Literally my favorite restaurant in all of CT. i just got engaged yesterday, and me and my fiancée have been coming here for years. when i was thinking of spots for engagement dinner, i knew immediately. i always love coming in here, greeted with a super cozy vibe, and a very friendly host each time, and were served almost immediately after being seated. today, our experience was no different. we went with the meatballs and steak skewers for our appetizers, and they were a home run as per usual. for our mains, i got the grilled cheese sandwich with steak inside, cooked medium rare, with fries. my fiancée got the cobb salad with steak, and poppyseed vinaigrette. absolutely incredible as to be expected, i always get the biggest smile on my face when i bite into the food here. for dessert, we got the crème brûlée, which was a blueberry flavored version today. if i could give 6 stars, i would. this place makes me so happy. i urge everyone to come try this place! read more

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I came in late night for a bite to eat. Probably won't ever be back. The food was mediocre. I asked questions and the staff couldn't verify anything. Typical bar food. read more

Celtic Cavern - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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This place was packed on a Tuesday night when we were there for dinner. There was a 15-20 mins wait but we were able to find seats at the bar. Service was quick there. It is quite noisy inside so that makes talking a bit challenging unless the person is sitting next to you. The place died down a bit after 8pm. We ordered the flash fried Brussels sprouts, German meatballs, and the smoked haddock cakes. They also have a big beer selection. read more

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This spot is so underrated! We found this "basement" bar hiding on Main Street and the ambiance is very lowkey and nice. We came for a drink and watched basketball once and then ended up celebrating new year's eve here. The staff is super friendly, drinks are good, and the food was pretty good as well! They have a long bar and a bunch of tables, and they actually have the best music playlist!! read more

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Atmosphere was OK food was mediocre. Staff wasn't that friendly don't think I'd ever go back there again. Need to tighten up the ship needs better management throughout the business. read more

Their Cobb salad is my favorite thing on their menu, with the thick chunks of bacon and deviled eggs that accompany it! Whether you dine in or take it out, the consistency is always there. Their cocktail list is always very creative, and their seasonal menus always include delicious special dishes. Their staff is always friendly, checking on you and helping each other out which I love, you don't see that too much these days. A must visit if you are in Middletown! read more

Great place! Awesome vibe and delicious food. Staff was super friendly and courteous. Massive beer and drink menu as well! read more

Celtic Cavern - Jalepeno Corn Chowder - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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It is such a nice place in the basement like a speakeasy all of the wait staff takes care of you so you're never without a drink or food whatever you are looking for Drinks are always good and the food we were there yesterday and Monday night they had chicken gumbo soup, which was amazing. Had to take some home because the real reason I was there was there Monday night, special fish, and chips, which was amazing if you like fish and chips hit this is the spot Monday night special And what's nice as there are a couple of TVs, but it is not a sports bar so you might catch a game, but it is also a good night out or good lunch as well read more

Celtic Cavern - Fish and Chips Monday special - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Where is the 10 stars button at? A new dinner spot find unlocked. What a marvelous place. Very deceiving rustic decorated basement restaurant to find a very delicious meal with very friendly staff. We loved the idea of everyone getting involved. I asked for the name of our waitress and this guy said "who? We all are your waitress and waiters " we were very surprised and delighted because everyone was as nice and involved as the original girl who first saw us. A shout out to Soucy, Tina, Alix Judith Jake and Sarah. The food was delicious, my daughter expressed how fancy the food looked and how good it tasted. We tried almost everything, from delicious steak and cheese bites to a fresh brewed coffee and everything was outstanding. My husband was thrilled to finally find a place that can make blackened steak ( not cajun) Guess what? We will see you very soon. read more

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I am very happy to find this hidden gem just off of Main Street in Middletown! I have been working late and was looking for a local spot the serves quality food late night. And the locals turned me onto Celtic Cavern. Their kitchen is open one hour before close. This makes me very happy!My first trip was fantastic and just may have turned me into a regular. Some fantastic mocktails to start. And a very diverse menu that really impressed the heck out of me. - We're a gastropub specializing in seasonal American fare (not Irish fare, as our name might imply.) ** read more

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My wife and I stopped by for lunch today and everything was great. The meatballs were to die for and the drinks were great read more

Celtic Cavern - Great lunch - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Love the food and the workers were very nice! Very relaxed and chill place to hang out read more

