place, a nice little stage off to the side, and awesome private booths (we were able to fit 11 people pretty comfortably). Overall, Kells is a winner -- nothing extraordinary, but a great spot to hang out, watch a game, and throw back a few brews without breaking the bank.
(4)
Nicholas T.
There is a wall of whiskey. I am a fan by virtue of this fact alone.
(5)
Martha R.
When you're gonna go on a drinking binge for an entire Sunday, you've gotta make time to stop in for an Irish coffee at Kells. Add to that a delicious warm brownie with ice cream and chocolate sauce, and you've got a major hit. The waitress was super fun and had remembered my sister and other friend from the day before. I LOVE when wait staff remembers you - it's so much more welcoming and fun. While I enjoyed the Irish coffee and dessert, it's really the awesome welcome we received that makes this place even more spectacular. Great spot to get your fun on in Portland!
(4)
Brandon T.
I reluctantly write this review because we normally have the best time here. We come here after the Timbers games to get some beer and dinner. Kells has one of the best appetizers in town, the Sausage Roll. It is heavenly. Comes with an awesome brown gravy and we literally ate three of them. But thats where the good part ends. So we are seated in a booth and waited for 5 or 10 minutes to see a server which is pretty standard for this place on nights after Timbers games. Thats when Breelyn comes by. No greeting... No Hi How are you, No hows your night, Instead she leads with What do you want? The problem was nobody was given menus... so sorry i have no clue what i want. I asked her about the whiskey selection which she literally knew nothing about... So i just got a jameson on the rocks. Thrown off by her terrible first impression we decided to not have dinner here tonight, kinda hard to order when we never got menus... and even after she realized we didn't have menus she never offered to bring them. But wait it gets better. She brings us the bill without even asking if we want something else... My father was in town from Wyoming and we would have loved a second round and stayed to listen to the band a while but apparently that wasn't in the cards for us on this occasion. Of coarse we will return to kells and enjoy drinks and sausage rolls again, I just felt it was necessary to warn people about breelyn. I worked in the service industry for 12 years and have never experienced service so atrocious.
(2)
Lolly P.
Thanks Kells...as I was drinking your delicious beer before the Timbers game I realized I left my game ticket at home. (eek!) I asked one of the very nice employees if there was a chance I could print my ticket in their office (via email)...and he said 'Sure, If I was in your situation I would hope someone would do it for me.' (he wouldn't even take any money for it.) I really appreciated the great customer service...you saved the night. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Cheers!
(5)
Andrea J.
The service is fantastic. Super friendly and they really know how to describe their brews. I've been to authentic Irish Pubs and the atmosphere at Kells can only be described as authentic and completely comfortable. If you are looking good for a casual place to grab a brew/cider, I recommend checking this pub out.
(5)
Sarah D.
I love coming to Kells! They always make a great drink and their food is delicious! I usually get the shepherds pie but ventured out this time and got their sausage roll, boneless buffalo wings and nachos (sharing with my party) and it was all very good. Their bartenders have always been friendly and love the live music (not sure what nights they do live music on but always seems to be there when I go :))
(5)
James J.
I like Kells Brew Pub quite a lot, and I've never been disappointed. Their house beers are solid, and they have a few others on tap too in case you need some variety. I've rather enjoyed everything I've tried on the menu. The fish & chip and the veggie pasty are my favorites. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. On nice days, there's usually outside seating to be had. It's a great place to go before a home or away Timbers match.
(4)
Patti F.
This is different than the Kells downtown; and it was a nice change. Don't get me wrong, the SW Kells has its merits; but this is a NW version of the same. The menu looks decent, there's live music on Thursday - Saturday evenings. Their own red ale tastes surprisingly like Smithwick's - and I'm told that's because they use the same hops. There IS a teeny tiny parking lot but it's only for about 10 cars - maybe you'll get lucky.
(3)
Andrew S.
Let me start off the positives. The interior of the restaurant is very nice and the beer was surprisingly good. I was at the restaurant last weekend and they had a band that was covering mostly DMB and John Mayer songs. It was a good atmosphere. I was celebrating a friend's birthday and I had bought six shots of Fireball on top of some pints. I'm not sure if this is standard these days, but we were charged $7 for each shot. Of Fireball! That was surprising, but hey, maybe that's the norm today. I don't order shots too often. What wasn't fine was that I had only ordered 6 shots and there were 7 on our bill. I told our server that this was a mistake and he told me that I would have to find someone else from our group to pay for the extra shot, otherwise he couldn't take it off the bill. I understand you've got to make sure the bar gets paid, but I know for a fact I only ordered 6 shots. I didn't think it was fair to put this burden on me as well. The server's attitude when I was cashing out really rubbed me the wrong way. I know groups aren't easy to deal with, but I know what I ordered. Maybe it was just an off night, but I don't think I'll be back after this last visit.
(2)
Myra F.
A cup of delicious hot lamb stew with 2 wonderful pieces of soda bread! A perfect light meal at a great price. Next day, however, breakfast, although delicious, was ice cold. 3 meals cold. How can they do that? The food was homemade and wonderful, but cold?
(4)
Brittanie M.
Being a huge fan of the downtown Kells, I was stoked about another location in a cool area. After finally giving it a try, I'm sad to say I wasn't impressed. The space is great, but that doesn't matter so much when it's completely EMPTY! Granted it was a Sunday evening, but still walking in and being the only customers was kind of a bad sign. Anyway, my friend and I ordered our usual, Irish nachos. Despite being starving and easy to please, the nachos were terrible. Hardly any toppings, crusted over, burnt cheese, and overall terrible presentation. Maybe it was a fluke, maybe they forget the nachos and left them in just a tad too long. Service was great, I'll give it another try when I'm not starving. Okay, one more thing. I couldn't quite tell if the menu was the same or a tad different but for what I always order, the prices were a bit more expensive than the other location. I can understand that given new location obviously, but my tiff is that the quality was so much worse!
(2)
Chris S.
Good, consistent food and friendly service. A great place to grab a bite with a friend or to watch a game over a pint and the breakfast is worth having - a well kept secret as far as breakfast goes in NW!
(4)
Tristan T.
Meh. Our server couldn't name the portion size of the fish and chips, which was a little disappointing, particularly when served in clearly generic frozen sysco fries without salt or seasoning. I asked for hp brown sauce, but wound up with HP Steak sauce. Meh, I felt kells wasn't trying very hard.
(2)
Arthur K.
This is a really good spot to have a meeting. They have private booths along the walls that give it a nice private feeling. Of course conversations can be heard outside that booth, but it's good for giving the feeling of privacy at least. I ordered the chicken curry on fries. The curry was really good. I even liked the addition of apples and dried fruit into it giving it a nice contrast in flavor. The Irish nachos were good as well and it was made even better by the home made chips. I'd give this place a higher rating but the service was sort of slow. Our server didn't really check on us that often even though the place was not very busy. When I went to the restroom I even saw some of the staff sitting at a table and just chatting. It was not a very professional image at all.
(4)
Robert A.
Not what I expected at all. I have been to a few Irish Style Pubs and they have always impressed me. This one did not do such a great job.
(2)
Daniel M.
They have pretty good food, but the beer needs some help. I think they need to really get their shizit together if they are going to play in nw.
(3)
Kevbo H.
I love Kell's in general, but their house made beer was for the most part unremarkable. But it is decent to great Irish pub fare. I had the roasted chicken, and it was quite flavorful.
(3)
Madison P.
The service here is absolutely terrible. I've had three different waitresses here over time who have all been equally bad. No smile, act annoyed when I add something to the order, don't come back to refill drinks, etc. Then they seem to perk up a little bit right when the check comes out. The outdoor seating reeks of trash because it is literally in their trash shed. The poor service here keeps me from going back. Oh and if you thought that the happy hour food portions were good for the price, as of December 2014 they have made the BLTC half the size for the same price. You get 3 french fries and a half sandwich... Enjoy.
(2)
Alexis C.
Took my team there for dinner after work one night. Don't go expecting it to feel like the downtown version - definitely a more subdued vibe. Works perfectly for smaller work events / meetings. Food: was ok - not very conducive to people with allergies. Drinks: Good selection of beers and drinks Service: what it lacked in food quality it made up for in service. our waitress was excellent!
(3)
Cynthia R.
Bartenders were cute and friendly. Loved the music they had going on; great overall ambiance in regards to decor/style. I was there pretty early on a Wednesday, so not sure how this place gets on weekends, nights, or during games. Got the Kell's Irish Stout. Very comparable to Guinness, which I was told was their goal with this beer. It was drinkable and smooth. Pretty good deal for happy hour (two beers and huge plate of fries for $10). Not a huge menu, but I would go back to try the kale salad and truffle fries (too bad neither are on the happy hour menu). Good thing this place is within a few blocks from my apartment.
(4)
Kevin K.
It's another Kells... What is there to say? If you follow my check-ins, you'll see that I've been there several times in the last few months. It's a fairly neutral spot to meet up with a larger group of friends before splitting off into smaller cliques. I will say that the staff here is easy on the eyes; a gregarious group of young folks in matching (and fitted) uniforms. That's a nice touch.
(3)
Renee L.
Had a terrible experience here last St. Patrick's Day, finally writing my review. We live in the neighborhood and hadn't been here yet, decided to check it out for lunch post Shamrock Run 15K. We knew it would be busy since it was St. Patrick's Day. We got there and the Parking lot had been tented off, with more seating inside. We put our names in and proceeded to wait. We never mind waiting as long as things seem to be moving along, attentive waitstaff and whatnot. We first got say in the tent but it was hot, noisy, and frankly we just wanted the vibe of the restaurant and the Irish band inside. We quickly asked if we could pass our table to someone else and wait for an indoor table. Over 60 minutes later we were seated at a great table. We ordered Irish coffees. They came served in little paper coffee cups, with some sad excuse for whipped cream and a wooden stir stick sort of floating on top. Looked like they'd been made earlier that day in a mass batch. We quickly noticed the cups were actually leaking out the seams, which usually only happens when you've had coffee in them for awhile. So we tell the waitress when she finally comes by. She just brings us a second paper cup to double cup them. Now, I can see using paper cups in the tent outside, but in the restaurant? The restaurant wasn't overcrowded or anything. For $10 a drink, I would hope for more. Before going I was really wanting to try the Irish Nachos they had on their appetizer menu. I checked online ahead of time to see if there was a special/limited menu for the day, didn't see anything. I actually CALLED the restaurant and whoever I spoke to said it should be the same. Well, it ended up being a limited menu. Oh well. We also had issues with our food that never got resolved and the waitstaff was acting unnecessarily busy. I would say it was busy but there were three waitstaff chilling at the hostess booth at any given time. After our poor experience I contacted the management with my thoughts through the website, which said I would hear back. Never did.
(1)
Valerie W.
