Stathams by Pembroke is a modern irish restaurant in Medieval Mile, Kilkenny.
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 dishes: Seasonal sharing plates
Must 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.
Address: Patrick Street, Kilkenny
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.
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.
Signature: Vegan soups, Seasonal salads
Order: Vegan soup with sourdough; the seasonal salad plate or gluten-free cake from the rotating bake selection.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 11:00-17:00. The glass outdoor pods in the walled garden are the best seats in Kilkenny on a clear day.
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.
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.
Signature: French-trained pastries, Sourdough baguette sandwiches
Order: The changing daily pastry selection; a gourmet sandwich on sourdough baguette with locally sourced fillings.
Tip: Monday through Saturday 09:00-17:00, Sunday 10:00-16:00. The roastery produces beans for the cafes and for retail.
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.
Signature: Vegan soups, Seasonal salads
Order: Vegan soup with sourdough; the seasonal salad plate or gluten-free cake from the rotating bake selection.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 11:00-17:00. The glass outdoor pods in the walled garden are the best seats in Kilkenny on a clear day.
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.
Signature: Kilkenny Red Ale beef pie, Traditional Irish stew
Order: Kilkenny Red Ale beef pie or traditional Irish stew with soda bread.
Tip: Food served noon to 20:30. Live music every night; bar open until 02:30 Thursday through Saturday.
