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 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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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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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

Great gastropub in downtown Middletown, set underground with medium lighting, clean bathrooms, plenty of seating, amazing food! Everyone was friendly from the host and bartender to the servers. We ordered a Cesar salad with falafel, and a bacon burger with smoked Gouda and mushrooms as well as a side of Cajun fries. So much flavor and texture packed into each bite! The Newberry wheat beer on tap and Arnold Palmer perfectly complemented our meal. read more

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A Home run. We liked everything about this place. It was raining the night we went so we didn't sit on the deck. To get into the restaurant you descend stairs and you really do feel you're in a cavern. We had fried chickpeas with a curry spice for an appetizer. Never had chickpeas fried. The were great. My wife had the shrimp and grits. At first I thought it was expensive for shrimp and grits until I saw the huge portion. And the flavor was so on point-a little spicy. I had the carnitas press. Reminded me of a good Cuban sandwich just missing the pickles. And again the fries crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. They have around 20 beers on draft-many local brews. Over the course of the meal we saw 4 servers. Normally this would drive me crazy but here it was ok. So go and enjoy. read more

Celtic Cavern - the entrance to celtic cavern - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Everything from A to Z is amazing. The staff, ownership, food and drink are 1000% spot on. When you walk downstairs you can't imagine that it would be this great of a set up. The decor down to the book you can sign when you receive your check is awesome. read more

Amazing service food is always on point. staff,and owner are very accommodating. I would recommend.

Place had great vibes unlike 95% of the restaurants in this town. Food was really solid and all the drinks were a awesome. Bartenders were super cool and responsive. If I ever catch myself in this town again I'll probably be eating breakfast lunch and dinner here. read more

I can't express how much I love Celtic Cavern. They make everyone feel like family and take care of all their customers. Specials are unique and tasty. But the menu is so varied and fit every taste. Tonight we have the scallop special with bacon. We loved the sweet sauce! The meatballs shareable was soft and yet didn't fall apart on your fork. I had the bacon burger. Thick cut bacon...thin slice of smoked Gouda (full flavor!!) and burger cooked to medium rare perfection. Amazing food! Amazing service! Never once disappointed. read more

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My wife and I loved the variety of the menu here! Great ambiance and the owner was so kind and friendly! We had a great time out and had amazing food. They also had a variety of beers on tap that were phenomenal! There was a lot of variety. We will definitely revisit here. Steak was cooked perfectly and the hummus was soooooo fresh and delicious! Not what I expected but we were pleasantly surprised! read more

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Wow enjoy all the menu the staff were fun n helpful food fresh no wait and great attention

The Food had great flavor but, some parts of Mac cheese were cold but, it was late and maybe closing time. The Staff made it Great and own Waitress was amazing. The Ambiance felt like a speak easy feel. Love it and will go back. read more

Popular gastropub with high quality food that is hidden down a flight of stairs One long bar and a bunch of high-top tables for seating Have a solid selection of American food and a solid drink menu as well I came here for dinner with my GF on a Friday night and the place was packed, but we were still seated very quickly. Since it is a small place and was packed when we went it was also fairly loud, but all of the servers were very friendly and our food was prepared extremely quickly as well I got the bacon cheeseburger after reading the rave reviews about it, and it was fantastic. It was also very large, and I was stuffed by the time I left! My GF was not a big fan of her Paloma read more

While the name may be misleading (nothing Irish about the menu), the Celtic Cavern is a cool space! Downstairs, dark and hidden, the place was hopping on a Saturday night. Nicole and I waited about 30 min for a table. I think during the course of dinner, we had about 5 different servers, but their system worked! Nicole is GF, so finding a place that has multiple menu choices is important when we're out together. We both started with soup-- jalapeno corn chowder for Nicole, sausage lentil for me-- rave reviews from both of us on the soup! Lots of sausage chunks, very flavorful. We then split the shrimp and grits and the bacon wrapped pork with grits (why so much grits on this menu?). The portions were huge! The shrimp and grits was spicier than I thought it would be! Also, it had a nice amount of tasso ham, which I've never had before and really enjoyed. The pork was perfect, loved the crispy carrot ribbons on top! I think I would've enjoyed this dish more with the more traditional choice of mashed potatoes. Would return, especially for that soup! read more

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I am a sensitive celiac and had a wonderful meal here 2 nights ago - all truly gluten-free because I did not get sick. I enjoyed a kielbasa veggie soup, steak skewers with chimichurri, and a very strong drink: Hell's Kitchen. Also nibbled some cajun fries (dedicated fryer). All delicious!! Great ambience, good service. So happy to add this fun, celiac-safe spot to our list of Middletown favorites. read more

I did not realize the restaurant was on the lower level of the building; there is a long staircase after the front entrance that leads into the main area. Had I known, I would not have brought my disabled husband, who can navigate stairs but with great difficulty. Not an issue otherwise. The atmosphere was festive, but really noisy. It was very crowded the night we were there. The staff were all extremely accommodating and very friendly. Service was prompt and food and drinks were all good. I would say a great place for the younger crowd for sure. I was really impressed by how nice everyone was. But not something my husband would be up to again, unfortunately. I'll bet the St. Patrick's Day celebrations here are epic! read more

Great food, wonderful atmosphere, excellent service! Thank you!! I also loved writing in the books that came with our checks!!