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The food is awesome and i love the atmosphere. The service is great and I think it's cool how the restaurant is underground. read more

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I used to live in the area of this tavern, so it does hold a place in my heart. It's a cozy downstairs Irish Tavern with good food and from what I can remember good beer the one that is most recent visit. I did not order a beer. I went during Oktoberfest had some delicious food and a very delicious potato salad. The food took a little while to come out, but I was in a party of five so that's justifiable. read more

Celtic Cavern is tucked away gem of a place. Located in the bottom level of a building and tucked away off the main drag of the street, this bar/restaurant offers a Buzzing and energetic atmosphere along with great food. My one point of contention that evening was the LONG wait we had despite being the second or third on the wait list. We were told a 30-35 min wait but it ended up closer to an hour. Despite giving out phone number to reach us when a table was ready, a call never came through. We had to return to the restaurant and ask again about a table, and luckily one was ready. Be forewarned this place gets packed by 7 at least!! Being on the Amal side too means that the volume is loud. This made conversation challenging. Our drinks and dinner arrived quickly thankfully since we were hungry. We started with chickpeas with curry powder- my fave of the evening! And hummus with veggies and pita this was another delicious dish as the hummus was house made and had a thick luscious consistency. Both options are vegan as marked on the menu. I had the falafel sandwich ( also marked vegan along with a second choice of a hummus sandwich which we did not order). You get a choice of sides: fries, veggies, or salad. I opted for charred broccoli. My husband had the schnitzel sandwich which came with fries. The sandwich was good but the fries to him were the star. ( NOTE: We went during their October fest, so there was a special menu). Service was stellar and accommodating! If we lived in the area, Celtic cavern would be one of our go to places. read more

Kinda wanted to sit outside but I guess it's not really spring yet. I had been waiting at the bar and I was fine with it. My date showed up and it was a nice time. Watched a little sports and had a few apps. I did not mind those happy hour prices. The service was professional and swift. I'd come back to Nosh on something else. Thnx for the vegan options. read more

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I came here after work to meet a friend. When I arrived, it was empty. They only see you if your whole party is in attendance. I sat at the bar to get a drink before she arrive. They just changed their menu for the fall. I did like the potato pancakes. They had good flavor however they are very thin and crispy. I've never had them that way. My friend enjoyed her grilled cheese and fries. I did have a taste however one of the cheeses was smoky and I dislike smoky cheese. But overall, it had very good bread and cheese. I was excited about the mushroom risotto. The risotto itself was separate from the mushrooms. They did not cook the mushrooms and rice together in a broth. It was plain risotto and then sautéed mushrooms in Marcella sauce on top. There was a lot of mushrooms and I could not eat it all. Overall, it had good flavor however I wouldn't order it again. I would prefer to have it cooked together. I would go to this restaurant again. It is in the basement and dark bar like. All of the staff was very attentive And helpful. read more

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We really started going here because their kitchen is open later than we close our board game cafe, but we kept going back because the food is delicious (speaking particularly on vegetarian options) and always updating. The drinks are also great, but the best part is the staff. We know their names and they know ours, but we didn't know them before. Sometimes things slow down as events like large wedding parties dropping in unannounced happen, but the staff is good about working together to handle what comes up. That's a cool thing too - you don't have one server, everyone is helping you in a network I don't even understand, but it works. They're friendly and kind beyond what's needed for good service. You can get an idea of the kind of place it is by noting that you see the same staff over time and even those who move on come back from time to time. We truly can't say enough about how much this place feels welcoming to us. I imagine if you're there in good faith, it will to you too. read more

Had the meatloaf grilled cheese for lunch! Very yummy, incredibly large portions. Will likely be back in the future

CC had been on my radar ever since some of my Yelp friends raved about it. Of the five, three rated it 5 stars, the other two four stars. First of all, parking across the street in a muni lot. Entrance leads to a staircase down one flight to the cavern, BUT... there is elevator access, per Mgr. Brian. Just need to ask when you're downstairs. Inviting atmosphere, with music that doesn't overwhelm. Huge selection of craft beers. Jenny offered a sample, and I went w Elm City Pilsner. For lunch, I had to choose the Bacon Burger. Fries are standard, any substitutions come w any upcharge. The burger came out perfectly cooked, with crumbled bacon pieces, mushrooms, and gouda cheese on a brioche bun. Nice charbroiled taste as well. The combination was a home run, the flavors blending together well. A couple of reasons why it didn't rate as a 5-star burger / experience for me. First, the burger was a pre-made patty, not hand formed. That, combined with the $18 price tag, which I thought was a bit steep. So, I am definitely a fan but, for me, it's not as good as it gets. BTW, service was excellent. 4 stars read more

