Bakery counters in Kilkenny worth queuing for: levain breads, laminated pastry, regional bakes and the morning ritual.

Where to queue for bread and pastry

Arán Artisan Bakery and Bistro ★ 4.7

barrack-streetMon, Wed-Thu 09:30-15:30; Fri-Sun 09:00-15:30; Tue closedStone-baked sourdough and seasonal pastries

Arán on Barrack Street is Kilkenny's most acclaimed bakery-bistro, winner of Ireland's Best Brunch at the Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Awards.

Worth the queue: Stone-baked sourdough made with flour, salt, water and natural leaven

8 Barrack Street, Kilkenny, R95 YF30

Cakeface Patisserie ★ 4.5

irishtownMon-Sat 09:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-16:00Walk-in onlyFrench-trained pastries and artisan cakes

Cakeface on Irishtown is Laura and Rory Gannon's patisserie, French and London pastry training returned to Kilkenny, plus the city's only coffee roastery.

Worth the queue: Daily-changing pastry selection baked by Laura and Rory Gannon

16 Irishtown, Kilkenny, R95 W634

The Gourmet Store ★ 4.0

medieval-mileMon-Sat 08:00-17:00Walk-in onlyFresh bread, pastries and artisan deli

The Gourmet Store on High Street has been a Kilkenny bakery and deli since 1997, fresh daily bread and the city's most extensive farmhouse cheese counter.

Worth the queue: Freshly baked artisan bread and farmhouse cheese selection

56 High Street, Kilkenny

The Fig Tree Restaurant ★ 3.8

medieval-mileDaily 09:00-17:00Walk-in onlyScones, baps and fresh-baked breakfast goods

The Fig Tree on High Street bakes fresh scones, baps, and pastries each morning, drawing a breakfast crowd for a full Irish on a busy pedestrian street.

Worth the queue: Fresh-baked scones with Irish butter

20 High Street, Kilkenny, R95 XW22

Kilkenny Farmers Market Bakery Stalls ★ 4.1

medieval-mileThu 09:30-14:30Walk-in onlyTraditional Irish breads, soda bread and tray bakes

The Kilkenny Farmers Market on The Parade every Thursday brings artisan bakers with home-baked breads, soda bread, and tray bakes in front of Kilkenny Castle.

Worth the queue: Traditional Irish soda bread

The Parade, Kilkenny

Petronella ★ 4.0

butterslipTue-Sat 12:00-21:30, Sun 12:00-16:30Artisan desserts and seasonal baked goods

Petronella on Butterslip Lane produces artisan desserts from Mountain View's farm, seasonal baked goods forming the most farm-connected dessert menu in town.

Worth the queue: Seasonal Irish dessert plate from the farm

Butter Slip Lane, Kilkenny, R95 A030

Ristorante Rinuccini Desserts ★ 4.1

medieval-mileMon-Sun lunch and dinnerHomemade Italian desserts and pastries

Rinuccini at 1 The Parade produces the best tiramisu in Kilkenny from imported Italian ingredients in a kitchen opposite the castle since 1989.

Worth the queue: Homemade tiramisu

1 The Parade, Kilkenny, R95 XKR7

Foodworks ★ 3.8

medieval-mileWed-Sat 08:30-21:30, Sun 08:30-16:00Walk-in onlyFarm-to-fork savoury bakes and bread

Foodworks on Parliament Street bakes bread from the owners' own family farm produce, the most direct grain-to-table baking operation in Kilkenny city centre.

Worth the queue: Fresh-baked brown bread with farm butter

7 Parliament Street, Kilkenny, R95 X577

Zuni Hotel Breakfast ★ 3.8

medieval-mileDaily 08:00-11:00Hotel breakfast pastries and Irish morning breads

Zuni's breakfast service on Patrick Street offers the most consistent hotel morning spread in Kilkenny, with fresh brown bread and a full Irish each day.

Worth the queue: Full Irish breakfast with fresh brown bread

26 Patrick Street, Kilkenny
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