Celtic Cavern was very good. I asked them to give me the loaded fries instead of the regular fries and they did. Crispy fries, cheese, bacon, chives, and a huge load of sour cream. They were excellent. The burger was overcooked but still very good. It would have been great if it was cooked medium rare as I asked. It had smoked gouda on it which has become a "thing". Why does nobody melt the gouda? Anyway this is a cool place and deserves a visit. I'll be back for sure. read more

Celtic Cavern - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

First time enjoying Middletown and found this gem. I had been looking for something more outdoors and open to enjoy the nice day but this place was fun and the staff was awesome enough that I forgot I was kind of in a basement. I can definitely see myself returning, especially during a rainy day. Food and drinks were great. read more

very tasty grilled cheese get it if you go there also great service nice looking place as well read more

Celtic Cavern - mmmmmm - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Good salads here--the steak salad is probably the best deal. The steak was perfectly cooked and the greens were fresh. The service was a bit confused with two people doubling up on our table but without them talking to each other. It wasn't a big deal to us, but it was extra work for them (and maybe frustrating). We'd return when in the area. read more

Fun restaurant, I've been here twice now. First time with some friends for drinks, second time with my family for dinner. The atmosphere inside is very loud and crowded, typical bar scene. For dinner we ate outside and it was better to have a little breathing room. Cobb salad was great, love the additional of devil eggs on it. Staff was nice. read more

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Vegan options here are delicious! The chickpeas, sesame noodles, hummus plate and falafel wrap were all well seasoned, and cooked to perfection. We will definitely be adding this place into rotation. read more

All went great. Fabulous find! Amazing food and specials and beer! Great for adults esp late night.

This is a basement restaurant down a long flight of stairs. No handicap access. Service was extremely slow in spirit of being there on Sat mid afternoon after lunch hours. Felt extremely claustrophobic with low ceilings. Meh read more

Great apnesphere, food and drink, highly recommend. Help make a Great night out with friends.

My husband and I stopped here on a whim as we were passing through the area. We were starving and looked on yelp for a nearby restaurant. This place popped up with a bunch of glowing reviews. Having nothing to lose, we decided to give it a try, and we were not disappointed. Ideal location close to Rte 9, eclectic vibes inside the cavern, delicious "upscale" pub food (that's what gastropub means btw), and outstanding service... this restaurant checks all the boxes whether you are a busy traveler looking to escape rush hour or a local hipster looking to gather with friends. Check them out! You won't be disappointed! read more

Cool little pub neatly tucked away, almost feels like you're entering a secret restaurant hidden amidst the building. Upon entering you can hop right on up to the bar to grab some drinks, while my friend and I waited for the rest of our party to arrive. This place can certainly get hopping, as we went on a Tuesday and it was pretty packed still around 7:30pm. Appetizers were great and I loved the burger options! Great selection on drinks, which did have plenty of local selections, love to see it! Will certainly be back! read more

I wish I had thought to take a picture of the food, which was amazing. Totally forgot this was my first time there I met two friends who live on the shore and middle town was halfway between where they live and I live. This will be our meeting place from now on it was fabulous start to finish. The staff could not be friendlier or more efficient or professional. The owner was fabulous. He spent a lot of time talking to us about his philosophy on the restaurant Menu and gave us a sample of his marinara sauce, which was to die for. It's warm and cozy and just a great place to be I can't wait to go back again. read more

Celtic Cavern - Our waitress getting in the photo with us. She was amazing. - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

I love this place! I love that it's kinda hidden away almost the way a speakeasy would be. The staff was friendly and attentive. It was clean and I just loved the atmosphere. I ordered the steak salad and it was loaded and very filling. I also ordered a side of fries and was happily surprised when they came out and were hand cut friends which are my favorite kind. I ended up ordering the creme brûlée because...well it's creme brûlée and I never see it on a menu and it's my favorite. I was told they often rotate the flavors which is cool! This is a great place and I hope to get back soon to try more items on their menu. read more

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I've had a variety of meals here and they've all been above average. There's a certain charm and truly a cavern feel. Somewhat small but charmingly cozy. No reservations accepted, so be prepared to wait during peak hours. Good beer selection. I give it 8.4 on the 0-to-10 scale. Yelp translation = 4 stars. Solid recommendation. Try it. Its one weakness is high prices. I hate being the guy to say a restaurant is over-priced. Truth is that inflation is through the roof, and people deserve a living wage, and restaurant profit margins are always super squeezed. So I get it. But, $57 for a New York Strip is Ruth's Chris level. Celtic Cavern should be more like, say, $44 level. Everything is about 20% more than it should be. read more

A nice addition to Middletown. Good food and I finally got to try The Alchemist Heady Topper which I've wanted to have for years! read more

Celtic Cavern - Heady Topper! - Gastropubs Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Definitely one to try at different times of the year. This place is always crowded/busy. I don't drink alcohol but it's definitely one of the big attractions. Through the years interesting food has been offered. I had a hard time choosing what to get. Chicken Philly sandwich was really delicious. My daughter loved her burger and fries. Dessert was chocolate cherry crème brûlée which was good but the chocolate was more like a pudding. Our server was absolutely wonderful. Attentive which with the number of people was amazing. I wish I knew her name. read more

So I'm not local, but I've come here twice due to work reasons. Both times absolutely great. It's a super cute and cozy setting. Service very good and quick. I love the Cobb salad. Portion was huge - had it for two meals. The deviled eggs were delicious. Looks like a fun spot for drinks too! read more

If I lived closer I would be there everyday! It was perfect, we were on our way for a mini getaway for our anniversary this was our first stop. It started our trip off right! The food is amazing highly recommend bangers and mashed! It was delicious! The service was great! You can tell this is a popular place we got there 10 minutes after they opened and that place was packed within 45 minutes. Awesome bar! You feel like you're in Ireland! Love love love this place!!! It's a must go!!! read more

Great place, great deco, nice atmosphere, and good prices. Waiter was just great, social and attentive. Food was perfect. I had the burger with loaded fries. Flavor/season was perfection. Wife had falafel wrap and also just A+ flavor. The head chef was doing his thing cooking and walking around (you can see the kitchen which i like). He was chill and smiles. I said hi to him and told him this was our new favorite place and will be coming back very soon. Just A+ all around. read more

We had a group of five show up on a rather busy Wednesday night. They were able to get us a table in the back corner, which was fine by me. However, that is where the pleasantries stop. We were ignored for a good 3-4 minutes before anyone approached us. That is okay once but no more. We ordered our drinks and they were brought to us. Another 10 minutes went by, enough for most of us to be finished with our drink, until we were approached again for our food order. We also ordered another round of drinks. The drinks arrived, then the food shortly after. We were not visited again the rest of the night. Anything we needed, we had to go to the bar to ask for. I had to ask for additional silverware, then another round of drinks, then to-go boxes, then the check. Absolutely unacceptable. The ONLY reason they get 1.5 stars is because the food was really good. The daily meatloaf special was delicious and everyone else enjoyed their food too. If service is important to you, I would look elsewhere. read more

My brother and I went here for the first time to meet our kids after visiting my sister in law who lives nearby probably for the last time, so we were not in a great place. Our kids were already seated at a table of four when my brother arrived but there was no room at their table so he sat at an empty table with two chairs next to them. I got there shortly after and saw them so I told them at the front I was meeting people and saw them so they said go ahead in. Well I didn't realize that God forbid my brother didn't wait to be seated, mind you there were plenty of empty tables. Never have I ever felt so unwelcome in a restaurant in my life. First, apparently they told my brother he was supposed to wait to be seated which he was not thinking about since he was just looking for our kids to sit with them. Okay sorry whatever. It wasn't like there was a wait, the place was half empty. I ordered a drink, my brother ordered a beer. They tell me to move my chair , I was in the way, nope there was plenty of room to go by. Okay fine, whatever. Then I ordered a Bavarian pretzel and some guy, not our waitress ,brought it to me and said will you be ordering dinner now? I said I don't know that we'll be ordering dinner and he said well these tables are normally for people having dinner. Then he says well that's okay. Well why did you even say anything?! Just wanted to make us feel uncomfortable/unwelcome? I hear him say yeah they're not ordering dinner. What? Wow. Just wow. I could care less if their food is any good or not. Doesn't matter, will never go back, nor would I ever recommend it to anyone. And everyone I know will hear this. Good job making a horrible day even worse. Thanks for the hospitality. read more

We sat outside on the patio on a pleasant summer evening. It had recently rained so they kindly wiped down the seats and table. We had a vegan in our party and there were plenty of options for her. Love the beer selection and the food is delicious. The waiter was delightful and attentive read more