Kilkenny Food Tours: Taste Kilkenny with a Local Guide
Eat your way around the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny with a friendly local guide! Over 2.5 hours, you will sample delicious produce from artisanal producers whi...
Kyteler's Inn is a traditional irish restaurant in Medieval Mile, Kilkenny.
Editorially verified May 29, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Irish stew, Seafood chowder
Must order: Traditional Irish stew or the beef and Guinness pie; Kyteler's own-brand Irish whiskey for a local toast.
Tip: Food served noon to 21:00 seven days. Traditional music from 20:00 weeknights, two sessions at weekends. Book for groups.
Eat your way around the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny with a friendly local guide! Over 2.5 hours, you will sample delicious produce from artisanal producers whi...
Experience one of Kilkenny's most visited attractions at the Smithwick's brewery in Kilkenny. Learn about the brewing innovations and discover the family behind one of...
Unleash your inner chocolatier and immerse yourself in the world of delicious chocolate! With chocolate at your fingertips, explore the art of creating your own chocol...
Address: St Kieran's Street, Kilkenny
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.
Signature: Red duck curry, Kimchi chicken ramen
Order: Red duck curry or the spicy kimchi chicken ramen; vegan options are built with equal seriousness.
Tip: Open Monday through Sunday noon to 22:00-22:30. TripAdvisor Travellers Choice for four consecutive years.
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.
Signature: Pulled pork benedict, Angus steak burger
Order: Pulled pork benedict at brunch or the Angus steak burger; the spit-roast free-range pork is occasional.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Brunch from 08:30; weekday close 16:00, Friday and Saturday kitchen runs to 21:30.
The Cavaliere family has run Rinuccini opposite Kilkenny Castle since 1989, importing Italian produce and building a cellar of over 12,000 bottles.
Signature: Homemade pasta, Italian seafood
Order: Homemade pasta with seasonal sauce; the homemade tiramisu is the best in the city.
Tip: Sunday lunch runs to 17:00 and is the best-value sitting of the week. Book for dinner Friday and Saturday.
Louie's on Patrick Street is a Parisian-inspired cafe bar with natural wines, small plates, high ceilings, and leather banquettes in the heart of Kilkenny.
Signature: Small plates Thursday through Saturday, Espresso
Order: Small plates on Thursday through Saturday evenings; the espresso and morning pastry in the daytime.
Tip: First-come, first-served during the day; no daytime bookings. Evening small plates require advance booking via the inquiry form.
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.
Signature: Red duck curry, Kimchi chicken ramen
Order: Red duck curry or the spicy kimchi chicken ramen; vegan options are built with equal seriousness.
Tip: Open Monday through Sunday noon to 22:00-22:30. TripAdvisor Travellers Choice for four consecutive years.
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.
Signature: Fresh fish and chips, Daily specials
Order: Fresh fish and chips; the daily specials built from local seasonal produce consistently impress.
Tip: Featured in Kilkenny Arts Festival 2025 dining listings. Book ahead during festival weeks in August.
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.
Signature: Pulled pork benedict, Angus steak burger
Order: Pulled pork benedict at brunch or the Angus steak burger; the spit-roast free-range pork is occasional.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Brunch from 08:30; weekday close 16:00, Friday and Saturday kitchen runs to 21:30.
Petronella on Kilkenny's medieval Butterslip Lane serves simple, seasonal Irish cooking with global influences, sourcing from Mountain View's own farm.
Signature: Seasonal Irish plates
Order: The seasonal lunch plates that change with supply from Mountain View's farm and local artisan producers.
Tip: Find the entrance through the medieval arch off High Street. Butterslip Lane is Kilkenny's most overlooked dining lane.
The Cavaliere family has run Rinuccini opposite Kilkenny Castle since 1989, importing Italian produce and building a cellar of over 12,000 bottles.
Signature: Homemade pasta, Italian seafood
Order: Homemade pasta with seasonal sauce; the homemade tiramisu is the best in the city.
Tip: Sunday lunch runs to 17:00 and is the best-value sitting of the week. Book for dinner Friday and Saturday.
Louie's on Patrick Street is a Parisian-inspired cafe bar with natural wines, small plates, high ceilings, and leather banquettes in the heart of Kilkenny.
Signature: Small plates Thursday through Saturday, Espresso
Order: Small plates on Thursday through Saturday evenings; the espresso and morning pastry in the daytime.
Tip: First-come, first-served during the day; no daytime bookings. Evening small plates require advance booking via the inquiry form.