Kilkenny Food Tours: Taste Kilkenny with a Local Guide
Eat your way around the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny with a friendly local guide! Over 2.5 hours, you will sample delicious produce from artisanal producers whi...
13 restaurants in Kilkenny, editor-picked for restaurants open monday. Open on monday, the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Kilkenny.
Arán Artisan Bakery and Bistro ★ 4.5
barrack-street · 8 Barrack Street, Kilkenny, R95 YF30
Hours: Mon 09:30-15:30, Wed-Thu 09:30-15:30, Fri-Sun 09:00-15:30, closed Tue
Arán on Barrack Street is the most-awarded brunch address in Kilkenny, winner of Ireland's Best Brunch at the Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Awards.
Tip: Closed Tuesday. Last brunch orders at 15:15. Private evening dining available with advance notice.
Ristorante Rinuccini ★ 4.3
medieval-mile · 1 The Parade, Kilkenny, R95 XKR7
Hours: Mon-Sat 12:30-21:00, Sun 12:30-20:30
The Cavaliere family has run Rinuccini opposite Kilkenny Castle since 1989, importing Italian produce and building a cellar of over 12,000 bottles.
Tip: Open seven days, lunch and dinner. Sunday lunch runs until 17:00 making it a good late-afternoon option.
Aroi Asian Fusion ★ 4.3
medieval-mile · Friary Street, Kilkenny
Hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-22:30, Sun 12:00-21:00
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.
Tip: Tuesday Movie Night includes a main, gelato and cinema ticket for €24. TripAdvisor Travellers Choice for four consecutive years.
Zuni ★ 4.2
medieval-mile · 26 Patrick Street, Kilkenny
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-21:30, Sun 08:00-21:00
Zuni on Patrick Street is Kilkenny's most consistent hotel restaurant since 2000, chef Michael Thomas working seasonal Irish produce into modern menus.
Tip: Breakfast from 08:00, lunch from 12:30, dinner from 17:00. The cocktail programme at the bar is better than expected.
Langton's Bar and Restaurant ★ 4.1
john-street · 67-69 John Street Lower, Kilkenny, R95 XN44
Hours: Daily 09:00-21:00 (food); bar later
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.
Tip: Live music starts at 21:00 every night. Food runs until 21:00; arrive before 20:30 to eat without rushing.
The Gourmet Store ★ 4.1
medieval-mile · 56 High Street, Kilkenny
Hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00
The Gourmet Store on High Street has been Kilkenny's best deli since 1997, with farmhouse cheese, locally sourced meats, and sandwiches on artisan bread.
Tip: Opens at 08:00 daily, closes around 16:00. The cheese counter rivals anything in the city at a fraction of restaurant prices.
Rive Gauche ★ 4.0
medieval-mile · 2 The Parade, Kilkenny
Hours: Mon-Fri 17:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-22:00
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.
Tip: Open from 17:00 weekdays and noon at weekends. The covered terrace is the best outdoor seat in the city centre.
Paris Texas Bar and Restaurant ★ 4.0
medieval-mile · 92 High Street, Kilkenny, R95 V6TE
Hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-23:30, Fri-Sat 12:00-00:30, Sun 12:00-23:00
Paris Texas on High Street is Kilkenny's BBQ specialist, a family-run pub since 1996 with a wood-smoking oven and New Orleans-inspired smokehouse plates.
Tip: National Irish Pub of the Year and Whiskey Specialist. Walk-in only on bank holidays and festival weekends.
Matt The Millers ★ 4.0
john-street · 1 John Street, Kilkenny
Hours: Mon-Sun 12:00-LATE
Matt The Millers on John Street combines live music every night with good pub food, the Kilkenny Red Ale beef pie a fitting local signature for the city.
Tip: Food served noon to 20:30 daily. Live music every night. The bar stays open until 02:30 Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Billy Byrnes Gastro Bar ★ 3.9
john-street · 39 John Street Upper, Kilkenny, R95 K091
Hours: Mon-Sun 12:00-LATE
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.
Tip: Arts Festival dining spot from 7-17 August 2025; book ahead during festival weeks when the city fills rapidly.
Cafe La Coco ★ 3.9
medieval-mile · Patrick Street, Kilkenny
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-16:00, Sun 09:00-16:00
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.
Tip: Open Monday to Saturday 08:00-16:00. Walk-in only; the room is small and fills quickly at lunch.
Kyteler's Inn ★ 3.8
medieval-mile · St Kieran's Street, Kilkenny
Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-00:30, Sun 12:00-23:30
Kyteler's Inn on St Kieran's Street connects to Kilkenny's 1324 distillation records. Food served noon to 21:00 daily alongside 90 built Irish whiskeys.
Tip: Traditional music from 20:00 Monday through Thursday, 18:30 and 22:00 on Fridays and weekends. Groups should book ahead.
The Fig Tree Restaurant ★ 3.8
medieval-mile · 20 High Street, Kilkenny, R95 XW22
Hours: Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00, Sun 10:00-17:00
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.
Tip: Open seven days. Outdoor terrace with greenery is the place to sit in summer. Good gluten-free options.
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