112 SW Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Kells Irish Pub is the best place in Portland to enjoy traditional Irish pub fare, as well as the best St. Patrick's Day destination in Oregon. This is the place to go downtown if you are craving some tasty pub style comfort food. The cozy ambiance and great service has made Kells a favorite with both locals and visitors since opening in 1983. This is one of my favorite Irish pubs I've visited in more than a decade of traveling. The food and ambiance really are top notch.
Kells offers your typical lineup of Irish favorites like Fish and Chips, Shepherd's Pie, and Corned Beef and Cabbage. The nice thing about Kells is the focus on natural ingredients, which is a bit unusual for a pub, but greatly appreciated by the health conscious diners like me out there.
There are plenty of tasty appetizers on the menu. Try the Irish nachos which probably are loaded with calories, but worthy of the splurge! I would come here again just for these amazing nachos. Irish nachos are basically french fries topped with sour cream, cheese, black olives, onions, and scallions. In terms of entrees, you really cannot go wrong with Fish and Chips. And if you are a vegetarian, no need to worry as there are plenty of options. I loved the delicious Butternut Squash and Barley Risotto.
In keeping up with the Portland health conscious vibe, there are plenty of meat-free options as well as traditional fare. Other vegetarian goodies including: a vegan wrap, hummus plate, and a brown rice bowl with chickpeas and salsa. You will also find a number of gluten-free selections including a delicious Chicken Curry.
Service is great at Kell's. The owner was walking around all the tables greeting guests.
The ambiance at Kells is just great with authentic decor and a cozy feeling that goes along great with Portland's dreary weather. The cozy fireplace, brick walls, and woodsy furniture give the place a lot of character. On cold, overcast days, Kells is the perfect place to warm up and enjoy some warm comforting foods.
Kells claims to host the largest St. Patrick's Day festival in the Northwest. The place is decked out in green as soon as March rolls around.
As soon as you enter, you will notice tons of money up on the ceiling. Kells has a unique tradition where they collect donations throughout the year, toss them up on the ceiling, and sweep them down on St. Patrick's Day each year. Kells matches whatever is up there, and donates all the money to local charities! What a great program!
Kells is a wonderful dining choice in downtown Portland. St Patrick's Day or not, Kells offers a winning cozy ambiance and delicious comfort style foods menu. I would 100% come back here for another meal on my next stay in downtown Portland. I would love to try Momma's Mac and Cheese next time around.
