Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern
US 158 Bypass - MP 10.5,2316 S Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, 27959
Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Nags Head for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Nags Head for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Nags Head for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
US 158 Bypass - MP 10.5,2316 S Croatan Hwy
Nags Head, NC, 27959 - Phone (252) 441-4116
- Website https://www.kellysrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:30 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : DJ, Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Bobby H.
I've never been to the actual restaurant, so my review is only for the catering. By catering, of course, I mean the sweet potato ham biscuits. In fact, I'm not sure they even make anything else. Wouldn't matter if they did, because I'd already be full from biscuits before my food for to me. This is the second time I've been lucky enough to eat the sweet potato ham biscuits, and the second time I've been thrilled with the experience. I've had to stop writing this, twice, to go eat another one and come back. Seriously, though, eat them. Eat most of them. Then, drive to Raleigh and drop the rest off at my house. Thanks in advance.
(5)John G.
I've been coming here for the past 10+ years every summer. It's been tradition to end a week at the beach with a dinner at Kelley's but a new tradition will be starting next summer. I don't know what happened but over the last handful of years, the food has gone so far downhill. We were here last night and the food was tasteless. The crab cakes were small and mushy. The shrimp and scallop pasta was supposed to be a bit spicy but instead it come out soupy with very little flavour. The shrimp in the pasta tasted like it came out of a frozen bag. I wish I could write this one meal off as a bad night but the food has been consistently poor for the past few years. The menu never changes or gets updates; and neither does the eating area. I would give Kelley's one star, the food was well deserving of that score, but the dinner rolls are great and the service was solid. Save yourself from disappointment though; much better food can be found elsewhere in the Outer Banks.
(2)Kevin C.
Go if a band you like is playing, otherwise stay away. Horrible bar service, they gave me the wrong beer then were stunned when I asked for the one I ordered. Their bartender described "extensive" bottled beer selection had 15 beers most of which were the typical domestics. All of the game machines are a rip off. It will cost you $2 to play a full game of Foosball and you get one pinball per 50 cents. The pool table stole my dollar and the shuffle board pucks didn't slide worth a damn. To top if off the miniature Stone Cold Steve Austin security guy walked around mean mugging everyone all night.
(1)Karla B.
We have been here numerous times the past 10 years. The crab cakes are very meaty with little filler and are a favorite of mine, usually served with rice pilaf and green beans. Tonight's specials included a jumbo soft shell crab entrée that my husband loves, and we both had the fried green tomato appitizer, breaded with panko served steaming hot and not at all greasy. Dinner with tip and no drinks came to $66 for 2.
(5)Lexi V.
Stopped by for dessert and sat at the bar. I didn't like my beverage selection but I loved the peanut butter chocolate chip pie.. I'll be back for that and a new beverage choice.
(4)Amber S.
So odd. So, we made 7:30 reservations, at 8:05 the hostess had to "check with Mr. Kelly" to see if our table was ready, sat down at 8:08. R.E.S.E.R.V.A.T.I.O.N.S. It would've been great except we got a sitter and waited for Mr. Kelly to say that we could sit...the 5 people who came in after us, got sat 1st. The food was good, service was good BUT no consideration for the customer. Who is Mr. Kelly and why did he have to ok our sitting at his table. Also, you can order from the tavern menu (sandwiches) but they won't bring that menu to your table unless you ask.
(3)Rod O.
Restaurant AND "Tavern" a TwilightZone-ish experience for me having dined here another time in 1996 and NOT knowing about the Tavern side (it could be missed depending on where you are seated in the Dining Room)! I guess? Certain Charm! From the Outside Architecture to the use of space inside, it was impossible for me not to appreciate how smart they were designing the interior and intelligently assigning each inch of space to maximizing capacity without making it feel crowded ! Second Story Dinning Room and at least one Table with the Sun or Stars on the Third Story! In the Tavern Area : the Stage, Dance Floor, Disco Ball and Popcorn Popper made it feel dream like, then they had an area of Pool Tables off to one side and at least one Private Dinning Room for rehearsal Dinners or other special occasions! Reminded me of the Jazz Tavern under the Pink House in Savannah in a way and that Steak & Seafood Restaurant in Winston Salem I LOVE so much! Incredible Service! All the Servers were Polite, Friendly and Helpful! Our main Server Timed each "course" Perfektly! (I asked her to) So we had time to enjoy it and relax a few minutes before getting the next dishes! We noticed the patrons in the Tavern enjoyed being treated like Royalty! Many Regulars were addressed by name by Staff and it was a Very Warm and Welcoming vibe! Most of the regulars were Very Well Dressed though we were treated just as well coming right from the Beach were Hoodies and Trainers (I was Wearing Jeans and my Bride wore a skirt) we were dressed Very Causally)! Food : : From Yesterdays Dine ONLY I rate the best Dishes at 4 yelp stars and Not consider the ones we did not like, because if we dined here again we would be fine tuning our ordering and they still had some options I would be happy to taste! Some GREAT Food : Coconut Battered Shrimp French Onion Soup, seemed better the first time, still very good yesterday Complimentary Bread and Butter (three kinds of Bread) Some Good Food : Crab Bisque was Good though too Old Bayish Some Real Misses in the Food : Lobster Mac & Cheese was Very Lacking in flavor and OVERLY Greasy! Clam Chowder was the Biggest Miss! Tasted like Canned Clams in Clam Juice with Potatoes, lacked character and Seasoning
(4)Kevin J.
Girls can come in sleeveless, guys will get kicked out for it and if you leave money on the bar, the bartender WILL TAKE YOUR CHANGE! terrible place.
(1)Nikki M.
This place has gone down hill. I ordered the Salmon, asked for it medium. Comes to the table well over well done. This place back in the day was a great restaurant to come to......not so much now.
(1)M B.
