Zuni is a modern irish restaurant in Medieval Mile, Kilkenny.
Zuni on Patrick Street is Kilkenny's most consistent hotel restaurant since 2000, chef Michael Thomas working seasonal Irish produce into modern menus.
Signature dishes: Seasonal fish, Local Irish lamb
Must 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.
Address: 26 Patrick Street, 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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
