The Gourmet Store is a deli and cafe restaurant in Medieval Mile, Kilkenny.
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.
Signature dishes: Artisan cheese sandwiches, Homemade salads
Must order: Sandwich on sourdough baguette with the local farmhouse cheese selection; the coleslaw is homemade daily.
Tip: Opens at 08:00, closes around 16:00. The cheese counter is worth a dedicated visit before heading to the farmers market.
Address: 56 High Street, Kilkenny
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.
Signature: Full Irish breakfast, Homemade beef burger
Order: Full Irish breakfast or the homemade burger with local beef; good gluten-free options throughout the menu.
Tip: Open seven days. The outdoor terrace with greenery is the best casual outdoor seat on High Street.
Zuni on Patrick Street is Kilkenny's most consistent hotel restaurant since 2000, chef Michael Thomas working seasonal Irish produce into modern menus.
Signature: Seasonal fish, Local Irish lamb
Order: Seasonal lamb or seafood; the breakfast menu from 08:00 is among the best-value hotel dining in Kilkenny.
Tip: Breakfast from 08:00. Lunch from 12:30. Dinner Monday to Saturday from 17:00, Sunday from 17:00 to 20:15.
Stathams at the Pembroke Hotel serves seasonal modern Irish sharing plates in a smart room with a heated outdoor courtyard in the heart of the city.
Signature: Seasonal sharing plates
Order: Seasonal sharing plates on local Co. Kilkenny produce; the wine list is short and well curated.
Tip: The heated courtyard is the key selling point. Book ahead for weekend dinner when the room fills.
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.
Signature: Basque cheesecake, Vegan superfood salad
Order: Basque cheesecake; the seasonal vegan superfood salad or the chai latte with oat milk.
Tip: Monday through Saturday 08:00-16:00. The room is small; walk-in lunch is first-come, first-served.
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.
Signature: Full Irish breakfast, Homemade beef burger
Order: Full Irish breakfast or the homemade burger with local beef; good gluten-free options throughout the menu.
Tip: Open seven days. The outdoor terrace with greenery is the best casual outdoor seat on High Street.
Zuni on Patrick Street is Kilkenny's most consistent hotel restaurant since 2000, chef Michael Thomas working seasonal Irish produce into modern menus.
Signature: Seasonal fish, Local Irish lamb
Order: Seasonal lamb or seafood; the breakfast menu from 08:00 is among the best-value hotel dining in Kilkenny.
Tip: Breakfast from 08:00. Lunch from 12:30. Dinner Monday to Saturday from 17:00, Sunday from 17:00 to 20:15.
Stathams at the Pembroke Hotel serves seasonal modern Irish sharing plates in a smart room with a heated outdoor courtyard in the heart of the city.
Signature: Seasonal sharing plates
Order: Seasonal sharing plates on local Co. Kilkenny produce; the wine list is short and well curated.
Tip: The heated courtyard is the key selling point. Book ahead for weekend dinner when the room fills.
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.
Signature: Basque cheesecake, Vegan superfood salad
Order: Basque cheesecake; the seasonal vegan superfood salad or the chai latte with oat milk.
Tip: Monday through Saturday 08:00-16:00. The room is small; walk-in lunch is first-come, first-served.
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.
Signature: 3fe filter coffee, All-day breakfast bap
Order: Filter coffee or espresso with the all-day breakfast bap; the seasonal lunch plates are consistently strong.
Tip: Walk-in only. Opens around 08:30. Arrives fast to a queue on weekend mornings so plan accordingly.
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.
Signature: Award-winning stone-baked sourdough, Seasonal brunch
Order: The stone-baked sourdough and seasonal brunch plate; the wine list is short, natural and well chosen.
Tip: Closed Tuesday. Last food orders at 15:15. Natural wines available alongside coffee. Dogs welcome in the garden.
