The Fig Tree Restaurant is a casual irish cafe restaurant in Medieval Mile, 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 dishes: Full Irish breakfast, Homemade burgers
Must order: Full Irish breakfast; the handmade burger with local beef is the best in its price range in Kilkenny.
Tip: Open seven days. Outdoor terrace with greenery is the place to sit in summer. Good gluten-free options.
Address: 20 High Street, Kilkenny, R95 XW22
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, Seasonal vegan salad
Order: Basque cheesecake; the seasonal vegan salad or the chai latte with oat milk.
Tip: Open Monday to Saturday 08:00-16:00. Walk-in only; the room is small and fills quickly at lunch.
Campagne holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide. Garrett Byrne has cooked with classical French technique at this level since opening in 2008.
Signature: Seasonal tasting menu
Order: Seasonal tasting menu; the midweek earlybird lunch brings the same kitchen at reduced cost.
Tip: Book three to four weeks ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner sittings. Walk-in at the bar occasionally possible.
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, Tiramisu
Order: Homemade pasta with seasonal sauce; the Sunday lunch is the best-value sitting in the week.
Tip: Open seven days, lunch and dinner. Sunday lunch runs until 17:00 making it a good late-afternoon option.
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 Irish lamb, Local seafood
Order: Seasonal lamb or fish; the earlybird runs until 19:30 and delivers the full kitchen at a lower price.
Tip: Breakfast from 08:00, lunch from 12:30, dinner from 17:00. The cocktail programme at the bar is better than expected.
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, Seasonal vegan salad
Order: Basque cheesecake; the seasonal vegan salad or the chai latte with oat milk.
Tip: Open Monday to Saturday 08:00-16:00. Walk-in only; the room is small and fills quickly at lunch.
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: All-day breakfast, 3fe filter coffee
Order: Filter coffee and the seasonal brunch plates, which rotate with local supplier arrivals.
Tip: Walk-in only, no bookings. Opens at 08:30. The room fills fast from 10:00 at weekends so arrive early or be patient.
Campagne holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide. Garrett Byrne has cooked with classical French technique at this level since opening in 2008.
Signature: Seasonal tasting menu
Order: Seasonal tasting menu; the midweek earlybird lunch brings the same kitchen at reduced cost.
Tip: Book three to four weeks ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner sittings. Walk-in at the bar occasionally possible.
Lady Helen has held one Michelin star since 2013, chef John Kelly cooking modern Irish tasting menus at Mount Juliet Estate, 18km south of Kilkenny.
Signature: Modern Irish tasting menu
Order: Seasonal tasting menu drawing on the estate's produce and local Co. Kilkenny suppliers.
Tip: Overnight stays on the estate complete the experience; the house grounds and river walks are reward enough the next morning.
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, Tiramisu
Order: Homemade pasta with seasonal sauce; the Sunday lunch is the best-value sitting in the week.
Tip: Open seven days, lunch and dinner. Sunday lunch runs until 17:00 making it a good late-afternoon option.
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 Irish lamb, Local seafood
Order: Seasonal lamb or fish; the earlybird runs until 19:30 and delivers the full kitchen at a lower price.
Tip: Breakfast from 08:00, lunch from 12:30, dinner from 17:00. The cocktail programme at the bar is better than expected.