I wanted to write an update for my review. After the owner read my review, he responded to it by offering his apologies and offering me a 25.00 certificate to give them another try. While I did appreciate the gesture, I respectfully declined his offer. I did not want to take the change to drive so far and maybe have another bad experience. Although, I will not be going back, my daughter was just down there this past weekend and decided to try them again. She was pleasantly surprised. She told me the experience was very enjoyable and maybe the owner took the review seriously enough to make some needed changes. She told me the service and the food was good, but for some reason she still had a problem with the sweet potato biscuits again. Her friend also enjoyed his dinner. He had not dined there before, but both of them said they would definitely come back.
(3)Jacky K.
We went here for my bachelorette party after hearing a few friends say it was fun. The intent was to arrive around 7:30/8:00 so that we could eat before enjoying dancing and live music. To ensure they could accommodate us on the tavern side we called ahead. We were sat immediately and watched tables around us get service. After 20 minutes one of my bridesmaids went to the bar to request service since the bartenders and servers were just standing around talking. Finally 5 minutes after being requested our drink order was taken without apology. The first round took forever as did our additional rounds and food once we finally ordered. Much of the food came out at completely different temperatures, and one of the lobster mac and cheeses we ordered had barely a hint of lobster. The live music was fun, but the repeated use of a bright strobe light in our eyes was not. I definitely don't recommend this place for anything but listening to bands play. The food and service is a complete disappointment, and I was embarrassed I'd requested to go to Kelly's for my bachelorette party.
(2)MJ B.
Okay so I decided to give it a try again. My parents and I went a month ago and their experience was not great. I took my boyfriend this time. He ordered the Mahi Mah and I ordered the shrimp pasta dish. We both enjoyed our meals and ordered strawberry short cake for dessert. We were stuffed. We also ordered cocktails. It was a blue cocktail on the drink specials menu. I forgot the name. The drinks were not costly but the entrees didn't come with salad. They no longer have ceasar salads. Which used to be my favorite there. I wish they would bring those back. The sweet potato biscuits were better this time. I really enjoyed our waitress she was very nice. We left just as the club was started to get loud. I wanted to stay but my boyfriend wanted to drive back to the 757 because it was getting late. I would like to return when I have more time to really vacation.
(2)Leena M.
We stopped by here for restaurant week after driving into obx from Baltimore. The restaurant itself seemed to have a lot going for it. It had a dance floor, trivia night, and karaoke night. We were excited to try the sweet potato biscuits, which were good but gummy. The restaurant week menu was substantial. However we opted for less of the seafood options. The duck,itself, was delicious;however, was cooked as if it was chicken than appreciating it as duck. The fillet mignon was well cooked and the crab on top was a nice touch. The deserts were our favorite. We had the pecan pie and creme brûlée, which both hit the spot:)
(3)Mark S.
I think Kelly's is just the right mix of dressy and beachy. Warm ambiance with a coastal decoration. I have always loved the sweet potato biscuits here, as well as the crab cakes. My new favorite is the warm mushroom salad.
(4)Jeannie M.
One of my favorite places. My sister was visiting from New Mexico and I took her here for some fresh seafood. She said it was the best meal she has had in fourteen years, ever since she moved! The lobster mac and cheese was exquisite...best I have ever had. My sesame seared turn with wasabi cream sauce was wonderful and the seafood platter sis got looked great. A wonderful experience. Excellent service. Highly recommend.
(5)Deborah B.
Kelly's was easy to find on Bypass, large parking lot and plenty of comfy seating in the waiting area. The hostesses were friendly and we were seated quickly at 7p on a Wednesday. Our server, Max, was very friendly and attentive. We had the house salad with red wine vinaigrette, 1lb crab legs ($18), 1lb steamed spiced peeled and deveined shrimp ($16), sweet potato rolls, pumpernickel rolls, white rolls and finished with sweet potato crème brûlée which was flambéed tableside. The bread seemed fresh from the oven and the sweet potato rolls were our favorite, followed by the pumpernickel. We didn't care much for the white rolls as we thought they were bland. The salad was ok.. a bit small and overdressed, but the vinaigrette was tasty. They also used sliced tomatoes instead of cherry or grape tomatoes, which can be good or bad depending on your preference. I prefer cherry tomatoes. While we appreciated that the shrimp were peeled and deveined, both the shrimp and the crab were overcooked leaving the shrimp rubbery and the crab very hard to remove from the shell, and when the crabmeat was finally removed, it crumbled. We also didn't get a plate for shells, so we used our salad plate. The sweet potato crème brûlée was pretty good. It really reminded us of holiday sweet potato casserole with a caramelized sugar on top. Not spectacular, but still delicious. This was our first time eating here, so we may give it another try at some point in the future just to see if we visited on an off day. IMHO, it's an average place to eat in the OBX, but I'd stay away from any steamed seafood.
(3)Charles H.
I gave this a two because of the Asian (guy) cough* bartender. Overcharged me for two budweisers. Since I'm a guy he can do this so he can give discounts to all his little girlfriends who want a drink. Ide really like to pull his ass across the bar and knock his teeth down his throat but that wouldn't make things better. Other than this dude the place is pretty cool. Great place to meet new people.
(2)Ed L.
A marathoner friend had put out a post on FB about meeting up as a group for dinner after running the Outer Banks Marathon 2012. I should have read the Yelp reviews on this place, since it turned out to be a bit too fancy for me. Not that I am complaining, but I would have liked to have been prepped first before coming. We all finished the Outer Banks marathon that day and were celebrating our accomplishments. For me personally, it was my 50th lifetime marathon finish and 30th state in my bid to run a marathon in all 50 states from Hawaii. The ambiance was quite nice: intimate and quiet. Something you don't get too much if you are more into the noisy hustle and bustle of chain restaurants and the like. The part that stuck out like a thorn on a rose was the prices. I didn't expect it to be as high as it was, but I went ahead and splurged a bit, since I reached a milestone in my marathoner life and felt the need to just go for it. I started off with a blue moon beer and the Cajun spiced oysters to start. Those oysters were on the half shell and it was smaller than I expected. Still they were good and an ideal way to enter the main course. Of all the entrees I had to pick, I had the 16 oz prime rib again, seeing all those seafood delights on the rest of the menu made me regret a little bit now. The steak I ordered was medium rare, which came out pink middle, moist, tender, and above all, chewy. Tough steak ain't good. It was served with dinner salad and bread rolls, which I took a few before digging into the steak and salad. The salad can be improved, but the steak was pretty spot on and that was awesome. The service was good and the evening was just simply a great end piece to cap off an epic weekend of running and vacationing on the eastern seaboard. I would recommend this place to those of you who enjoy great food and great ambiance. Not sure if I would categorize this place as upscale dining or not, but this place can sure seem like it. Whether or not I realized this, my tab came out to be $50, which is possibly the highest dinner tab I have seen in recent memory and its for myself. Indulging can suck sometimes, but it was great celebrating. Support local! B+
(4)Alex B.
