Lady Helen at Mount Juliet is a modern irish restaurant in Thomastown, Kilkenny.
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 dishes: Modern Irish tasting menu
Must 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.
Address: Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 E096
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.
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 spicy kimchi chicken ramen; vegan options are genuinely well-constructed.
Tip: Tuesday Movie Night includes a main, gelato and cinema ticket for €24. TripAdvisor Travellers Choice for four consecutive years.
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: Seasonal menu changes with farm supply; the kitchen sources from Mountain View's own land and local producers.
Tip: Tue-Sat for lunch and dinner, Sunday lunch only. Butterslip Lane is easy to miss: look for the medieval archway off High Street.
Rive Gauche on The Parade pairs French-inflected cooking with seasonal Irish produce in an exposed-brick room facing the castle gates on The Parade.
Signature: Seasonal sharing plates
Order: Seasonal sharing plates; the wine list leans natural and European with strong by-the-glass options.
Tip: Open from 17:00 weekdays and noon at weekends. The covered terrace is the best outdoor seat in the city centre.
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, Baileys brown bread gateau
Order: The hearty seafood chowder or the Baileys and brown bread gateau dessert. The Guinness pour is precise.
Tip: Live music starts at 21:00 every night. Food runs until 21:00; arrive before 20:30 to eat without rushing.