Very slow service. The place was not the least bit crowded and it took around 25 minutes for food to come out. Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is on par. It's really too bad the service is so slow. Perhaps need new kitchen staff? The set up is cool, just like the main Kell's pub and has neat closed door booth seating. Came in on a Sunday for late lunch and was able to catch the football game. The menu is small but seemingly decent options. Prices are too high for what you get in my opinion. Ordered the Cod & Chips ($10.50) and I was disappointed to see 3 small greasy fish pieces and some iffy fries. Fries were nothing special. The fish was so chewy I couldn't eat it. Tasted awful. Even though I wasn't super hungry I couldn't even touch my plate. The taste was bland and texture off puting. Presentation was sloppy and nothing else comes with the meal. I would not come back here for the food. A drink perhaps.
(2)
Rebecca R.
Extremely slow service. Took a while to be greeted and give a drink order. My husband had a beer, my sister and I had non alcoholic drinks. We finally placed our orders and it took well over 30 minutes to receive our food. Server said at one point said the food would out in a few minutes. It was not delivered for another 10 minutes later and only after we pulled the server aside to ask about it. No manager intervention at all. I think that they are having some growing pains but not a great start.
(1)
Justin R.
Great food and drinks. A great place to meet before Timbers or Thorns games, but plan ahead because lots of soccer fans know about this place, and make a reservation if you can. My favorite dish is the shepherd's pie, but the Curry Fries are also excellent.
(4)
Wolf L.
Once again, I had to get off the MAX. Had to, had to. Too many chuckleheads yakking on their cellphones, stepping on my feet and being generally annoying. I got off at Jeld-Wen and hoofed it up to 21st Avenue. Not really sure where I was headed. I found myself in front of Kell's Brew Pub. Wha? I've been to the Kell's on 2nd. This place looks brand-spanking new. I opened up the front door and it SMELLED brand-spanking new. Not too many folks inside, but it was 5:00 in the afternoon. I bellied my sizable belly up to the brand-spanking new bar (There was a repairman putting some kind of finishing touches on the taps or something. That's how new it is.) and ordered myself a beer. Since it's a "brew pub", I asked if they had any of their own brewed beer to try. The bartender said they didn't have any yet but they will. I got a standard Guinness instead. Washed it down with a Jameson chaser. Good happy hour menu. The basic are all there--fries, nachos, cheeseburger. Decent prices. The place consists of a big, open room with an open ceiling. Dark wood, booths around the perimeter with tables in the center. Big ol' stained glass portrait of St. Patrick. Flat screen TV--not sure how many. The bartender was friendly. The drinks were appropriate for an Irish pub and the atmosphere was to my liking. Mostly professional folks my age or thereabout. I enjoyed the libations and my visit very much. I'm only reserving that last star until I can actually sample their brew. If it's going to be a brew pub, I can't go all out with the rating until the beer has been judged. I do have high hopes, however, and will certainly return.
(4)
Lauren M.
Just going to include the email that I sent to kells trying to keep this story out of public view...now all I have to add is that the CLEARLY don't care About their customers...I should sue your negligent butts! It's been almost 4 days since this incident and I still have pain from their negligent personal bodily injury. Date: Sunday, May 4, 2014, 6:40 PM I was in your 21st location last night following the timbers match. Since the place was crowded as it usually is, the large party I was with and I sat down at and around the hearth of the fireplace. Upon sitting down I instantly slid my hand into a broken piece of glass which broke my skin, I was obviously alarmed, but work in a restaurant myself so I understand that a piece of broken glass in a populated bar isn't so out of place... I put the glass in one of our empty cups and then went to sit back with my friends at the fireplace...I sat down and scooted back RIGHT into a much larger piece of glass. The glass pierced both my jeans and very deeply into my buttocks... I put my hand in my jeans to both assess the abrasion and to remove the piece of glass, my hand was COVERED in blood. My friend and I immediately went to the restroom to see the bleeding, and it was extremely excessive. I held paper towel on the cut for a few moments to stop the bleeding, but it didn't stop for a very long time. Now, 18 or so hours later I have a 2 inch long abrasion and it is EXTREMELY painful to sit or walk. I also have a completely ruined pair of $100 jeans. I just got home from my serving shift and am really hurting. I'm extremely surprised that with your high level of staffing that somebody on your staff didn't hear a glass break (whenever that may have happened before our arrival,) and clean up the resulting glass fragments. I'm mostly shocked at how poorly your employes handled the situation. I was nothing but polite when I told your server about the glass on the hearth. Her response was "will you guys move" as her and a busser haphazardly wiped down the aforementioned area. Just wow. I'm not certain what your business has to gain from injuring and poorly treating your patrons and paying customers. I told everyone I encountered today about my traumatic experience as I'm sure my friends told others today. Displeased is to put my emotions lightly. Poorly played kells! -Lauren
(1)
Julie M.
Went here on New Years Eve with a small group of friends. Got there early so we were able to sit and listen to the band. Our server was super nice. Ordered car bombs. $9 and not very strong. I would give 5 stars for the atmosphere but probably 2.5 for the drinks.
(4)
Annie C.
I recently planned and hosted a networking event at Kells Brew Pub in NW - the staff was wonderful to work with, especially on a short notice. They were very accommodating and flexible. This is a great place to have a small semi-private meeting, event, or party. Very low key and comfortable.
(4)
Carson K.
Had breakfast here with my wife a couple weeks ago. It was quiet and peaceful. The atmosphere was okay but I like the downtown Kell's better. The temperature was a little on the chilly side. The food was very good and the service was fine. I would like to check it out at a different time of day to get a better educated opinion.
(4)
Rob A.
Best pour of guiness I've ever had!
(5)
Niall M.
Went in on Saturday morning recently to watch some English Premier league soccer - the Irish breakfast is amazing. Real Irish-style bacon, potato-bread, soda-bread, good sausage, perfectly fried eggs and fried tomato. Oh and HP sauce, tasty. I've not seen potato bread included in the breakfast at any other Irish establishment in the US (and I've tried a few).
(5)
Marques G.
First I should mention that even though it's called Kells Brew Pub and their menu lists a Kells house brew, they don't actually have any of their own beers (they did say that they would in the future). No problem getting seated. It wasn't too busy even at 7pm on a Friday. Lots of beers on tap, even though their menus only list Guiness and the unobtanium Kells House Brew. Food was just ok. Service was really slow. I ordered a beer when my food arrived and it didn't make it to my table until I was almost done eating! The waitress was nice though. The inside doesn't have the Irish feel of the place downtown, but it's new and modern. WiFi doesn't work unless you're in the back of the restaurant. Nothing spectacular. Will try Blitz across the street next time.
(2)
Damon R.
Their Irish Pale Ale was interesting
(3)
Erich S.
The owner/manager is a cool guy and will come talk to you. Drinks are great, food is awesome, wait staff is top-notch. This is the spot to hit up before Timbers games.
(5)
Marie Y.
The ambiance here is usually loud, lively, and welcoming. Grab a whiskey and head downstairs to the cigar room. Being under the main floor with a cigar in one hand while listening to the Irish music and jovial revelry going on upstairs is a great way to end a night out.
(4)
T M.
We had a surprise party here for my husband and our experience was fantastic. There were about 40 people and it was no-host. The servers did an OUTSTANDING job taking care of everyone - food orders, drink orders, individual bills, etc. We had tables reserved ahead of time in that area right across from the actual bar. It was the perfect setting and the restaurant couldn't have been more accommodating. We didn't eat food - because we went out to dinner ahead of time while the surprise party'ers were gathering - but everyone said their food was excellent. It's quite a varied menu. After 10:30 p.m. the crowd thickened and the music got really loud. Too loud for our aging ears, but this place has become quite the hangout place for those that like loud music!! Thank you Kells!! We'll be back for more - but early enough in the evening that we can still hear!!!
(5)
Kat ..
love to new NW location and the patio that is dog friendly
(4)
Portland R.
My wife and I went in for a late lunch this afternoon. I have been anxious to try this new iteration of Kells, and this seemed like a good opportunity. I am sorry we went. When we arrived sometime after 2 PM, there were maybe four other tables with patrons. We were promptly greeted and told to sit anywhere. We were given menus, asked for drinks and given more time to order. So far, so good. Looking at the menu, it looked like it was more for dinner than lunch. There were four or five sandwiches that looked appropriate for lunch. All the sandwiches were around $10. The prices were a bit steep, but that's fine, this is Portland after all. We have great fresh food here. I don't mind paying more for fresh, good food. I ordered the Cod & Chips and my wife ordered the BLTC (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Cheddar). I asked that our fries were cooked "well done". (I have ordered fries this way in MANY establishments - it has never been a problem.) The waitress did not understand what I meant. I explained that I wanted them cooked a little longer so they would be extra crispy. She then explained that their steak fries were already crispy, and that wouldn't really be necessary. FIne. I didn't want to argue. I just wanted lunch. First my beer arrived. This was very good, a house made Irish Red. If I see it elsewhere, I'll have it again. When our food arrives, I asked our waitress for either some BBQ sauce or ranch or something for the dipping. She said she they had BBQ sauce and some kind or buttermilk dressing that was similar to ranch, and would bring that "right out". "Right Out", as I found out is a codeword meaning "10 Minutes". The food: My wife's BLTC was on cold toast, with cold bacon, mixed salad greens, tomatoes and a little melted cheddar. There was a micro splorp of mayo, but it did not make any headway against the overall dryness of the sandwich. The fries? Frozen. WTF? Come on, Kells, Really? Frozen F'ing Fries? Yes, they tossed them in the fryer and they arrived warm - but these things haven't been a potato in a long time. My Widmer battered cod was overcooked, a little tough and greasy on the bottom. (Why Widmer batter when they make their own? Not a complaint, but I don't understand.) The house tarter sauce was good, but the fish was not spectacular. After two pieces of fish and half a crappy sandwich, the BBQ and dressing arrived. Good, but a little late. My wife had given up after half of the sandwich, so I gave her my fish and I took the sandwich. My wife took a sip of my beer and her fingers were so greasy from the fish, the glass slipped out of her hands and spilled the rest of the beer, about a third of a glass on the table. The waitress showed up a moment later BUT NEVER CAME BACK WITH A TOWEL OR RAG, but did ask if I wanted to order another. We were sitting at Beer Lake. We sacrificed our napkins to make a dam to keep the pond from reaching our plates. Overall, the food was mediocre at best. I have had much better food for less money. The service was crap. If it was busy, I would cut them some slack, but it wasn't. There are some great choices in this city. This isn't one of them.
(2)
Victoria I.
Slow service. Took 15 minutes to get our drinks. Our server finally came back to take our order 30 minutes later.. Later that night, I woke up with bad abdominal pain. I had ordered the Rueben sandwich with fries. I'm sticking with the original on 2nd.
(1)
kathy m.