Kelly's is the worst. Our wedding party was denied access to the bar because one minority friend of ours was wearing a tank top. Also, who charges covers anymore? This isn't DC or NYC. Kelly's, just so you know you missed out on about 60 people worth of business tonight. How does it feel not lining your pockets with green.
(1)Maz W.
Very good food. Highly recommend the flounder and the filet Oscar style. Service was good as well. They were able to accommodate a large party on a relatively short notice.
(4)Randee U.
My husband and I came here for dinner on our last night of vacation. We were seated right away, which was a huge plus. I had the chicken Alfredo, and my husband got the seafood platter. I wasn't crazy about the bread (would have been better warm), and the seafood portion was small. Probably won't come back, but good for a vacation dinner.
(3)Alli B.
I had a horrible experience. I came here with my husband, we sat in the tavern, he could not even eat his food because it tasted like cleaner. My drink was horrible, watered down and nasty. We WILL NOT be coming back! We are locals here too, takes a lot for us to say something like that.
(1)Greg T.
Do not go to this place... horrible service, overpriced drinks and the owner just wants your money. Do yourself a favor and buy a six pack at brew thru and chill at home.
(1)Meredith M.
I did not have anything to eat but the drinks were good! My girls and I came to dance tonight and the dj absolutely sucked, he was more interested in hooking up than playing good music.
(1)Jamie G.
We ate here to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Everyone was so nice and congratulatory...they made the night special. My husband got the flounder and said it was delicious! I got crab cakes and they were out of this world. All I could taste was crab meat...not a lot of filler. We'd definitely visit this restaurant again!
(5)Kevin D.
Very nice dinner on this Tuesday evening. Kelly's is open all year round, and has never disappointed. Apparently the locals like this place too. Had the fried oyster dinner for $12. My companion had the steamed shrimp (1 lb for $16). With side salads, bill was $35 plus change. Not bad for a really nice place !
(4)J S.
My family chose this restaurant because it was supposed to be good. Honestly, there are lots of places to get mediocre food in OBX. Don't bother with this one. I will give them this: there was miscommunication among my family regarding our reservation time and we showed up 30 min late, at 8pm. The hostess was still very friendly and accommodating. But that's the end of the good news. My husband and I both had the 'wild' mushroom salad and those were not wild mushrooms. They were just plain old white buttons. Also, the candied pecans were a poor choice with savory sautéed mushrooms in the salad and it just wasn't that good overall. I think this might be the place to come if you want a steak. I didn't hear any complaints about those mealsfrom our party, but nobody raved about them either. The thing that really upset me was that around 9 pm our waitress started rushing us- she tried to bring us the check while two people were still eating and cleared everything off the table while they were eating, including the bread. If this is supposed to be finer dining, they should know that it's rude to clear plates before everyone is finished and to ask twice if we want the check while people are eating. I guess she was ready to get off work but it ensured we won't be back.
(2)Jay S.
.
(4)Jennifer R.
Very good place to eat with a big group. The service was good and fast too. The scallops dinner was awesome!
(5)Michelle N.
After reading lots of reviews about this place I knew I had to check it out. We came for the nightlife and I came for the poles. We came on a Thursday night when Lloyd Dobbler Effect was playing - pretty good band. But we were surprised at how dead the place was. Compared to a bar we went to on Sunday night that was packed, we were expecting the same for a Thursday. Kelly's does have a nice open layout though and getting a beer was easy. As for the poles, if you're just a girl who just wants to be seductive and grind on it, these poles are for you. I, however, see it as a playground and like to do tricks on it. If you're a pole fitness girl like me, these poles will disappoint. They are only 5-6 feet tall which means there is barely enough pole to climb and inverting will be tricky (even for a short person like me). They have 2 behind the stage which were blocked by the band's gear and lights, then there's a third up on a platform that you have a to climb a ladder to get on. Then it's just open on top. They do have games off to the side - I only recall seeing shuffleboard and pool. They also have an upstairs for when it does get crowded. And the dance floor was huge which is a plus. I hate places that give you a 5x5" area to dance on. By their schedule it also seems like they pull in pretty good bands. We almost saw Carbon Leaf who played a few night priors. They also have lots of TVs for you sports fans. I was disappointed mostly because Kelly's wasn't at all crowded. I wouldn't write that against them, maybe it was just a slow night. I wouldn't mind checking this place again when I'm back in OBX but at least I know not to expect much with the poles.
(3)Sally M.
I went here two nights in a row because my friends wanted to go out and "party" and there doesn't seem to be many nightlife options in the area. I went during Memorial Day weekend and it was mostly a young crowd (20-somethings). Lots of cute, well-dressed ladies. It got pretty crowded, but I was still able to move around just fine. They had a live band both nights (some cover band) that was decent and a good DJ. The music is super loud though- I had to take a few breaks for my ears. Decent sized dance floor and there were a few stripper poles that ladies took advantage of. I ate some mini corn dogs and nachos (with real cheese, not the nacho sauce) and both were tasty for late night options. The bouncers here are super nice. I think the cover ($5) starts at 10:00. Only issue was that my friends encountered a rude bartender that wouldn't serve them.
(3)Carey S.
