13 editor picks in Kilkenny.
13 restaurants in Kilkenny, editor-picked for restaurants open monday. Open on monday, the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Kilkenny.
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.
OrderStone-baked sourdough; the seasonal brunch plates that change with what the farm.
TipClosed Tuesday. Last brunch orders at 15:15. Private evening dining available with advance notice.
The Cavaliere family has run Rinuccini opposite Kilkenny Castle since 1989, importing Italian produce and building a cellar of over 12,000 bottles.
OrderHomemade pasta with seasonal sauce; the Sunday lunch is the best-value sitting in the week.
TipOpen seven days, lunch and dinner. Sunday lunch runs until 17:00 making it a good late-afternoon option.
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.
OrderRed duck curry or spicy kimchi chicken ramen; vegan options are genuinely well-constructed.
TipTuesday Movie Night includes a main, gelato and cinema ticket for €24. TripAdvisor Travellers Choice for four consecutive years.
Zuni on Patrick Street is Kilkenny's most consistent hotel restaurant since 2000, chef Michael Thomas working seasonal Irish produce into modern menus.
OrderSeasonal lamb or fish; the earlybird runs until 19:30 and delivers the full kitchen at a lower price.
TipBreakfast from 08:00, lunch from 12:30, dinner from 17:00. The cocktail programme at the bar is better than expected.
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.
OrderThe hearty seafood chowder or the Baileys and brown bread gateau dessert. The Guinness pour is precise.
TipLive music starts at 21:00 every night. Food runs until 21:00; arrive before 20:30 to eat without rushing.
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.
OrderFreshly made sandwich on sourdough baguette with the local farmhouse cheese of the day.
TipOpens at 08:00 daily, closes around 16:00. The cheese counter rivals anything in the city at a fraction of restaurant prices.
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.
OrderSeasonal sharing plates; the wine list leans natural and European with strong by-the-glass options.
TipOpen from 17:00 weekdays and noon at weekends. The covered terrace is the best outdoor seat in the city centre.
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.
OrderSmoked brisket or the mixed grill with ribs and pulled pork; the jambalaya is a cut above pub-food norms.
TipNational Irish Pub of the Year and Whiskey Specialist. Walk-in only on bank holidays and festival weekends.
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.
OrderKilkenny Red Ale beef pie; traditional Irish stew with brown bread.
TipFood served noon to 20:30 daily. Live music every night. The bar stays open until 02:30 Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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.
OrderFresh fish and chips; the seasonal daily specials built from local suppliers are consistently strong.
TipArts Festival dining spot from 7-17 August 2025; book ahead during festival weeks when the city fills rapidly.
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.
OrderBasque cheesecake; the seasonal vegan salad or the chai latte with oat milk.
TipOpen Monday to Saturday 08:00-16:00. Walk-in only; the room is small and fills quickly at lunch.
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.
OrderTraditional Irish stew or beef and Guinness pie; the Kyteler's own-brand Irish whiskey is worth a glass.
TipTraditional music from 20:00 Monday through Thursday, 18:30 and 22:00 on Fridays and weekends. Groups should book ahead.
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.
OrderFull Irish breakfast; the handmade burger with local beef is the best in its price range in Kilkenny.
TipOpen seven days. Outdoor terrace with greenery is the place to sit in summer. Good gluten-free options.