I have been a regular at this 21st location since it opened..I and several of my friends have loved going mid afternoon...when it isn't crowded..and have a leisurely late lunch where we can talk and feel a sense of privacy in one of their big booths....the time of day that my friends and I go is mid afternoon and because the place is empty usually, we have always sat in one of the big booths...we can talk..spread out a lot of food..lots of drinks..and this HAD become a 2-3 times a month ritual for us..however..last week upon entering I noticed all the booths doors were closed..so I asked if they were being used...I was told no..but that we could not sit in one ..I asked "why" and explained that this has been our ritual etc...the guy was kind of a dick..he clearly could care less..so bottom line is that we no longer will be going to Kells....I would think that a place that was trying to get more daytime business would treat a regular customer better..and I might add that I am a notoriously BIG tipper..I love going out..and taking a group of people with me..usually I pick up the check....and we don't dine on the cheap..so sorry for us..because I liked Kells..and have no complaints with the food..however service has always been slow...yet we never complained because we were happy as clams in our booth..the other tables are not comfortable and I would love to know why ..when the booths are unoccupied and the place is empty..that you would deny people who are prepared to spend some money to sit there...not smart in my opinion..but bye bye Kells...I'll miss you! I am editing my previous review , because I received a note from Garrett McAleese, the manager, apologizing for the incident regarding sitting in the large booths when they were not busy...I very much appreciated his response..and I am excited to be going back to Kells now that I'm over my little snit! I have always liked the food and drinks and especially that it is open mid afternoon when it is convenient for me and some of my friends who have differing work schedules....so I am happy to once again have Kells on my "fun place to go" list!!
(4)
Charlene P.
Went there for the first time last month on a slow sunday and it took 15 minutes after we sat down to even take a drink order.
(1)
Jed S.
Stupidly over priced drinks and larger ego bartenders. Also, no AC. Yelp won't let me give 1 star...
(3)
Lindsey C.
My husband and I tried this Kells out for the first time a few weeks ago looking for a place for my birthday. We sat at the bar for a beer and the bartender (Nolan) was extremely friendly and helpful in answering our questions about the beers and food. After trying a few other places out that night we decided to go with Kells because of their remarkable customer service. They were seriously the friendliest customer service I've ever had. They booked us easily and were very friendly in planning my event. Last night we went back there for my birthday with a group of 17 people. They reserved a large table for us and again were AMAZING! I cannot speak highly enough about how great Nolan and Garrett were. They were both extremely helpful and friendly to our large group. They constantly were helping our server to make sure our orders were taken quickly and drinks and food were brought out in a timely manner. The food was amazing as were all the drinks. Everyone agreed it was one of the best experiences we've ever had at a pub and the best customer service! Thank you Nolan and Garrett for starting my birthday off so great!! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Fergal D.
I always feel immediately welcome when myself or my family walks through the door. The 'Brew' really does practice family friendly unlike many others who advertise as such. Great staff are always very friendly, always welcome you back. I'm a regular Saturday morning breakfast goer and the Irish breakfast with the great sausage and proper Irish bacon is always a treat...not to mention the potato bread which is something you seldom, if ever get in any other Irish pub in the US, a real taste of Ireland. My daughter expects to be there on a Saturday morning to watch the soccer and kiss the St. Patrick stain glass window. A lovely ambience, not in the least contrived like so many other bars. This is not an Irish themed bar, this is a proper Irish Pub! The addition of Kells brewed beer is a bonus and the offerings get better and stronger all the time.
(5)
Martin C.
I visited Kell's Brewpub at 7pm on a Saturday in late June as part of a group of 14. We had a reserved table at the back of the pub, away from the noise of the main room. The food was excellent, and I was very impressed that two vegetarian options were so good. The veggie pasty is highly recommended. Service was excellent, with very prompt beer refills. My only two complains would be lack of parking (which is true of any establishment in this neighborhood) and lack of their own beers. They have been open for a while now, and to not have their own beers available in a supposed brewpub is a little lame. Hopefully when I next visit, I will be able to sample their beers and bump this up to a five star rating.
(4)
Kelly J.
Spicy and lemony Kells Bloody Mary. Corned beef hash was tasty too. Great Sunday brunch!
(4)
T M.
My family and I really had a great experience here recently. We decided to try the sausages and curry sauce to see really how "Irish or Orish" this place was :). I'm happy to report we found the place to be welcoming and the meal was tasty! I'm from Dublin and I really appreciate the taste of the sausages honestly they are the closest to the real thing I've tasted so far stateside. Thank you to Phillip ( inchicore) and the manager with a northern accent for making us feel welcomed and being professional during our visit. We intend to make this a regular place to visit -it really made an excellent first impression. It also sells 3 x flavours of Tayto :-)
(5)
Leah N.
My friend and I had a late drink on a Sunday, when the place was pretty dead. The atmosphere was cozy, even there the place looks like it can seat 150 guests. Our server was friendly, and checked in often. My Irish coffee was delish. The menu was full of tasty fattening dishes, that looked worthy of pigging out on. I would stop by again and eat if I were in the area.
(4)
Shelby M.
I've come here a couple times with my husband & friends. We have really enjoyed our food each time. I am a huge lover of a good burger & fries and I think Kell's has the best burger I've had so far in Portland :) Also, they have DELICIOUS dessert! No changing table in the bathroom though...
(4)
Mark B.
Visited for brunch and it was delicious, especially the potatoes. Wanted an adult beverage, but the cost is prohibitive. Just cannot rationalize spending 9 bucks for a Bloody Mary at a bar. The water was fantastic though.
(3)
Emily S.
Amanda was the worst. I'm very forgiving with mistakes or inexperience. I have cocktails for years. But this girl was unabashedly rude. Probably will never go there again. Food is not good enough to endure such poor service.
(1)
Judy B.
Poor service in the bar. Bartender was very rude and tried to pick a fight. Will NOT recommend.
(1)
Peter G.
great happy hour everything to really good and its only 5 bucks for half of the menu there burger and wings are my favorite, and most of the time they have soccer on
(4)
Ixchel M.
Pretty nice place for being waking distance from my hotel. The Hendricks gin and tonic could have been better with less ice and served with the tonic on the side, but that's fine. It was nicely strong. I followed that with a Kells Irish Stout which was less bitter than Guinness, so yay! I've had better fish and chips, but it was passable for what it was. All together with my surprise Yelp check-in discount, it was all under $22.
(4)
Amber N.
Came in for a quick brew. The guys I was with had something to eat off the happy hour menu and I nibbled on the french fries. They were pretty good. The beer selection is what you would expect for an Irish pub in PDX. Not bad, nothing to write home about. I wasn't hungry when I was here, so I didn't even bother to see if they have vegan food (sorry!!). I could see us coming back for a beer if we are missing the land of Eire. The outside seating was nice! and the waitress was very friendly!
(3)
Tanja O.
Love the Falafel Bites! There was three. I ate one before I took the photo. I had mine with the kale salad which was a good pair. I was extra hungry and that really hit the spot. The kale salad is large and hearty and would be a good light meal on its own, but you always have the option of adding chicken or salmon. My husband ordered the falafel sliders and no complaints there. Two sliders come with fries. The fish and chips were huge! Three large pieces of fish.
(5)
J B.
First night in town for a long weekend and we made a very satisfying meal from the happy hour menu. Kells Burgers prepared to perfection with a super fresh kale salad. Their refreshing Kells IPA is loaded with flavor. Very convenient location. Excellent service.
(5)
Sara W.
Great spot! I had the kale salad with chicken and friend had bangers and mash. Both excellent. From the bar we had a strawberry lemonade and Kell's lager from their brewpub. Both awesome. Live music, lively atmosphere. Went there two days before St. Patty's day and right after Timber's game so it was pretty packed. Plan on going back to celebrate St. Patrick's day.
(5)
Dominique S.
We happened upon this spot for a late lunch/early dinner and got lucky to find it during happy hour. Much classier than a typical pub and the food fit this feel with more unique/gourmet options, but still hearty pub food. Mostly the staff was all very helpful and friendly and provided excellent service. We're glad we randomly found it!
(5)
Jenny P.
Sunny Sunday? An Old fashioned and lunch? Yes please. First off I like the seating here, lots of choices- booths, leather couches - good lighting which is huge in my book. If it was super dark in here it would just be depressing- just enough natural wood and the Italian Serie A on the tv was an authentic touch. I had the aforementioned drink and the very un-Irish kale quinoa bowl with chicken and peanut sauce - very good but the peanut sauce comes cold on the side so ask for something different if you prefer it hot. My husband had the sausage roll which he said was true to form if not better, since so many Irish/English pubs use a frozen version and he was impressed with the flaky pastry and taste. I imagine Kell's can get loud on a Timbers night but Sunday lunch time was a perfect time to visit. I've been here on grey days and the fire place, and friendly service makes it a good escape from the Portland drizzle. The pub was clean, inviting, and the service friendly and attentive. Never an empty water glass and happy to answer questions and make suggestions. Don't tell my Westie I had Jameson's. Shhhh.
(4)
Alyssa T.
Came here for the first time on a Sunday night. Awesome news is that they have happy hour all Sunday night from like 4pm on. The lager was yummy and smooth and my husband got the IPA, which he enjoyed as well. I'm vegetarian and got the falafel sliders which were awesome! Husband got the happy hour burger and the sausage roll. Two drinks a piece and more than enough food only cost us $33. Such a steal for awesome drinks and food. Great customer service also.
(5)
Beck C.
Their Irish Stout was by far the best stout I ever tried! I don't think they have happy hour menu, but we got to try most of their appetizers. The meatballs were delicious! I felt like there's a party in my mouth. A must try is their sweet potato fries! I think I finished 3 plates of the fries! :)
(5)
John C.
I continue to be so impressed with every aspect of this Kells. From the fantastic service and great crew there, to their own beers, wide range of cocktails, whiskeys, and the food is well done with newer items on the menu. They create a place you want to spend time at with friendly sincere service. Highly recommended when in the area or make time to visit.
(5)
Jerry M.
If a person was just to imagine what an Irish pub would look like, it would probably look just like the inside of Kell's Brew Pub. Lots of dark wood and sort of a "masculine" atmosphere. Cool looking place. The food is just OK. I had Shepard's Pie which was pretty tasty. The Skillet Baked Fingerling Potatoes were a bit disappointing though. Potatoes that are described as "baked" should have crispy skin and the "skillet" should have browned them a little bit. These just had the texture of boiled potatoes. I would probably come back here to try some of their happy hour items though. . .I saw some people around us who had a sausage roll and some meatballs, which looked good.
(3)
Robert G.