Went to Kelly's last week while on vacation in the OBX with my husband and his family. Kelly's seems to be a standby locale for dinner out while vacationing. The food was good, I had broiled flounder. Salad and sides come with the meal which is great especially in these days where everything seems to be a la carte. The one hiccup was with the first waiter that came by. He took drink orders. When my husband's uncle tried to order a bottle of wine, he said he could not take orders for bottles, just glasses and mixed drinks. I thought that was interesting. The bottle of wine was ordered later and after a lot of confusion between who ordered a glass of wine and who was sharing the bottle of wine, everything calmed down. Our other waitress handled everything from there and was great with the large party size that we had. The Restaurant was not as crowded as I expected and it was freezing in there! Will probably be back, but this is not a "must go back" restaurant to me.
(3)Jen H.
We come to Kelly's every year when we go to the Outer Banks, and it never disappoints. The service is exceptionally helpful and friendly, from the hostess who seated us, to the polite waitress who brought our meals. Frequently, the owner of the restaurant comes around to say hello, and make sure everything meets your expectations. The "Creamy Crab Soup" has large chunks of delicious crab meat, and has just the perfect rich flavor. The sweet potato rolls are sweet and warm, and they will even give you the recipe if you ask. The scallops were cooked to perfection, and the crab cakes are to die for. Even the green beans were clearly fresh and expertly prepared. At the end, we ordered a sweet, luscious Creme Brûlée, which was caramelized right in front of us at the table. A trip to Kelly's will always be a part if our vacation, and we will continue to support this business.
(5)John F.
They did a great job with our group of 21 adults and kids. Service was excellent and food was good to OK. Keep it simple and increase your chances of success. Overall we were very happy and would recommend this place.
(4)Ashley S.
Food is alright . The fruity drinks taste real good but too overpriced . nightlife is full of ppl looking to hook up and have a 1 night stand . If you like to dance this is the place to go .
(3)Brandi R.
My family and I have been going to the Outer Banks for over 20 years. we've been going to Kelly's Restaurant since I was a young child and I have yet to be disappointed. This is my family's go to restaurant every time we visit because the quality and service have always been excellent. They will start you out with some sweet potato rolls, which are fantastic. Their seafood is fresh and has always been cooked to perfection. One of the reasons we always come to Kelly's is because their non-seafood dishes are just as good too. My mother does not eat shellfish. She always gets steak and absolutely loves it from here. And then there are their desserts. Their desserts are flat out some of the best I've ever had. The white chocolate mousse with Oreo is so delectable! Their food is good...but their desserts are incredible.
(4)Dustin B.
My wife and I visited the outer banks recently looking for a nice romantic weekend. We chose Kelly's as our 'nice meal' out date night. My wife had the salmon and said it was good, ok. Nothing to write home about (or on Yelp). I write today because the seafood platter was HORRIBLE! Order anything but that and you might have a decent dinner. I should have known based on the price, but hey i was looking for a little of everything. When they ask 'do you want this all broiled or fried?', just change the order. THey literally put the fish, scallops, crab cake and shrimp on a plate and broil it just like that. Now any sensical person knows each of these items require different cooking times, temperatures and methods. I was under the impression only one of the items was broiled, but alas I was wrong. When the plate came out, the scallops were extremely rubbery, the crab cake was soggy, the shrimp were perfect and the fish had a hard crustly layer all around, completely inedible. THe decorum is over-the-top tacky and it is a quite stuffy joint to eat at. The waitress seemed too busy to be bothered with questions and was indifferent towards us and our meal. A change of chef would only be the start for this place, but would possibly outweigh the rest of the issues we had. Not worth the price. I give it 2 stars only because my wife said her salmon was good. Sorry Kelly's, but you need a lot of work.
(2)Tania M.
Very disappointed with our dinner. Our disappointment started with our drink orders. We ordered martinis from the bar. We had to send them back because they tasted like straight shots of vodka. The appetizer was great, but unfortunately I can't say the same about my dinner entrée. I ordered the seafood pasta dish and found chunks of gelatin in the pasta. The server took my dish from me and then came back with the same dish, with most of the gelatin scraped off, told me that the chef said that it was just starch that wasn't well blended.
(2)B. T.
Kelly's seems to have an identity crisis regarding their bar clientele. We went to see a wonderful British Invasion band called The English Channel on a Saturday night in August. The band was great... exactly what we wanted to see... great setlist and performance. In between sets, the most obnoxious DJ ever blasted tunes at volumes i've not experienced in nightclubs anywhere else including New York and Toronto. Our group was taken aback. Why book a 60's -70's band and then blast Gansta Rap and Country tunes at them? Ughh. To be fair, there was a huge crowd of college aged folks who loved the DJ.. to be honest more than were there for the band. So decide what you are Kelly's! A club or a live music venue and just cater to one or the other. I'm 35 so I could at least handle some of the DJ selections (even danced to a few) but the vulgar hip hop and the young people grinding just isn't my thing and I've never gone to see a live classic rock band and had that sort of thing break out... nor should I have to. The crowds don't mix, nor should they. Pick one or the other.
(1)Nathan W.
I've gone here twice so this review will cover both evenings, one year apart. My first time at Kellys, the service was very good. Our waitress was very attentive and kind. However, the meal was a different story. Kellys is expensive for the quantity so I assumed the food would be amazing. I got the softshell crabs and they were not bad, but, for the price, I expected more. They were powdery but had good flavor. The second time, the service was lacking. We waited twenty + minutes after being seated and finally we went and told the hostess we hadn't been waited on. Our waiter was fine once he came up but he didn't apologize or say anything about us waiting. However, I don't believe he was to blame. I got the Alfredo pasta with crab and the crab had little flavor. The pasta was very good but overpriced as it tasted exactly like Olive Garden. On the plus side, they offer a 20% discount if you sit down before 5:30, the woman who worked the gift shop was extremely sweet, and, most importantly, their water was delicious!! Kellys was good but there are better values to be found.
(3)David B.
Had dinner at Kelly's last night with my wife and four friends. Sara(h), our waitress, was very helpful. She knew the menu very well, was very good at answering our questions and helping us with or choices. Each of our dinner selections were very good. The quantities were just right and the quality was very good.. Our menu selections were, scallops, flounder and tuna, all of which were done very well and tasted very fresh. If in the are again I will go back again.
