Bistros, trattorias and the everyday places where Kilkenny actually eats.
Bistros, trattorias, taverns and neighbourhood rooms: the mid-tier places where Kilkenny actually eats.
19 places
Order Kilkenny Red Ale beef pie or traditional Irish stew with soda bread.
Matt The Millers on John Street blends reliable Irish pub cooking with live music every night, the Kilkenny Red Ale beef pie a natural city signature.
Order Mixed grill of brisket, ribs and pulled pork from the wood smoker; the jambalaya is excellent pub food.
Paris Texas on High Street is Kilkenny's BBQ house, family-run since 1996 with a wood-smoking oven for American South West and New Orleans-inspired dishes.
Order Hearty seafood chowder or the Angus beef steak; the Guinness here is poured with care.
Langton's on John Street is a Kilkenny institution, winner of Best Gastro Pub Kilkenny 2025, serving hearty Irish food and an extensive Irish whiskey list.
12 of the casual dining on this list are in Medieval Mile. So are these tours and tastings.
Order Traditional Irish stew or the beef and Guinness pie; Kyteler's own-brand Irish whiskey for a local toast.
Kyteler's Inn on St Kieran's Street traces brewing roots to 1324 and serves traditional Irish food from noon to 21:00 alongside 90 selected Irish whiskeys.
Order Red duck curry or the spicy kimchi chicken ramen; vegan options are built with equal seriousness.
Aroi on Friary Street has been Kilkenny's Asian restaurant of choice since 2015, chef Fadilah named Best Asian Fusion Chef in Ireland in 2019.
Order Fresh fish and chips; the daily specials built from local seasonal produce consistently impress.
Billy Byrnes on John Street Upper is a Kilkenny social institution serving locals since the 1980s, a gastro bar with food, pints, live music, plus sport.
Order Pulled pork benedict at brunch or the Angus steak burger; the spit-roast free-range pork is occasional.
Foodworks on Parliament Street is the most direct farm-to-fork address in Kilkenny, the pork sourced from pigs the owners raise on a family farm nearby.
Order The seasonal lunch plates that change with supply from Mountain View's farm and local artisan producers.
Petronella on Kilkenny's medieval Butterslip Lane serves simple, seasonal Irish cooking with global influences, sourcing from Mountain View's own farm.
Order Homemade pasta with seasonal sauce; the homemade tiramisu is the best in the city.
The Cavaliere family has run Rinuccini opposite Kilkenny Castle since 1989, importing Italian produce and building a cellar of over 12,000 bottles.
Order Small plates on Thursday through Saturday evenings; the espresso and morning pastry in the daytime.
Louie's on Patrick Street is a Parisian-inspired cafe bar with natural wines, small plates, high ceilings, and leather banquettes in central Kilkenny.
A sample of Kilkenny hotels from our booking partner, who list 28 here. Live prices and availability open on their site.
The Club House Hotel
The Club House Hotel is centrally located in Kilkenny, a 4-minute walk from Kilkenny Castle and 5 minutes b...
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Kilkenny Inn
With a stay at Kilkenny Inn, you'll be centrally located in Kilkenny, a 9-minute walk from St Mary's Cathed...
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Kilkenny House Boutique Hotel
When you stay at Kilkenny House Boutique Hotel in Kilkenny, you'll be in the business district, within a 5-...
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Launard House
With a stay at Launard House in Kilkenny, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Talbots Tower and Butler Hou...
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Compare for next weekend: Holidu in Kilkenny from USD 66/night · Booking.com in Kilkenny
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Order Sandwich on sourdough baguette with the local farmhouse cheese selection; the coleslaw is homemade daily.
The Gourmet Store on High Street has been Kilkenny's best deli since 1997, with farmhouse cheese, locally sourced meats, and sandwiches on artisan bread.
Order Full Irish breakfast or the homemade burger with local beef; good gluten-free options throughout the menu.
The Fig Tree on High Street serves a full Irish breakfast and handmade local beef burgers in a casual space with an outdoor terrace, open seven days.
Order Seasonal lamb or seafood; the breakfast menu from 08:00 is among the best-value hotel dining in Kilkenny.
Zuni on Patrick Street is Kilkenny's most consistent hotel restaurant since 2000, chef Michael Thomas working seasonal Irish produce into modern menus.
Order Seasonal sharing plates on local Co. Kilkenny produce; the wine list is short and well built.
Stathams at the Pembroke Hotel serves seasonal modern Irish sharing plates in a smart room with a heated outdoor courtyard off Patrick Street.
Order Basque cheesecake; the seasonal vegan superfood salad or the chai latte with oat milk.
Cafe La Coco is a small, independent Kilkenny cafe serving in-house baked goods, specialty coffee, and a seasonal superfood salad, open Monday to Saturday.
Order Filter coffee or espresso with the all-day breakfast bap; the seasonal lunch plates are consistently strong.
Low Lane on St Kieran's Street opened in 2022, Robyn and Mark Butler bringing 3fe-trained coffee skills home in a walk-in-only specialty cafe.
Order The stone-baked sourdough and seasonal brunch plate; the wine list is short, natural and well chosen.
Arán on Barrack Street serves award-winning brunch and lunch plates built on stone-baked sourdough, voted Ireland's Best Brunch at Georgina Campbell awards.
Order The changing daily pastry selection; a gourmet sandwich on sourdough baguette with locally sourced fillings.
Cakeface on Irishtown is Kilkenny's premier French-trained patisserie, run by Laura and Rory Gannon and housing the city's only dedicated coffee roastery.
Order Vegan soup with sourdough; the seasonal salad plate or gluten-free cake from the rotating bake selection.
Wildflower Cafe at Butler Gallery serves plant-based soups, bowls, and vegan raw cakes in a walled garden, Kilkenny's most dedicated plant-forward cafe.
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