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I was taken here by a co-worker when we were working one evening and enjoyed it so much I brought my husband and son months later. I knew it was a place they would enjoy. It's downstairs hence the cavern name, it's under the indoor shopping market in Middletown. It's not a large place, has a big bar with quite a large array of beers to choose. It gets packed so plan ahead to find parking and put your name down. We had to do a few rounds in the paid parking area before we found a spot on a Saturday night. Then they said it would be 45mins for a table so we decided to walk around the indoor market. Most of the stores were closed except a craft store. Turned out not to be a 45min wait but more like 20 so that was great since my son decided he was all of a sudden starving! Even though it was packed the waitstaff were friendly, patient, and helpful. My husband ordered their pork chop, which they let you know it will take a while since it's so large. We got the burrata app special and it was fantastic! Creamy, the sauce was flavorful, and a good enough size for the three of us to share. I ordered a salad with steak AND shrimp on top b/c it was our anniversary so I was goin big! My son ordered the cheeseburger and fries but removed basically everything. He thought it was great! My salad was good but it came with an apple cider vinegar dressing that was a little overpowering and I didn't really care for. I accidentally ordered the wrong salad, I had wanted the Cobb. The steak and shrimp were cooked perfectly though so that helped. My husband loved the place, my son had a great time, and we will be back I'm sure! read more

Celtic Cavern - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

We had a very nice experience here Saturday night. We love Gastropubs as they typically have good food that's a bit different. First of all they serve food until 11:00 which is really nice as we didn't get there until after 10:00 from a party with not much food left by the time we got there (or food I could eat as I need gluten free). The menu had lots of yummy things and I could have ordered three different things. We both decided on the Carnitas Press. The multitude of waitresses coming over was unreal as they all work together they all said (service was incredible). One of them told me I could easily get the Carnitas Press over a bed of lettuce instead of the flour tortilla so I decided on that without onions as well. It was extremely delicious and the Cajun fries were insanely tasty. One critique is they were a bit soggy. I like my fries a little more crispy but the flavor and the two different dipping sauces were awesome. Ketchup and an aioli. My boyfriend loved the wrap as well. I would definitely come back here to eat. Very nice. Ambiance casual but nice. read more

Celtic Cavern - Carnitas press over a bed of lettuce - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Eating comfort food at Celtic is like a cast in the same mold. They do it so well and I know I pictured a salad below, but it can be comforting for many of us. Especially if it contains homemade crunchy polenta croutons and juicy chunks of slab bacon. The short ribs stacked on parmesan truffle risotto was decadent. The five cheese grilled cheese on sourdough was exactly what you would expect, but the side of loaded fries really put the "bacon" on top. Of course the service was excellent with multiple people coming to check on us throughout the meal. Even though we appreciate the environment as it is, my wife and I actually thought it seemed brighter inside this time, which was nice. Great way to start off 2025! read more

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Wonderful salad with added special chicken salad. The service was excellent - prompt and efficient but not intrusive. Overall a great place to gather with friends and not too loud to enjoy conversation read more

Amazing restaurant with stellar service. Love the knowledge each server provides about the menu and daily specials. Attention to detail at your table. Service with a smile. Great place read more

Celtic Cavern - Appetizers! Pretzels, potato pancakes from Octoberfest menu. Also spicy shrimp - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Came for lunch. Was just okay. Food is average. Limited selection (only one burger). Parking is pay to park. Service staff was friendly but had to ask for refills and that was annoying. Won't be returning. read more

Came here on a Thursday night when they had specials for Oktoberfest. We ordered the chicken schnitzel with paprika sauce which is full of flavor and huge portions of chicken. Cheese tray was so unique and flavorful. The fig jam was a great addition. Potato pancakes were crispy. Food came out hot and restaurant was clean. They have mocktails available. read more