(4)John E.
We've been going here for years, and over the last few, there has been a steady decline. Their crab soup used to be that which I rated all others - it was full of crab and sherry, and delicious. On our last visit, the soup was average at best. The same goes for everything else we had - seafood, salads, etc. We didn't have any desserts on this occasion, which is the only thing they still flaunt. It's still something of a Nags Head institution, but they've fallen off from what made them so.
(2)Jen L.
Kelly's was the most amazing vendor that we used on our wedding day. Thank you for the delicious food (the crab cakes are to die for), the attention to detail, the incredible service, and the reasonable price! I have spread the word on every message board that I can find but thought that I would add my feelings here too (the guests all raved about the food, and my mom was blown away by the service). Also, every time we've gone to your restaurant, it has been a delicious and pleasant experience. When I told the manager that I had never tried grits, he brought over a big bowl for us to try and share (they were good too!). We will definitely be making a yearly trip back - especially for the buffalo shrimp, crab cakes, and BEST balsamic vinaigrette dressing that we've ever had (made in-house, and my dad - aka the world's pickiest eater - wanted to go back to get a big vat to bring home with us). THANK YOU!
(5)Steve G.
We took my Dad here for Father's Day and we had an excellent meal. We were seated promptly in a nice booth and our waitress was great! She was very outgoing and funny. They have an excellent variety on their menu. We got a combination of the "early bird" *and* Father's Day discounts which resulted in really deeply discounted price for dinner. Good food, good service, good prices. Highly recommend!
(4)F G.
Two descriptive words for Kelly's : Awkward, Flavorless We had been to Kelly's about nine years ago and loved it! In fact my brother developed and addiction to potato skins while there. We decided to return. We found it strange that the parking lot was not packed like in the past. When we walked in, time had definitely taken it's toll. Moldy smell... even had napkins tied around the air condition vents to prevent dripping...?... We have a 17 month old, maybe that was the reason they took us upstairs... which had no music... and was awkwardly quiet with two other tables up there. We were on edge every time our daughter made a sound. The waitress was very awkward. To the point that she stayed at the table when she handed the bill and said "I'll take it when you are ready." ...and stayed while trying to make small talk with my dad. In which my dad was trying to end because he needed to look over the bill. She even said if you can't see it I can read it to you. AWKWARD!!! lol!!! During the meal I ordered an extra side of fries... the waitress said, "Who are they for?"... um... does it matter? lol!!!! Very awkward meal.... It became hilarious. As for the food. Awful. We will not return. Shrimp had a fishy old taste. The drinks were flat, the potatoes had been under a heat lamp which dried them out, the vegetables were not seasoned, the crab cakes were mushy and flavorless, the coconut shrimp were caked in burnt/raw (I don't know how that happens) flavorless batter, the salad was not chopped (my pet peeve when it comes to salads.... esp when you are paying a high price), the greens in the salad were rinsed but not spun so the dressing was watery in the plate, ....on the positive end... the cream of crab soup, the green beans, and the bread was good. Good bye, Kelly's... sorry we ended on a bad note...
(1)Olivia L.
I love Kellys! Our family owns a house in Corolla and we travel every time we visit down here to Kelly's. The food is amazing! The services is very good and if you get they have a lot of private seating. We actually had our wedding reception here. They were very accommodating and helped to plan a lot of stuff. They were also VERY affordable. Try the vanilla creme brule!
(5)Mike H.
WARNING: Kelly's puts a $75 HOLD on your CREDIT CARD above the cost of the meal. While we've been going to OBX for decades, this past Sunday was our first time at Kelly - and our last. In looking at our statements for the long weekend getway, we noted a $75 hold on our credit card that was above the cost of the meal (which was only $65 before tip). We called Kelly's, and the person on the phone said that their credit card processor places holds on cards, that they get these calls every Monday, and that if its not released by Thursday to give them a call. Unacceptable. The sad thing is that my chicken alfredo was very good, several diners who ordered scallops enjoyed their meals, and the mac-n-cheese for my son was some of the best. PROS: Nice atmosphere, very good food CONS: Slow service, extra $75 HOLD on your credit card.
(1)TJ C.
As if the excellent food wasn't enough, the friendly and helpful service of not only our wonderful waitress, but also the hosts and manager were outstanding. There were 8 in our party and everyone had something different and everyone in our party was very pleased with their selections. I'm not a big seafood fan, but on vacation at the beach, I decided to be open-minded. The clam-chowder was the best I ever had and the Crab Linguine Alfredo was amazing. A little on the pricey side, but it's a treat you can't pass up! It's no wonder they've been an Outer Banks landmark for 25 years, the food is top-notch and so are the people! We had a truly memorable experience - highly recommended for a nice night out.
(5)Matthew D.
Service was prompt and friendly (our server was a little more chatty than I like). We did not experience the negative attitude that some of the other reviewers did. Typical of the higher priced restaurants in the OBX, the price was a 10, while the food was an 8. The bar was noisy, but we couldn't hear it from the dining room. Plenty of parking. I would pass on the pear martini, but that might be personal taste.
(4)Jason M.
Kelly's is one of the few places to go out late night in OBX. It has a hilarious local crowd mixed with summer vacation visitors. I've never eaten dinner here but the after hours scene is always a surprise. Live music, karaoke, bikini contents, what more could you want after consuming Corona all day on the beach. If you can afford the steep $5 cover, I highly recommend checking it out.
(4)Kim M.
My family and friends have been going to this Restaurant and Night Club for over 10yrs and it has never failed to please. The restaurant itself is very interesting architecturally with it's contemporary design and seemingly endless levels of rooms. During the summer season it gets busy so you may want to make reservations. Make them before 8pm on the weekends if you want to avoid the Night Club crowd that starts coming in to a separate area around 9:30pm. The staff has always been helpful and pleasant and on one occasion Mr. Kelly ( the owner ) came to the table where my husband and I were dining to introduce himself. I always think it is a nice touch when the owner personally comes to your table to thank you. The wine selection is vast with excellent selections of affordable table wines to expensive vintage reserves. The bar also has a nice selection of martinis and tropical drinks in souvenir glasses. I can not ever remember having a bad meal here. There are always Daily Specials of surf and turf and an appetizer. Two of our go to favorites on the menu are the Fried Oysters and Prime Rib. As for the Night Club...I LOVE IT!! There is a minor cover charge of $5 the last time I was there but if you have dinner the cover is waved. The bar has two levels. The downstairs has a huge dance floor that is packed by 11pm most weekend nights a large bar and a pool table area. The upstairs level opens after 10pm and has a smaller bar, flat screen T.V.'s showing sports and tables overlooking the stage and dance floor. This is a good place to hangout if you do not want to be elbow to elbow with the unwashed masses downstairs. On the weekends there is usually a top notch band playing tunes from the 70's to current rock and dance music. When the band goes on break a DJ. is mixing popular dance tracks. Shout out to DJ. Fresh!! Heyyy!! This club is not for just the 20 somethings. I have seen all (legal) ages frequent this club including one lovely couple who are in their early 80's. They are truly an inspiration and I hope to still be dancing when I am their age.
(4)Leo M.
Awful Awful Awful, the highly rated Thanksgiving Buffet was terrible, dried out turkey, pork and the stuffing tasted like Stove Top. Should have had Thanksgiving at the hotel.
(1)Andrey B.
I almost never leave 1-star ratings on Yelp, but I had absolutely no doubts about this one: This place and it's management is that they DON'T LIKE YOU PEOPLE, THEY ONLY LIKE YOUR MONEY! When we came there yesterday, we called ahead of time and were promised a 15 min wait. When we got there they said the wait was 20 min. We were greeted by a guy who's name was Mike and who turned out to be the owner. He was the rudest person we met in a long time! He saw that we have 2 babies in our hands and he made us wait for over 50 MINUTES because he kept sitting people who came after us. I think he did that just to piss us off (we kept asking him about the wait time). What was really disturbing to me is that he made no attempts to apologize or compensate us anyhow for the long wait or to make the wait more comfortable. He kept telling us to leave if we are not happy with the wait. We ended up ordering the food to go because the babies got so overtired of a long wait and THE FOOD WAS VERY AVERAGE. The chicken was over salted, the lobster was dry. Definitely not worth the high prices that they are charging. There are so many good seafood places in OBX, please go somewhere else! Places like that don't deserve your money!
(1)Lauren M.
Only went for drinks but had fun, can't speak for the mixed drinks, it was a beer kind of night. I like that they have live music, bartenders were nice. Moderately priced, it wasn't anything crazy.
(5)Tim M.
Unlike MS below, I have actually eaten here many times. I would be hard pressed to ever say it was the best place on the Outer Banks to eat, but it is always good. Our group of 4 went last night and we had a fine meal. There was no crowd which was a pleasant surprise since it can be 5-15 min in the summer to get a table sometimes. Service was fast, friendly and Mike Kelly came buy twice to say hi. I was the lone wolf and had just watch a episode of Deadliest Catch and had the taste buds ready for crab legs (no they are not local and I know that). The others had flounder and scallops. I tried a scallop and they were the best I have ever had - sweet and no hint of fishy taste. All was good and we left full and happy. And oh man are those sweet potato biscuits the best - no need for desert with these around.
(3)Sue D.
Food was fabulous service was the best I've ever had anywhere. Our server Dale was informative, efficient and personable. We were a party of 16. Our order was done 100% correctly. Wanted to go back for lunch the next day.
(5)Todd K.
Went to Kelly's with a big group tonight. The seafood bouillabaisse had a good flavor but the shrimp and scallops were very overdone. Others at the table thought their seafood was overdone too. The waiter was good and quite conscientious but the entrees took 2 hours to arrive. Overall it was just OK but not worth the price ($103 for two adults and two kid meals).
(2)Cristine M.
YUM YUM YUM!! It was my first time to come here and I enjoyed it a lot!! I've had sweet potato rolls for the first and it was sooo yum!! Our food was good. My boyfriend had a steak and i had a mixed grill that has equal portion of tuna, swordfish and shrimp -- VERY good and not bad for a vacation dinner either (we paid $62) Our service was good and our server even gave me some potato rolls to-go. Will come back for sure!!
(5)Nicole M.
Considered this restaurant to cater our restaurant but the facility didn't have exactly what we were looking for. However, the food is quite tasty and the service was great. Definitely stop in for dinner.
(4)Margaret R.
My daughter, husband, and I had Sunday dinner here on a recent trip to the Outer Banks. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. We especially enjoyed the sweet potato rolls and the snapper soup. The staff at the restaurant truly embodied "Southern Hospitality" and this made for a very enjoyable evening. The waitress explained a few items on the menu for us and helped my very picky daughter put together a combination of foods that satisfied her. Our dinners of crab cakes, flounder, and salmon were nicely prepared and complimented by the sides that came with them.
(4)M S.
RUDE. I'm writing for brides who might be considering Kelly's. I haven't even eaten at this place, so I'm not sure it's a fair review, but I wanted to warn you all. My wedding is scheduled for 09/2012 and I contacted Kelly's to schedule a tasting and had 3 very unpleasant conversations with Mary. A) Mary insisted that there would be a fee for the tasting, which is absolutely UNHEARD of. Caterers should be bending over backwards for your business, especially if they know they are competing with at least 5 other companies. B) Mary also insisted that I choose items from the menu before the tasting, but then when I called the day prior to the tasting with my selections, she copped an attitude saying that it was too late, and she didn't have time to accomodate me. PLEASE NOTE: I had scheduled 5 other tastings with other caterers within 1-2 days notice and they were ALL accommodating, nor did they insist that I MUST send items ahead of time. If I did not provide selections, the caterer just presented me with a platter of their more popular items. It's a wonder that this place gets any business at all if person Mary is always answering the phone. I told Mary to take my wedding off her schedule, and I took her off the list of potential caterers. My relationship with vendors should be easy for my big day, I don't care how cheap the food is, it's not worth the stress. I'm a thirty something bride from the DC Metro Area.
(1)Staci C.
Food is decent at best. Don't get the crab cakes - they are mushy and WAY too watery - more like really bad lump crab meat. Service was just ok - hostess was sweet but waitress was an honest-to-goodness space cadet. She would have forgot her name if it wasn't on her nametag.... But it works - its ok in a pinch and the restaurant is huge so there is plenty of seating. And if looking for nightlife I hear it's the place to be... the bar area is huge, and it has a stage for a band with a dance floor and all. We popped in on a Saturday about 8pm and there wasn't a soul in there yet.
(2)Paulette M.
1 hour waiting ..1/2 to get a salad. Got a 27 dollar seafood plate that was not worth it husband got a well done steak that was still bleeding the waitress did however give us a break on the price...the best part was the bread!..will not be comming back ...3 hours total from walking in the door to walking out
(1)Lauren K.
Weird place. From the hostess that looks you up and down like its a fancy restaurant to the duck and fish decorations on the walls to the guy outside in shorts who asked you how you liked "dining with us" and handing out coupons. Scallops were crunchy with sand and the fettuccini alfredo was literally so salty it was practically inedible. No complaints on the filet but it certainly wasn't a very exciting piece of meat. I had my very first prime rib experience here when I was 11, and it changed my life forever. Unfortunately that's the only positive thing I have to say... I won't be back for my next trip to the OBX.
(2)Chris S.
Wow!!! With some of the "just OK" reviews, I can't say anything bad about this place. Great food and the prices aren't too bad. I had the Creamy Crab Soup and the NC Seafood Collection. The entree was broiled flounder, shrimp scallops and crab cake. It really was the best seafood meal I have had in a long time. I went with three other people and ALL were very satisfied with the food and service. Our server was constantly filling our water glasses, along with the wine. The owner was at the door greeting people as they came in. When we were leaving a band was starting in the sports bar, which was roomy and looked like a good time. It was not dark, but there are no windows in the dinning area. There are several stained glass windows. I wish we could have stayed for some bar action but it is not a good idea to drive back to Corolla drunk. It took us about 50 minutes to get back to our beach house. The bad thing about Corolla is that everything is in Duck or Kill Devil Hills.
(5)Seaside V.
Love Kelly s, especially in the summer. they have great bands on the weekends and the people who go there are always fun. I would recommend seeing Krunch perform there because they are great! Always get fast service at the bar and food has been delicious every time. Great spot to visit if in the area.
(4)Kristina B.
I ate there with my family and friends while I was on vacation in Duck, NC and to say I was disappointed would be an understatement. RUDE SERVICE PEOPLE, MEDIOCORE FOOD, OVERPRICED, LONG WAIT, NOT CHILD FRIENDLY....just skip this place!!!
(1)dave d.
If you are going to an Irish restaurant to be blown away by cuisine you shouldn't complain. Irish food is to the beach as is California cuisine is to Savannah, it just doesn't make sense. Food is average at best. Service, terrible. Nothing worse than average food and servers and bar staff who are inconvencienced by having to do their job.
(2)Lucy L.
My husband and I vacationed in The Outer Banks for the first time and decided to go to Kelly's as it had been recommended to us. Well, we were definitely NOT disappointed! We arrived early, around 5:30 as we were told that it can get quite busy later in the evening. Going in June, it was also not the height of the season, but the restaurant was filling up rather quickly when we left. The food and the service were just incredible. We were promptly greeted and seated by the hostess. Our server Bill was very friendly and nice and quick with bringing everything. He was very attentive without being overbearing. Our appetizers came so fast it didn't seem like they had enough time to prepare them. We had the calamari and the shrimp cocktail, both delicious. I enjoyed the abundant use of horseradish in the cocktail sauce. Bill brought out the salads and some bread which included Kelly's famous sweet potato rolls. They were melt in your mouth delicious. Bill was so nice he gave us an extra 8 to go (no charge) plus the recipe! The salad was very good and Kelly's makes all their dressing from scratch, super yum. A table near us was a large party that had a toddler who was a bit fussy. Nobody likes a screaming kid at a restaurant so Bill offered to bring out some French fries for her to snack on and keep her occupied while the adults sipped their drinks and decided on what they wanted. Well done Bill for being attentive to your customers and keeping everyone happy. My husband ordered the Seafood Norfolk with shrimp, scallops, and crabmeat. It was unbelievably delicious and scrumptious! When adding lemon to the scallops, they melted in his mouth. It was served with a rice pilaf and green beans. My husband, who never eats vegetables, finished the green beans. I don't know how they made them that good. The portions were very large and definitely a good value. I ordered a special of the evening which was a seared ahi tuna topped with crab meat and a wasabi slaw. It was also served with rice and green beans. The food was delicious and they were generous with the portions. The tuna was cooked a bit more than I am used to, I prefer it more rare. But it was cooked well and was still very moist. The crab meat was definitely more than I expected and the slaw gave everything a nice zing of flavor and an extra crunch. It was a good combination of flavors and textures. We were so full that dessert was out of the questions, but I have heard wonderful things. If the rest of the meal was an indicator, the desserts would be delicious too. I would definitely eat here again!
(5)Rob B.
Meal started out well with really good biscuits and salad, but when the entrees came the gravy with the Stuffed Pork was nasty while the pork itself was good. The Chicken Pasta was ok but tasted too strongly of red pepper. The waiter was very friendly and attentive though and the atmosphere was very nice and classy.
(3)Joshua G.
This is definitely one of the premier nightlife hangout spots. They have a DJ and dance floor, decent bar, pool, foosball, and tables to sit. On a good night it can get pretty crowded. Monday night is the bikini contest. FYI, every third Sunday of the month is gay night complete with a drag show. My brother and I found that out the hard way.
(4)Kristi W.