They say you learn something new every day. On New Year's Day, I learned that Kell's Irish Pub was closed. I thought there was only one Kell's, about a block over from and south of Voodoo Doughnuts. However, a sign placed on the door directed me to Kell's Brew Pub on NW 21st. So, in addition to a pit stop at Powell's, I stopped in at Kell's Brew Pub in the Alphabet District beforehand. I have only been to Kell's (SW 2nd) intermittently with some friends during happy hour, watching them get sloshed, while I went on the cheap, both in terms of my drinks and happy hour food. I got to this place and it's in a nice enough area, with less fru fru factor than NW 23rd itself. Then, I found the LAST parking spot in the place and the Oregon/Florida State game was on. Free parking? In the Alphabet District? Score. With a bland taste palette, I assumed I'd like Irish food. This would imply stuff like corned beef and shepherd's pie. Heck, I like British food, so why wouldn't I like Irish food? I ordered the corned beef sandwich and fries from their menu along with a cup of coffee. The service was really quick, the dude waiting on me was laid back, he made sure I got a bread other than rye bread (nasty stuff) on my Reuben, the prices were what you'd expect for this genre and location, and the food was good enough. My only complaint was that the portion wasn't substantial and I was still a little hungry upon leaving. Remember, portion control means cost control means paying the rent in the Alphabet District. The place is exactly what you'd expect. It looks like an Irish pub, there is a lot of dark wood throughout, there is a nice stone fireplace, and good God, there is even a stained glass rendition of St. Patrick. I found this funny. If anyone looks at modern Europe today, the Irish are no longer going to church the way they used to and are much more libertine-like, though not quite like the Spaniards, so all these things are more tradition than anything else, sort of like coloring the Chicago River green on March 17. In the end, I can't give it a "high 5" but I can give it a high 3, though not one that rounds up to 4. There wasn't enough corned beef in my sandwich and it was gone quickly. On top of that, it tasted good but not great. I could go back to (either) Kell's but I wouldn't make it a front burner priority.
(3)
Jenni L.
I stopped in here recently with a friend during Happy Hour. This location is leagues better than it's counterpart. The decor and staff are inviting, friendly, and warm, and the location is more accessible. We grabbed a booth in the nearly empty bar and ordered beers and split a burger, which was cooked perfectly. The sweet potato fries were pretty limp and we quickly abandoned them but I would still call it a win. I would definitely be open to stopping back in when I'm in the area.
(4)
Gerald K.
Kells downtown has always been my favorite Irish Pub. The new location at NW 21st has evolved into a more convenient location for me. Kells is now brewing a there own beers and the food is excellent! I still like my pint of Guinness but the KELLS stout is excellent!
(5)
Kymm E.
The bacon wrapped dates are awesome! The patio is the greatest NW spot! The Kell's lager is the best, brewed on site, award winning!
(5)
E. M.
Basic selection at the bar. Did not enjoy the fish and chips but prices were ok. Nice to sit outside and relax.
(3)
BT C.
I'm glad I don't live here because if I did, Kells would bleed me dry. This place absolutely rocked and won my girlfriend and I over almost instantly after randomly stumbling upon it. We all know how dehydrating and taxing flying can be and I needed a good beer asap before plummeting into cardiac arrest. The little lady was slipping into a Pacific Northwest hypothermia that could only be cured by something hot and potent, I am neither of those. After checking into our acommodations (a cute air bnb up Snob Hill) we headed out on foot in search of some cures. Granted, driving may have provided speedier transport to salvation, but we are responsible and knew if we found salvation, we were going to get ripped on salvation. The walk in search of a miracle elixir seemed to last forever and, just as we were both about to succumb to our ailments, we spotted Kells Brew Pub and thus, a glimpse of hope that we might yet survive. Upon entering we found a super cozy and welcoming atmosphere with ample seating room at the bar. Normally the huge, warm fireplace and pillowy sofa would have been our first choice, but given the severity of our maladies, believed the quickest path to treatment to be at the bar. One Kells IPA as well as a Kells hot chocolate later and we were perking up faster than a three peckered goat. The IPA was great and tasty, but the star of the show was the hot chocolate--holy amaze-balls! It was so good that we found ourselves going back multiple times just to indulge in more! The food was solid bar fare (we stuck to normal cheeseburger type stuff) and the breakfast rocked. Oh, did I mention out of all the places we had them, Kells bloody mary was by far the best? Best bloody and best spiked hot chocolate with a great breakfast menu, now you know what you need to do next time you're searching for a little help and salvation.
(4)
Audrey G.
Really really enjoyed the booths. The portion size for the steaks as perfect too not too much but just enough. My folkes split an order of fish and chips and that was huge!!! Definitely enough for two people of two meals!! My dad really enjoyed his beer that he got and he isn't much of a beer drinker. Will definitely be back!!
(5)
Kalub H.
This place was fantastic! The food was great! They have these awesome little private booths that are huge. you could fit probably 10 people in a booth and there are pillows! I went hungover, but it was still awesome, so that's saying something. Service was great also, very knowledgeable staff. There also seems to be quite a few Tv's, so great place to catch the game. I would defiantly be okay coming here again. A+ guys! Thanks!
(5)
Anna R.
What a gorgeous bar! I came here for the first time the other night and it was a ton of fun! I like that they have a mix of both their own beers and some others. I didn't eat but my friends had the fish and chips and said they were great! I had 3 beers and it clocked in around $23. A little spendy for me but it was worth it! I will be back.
(4)
Erin F.
If you like the atmosphere & food of Kell's without the craziness of their location on 2nd Street than the Brew Pub is for you. Very accommodating if you have a child in your party.
(5)
Norris P.
Six of us came to check out the place before a large post-wedding party reserved at the end of the month, 50-70 guests from out of town. Great location and classic Irish pub with good sports coverage on TV. But...eventually had to ask the waiter to take our drink orders (beer was good but had to send the wine back as it was either big-jug wine or flat), waited about 25 minutes and finally flagged him down to take our food order. Food was okay but not worth a return trip, and after waiting another 30 minutes had to ask again for our check. The table next to us, 4 people, sent one of their meals back. Waiters and cooks need training. But, sorry to say we're looking elsewhere for our party.
(2)
natalie z.
After many google and yelp searches, technology guided us to Kell's to accommodate our potato needs. We ordered two different forms of potatoes to really get an appropriate sense of their potato abilities. We went with the traditional mashed potato and a more unique dish titled, Irish Nachos. The mashed potatoes tasted as if a little Irish angel stomped on our potatoes and added the perfect amounts of mixins. They were decadent and comforting all at the same time. The nachos were like magic carpets with olives, tomatoes, and green onions as passengers. They sailed into our mouths and coasted into our bellies. To say the least, we were satisfied. They left our mouths impregnated by the wonder and magic of potatoes. Kell's, you are the father.
(5)
Rylie W.
Kells has become my local bar. Time after time the food is great, and the conversation at the bar is stellar and full of fun. I've tried going to other bars in the area and I haven't found one that can beat out this wonderful Irish bar. If you are going please try the Irish curry! Get a side of it with your fries or get the plate with all the fixins. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Dana B.
Delicious food and great award winning hand crafted beer !!! The service is amazing.. The ambiance is authentic !!
(5)
Mike B.
Nice venue, quaint, comfortable atmosphere, great food!! I'd definitely go again
(5)
Alexis O.
Ambiance is the only reason you get a star from me. Bad service and a shitty kale salad. How can you do a kale salad shitty?! It tasted like it came right out of a plastic bag! Not massaged or fresh at all. Out of sweet potato fries which was the only reason I came. Boo boo boo. Waiter was messing up on everything including leaving me here in the corner instead of giving me my bill so I could write an angry yelp review. No more chains
(1)
Jack D.
The Kells Lager is so delicious! Original, crisp and refreshing!
(5)
Jared A.
Came in right before the last Thorns game. We didn't have to wait to get a seat and the waitstaff was great. Ordered probably one of the best Bloody Mary's in town. Corn beef was tasty and filing. Great way to start a Sunday!
(4)
Michelle G.
Came here this morning to watch the FIFA World Cup game. I had a bloody mary's, spicy, that was really good! The staff was friendly, and VERY accommodating to the large crowd. They had 3 large screens that I could see, I think there might have been more. Everyone had a good time and it was fun seeing the game there! I will for sure come back here again! Thanks for opening the doors this morning!!!
(4)
Keith B.
Wow. These folks pour the smallest, weakest drink and think that people are too stupid to notice. They also serve people until they're obliterated. Don't. Waste. Your. Money.
(1)
Sudipto G.
Good place to watch football (the real one not NFL). Had gone there to watch the Costa Rica vs Greece match.. atmosphere was decent, I had the shepherd's pie and Irish Coffee.. both were good though I've had better in Ireland.
(4)
Steph W.
Great for Breakfast/Brunch! I really enjoy their Irish Farmhouse breakfast with a mimosa on weekends (they even have a bottomless mimosa option too, yay!). The service is always with a smile and very attentive. They also play the premier league (and other soccer leagues) games on the TVs. They also have a small parking lot for customers too! Practically unheard of in NW. I can't wait for the weather to get nicer so I can enjoy their patio and outdoor tables. Really good place for groups, too. :)
(5)
Nicole S.
First time here since I'm on vacation. I ordered the Kells Irish Red and the Whiskey wings. Both the beer and wings arrived promptly. The beer is delicious and exactly what you'd expect of a Red Ale. The wings or rather chicken strips were lightly cooked but not crispy. It's ok sometimes I like that. The flavor is good but generic and reminds me of a super market bbq bottle flavoring. I also ordered the shepherds pie feeling the fat kid me wanting to break out and I must say this is a great dish. I recommend this many times over. Especially on a cold rainy day. Hope this was helpful. Cheers!
(3)
Heather S.
I love the enclosed booths at Kell's. My friends and I typically go here before a Timbers or Thorns game and enjoy some whiskey, beer or wine. the food is pretty good. Typical pub food. I love the atmosphere and the other day they played bagpipes. Great location!
(4)
Marissa T.
I come here pretty regularly after work on Fridays!!! Love the super convenient location and the designated parking!!!! The service is always right on. The interior is also beautiful and amazing with intricate detail and flat out PRETTY!!! I'm such a girl! I'm sure the guys would have a more manly description. My drink of choice is always GUINNESS!!! Cold Yummy and did I say YUMMY?! I've had the Shepherds pie and Burger. The potatoes on the pie should be a little thicker and stiffer, I believe. The burger is pretty bland and generic. Both need more flare to be in the same category of location, service etc. My friends have ordered the fries and have reported them to be great!!! Maybe I'll stick with Fries and GUINNESS. I'll be back!!
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes
Dan N.
I came in yesterday with my lady friend... atmosphere upon entering is very relaxed...what you would expect for a cloudy Sunday mid-morning, but seldom find. I was overjoyed (slight exaggeration) that they still had breakfast. The breakfast menu only had about 6 options, which I like, not a huge fan of a menu that has so many items you find it hard to choose. Additionally, I prefer a restaurant that does a few things well rather than a lot of things poorly. I was torn between a more traditional menu of Irish fare...bangers (which i have never had, but heard of many times), cooked tomatoes and soda bread, and a more American plate of potatoes, eggs, bacon, and Irish toast. Lucky for me (no, really i am so lucky) my lady friend was torn between the same two... Logic quickly dictated we get both and split..I do so love it when a plan comes together. Waitress was friendly and always there, but not in a chatty annoying way. Breakfast came in about 20 minutes, which was great as my lady friend is very easy on the eyes and i was in no hurry to divert my eyes from her to the food (tiny bit smitten). The food presentation was great, simple and attractive on square plates, ya im a sucker for square plates. I split the plates (i recently recieved an ethics lesson from my grandma and was instructed i must do this), the waitress was extremely accommodating in giving us extra plates. Now about the food presentation (if your still reading), the aforementioned bangers were a little disappointing to me...not really my thing. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and moist, very good, soda bread was crisp and toasty warm, probably because it was, in fact, toasted. The bacon was delicious, the rashers were little disappointing, to tough for my taste and i had to spit some out ( yes i created a diversion for my lady friend so she would not have to see this) but in truth i have never had rashers before so maybe this is normal? Well, to wrap this up, the ambience was excellent for a quiet breakfast, the staff friendly, prices were great, service quick and the food was good. If you are in the mood for a good place to eat a leisurely weekend breakfast, this is a good choice.
(3)Jessica W.
I was in town for the weekend to visit my sister for her college graduation with my family. We came here every day (at one point or another) and had a great time with each visit. It's exactly what you expect from an Irish pub -- within reason, of course (keep in mind there is not an overwhelming Irish population in Portland, OR). Their Irish nachos are one of my new favorite bar snacks and the drink prices are relatively reasonable. They've got TVs all over the place, a nice little stage off to the side, and awesome private booths (we were able to fit 11 people pretty comfortably). Overall, Kells is a winner -- nothing extraordinary, but a great spot to hang out, watch a game, and throw back a few brews without breaking the bank.
(4)Nicholas T.
There is a wall of whiskey. I am a fan by virtue of this fact alone.
(5)Martha R.
When you're gonna go on a drinking binge for an entire Sunday, you've gotta make time to stop in for an Irish coffee at Kells. Add to that a delicious warm brownie with ice cream and chocolate sauce, and you've got a major hit. The waitress was super fun and had remembered my sister and other friend from the day before. I LOVE when wait staff remembers you - it's so much more welcoming and fun. While I enjoyed the Irish coffee and dessert, it's really the awesome welcome we received that makes this place even more spectacular. Great spot to get your fun on in Portland!
(4)Brandon T.
I reluctantly write this review because we normally have the best time here. We come here after the Timbers games to get some beer and dinner. Kells has one of the best appetizers in town, the Sausage Roll. It is heavenly. Comes with an awesome brown gravy and we literally ate three of them. But thats where the good part ends. So we are seated in a booth and waited for 5 or 10 minutes to see a server which is pretty standard for this place on nights after Timbers games. Thats when Breelyn comes by. No greeting... No Hi How are you, No hows your night, Instead she leads with What do you want? The problem was nobody was given menus... so sorry i have no clue what i want. I asked her about the whiskey selection which she literally knew nothing about... So i just got a jameson on the rocks. Thrown off by her terrible first impression we decided to not have dinner here tonight, kinda hard to order when we never got menus... and even after she realized we didn't have menus she never offered to bring them. But wait it gets better. She brings us the bill without even asking if we want something else... My father was in town from Wyoming and we would have loved a second round and stayed to listen to the band a while but apparently that wasn't in the cards for us on this occasion. Of coarse we will return to kells and enjoy drinks and sausage rolls again, I just felt it was necessary to warn people about breelyn. I worked in the service industry for 12 years and have never experienced service so atrocious.
(2)Lolly P.
Thanks Kells...as I was drinking your delicious beer before the Timbers game I realized I left my game ticket at home. (eek!) I asked one of the very nice employees if there was a chance I could print my ticket in their office (via email)...and he said 'Sure, If I was in your situation I would hope someone would do it for me.' (he wouldn't even take any money for it.) I really appreciated the great customer service...you saved the night. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Cheers!
(5)Andrea J.
The service is fantastic. Super friendly and they really know how to describe their brews. I've been to authentic Irish Pubs and the atmosphere at Kells can only be described as authentic and completely comfortable. If you are looking good for a casual place to grab a brew/cider, I recommend checking this pub out.
(5)Sarah D.
I love coming to Kells! They always make a great drink and their food is delicious! I usually get the shepherds pie but ventured out this time and got their sausage roll, boneless buffalo wings and nachos (sharing with my party) and it was all very good. Their bartenders have always been friendly and love the live music (not sure what nights they do live music on but always seems to be there when I go :))
(5)James J.
I like Kells Brew Pub quite a lot, and I've never been disappointed. Their house beers are solid, and they have a few others on tap too in case you need some variety. I've rather enjoyed everything I've tried on the menu. The fish & chip and the veggie pasty are my favorites. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. On nice days, there's usually outside seating to be had. It's a great place to go before a home or away Timbers match.
(4)Patti F.
This is different than the Kells downtown; and it was a nice change. Don't get me wrong, the SW Kells has its merits; but this is a NW version of the same. The menu looks decent, there's live music on Thursday - Saturday evenings. Their own red ale tastes surprisingly like Smithwick's - and I'm told that's because they use the same hops. There IS a teeny tiny parking lot but it's only for about 10 cars - maybe you'll get lucky.
(3)Andrew S.
Let me start off the positives. The interior of the restaurant is very nice and the beer was surprisingly good. I was at the restaurant last weekend and they had a band that was covering mostly DMB and John Mayer songs. It was a good atmosphere. I was celebrating a friend's birthday and I had bought six shots of Fireball on top of some pints. I'm not sure if this is standard these days, but we were charged $7 for each shot. Of Fireball! That was surprising, but hey, maybe that's the norm today. I don't order shots too often. What wasn't fine was that I had only ordered 6 shots and there were 7 on our bill. I told our server that this was a mistake and he told me that I would have to find someone else from our group to pay for the extra shot, otherwise he couldn't take it off the bill. I understand you've got to make sure the bar gets paid, but I know for a fact I only ordered 6 shots. I didn't think it was fair to put this burden on me as well. The server's attitude when I was cashing out really rubbed me the wrong way. I know groups aren't easy to deal with, but I know what I ordered. Maybe it was just an off night, but I don't think I'll be back after this last visit.
(2)Myra F.
A cup of delicious hot lamb stew with 2 wonderful pieces of soda bread! A perfect light meal at a great price. Next day, however, breakfast, although delicious, was ice cold. 3 meals cold. How can they do that? The food was homemade and wonderful, but cold?
(4)Brittanie M.
Being a huge fan of the downtown Kells, I was stoked about another location in a cool area. After finally giving it a try, I'm sad to say I wasn't impressed. The space is great, but that doesn't matter so much when it's completely EMPTY! Granted it was a Sunday evening, but still walking in and being the only customers was kind of a bad sign. Anyway, my friend and I ordered our usual, Irish nachos. Despite being starving and easy to please, the nachos were terrible. Hardly any toppings, crusted over, burnt cheese, and overall terrible presentation. Maybe it was a fluke, maybe they forget the nachos and left them in just a tad too long. Service was great, I'll give it another try when I'm not starving. Okay, one more thing. I couldn't quite tell if the menu was the same or a tad different but for what I always order, the prices were a bit more expensive than the other location. I can understand that given new location obviously, but my tiff is that the quality was so much worse!
(2)Chris S.
Good, consistent food and friendly service. A great place to grab a bite with a friend or to watch a game over a pint and the breakfast is worth having - a well kept secret as far as breakfast goes in NW!
(4)Tristan T.
Meh. Our server couldn't name the portion size of the fish and chips, which was a little disappointing, particularly when served in clearly generic frozen sysco fries without salt or seasoning. I asked for hp brown sauce, but wound up with HP Steak sauce. Meh, I felt kells wasn't trying very hard.
(2)Arthur K.
This is a really good spot to have a meeting. They have private booths along the walls that give it a nice private feeling. Of course conversations can be heard outside that booth, but it's good for giving the feeling of privacy at least. I ordered the chicken curry on fries. The curry was really good. I even liked the addition of apples and dried fruit into it giving it a nice contrast in flavor. The Irish nachos were good as well and it was made even better by the home made chips. I'd give this place a higher rating but the service was sort of slow. Our server didn't really check on us that often even though the place was not very busy. When I went to the restroom I even saw some of the staff sitting at a table and just chatting. It was not a very professional image at all.
(4)Robert A.
Not what I expected at all. I have been to a few Irish Style Pubs and they have always impressed me. This one did not do such a great job.
(2)Daniel M.
They have pretty good food, but the beer needs some help. I think they need to really get their shizit together if they are going to play in nw.
(3)Kevbo H.
I love Kell's in general, but their house made beer was for the most part unremarkable. But it is decent to great Irish pub fare. I had the roasted chicken, and it was quite flavorful.
(3)Madison P.
The service here is absolutely terrible. I've had three different waitresses here over time who have all been equally bad. No smile, act annoyed when I add something to the order, don't come back to refill drinks, etc. Then they seem to perk up a little bit right when the check comes out. The outdoor seating reeks of trash because it is literally in their trash shed. The poor service here keeps me from going back. Oh and if you thought that the happy hour food portions were good for the price, as of December 2014 they have made the BLTC half the size for the same price. You get 3 french fries and a half sandwich... Enjoy.
(2)Alexis C.
Took my team there for dinner after work one night. Don't go expecting it to feel like the downtown version - definitely a more subdued vibe. Works perfectly for smaller work events / meetings. Food: was ok - not very conducive to people with allergies. Drinks: Good selection of beers and drinks Service: what it lacked in food quality it made up for in service. our waitress was excellent!
(3)Cynthia R.
Bartenders were cute and friendly. Loved the music they had going on; great overall ambiance in regards to decor/style. I was there pretty early on a Wednesday, so not sure how this place gets on weekends, nights, or during games. Got the Kell's Irish Stout. Very comparable to Guinness, which I was told was their goal with this beer. It was drinkable and smooth. Pretty good deal for happy hour (two beers and huge plate of fries for $10). Not a huge menu, but I would go back to try the kale salad and truffle fries (too bad neither are on the happy hour menu). Good thing this place is within a few blocks from my apartment.
(4)Kevin K.
It's another Kells... What is there to say? If you follow my check-ins, you'll see that I've been there several times in the last few months. It's a fairly neutral spot to meet up with a larger group of friends before splitting off into smaller cliques. I will say that the staff here is easy on the eyes; a gregarious group of young folks in matching (and fitted) uniforms. That's a nice touch.
(3)Renee L.
