Everybody likes Kitty O’Reilly’s, Sturgeon Bay’s Irish pub. “Kitty’s,” as it’s often called, is one of those few places where you can rub elbows with welders from the shipyard, bankers, locals, and tourists. Find out what makes Kitty O’Reilly’s so appealing.
Kitty O’Reilly’s Review
Summary
Kitty O’Reilly’s offers a surprisingly wide menu, and the food comes well-prepared. It’s a little pricier than some restaurants in the area. It has a fun ambiance. It is located on the west side downtown area, and there are some light industrial businesses in the area. All in all, Kitty O’Reilly’s is popular with a wide array of people, from shipyard workers to bankers, locals and tourists alike.
Menu
Kitty O’Reilly’s has a surprisingly wide array of menu options.
The core of Kitty O’Reilly’s is typical pub fare and Irish dishes. The Irish dishes alone would be enough to set the menu of Kitty O’Reilly’s apart. Restaurants in Door County in general and Sturgeon Bay in particular often don’t stray too far from generic pub offerings.
However, Kitty O’Reilly’s has a few menu choices that are daring for the area, including a spinach walnut salad, avocado chicken salad, and fish tacos.
Some of my favorite dishes are:
- Bang Bang Shrimp
- Shrimp Tacos
- Macaroni and Cheese
- BBQ Ribs
As far as drinks go, one can’t miss item at Kitty O’Reilly’s is their Loaded Bloody Mary. Different every time you get it, it’s both a drink and an appetizer, stuffed with goodies like cheese whips, meat sticks, olives, asparagus, and more.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with a burger, either.
Food Quality
Kitty O’Reilly’s consistently produces good quality food. I’ve eaten here many times, and I’ve never had to send a dish back. And, the food often comes out surprisingly quickly.
Price
I give Kitty O’Reilly’s four stars for price. Kitty’s certainly isn’t over-priced, but it’s definitely a little pricier than many restaurants in Sturgeon Bay, especially for pub food.
But, you’re paying for a great ambiance and great service in addition to the food.
Ambiance
I come to Kitty O’Reilly’s in large part on account of the ambiance. It has a fun and comfortable atmosphere.
The bar area is cozy and a little bit funky, in a good way. I like the stained glass windows with Gaelic sayings in them.
The indoor dining room has generously sized wooden tables and a mural of Sturgeon Bay on the wall.
But, what really sets Kitty O’Reilly’s apart is their outdoor beer garden. They’ve been putting in much work on this area over the years, and it has paid off. They’ve developed a lush space with multiple seating areas, each with its own unique feel. They have play areas for kids, and a recently built tiki-style bar, popular on weekend evenings in the summer.
This is a place to come and lounge for a while with some friends.
Location
Kitty O’Reilly’s is tucked away on a side street in Sturgeon Bay’s “west” downtown, the smaller downtown area before crossing over the bridge. This is a central area and easily accessible. Other businesses and lodging options are within walking distance of Kitty O’Reilly’s.
On the other hand, this is a “mixed-use” are of Sturgeon Bay. There are some residential buildings in the vicinity, and it is also right next to some light industrial areas. Kitty O’Reilly’s has done a good (and creative job) of condoning off their property from some of the more industrial areas, so that you hardly notice the when inside.
Service
Kitty O’Reilly’s has friendly, capable servers, who seem to enjoy working there. They help to make dining at Kitty’s enjoyable.
Summary
Averaging out all these categories, all-in-all we give Kitty O’Reilly’s 4.7 stars. This is a great place to go if you want a comfortable, fun atmosphere with a wide variety of clientele, pub food, and a few surprises. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Sturgeon Bay, and it’s one of the most popular in Door County.
General Information about Kitty O’Reilly’s
59 E Oak St, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
More About Sturgeon Bay
Kitty O’Reilly’s is located in Sturgeon Bay, Door County’s only city. Sturgeon Bay has plenty of other restaurants, lots of fun attractions and things to do, and some solid lodging options. While a working city with an industrial core, Sturgeon Bay is also a great place to base a Door County vacation.