Can't say enough great things about Kelly's! We eat here every time we visit the OBX. Our visit this past week was wonderful like always. Great atmosphere, great food, and great service. I was torn between their crabcakes and the scallops and they were having a bit of a slow evening so the waitress managed to talk the kitchen into giving me an entree that had both and the food was awesome. My husband had their creamy crab soup and I had to steal a few bites, it was great. Their french onion soup was only ok., oh and don't forget the sweet potato biscuits - best anywhere!!
(4)Dustin K.
My parents are transplanted locals and always talk about Kelly's, so we decided to give it a go on our last trip down. For the price, I think you get a very fair amount of food. Service was above average and they had a nice atmosphere going with some Xmas lights and such. Mind you, Kellys is probably 10x busier during the summer. I had crabcakes for an entree for the first time in my life and was not disappointed. I don't think this is on the menu yet, but it is going to be added soon. Desserts were absolutely delicious! Bar area was large and probably gets some wild crowds going during the summer.
(4)Luan D.
First, the good: nice and friendly waitress and great bread/roll and calamari. Second, the bad: the entres were mediocre, at best. Steaks and prime rib were bland. Salads were not fresh and hidden by gobs of dressings. The fish stuffed with crab meat had good crab meat but not so fresh fish. And fish plate we had was poorly done.
(2)Jan B.
This place is wonderful!! The owner, Mr. Kelly, has a great personality and provided us with the best service. We were here for a bachelorette party and enjoyed dinner in the restaurant before hanging out at the bar afterwards. Mr. Kelly stopped by our table a few times to joke with us and ensure we were having a good time. Even offered to turn down the temperature in the room when he thought we may have been cold. The food was good and service was fast. Once we decided to hit the bar for some partying, we danced to a cover band and dj on the dance floor. Bartenders were always fast and friendly. The bouncers were also very friendly - probably the best bouncers I've ever met. Overall, we had a FANTASTIC experience here because of the staff. Our bachelorette truly enjoyed the festivities and I hope the staff and Mr. Kelly read this because we'd love to say "thank you!" We definitely will be back!
(5)Mary P.
Kelly's was a highlight of our visit to OBX. The food was great and our server was wonderful. She was entertaining without being in the way. Everyone was thrilled with their food. All the seafood was delicious.The salad and desserts were yummy too. The special Sweet Potato rolls were uniquely delicious, and the owner gave us a pre-printed recipe for them on the way out. I would definitely return, perhaps tonight.
(5)Tyree M.
excellent restaurant they're very accommodating with small children, great food little pricey.
(4)Sharon n.
Sat at the bar with my husband for a late dinner he had eaten earlier and I figured the tv's would keep him occupied while I ate. I had 1/2 chrimp and a burger-both were very very good. I loved the way they served the shrimp with a little cup of old bay, one of cocktail sauce, and a third I can't recall. Next time we go to Outer Banks, we will either go there for dinner or stop in at the bar for beer and shrimp.
(4)Melissa B.
My husband and I went to NC for our anniversary. On our first night there we went to Kelly's. The waiter was not very friendly and we "waited a long time before our drink order was even taken. The food was good but over priced. To top it off we ordered the prime rib special which was advertised on the menu board outside the restaurant and in the menu... when the bill came it was charged at full price. while we waited for our waiter to return to the table to ask about the bill we asked another waitress...when she saw the bill she obviously knew somethng was wrong, her comment to us was ... you'll have to ask him about that. Needless to say when he came back to the table he was clearly shocked that we even asked about it.. We beleive hoping that we would not notice so that he could pocket the extra money he was charging for it in his tip!!!! Even though the food was good I will never return...
(2)Jessica Z.
Ok, I don't eat fish so I can't speak to that but my friend's parents enjoyed it. It felt like I could be anywhere in this place, totally dark, no windows. Seemed odd to be so closed off when we're so close to the beach and good views. The waitress was a bit unfriendly but not bad. Overall- not bad, not good.
(3)Cristina K.
When you take too long to get ready after a full day out on the beach at Kitty Hawk and you're at the Outer Banks towards the end of fall, you'll likely end up at Kelly's. Kelly's is the only place we could find that looked open on Nov. 1, after 9:30 pm. I got a little confused as to why many of the women going into Kelly's were dressed so scantilly. Now I know. Kelly's isn't just a tavern, it is a full-blown dance club. If you life to eat your meal with bass pumpin', this might be what you've been looking for. Here's my take. I ordered the Mixed Grill with Asian Chili Sauce. The fish was good. It was comprised of a combination of Rock Fish, Grouper and shrimp. The vegetable medley and potatoes that it was served over were a disgrace. The zucchini was squishy and unappealing. The potatoes seemed as though they'd been sitting too long in a kitchen. The sweet potato biscuits were really good. My date had prime rib, which he reported as, "average." It is weird to pay $100 for a meal in which there is techno-level bass blaring, but I did just that at Kelly's. Skip this place and opt for somewhere corporate if you're too late heading out to hit other local spots.
(2)Paula D.
While it's called Kellys Restaurant, and good food is served here, Kellys tavern is the premier nite spot in the OBX, Every night is Music nite. This is where the locals go. A very good singles spot. Good entertainment and good food. This is where you will probably find me on a Friday or Saturday night.
(5)edward k.
Awful X a million. Sta away. Went there a few weeks ago on a Friday night in July and it was a complete disaster. I understand that going to an eatery in a tourist area, in season, on a weekened night, means comprise as a consumer, but this experience was unbearable. Reservations at 7....seated at 8:15. Our party of 6 was seated in a quaint little nook- nice touch. We waited another 20 minutes or so before a server bothered to show up. Ordered drinks and waited another solid 10 minutes for those to show up and then the server rushed away again. She returned eventuially to take our order for appetizers, but refused to take our dinner order just yet. Great. My wife & I ordered soup which arrived at the table stone cold and the server was almost in tears apologizing about the crappy service we were getting....because in addition to our table of 6, she also had a table of 9 and a table of 17. No joke. The meal went downhill from there. The food was awful and the service was so bad, we were helping ourselves to our own water refills from the service station. Left at about 10:45 pm, to loud music coming from the bar. Terrible, awful, never again.
(1)