Low Lane ★ 4.4
Low Lane opened in 2022 when Robyn and Mark Butler brought 3fe-trained specialty coffee back to Kilkenny, a walk-in-only room with all-day breakfast.
Signature drink: 3fe filter coffee
Coffee shops, bakeries with seats and the places Kilkenny lingers in over a cortado.
Where to sit and slow down
Cakeface Patisserie ★ 4.4
Cakeface on Irishtown is Laura and Rory Gannon's patisserie cafe, French and London pastry training applied to a room housing Kilkenny's only coffee roastery.
Signature drink: In-house roasted espresso
Wildflower Cafe at Butler Gallery ★ 4.0
Wildflower at the Butler Gallery serves plant-forward food, botanical teas, and gluten-free bakes in a walled garden and glass outdoor pods.
Signature drink: Seasonal botanical teas
Cafe La Coco ★ 3.9
Cafe La Coco on Patrick Street is a small independent cafe with in-house baked goods, specialty coffee with plant milk, and superfood salads on the menu.
Signature drink: Chai latte with oat milk
Arán Artisan Bakery and Bistro ★ 4.5
Arán on Barrack Street is Kilkenny's most-awarded cafe, Ireland's Best Brunch winner, with stone-baked sourdough and seasonally driven plates.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
The Fig Tree Restaurant ★ 3.8
The Fig Tree on High Street serves full Irish breakfasts and in-house beef patty burgers from local beef with an outdoor terrace on the medieval street.
Signature drink: Aromatic teas
The Gourmet Store ★ 4.1
The Gourmet Store on High Street has been Kilkenny's best deli-cafe since 1997, with farmhouse cheeses, local cold meats and sandwiches on artisan bread.
Signature drink: Fresh coffee
Louie's Cafe and Wine Bar ★ 4.2
Louie's on Patrick Street is a Parisian-inspired cafe bar with leather banquettes, high ceilings, natural wines, and a covered terrace open day to evening.
Signature drink: Espresso and natural wine
The Yard Cafe ★ 3.8
The Yard Cafe on St Kieran's Street serves organic coffee with plant milks, vegan and vegetarian lunch plates, and homemade cakes in a relaxed setting.
Signature drink: Organic filter coffee
Teds Coffee House ★ 3.6
Teds Coffee House at Kilkenny House Boutique Hotel serves coffee, teas, soups, and sandwiches in a central Patrick Street location with free parking nearby.
Signature drink: House blend espresso
Smithwick's Experience Bar ★ 4.0
The bar at the Smithwick's Experience pours a free Smithwick's Red Ale at the end of every brewery tour on the city's 13th-century brewing site.
Signature drink: Smithwick's Original Red Ale on draft
Foodworks ★ 4.0
Foodworks on Parliament Street is one of the city's best brunch cafe-bistros, the farm credentials genuine with pork from the owners' own family farm.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Petronella ★ 4.1
Petronella on Butterslip Lane is a charming daytime cafe in a medieval building, offering seasonal Irish cooking and a genuine commitment to local produce.
Signature drink: Natural wine by the glass
Zuni ★ 4.0
Zuni's breakfast service from 08:00 is among Kilkenny's most consistent hotel dining options, with full Irish or lighter plates and coffee on Patrick Street.
Signature drink: Full Irish breakfast with coffee
Kyteler's Inn ★ 3.8
Kyteler's Inn on St Kieran's Street is the most historically weighted daytime stop in Kilkenny, with over 90 Irish whiskeys curated by JD Flynn on site.
Signature drink: Kyteler's own-brand Irish whiskey