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Celtic was a lifesaver last night and I think it's so important to share this review so people are aware. Backstory: My husband and I made reservations for another (newer) restaurant in town for a date night last night and ended up having the most horrible experience I've ever had in all of my years of dining. The evening ended with us walking out of the restaurant at 9PM after waiting an hour for food; only to be told that hour later, they didn't even have the meal we ordered an hour prior. We were so upset and it was 9PM with nowhere in town left open to go eat. The only place we could find with a kitchen open and serving later into the evening was Celtic. We arrived at 9PM and I was pleasantly surprised to see a decently full restaurant. People sitting around, socializing, at the bar and at tables around the restaurant. We were sat at a table and our server, as well as every runner, bartender, etc. who came over throughout the evening were absolutely lovely. We ordered drinks. I got the strawberry lemonade mocktail and it was divine; fresh and homemade and filled with strawberry bits. Not like a fountain strawberry lemonade you anticipate. We ordered the steak crostini appetizers, and split macaroni and cheese and chicken birria tacos. The steak on the crostini was cooked perfectly. It was such a great, comfort dish, without being too heavy. The macaroni and cheese was one of the best I've ever had. It was orecchiette pasta with a creamy cheese sauce, great flavor, breadcrumb topping for a nice texture change. My husband sang the praises of the chicken birria tacos. The portions were massive and pricing was so reasonable. The vibe was very chill and laid back. It was the perfect place to decompress from the stress and upset of the previous establishment. We ended up spending way less than we would have at the other spot for what I would say was hands-down a better meal. We will absolutely be back. read more

Celtic Cavern - Macaroni and Cheese, Tuesday Tacos (This week was chicken birria). - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

First timers and we left happy! A friend recommended the spot, in particular the bacon cheeseburger. Hubs and I were game! We tried it on a Saturday night which in the restaurant world could be a big mistake! Whelp, not this place! The restaurant is located down a staircase, which at first seems a little off, but once you step into the space, you begin to gain an appreciation for the Gastropub it is. There is a full bar with about 15 to 20 tables adjacent. Table service is provided at both. We were placed on a 25 minute wait, and while standing there a gentleman (who obviously was a manager of some sort) asked if we would like to sit at the bar. It was a definite yes! We were greeted by a pleasant bartender and I ordered a peach martini. It was quite tasty! For our dinner choices my husband went with the bacon cheeseburger and I went with the pork pressed sandwich. We started with the meatballs appetizer. The meatballs were pretty good but I would have liked some type of melted smoked provolone of some sort on top to bring the entire dish together. The pork press sandwich was also pretty good and once I asked for some of their house-made hot sauce, it took it to another level! Now onto the Star of the Night... that Bacon Cheeseburger has made the list of my top three best cheeseburgers I've ever had!!! No joke! We ordered it medium to temp and it came loaded with thick cut slab bacon, sautéed mushrooms and a cheesy goodness sauce! Man! Whataburger! The only thing I would say it was missing was some bib lettuce, heirloom tomatoes and thinly sliced purple onions. I am a sucker for toppings! My hubs has been a Chef for over 20 years and he agreed with me, lol! Lastly, instead of the classic checkbook, they brought our check over on a Nancy Drew reading book! What a cute idea! I loved reading Nancy Drew books growing up as a kid! The nostalgia of it brought me right back! All in all, WE WILL BE BACK! We really enjoyed our night! read more

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Food was delicious but noise level was very high! Our server has wonderful! We had the meatball & garlic bread appetizers. Great dinner!

We can not wait for October fest coming up for their schnitzel! We always enjoy their steak crostini and their steak salad. Service is sometimes hit or miss and the mixed drinks are average. We always enjoy the tap list. read more

I met my daughter at Celtic cavern last night for a light dinner. We each ordered espresso martinis. These were delicious. The vibe was hopping for a Friday night. We sat at the bar. We then shared a falafel wrap, which was delicious and very flavorful. I loved it. I would love to come back and try some different dishes on the menu. read more

Celtic Cavern - Expresso Martini - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

We love Celtic Cavern. One of the best burgers around. Fries are the best. The chicken and pastrami sandwich is delicious and a favorite of ours. That's just a few read more