Had a terrible experience here last St. Patrick's Day, finally writing my review. We live in the neighborhood and hadn't been here yet, decided to check it out for lunch post Shamrock Run 15K. We knew it would be busy since it was St. Patrick's Day. We got there and the Parking lot had been tented off, with more seating inside. We put our names in and proceeded to wait. We never mind waiting as long as things seem to be moving along, attentive waitstaff and whatnot. We first got say in the tent but it was hot, noisy, and frankly we just wanted the vibe of the restaurant and the Irish band inside. We quickly asked if we could pass our table to someone else and wait for an indoor table. Over 60 minutes later we were seated at a great table. We ordered Irish coffees. They came served in little paper coffee cups, with some sad excuse for whipped cream and a wooden stir stick sort of floating on top. Looked like they'd been made earlier that day in a mass batch. We quickly noticed the cups were actually leaking out the seams, which usually only happens when you've had coffee in them for awhile. So we tell the waitress when she finally comes by. She just brings us a second paper cup to double cup them. Now, I can see using paper cups in the tent outside, but in the restaurant? The restaurant wasn't overcrowded or anything. For $10 a drink, I would hope for more. Before going I was really wanting to try the Irish Nachos they had on their appetizer menu. I checked online ahead of time to see if there was a special/limited menu for the day, didn't see anything. I actually CALLED the restaurant and whoever I spoke to said it should be the same. Well, it ended up being a limited menu. Oh well. We also had issues with our food that never got resolved and the waitstaff was acting unnecessarily busy. I would say it was busy but there were three waitstaff chilling at the hostess booth at any given time. After our poor experience I contacted the management with my thoughts through the website, which said I would hear back. Never did.
(1)Valerie W.
Very slow service. The place was not the least bit crowded and it took around 25 minutes for food to come out. Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is on par. It's really too bad the service is so slow. Perhaps need new kitchen staff? The set up is cool, just like the main Kell's pub and has neat closed door booth seating. Came in on a Sunday for late lunch and was able to catch the football game. The menu is small but seemingly decent options. Prices are too high for what you get in my opinion. Ordered the Cod & Chips ($10.50) and I was disappointed to see 3 small greasy fish pieces and some iffy fries. Fries were nothing special. The fish was so chewy I couldn't eat it. Tasted awful. Even though I wasn't super hungry I couldn't even touch my plate. The taste was bland and texture off puting. Presentation was sloppy and nothing else comes with the meal. I would not come back here for the food. A drink perhaps.
(2)Rebecca R.
Extremely slow service. Took a while to be greeted and give a drink order. My husband had a beer, my sister and I had non alcoholic drinks. We finally placed our orders and it took well over 30 minutes to receive our food. Server said at one point said the food would out in a few minutes. It was not delivered for another 10 minutes later and only after we pulled the server aside to ask about it. No manager intervention at all. I think that they are having some growing pains but not a great start.
(1)Justin R.
Great food and drinks. A great place to meet before Timbers or Thorns games, but plan ahead because lots of soccer fans know about this place, and make a reservation if you can. My favorite dish is the shepherd's pie, but the Curry Fries are also excellent.
(4)Wolf L.
Once again, I had to get off the MAX. Had to, had to. Too many chuckleheads yakking on their cellphones, stepping on my feet and being generally annoying. I got off at Jeld-Wen and hoofed it up to 21st Avenue. Not really sure where I was headed. I found myself in front of Kell's Brew Pub. Wha? I've been to the Kell's on 2nd. This place looks brand-spanking new. I opened up the front door and it SMELLED brand-spanking new. Not too many folks inside, but it was 5:00 in the afternoon. I bellied my sizable belly up to the brand-spanking new bar (There was a repairman putting some kind of finishing touches on the taps or something. That's how new it is.) and ordered myself a beer. Since it's a "brew pub", I asked if they had any of their own brewed beer to try. The bartender said they didn't have any yet but they will. I got a standard Guinness instead. Washed it down with a Jameson chaser. Good happy hour menu. The basic are all there--fries, nachos, cheeseburger. Decent prices. The place consists of a big, open room with an open ceiling. Dark wood, booths around the perimeter with tables in the center. Big ol' stained glass portrait of St. Patrick. Flat screen TV--not sure how many. The bartender was friendly. The drinks were appropriate for an Irish pub and the atmosphere was to my liking. Mostly professional folks my age or thereabout. I enjoyed the libations and my visit very much. I'm only reserving that last star until I can actually sample their brew. If it's going to be a brew pub, I can't go all out with the rating until the beer has been judged. I do have high hopes, however, and will certainly return.
(4)Lauren M.
Just going to include the email that I sent to kells trying to keep this story out of public view...now all I have to add is that the CLEARLY don't care About their customers...I should sue your negligent butts! It's been almost 4 days since this incident and I still have pain from their negligent personal bodily injury. Date: Sunday, May 4, 2014, 6:40 PM I was in your 21st location last night following the timbers match. Since the place was crowded as it usually is, the large party I was with and I sat down at and around the hearth of the fireplace. Upon sitting down I instantly slid my hand into a broken piece of glass which broke my skin, I was obviously alarmed, but work in a restaurant myself so I understand that a piece of broken glass in a populated bar isn't so out of place... I put the glass in one of our empty cups and then went to sit back with my friends at the fireplace...I sat down and scooted back RIGHT into a much larger piece of glass. The glass pierced both my jeans and very deeply into my buttocks... I put my hand in my jeans to both assess the abrasion and to remove the piece of glass, my hand was COVERED in blood. My friend and I immediately went to the restroom to see the bleeding, and it was extremely excessive. I held paper towel on the cut for a few moments to stop the bleeding, but it didn't stop for a very long time. Now, 18 or so hours later I have a 2 inch long abrasion and it is EXTREMELY painful to sit or walk. I also have a completely ruined pair of $100 jeans. I just got home from my serving shift and am really hurting. I'm extremely surprised that with your high level of staffing that somebody on your staff didn't hear a glass break (whenever that may have happened before our arrival,) and clean up the resulting glass fragments. I'm mostly shocked at how poorly your employes handled the situation. I was nothing but polite when I told your server about the glass on the hearth. Her response was "will you guys move" as her and a busser haphazardly wiped down the aforementioned area. Just wow. I'm not certain what your business has to gain from injuring and poorly treating your patrons and paying customers. I told everyone I encountered today about my traumatic experience as I'm sure my friends told others today. Displeased is to put my emotions lightly. Poorly played kells! -Lauren
(1)Julie M.
Went here on New Years Eve with a small group of friends. Got there early so we were able to sit and listen to the band. Our server was super nice. Ordered car bombs. $9 and not very strong. I would give 5 stars for the atmosphere but probably 2.5 for the drinks.
(4)Annie C.
I recently planned and hosted a networking event at Kells Brew Pub in NW - the staff was wonderful to work with, especially on a short notice. They were very accommodating and flexible. This is a great place to have a small semi-private meeting, event, or party. Very low key and comfortable.
(4)Carson K.
Had breakfast here with my wife a couple weeks ago. It was quiet and peaceful. The atmosphere was okay but I like the downtown Kell's better. The temperature was a little on the chilly side. The food was very good and the service was fine. I would like to check it out at a different time of day to get a better educated opinion.
(4)Rob A.
Best pour of guiness I've ever had!
(5)Niall M.
Went in on Saturday morning recently to watch some English Premier league soccer - the Irish breakfast is amazing. Real Irish-style bacon, potato-bread, soda-bread, good sausage, perfectly fried eggs and fried tomato. Oh and HP sauce, tasty. I've not seen potato bread included in the breakfast at any other Irish establishment in the US (and I've tried a few).
(5)Marques G.
First I should mention that even though it's called Kells Brew Pub and their menu lists a Kells house brew, they don't actually have any of their own beers (they did say that they would in the future). No problem getting seated. It wasn't too busy even at 7pm on a Friday. Lots of beers on tap, even though their menus only list Guiness and the unobtanium Kells House Brew. Food was just ok. Service was really slow. I ordered a beer when my food arrived and it didn't make it to my table until I was almost done eating! The waitress was nice though. The inside doesn't have the Irish feel of the place downtown, but it's new and modern. WiFi doesn't work unless you're in the back of the restaurant. Nothing spectacular. Will try Blitz across the street next time.
(2)Damon R.
Their Irish Pale Ale was interesting
(3)Erich S.
The owner/manager is a cool guy and will come talk to you. Drinks are great, food is awesome, wait staff is top-notch. This is the spot to hit up before Timbers games.
(5)Marie Y.
The ambiance here is usually loud, lively, and welcoming. Grab a whiskey and head downstairs to the cigar room. Being under the main floor with a cigar in one hand while listening to the Irish music and jovial revelry going on upstairs is a great way to end a night out.
(4)T M.
We had a surprise party here for my husband and our experience was fantastic. There were about 40 people and it was no-host. The servers did an OUTSTANDING job taking care of everyone - food orders, drink orders, individual bills, etc. We had tables reserved ahead of time in that area right across from the actual bar. It was the perfect setting and the restaurant couldn't have been more accommodating. We didn't eat food - because we went out to dinner ahead of time while the surprise party'ers were gathering - but everyone said their food was excellent. It's quite a varied menu. After 10:30 p.m. the crowd thickened and the music got really loud. Too loud for our aging ears, but this place has become quite the hangout place for those that like loud music!! Thank you Kells!! We'll be back for more - but early enough in the evening that we can still hear!!!
(5)Kat ..
love to new NW location and the patio that is dog friendly
(4)Portland R.
My wife and I went in for a late lunch this afternoon. I have been anxious to try this new iteration of Kells, and this seemed like a good opportunity. I am sorry we went. When we arrived sometime after 2 PM, there were maybe four other tables with patrons. We were promptly greeted and told to sit anywhere. We were given menus, asked for drinks and given more time to order. So far, so good. Looking at the menu, it looked like it was more for dinner than lunch. There were four or five sandwiches that looked appropriate for lunch. All the sandwiches were around $10. The prices were a bit steep, but that's fine, this is Portland after all. We have great fresh food here. I don't mind paying more for fresh, good food. I ordered the Cod & Chips and my wife ordered the BLTC (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Cheddar). I asked that our fries were cooked "well done". (I have ordered fries this way in MANY establishments - it has never been a problem.) The waitress did not understand what I meant. I explained that I wanted them cooked a little longer so they would be extra crispy. She then explained that their steak fries were already crispy, and that wouldn't really be necessary. FIne. I didn't want to argue. I just wanted lunch. First my beer arrived. This was very good, a house made Irish Red. If I see it elsewhere, I'll have it again. When our food arrives, I asked our waitress for either some BBQ sauce or ranch or something for the dipping. She said she they had BBQ sauce and some kind or buttermilk dressing that was similar to ranch, and would bring that "right out". "Right Out", as I found out is a codeword meaning "10 Minutes". The food: My wife's BLTC was on cold toast, with cold bacon, mixed salad greens, tomatoes and a little melted cheddar. There was a micro splorp of mayo, but it did not make any headway against the overall dryness of the sandwich. The fries? Frozen. WTF? Come on, Kells, Really? Frozen F'ing Fries? Yes, they tossed them in the fryer and they arrived warm - but these things haven't been a potato in a long time. My Widmer battered cod was overcooked, a little tough and greasy on the bottom. (Why Widmer batter when they make their own? Not a complaint, but I don't understand.) The house tarter sauce was good, but the fish was not spectacular. After two pieces of fish and half a crappy sandwich, the BBQ and dressing arrived. Good, but a little late. My wife had given up after half of the sandwich, so I gave her my fish and I took the sandwich. My wife took a sip of my beer and her fingers were so greasy from the fish, the glass slipped out of her hands and spilled the rest of the beer, about a third of a glass on the table. The waitress showed up a moment later BUT NEVER CAME BACK WITH A TOWEL OR RAG, but did ask if I wanted to order another. We were sitting at Beer Lake. We sacrificed our napkins to make a dam to keep the pond from reaching our plates. Overall, the food was mediocre at best. I have had much better food for less money. The service was crap. If it was busy, I would cut them some slack, but it wasn't. There are some great choices in this city. This isn't one of them.
(2)Victoria I.
Slow service. Took 15 minutes to get our drinks. Our server finally came back to take our order 30 minutes later.. Later that night, I woke up with bad abdominal pain. I had ordered the Rueben sandwich with fries. I'm sticking with the original on 2nd.
(1)kathy m.
I have been a regular at this 21st location since it opened..I and several of my friends have loved going mid afternoon...when it isn't crowded..and have a leisurely late lunch where we can talk and feel a sense of privacy in one of their big booths....the time of day that my friends and I go is mid afternoon and because the place is empty usually, we have always sat in one of the big booths...we can talk..spread out a lot of food..lots of drinks..and this HAD become a 2-3 times a month ritual for us..however..last week upon entering I noticed all the booths doors were closed..so I asked if they were being used...I was told no..but that we could not sit in one ..I asked "why" and explained that this has been our ritual etc...the guy was kind of a dick..he clearly could care less..so bottom line is that we no longer will be going to Kells....I would think that a place that was trying to get more daytime business would treat a regular customer better..and I might add that I am a notoriously BIG tipper..I love going out..and taking a group of people with me..usually I pick up the check....and we don't dine on the cheap..so sorry for us..because I liked Kells..and have no complaints with the food..however service has always been slow...yet we never complained because we were happy as clams in our booth..the other tables are not comfortable and I would love to know why ..when the booths are unoccupied and the place is empty..that you would deny people who are prepared to spend some money to sit there...not smart in my opinion..but bye bye Kells...I'll miss you! I am editing my previous review , because I received a note from Garrett McAleese, the manager, apologizing for the incident regarding sitting in the large booths when they were not busy...I very much appreciated his response..and I am excited to be going back to Kells now that I'm over my little snit! I have always liked the food and drinks and especially that it is open mid afternoon when it is convenient for me and some of my friends who have differing work schedules....so I am happy to once again have Kells on my "fun place to go" list!!
(4)Charlene P.
Went there for the first time last month on a slow sunday and it took 15 minutes after we sat down to even take a drink order.
(1)Jed S.
Stupidly over priced drinks and larger ego bartenders. Also, no AC. Yelp won't let me give 1 star...
(3)Lindsey C.
My husband and I tried this Kells out for the first time a few weeks ago looking for a place for my birthday. We sat at the bar for a beer and the bartender (Nolan) was extremely friendly and helpful in answering our questions about the beers and food. After trying a few other places out that night we decided to go with Kells because of their remarkable customer service. They were seriously the friendliest customer service I've ever had. They booked us easily and were very friendly in planning my event. Last night we went back there for my birthday with a group of 17 people. They reserved a large table for us and again were AMAZING! I cannot speak highly enough about how great Nolan and Garrett were. They were both extremely helpful and friendly to our large group. They constantly were helping our server to make sure our orders were taken quickly and drinks and food were brought out in a timely manner. The food was amazing as were all the drinks. Everyone agreed it was one of the best experiences we've ever had at a pub and the best customer service! Thank you Nolan and Garrett for starting my birthday off so great!! We will definitely be back!
(5)Fergal D.
I always feel immediately welcome when myself or my family walks through the door. The 'Brew' really does practice family friendly unlike many others who advertise as such. Great staff are always very friendly, always welcome you back. I'm a regular Saturday morning breakfast goer and the Irish breakfast with the great sausage and proper Irish bacon is always a treat...not to mention the potato bread which is something you seldom, if ever get in any other Irish pub in the US, a real taste of Ireland. My daughter expects to be there on a Saturday morning to watch the soccer and kiss the St. Patrick stain glass window. A lovely ambience, not in the least contrived like so many other bars. This is not an Irish themed bar, this is a proper Irish Pub! The addition of Kells brewed beer is a bonus and the offerings get better and stronger all the time.
(5)Martin C.
I visited Kell's Brewpub at 7pm on a Saturday in late June as part of a group of 14. We had a reserved table at the back of the pub, away from the noise of the main room. The food was excellent, and I was very impressed that two vegetarian options were so good. The veggie pasty is highly recommended. Service was excellent, with very prompt beer refills. My only two complains would be lack of parking (which is true of any establishment in this neighborhood) and lack of their own beers. They have been open for a while now, and to not have their own beers available in a supposed brewpub is a little lame. Hopefully when I next visit, I will be able to sample their beers and bump this up to a five star rating.
(4)Kelly J.
Spicy and lemony Kells Bloody Mary. Corned beef hash was tasty too. Great Sunday brunch!
(4)T M.
My family and I really had a great experience here recently. We decided to try the sausages and curry sauce to see really how "Irish or Orish" this place was :). I'm happy to report we found the place to be welcoming and the meal was tasty! I'm from Dublin and I really appreciate the taste of the sausages honestly they are the closest to the real thing I've tasted so far stateside. Thank you to Phillip ( inchicore) and the manager with a northern accent for making us feel welcomed and being professional during our visit. We intend to make this a regular place to visit -it really made an excellent first impression. It also sells 3 x flavours of Tayto :-)
(5)Leah N.
My friend and I had a late drink on a Sunday, when the place was pretty dead. The atmosphere was cozy, even there the place looks like it can seat 150 guests. Our server was friendly, and checked in often. My Irish coffee was delish. The menu was full of tasty fattening dishes, that looked worthy of pigging out on. I would stop by again and eat if I were in the area.
(4)Shelby M.
I've come here a couple times with my husband & friends. We have really enjoyed our food each time. I am a huge lover of a good burger & fries and I think Kell's has the best burger I've had so far in Portland :) Also, they have DELICIOUS dessert! No changing table in the bathroom though...
(4)Mark B.
Visited for brunch and it was delicious, especially the potatoes. Wanted an adult beverage, but the cost is prohibitive. Just cannot rationalize spending 9 bucks for a Bloody Mary at a bar. The water was fantastic though.
(3)Emily S.
Amanda was the worst. I'm very forgiving with mistakes or inexperience. I have cocktails for years. But this girl was unabashedly rude. Probably will never go there again. Food is not good enough to endure such poor service.
(1)Judy B.
Poor service in the bar. Bartender was very rude and tried to pick a fight. Will NOT recommend.
(1)Peter G.
great happy hour everything to really good and its only 5 bucks for half of the menu there burger and wings are my favorite, and most of the time they have soccer on
(4)Ixchel M.
Pretty nice place for being waking distance from my hotel. The Hendricks gin and tonic could have been better with less ice and served with the tonic on the side, but that's fine. It was nicely strong. I followed that with a Kells Irish Stout which was less bitter than Guinness, so yay! I've had better fish and chips, but it was passable for what it was. All together with my surprise Yelp check-in discount, it was all under $22.
(4)Amber N.
Came in for a quick brew. The guys I was with had something to eat off the happy hour menu and I nibbled on the french fries. They were pretty good. The beer selection is what you would expect for an Irish pub in PDX. Not bad, nothing to write home about. I wasn't hungry when I was here, so I didn't even bother to see if they have vegan food (sorry!!). I could see us coming back for a beer if we are missing the land of Eire. The outside seating was nice! and the waitress was very friendly!
(3)Tanja O.
Love the Falafel Bites! There was three. I ate one before I took the photo. I had mine with the kale salad which was a good pair. I was extra hungry and that really hit the spot. The kale salad is large and hearty and would be a good light meal on its own, but you always have the option of adding chicken or salmon. My husband ordered the falafel sliders and no complaints there. Two sliders come with fries. The fish and chips were huge! Three large pieces of fish.
(5)J B.
First night in town for a long weekend and we made a very satisfying meal from the happy hour menu. Kells Burgers prepared to perfection with a super fresh kale salad. Their refreshing Kells IPA is loaded with flavor. Very convenient location. Excellent service.
(5)Sara W.
Great spot! I had the kale salad with chicken and friend had bangers and mash. Both excellent. From the bar we had a strawberry lemonade and Kell's lager from their brewpub. Both awesome. Live music, lively atmosphere. Went there two days before St. Patty's day and right after Timber's game so it was pretty packed. Plan on going back to celebrate St. Patrick's day.
(5)Dominique S.
We happened upon this spot for a late lunch/early dinner and got lucky to find it during happy hour. Much classier than a typical pub and the food fit this feel with more unique/gourmet options, but still hearty pub food. Mostly the staff was all very helpful and friendly and provided excellent service. We're glad we randomly found it!
(5)Jenny P.
Sunny Sunday? An Old fashioned and lunch? Yes please. First off I like the seating here, lots of choices- booths, leather couches - good lighting which is huge in my book. If it was super dark in here it would just be depressing- just enough natural wood and the Italian Serie A on the tv was an authentic touch. I had the aforementioned drink and the very un-Irish kale quinoa bowl with chicken and peanut sauce - very good but the peanut sauce comes cold on the side so ask for something different if you prefer it hot. My husband had the sausage roll which he said was true to form if not better, since so many Irish/English pubs use a frozen version and he was impressed with the flaky pastry and taste. I imagine Kell's can get loud on a Timbers night but Sunday lunch time was a perfect time to visit. I've been here on grey days and the fire place, and friendly service makes it a good escape from the Portland drizzle. The pub was clean, inviting, and the service friendly and attentive. Never an empty water glass and happy to answer questions and make suggestions. Don't tell my Westie I had Jameson's. Shhhh.
(4)Alyssa T.
Came here for the first time on a Sunday night. Awesome news is that they have happy hour all Sunday night from like 4pm on. The lager was yummy and smooth and my husband got the IPA, which he enjoyed as well. I'm vegetarian and got the falafel sliders which were awesome! Husband got the happy hour burger and the sausage roll. Two drinks a piece and more than enough food only cost us $33. Such a steal for awesome drinks and food. Great customer service also.
(5)Beck C.
Their Irish Stout was by far the best stout I ever tried! I don't think they have happy hour menu, but we got to try most of their appetizers. The meatballs were delicious! I felt like there's a party in my mouth. A must try is their sweet potato fries! I think I finished 3 plates of the fries! :)
(5)John C.
I continue to be so impressed with every aspect of this Kells. From the fantastic service and great crew there, to their own beers, wide range of cocktails, whiskeys, and the food is well done with newer items on the menu. They create a place you want to spend time at with friendly sincere service. Highly recommended when in the area or make time to visit.
(5)Jerry M.
If a person was just to imagine what an Irish pub would look like, it would probably look just like the inside of Kell's Brew Pub. Lots of dark wood and sort of a "masculine" atmosphere. Cool looking place. The food is just OK. I had Shepard's Pie which was pretty tasty. The Skillet Baked Fingerling Potatoes were a bit disappointing though. Potatoes that are described as "baked" should have crispy skin and the "skillet" should have browned them a little bit. These just had the texture of boiled potatoes. I would probably come back here to try some of their happy hour items though. . .I saw some people around us who had a sausage roll and some meatballs, which looked good.
(3)Robert G.
They say you learn something new every day. On New Year's Day, I learned that Kell's Irish Pub was closed. I thought there was only one Kell's, about a block over from and south of Voodoo Doughnuts. However, a sign placed on the door directed me to Kell's Brew Pub on NW 21st. So, in addition to a pit stop at Powell's, I stopped in at Kell's Brew Pub in the Alphabet District beforehand. I have only been to Kell's (SW 2nd) intermittently with some friends during happy hour, watching them get sloshed, while I went on the cheap, both in terms of my drinks and happy hour food. I got to this place and it's in a nice enough area, with less fru fru factor than NW 23rd itself. Then, I found the LAST parking spot in the place and the Oregon/Florida State game was on. Free parking? In the Alphabet District? Score. With a bland taste palette, I assumed I'd like Irish food. This would imply stuff like corned beef and shepherd's pie. Heck, I like British food, so why wouldn't I like Irish food? I ordered the corned beef sandwich and fries from their menu along with a cup of coffee. The service was really quick, the dude waiting on me was laid back, he made sure I got a bread other than rye bread (nasty stuff) on my Reuben, the prices were what you'd expect for this genre and location, and the food was good enough. My only complaint was that the portion wasn't substantial and I was still a little hungry upon leaving. Remember, portion control means cost control means paying the rent in the Alphabet District. The place is exactly what you'd expect. It looks like an Irish pub, there is a lot of dark wood throughout, there is a nice stone fireplace, and good God, there is even a stained glass rendition of St. Patrick. I found this funny. If anyone looks at modern Europe today, the Irish are no longer going to church the way they used to and are much more libertine-like, though not quite like the Spaniards, so all these things are more tradition than anything else, sort of like coloring the Chicago River green on March 17. In the end, I can't give it a "high 5" but I can give it a high 3, though not one that rounds up to 4. There wasn't enough corned beef in my sandwich and it was gone quickly. On top of that, it tasted good but not great. I could go back to (either) Kell's but I wouldn't make it a front burner priority.
(3)Jenni L.
I stopped in here recently with a friend during Happy Hour. This location is leagues better than it's counterpart. The decor and staff are inviting, friendly, and warm, and the location is more accessible. We grabbed a booth in the nearly empty bar and ordered beers and split a burger, which was cooked perfectly. The sweet potato fries were pretty limp and we quickly abandoned them but I would still call it a win. I would definitely be open to stopping back in when I'm in the area.
(4)Gerald K.
Kells downtown has always been my favorite Irish Pub. The new location at NW 21st has evolved into a more convenient location for me. Kells is now brewing a there own beers and the food is excellent! I still like my pint of Guinness but the KELLS stout is excellent!
(5)Kymm E.
The bacon wrapped dates are awesome! The patio is the greatest NW spot! The Kell's lager is the best, brewed on site, award winning!
(5)E. M.
Basic selection at the bar. Did not enjoy the fish and chips but prices were ok. Nice to sit outside and relax.
(3)BT C.
I'm glad I don't live here because if I did, Kells would bleed me dry. This place absolutely rocked and won my girlfriend and I over almost instantly after randomly stumbling upon it. We all know how dehydrating and taxing flying can be and I needed a good beer asap before plummeting into cardiac arrest. The little lady was slipping into a Pacific Northwest hypothermia that could only be cured by something hot and potent, I am neither of those. After checking into our acommodations (a cute air bnb up Snob Hill) we headed out on foot in search of some cures. Granted, driving may have provided speedier transport to salvation, but we are responsible and knew if we found salvation, we were going to get ripped on salvation. The walk in search of a miracle elixir seemed to last forever and, just as we were both about to succumb to our ailments, we spotted Kells Brew Pub and thus, a glimpse of hope that we might yet survive. Upon entering we found a super cozy and welcoming atmosphere with ample seating room at the bar. Normally the huge, warm fireplace and pillowy sofa would have been our first choice, but given the severity of our maladies, believed the quickest path to treatment to be at the bar. One Kells IPA as well as a Kells hot chocolate later and we were perking up faster than a three peckered goat. The IPA was great and tasty, but the star of the show was the hot chocolate--holy amaze-balls! It was so good that we found ourselves going back multiple times just to indulge in more! The food was solid bar fare (we stuck to normal cheeseburger type stuff) and the breakfast rocked. Oh, did I mention out of all the places we had them, Kells bloody mary was by far the best? Best bloody and best spiked hot chocolate with a great breakfast menu, now you know what you need to do next time you're searching for a little help and salvation.
(4)Audrey G.
Really really enjoyed the booths. The portion size for the steaks as perfect too not too much but just enough. My folkes split an order of fish and chips and that was huge!!! Definitely enough for two people of two meals!! My dad really enjoyed his beer that he got and he isn't much of a beer drinker. Will definitely be back!!
(5)Kalub H.
This place was fantastic! The food was great! They have these awesome little private booths that are huge. you could fit probably 10 people in a booth and there are pillows! I went hungover, but it was still awesome, so that's saying something. Service was great also, very knowledgeable staff. There also seems to be quite a few Tv's, so great place to catch the game. I would defiantly be okay coming here again. A+ guys! Thanks!
(5)Anna R.
What a gorgeous bar! I came here for the first time the other night and it was a ton of fun! I like that they have a mix of both their own beers and some others. I didn't eat but my friends had the fish and chips and said they were great! I had 3 beers and it clocked in around $23. A little spendy for me but it was worth it! I will be back.
(4)Erin F.
If you like the atmosphere & food of Kell's without the craziness of their location on 2nd Street than the Brew Pub is for you. Very accommodating if you have a child in your party.
(5)Norris P.
Six of us came to check out the place before a large post-wedding party reserved at the end of the month, 50-70 guests from out of town. Great location and classic Irish pub with good sports coverage on TV. But...eventually had to ask the waiter to take our drink orders (beer was good but had to send the wine back as it was either big-jug wine or flat), waited about 25 minutes and finally flagged him down to take our food order. Food was okay but not worth a return trip, and after waiting another 30 minutes had to ask again for our check. The table next to us, 4 people, sent one of their meals back. Waiters and cooks need training. But, sorry to say we're looking elsewhere for our party.
(2)natalie z.
After many google and yelp searches, technology guided us to Kell's to accommodate our potato needs. We ordered two different forms of potatoes to really get an appropriate sense of their potato abilities. We went with the traditional mashed potato and a more unique dish titled, Irish Nachos. The mashed potatoes tasted as if a little Irish angel stomped on our potatoes and added the perfect amounts of mixins. They were decadent and comforting all at the same time. The nachos were like magic carpets with olives, tomatoes, and green onions as passengers. They sailed into our mouths and coasted into our bellies. To say the least, we were satisfied. They left our mouths impregnated by the wonder and magic of potatoes. Kell's, you are the father.
(5)Rylie W.
Kells has become my local bar. Time after time the food is great, and the conversation at the bar is stellar and full of fun. I've tried going to other bars in the area and I haven't found one that can beat out this wonderful Irish bar. If you are going please try the Irish curry! Get a side of it with your fries or get the plate with all the fixins. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Dana B.
Delicious food and great award winning hand crafted beer !!! The service is amazing.. The ambiance is authentic !!
(5)Mike B.
Nice venue, quaint, comfortable atmosphere, great food!! I'd definitely go again
(5)Alexis O.
Ambiance is the only reason you get a star from me. Bad service and a shitty kale salad. How can you do a kale salad shitty?! It tasted like it came right out of a plastic bag! Not massaged or fresh at all. Out of sweet potato fries which was the only reason I came. Boo boo boo. Waiter was messing up on everything including leaving me here in the corner instead of giving me my bill so I could write an angry yelp review. No more chains
(1)Jack D.
The Kells Lager is so delicious! Original, crisp and refreshing!
(5)Jared A.
Came in right before the last Thorns game. We didn't have to wait to get a seat and the waitstaff was great. Ordered probably one of the best Bloody Mary's in town. Corn beef was tasty and filing. Great way to start a Sunday!
(4)Michelle G.
Came here this morning to watch the FIFA World Cup game. I had a bloody mary's, spicy, that was really good! The staff was friendly, and VERY accommodating to the large crowd. They had 3 large screens that I could see, I think there might have been more. Everyone had a good time and it was fun seeing the game there! I will for sure come back here again! Thanks for opening the doors this morning!!!
(4)Keith B.
Wow. These folks pour the smallest, weakest drink and think that people are too stupid to notice. They also serve people until they're obliterated. Don't. Waste. Your. Money.
(1)Sudipto G.
Good place to watch football (the real one not NFL). Had gone there to watch the Costa Rica vs Greece match.. atmosphere was decent, I had the shepherd's pie and Irish Coffee.. both were good though I've had better in Ireland.
(4)Steph W.
Great for Breakfast/Brunch! I really enjoy their Irish Farmhouse breakfast with a mimosa on weekends (they even have a bottomless mimosa option too, yay!). The service is always with a smile and very attentive. They also play the premier league (and other soccer leagues) games on the TVs. They also have a small parking lot for customers too! Practically unheard of in NW. I can't wait for the weather to get nicer so I can enjoy their patio and outdoor tables. Really good place for groups, too. :)
(5)Nicole S.
First time here since I'm on vacation. I ordered the Kells Irish Red and the Whiskey wings. Both the beer and wings arrived promptly. The beer is delicious and exactly what you'd expect of a Red Ale. The wings or rather chicken strips were lightly cooked but not crispy. It's ok sometimes I like that. The flavor is good but generic and reminds me of a super market bbq bottle flavoring. I also ordered the shepherds pie feeling the fat kid me wanting to break out and I must say this is a great dish. I recommend this many times over. Especially on a cold rainy day. Hope this was helpful. Cheers!
(3)Heather S.
I love the enclosed booths at Kell's. My friends and I typically go here before a Timbers or Thorns game and enjoy some whiskey, beer or wine. the food is pretty good. Typical pub food. I love the atmosphere and the other day they played bagpipes. Great location!
(4)Marissa T.
I come here pretty regularly after work on Fridays!!! Love the super convenient location and the designated parking!!!! The service is always right on. The interior is also beautiful and amazing with intricate detail and flat out PRETTY!!! I'm such a girl! I'm sure the guys would have a more manly description. My drink of choice is always GUINNESS!!! Cold Yummy and did I say YUMMY?! I've had the Shepherds pie and Burger. The potatoes on the pie should be a little thicker and stiffer, I believe. The burger is pretty bland and generic. Both need more flare to be in the same category of location, service etc. My friends have ordered the fries and have reported them to be great!!! Maybe I'll stick with Fries and GUINNESS. I'll be back!!
(4)