American BBQ and smokehouse€€medieval-mile
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.
Signature: Smoked brisket, Pulled pork, Jambalaya
Order: Mixed grill of brisket, ribs and pulled pork from the wood smoker; the jambalaya is excellent pub food.
Tip: Walk-in only on bank holidays and festival weekends; book ahead during Savour Kilkenny week in October.
Traditional Irish€€john-street
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.
Signature: Seafood chowder, Kilkenny steak
Order: Hearty seafood chowder or the Angus beef steak; the Guinness here is poured with care.
Tip: Food runs noon to 21:00 daily. Live music starts at 21:00; arrive before 20:30 if you want to eat in peace.
Traditional Irish€€medieval-mile
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 curated Irish whiskeys.
Signature: Irish stew, Seafood chowder
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.
Asian fusion€€medieval-mile
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 and 2020.
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.
Traditional Irish gastro pub€€john-street
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.
Farm-to-fork Irish€€medieval-mile
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.