Haven't been back to Celtic Cavern in awhile. Happy to say I won't make that mistake again! Service was prompt and friendly. Ambiance was authentic Irish tavern (I speak from experience). And the food was delicious! Apps were house pickles and fried chickpeas. I would return for the chickpeas alone. Lightly fried and well spiced. Had the shrimp and grits, lots of shrimp (and tails removed, thank you!) and great sauce. Definitely returning! read more

Celtic Cavern - Shrimp and grits - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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This spot has the best burger in CT!!! Or at least, in this general area (Hartford/Middlesex county). You HAVE to order The Bacon Burger. Everything works well together: bacon, mushrooms, smoked Gouda and garlic aioli on a brioche bun. I love that the bacon is chunks and not sliced. Their fries are also exactly what I'm looking for in a burger side, and cut fresh too! First visited in 2018 and went back recently after craving a good burger. Coming back after a long time away, it was as good, if not better, as we remembered. That says something! read more

Celtic Cavern - The Bacon Burger - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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I really enjoyed my lunch here. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather. After the meal, we ventured downstairs to really check it out before leaving. It's dark, cozy, clean, inviting. The ladies' room was so nice and clean. The service was friendly too. We will be back! read more

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After volunteering at the Cinder + Salt Pride Street Cleanup event, a group of Yelpers decided to lunch at Celtic Cavern, which has been on my Try List for some time. Celtic Cavern has a seasonal gastropub menu. It has a street level nice outside dining area adjacent to that large parking area between Downtown Main Street and Route 9. To reach the bar and main dining area, you descend stairs until you get to the (wait for it) . . . Cavern. The inside has a cool atmosphere. Sort of an underground Irish pub with nice light fixtures. The bar was long. Basically the length of the establishment. The seating area seemed filled with mostly taller tables. I'm sure it's somewhat challenging when a group of about 12 thirsty and hungry people (most of whom are on separate checks) arrives out of the blue. But Celtic Cavern figured it out in a hurry. They brought us glasses of water and ultimately a LARGE pitcher full of water. Very much appreciated. Once we ordered, the food arrived within a reasonable time and all together. That took some coordination. I ordered the Carnitas Press, which was more or less a grilled pork carnitas burrito with fresh avocado, pickled onion, cilantro, tomato and cheese in a pressed tortilla. The tortilla had good texture and it was stuffed with things that I like rather than filler like rice. It was good and I would I would order it again. The hand cut fries were pretty good too. The Strawberry Lemonade was amazing. Each sip had lemon and bits of tasty muddled strawberry. It was sour and sweet, but not too much of either. Just right. This is about as high a 4 Star review as I give, but it didn't quite feel like 5 Stars. I'll definitely return at some point. read more

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Great food, service and atmosphere! We had a party of 10 and 2 teenagers (who chose to sit alone). Waitresses were very attentive and got all our orders right. With such a large group, that can be hard to do. I had one of the specials-monitors salad with shrimp and it was superb. Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries on a bed of mixed greens and a monitor dressing. I also had the Paloma. I'm not a big tequila drinker but it was deliciously refreshing on a hot day. The restaurant is in the basement but isn't dark and gloomy. It's very inviting. Plenty of seating even though it's a smaller restaurant. One of the owners came to talk to us which was really cool. Talked about the vision for the restaurant and was so down to earth. The pleasantries make me want to keep going back. read more

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Celtic Cavern is a great local spot for a pub atmosphere. With friendly, attentive staff and delicious food to back it up - this is a go to spot. We ordered 4 starters for the two of us - Spicy shrimp, seared scallops, steak skewers, and meatballs. The main takeaway here were the sauces. Every plate had - what was obviously homemade - custom sauces, that put these plates over the edge. Steak had Chimichurri, scallops had a bacon balsamic, shrimp was a spicy butter herb, and the meatballs were a classic marinara. The staff were friendly and attentive, one of the owners even made a stop by the table to make sure everything was okay. Owner also noted that the kitchen is open late - and never closes early. read more

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I usually enjoy the October fest menu. Very disappointed. Potato pancakes... lacked flavor. The sweet and sour meatballs was so good last year but the sauce tasted overwhelmingly like ketchup. They were lukewarm in temp. The snitzel chicken sandwich with corned beef also lacked a "flavor hook" it really needed some kind of sauce.... I want to love the food here but last few times I have come I have been underwhelmed. read more

Celtic Cavern - Chick peas - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut