12 splurge places in Kilkenny, editor-picked. tasting menus and the full big-night-out treatment in Kilkenny. All Kilkenny food.
Campagne ★ 4.9
medieval-mile · Gashouse Lane, Kilkenny
Campagne holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide. Garrett Byrne has cooked with classical French technique at this level since opening in 2008.
Tip: Book three to four weeks ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner sittings. Walk-in at the bar occasionally possible.
Campagne ★ 4.9
medieval-mile · Gashouse Lane, Kilkenny
Campagne in Kilkenny holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide, Garrett Byrne earning the recognition every year since 2014 with exemplary French technique.
Tip: Book the Friday or Saturday dinner sitting at least three weeks ahead; the midweek early-bird lunch offers the same kitchen at a gentler price.
Lady Helen at Mount Juliet ★ 4.8
thomastown · Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 E096
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.
Tip: Overnight stays on the estate complete the experience; the house grounds and river walks are reward enough the next morning.
Lady Helen at Mount Juliet ★ 4.8
thomastown · Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 E096
Lady Helen at Mount Juliet Estate has held one Michelin star since 2013, chef John Kelly serving modern Irish tasting menus 18km south of Kilkenny.
Tip: Staying on the estate makes the dinner experience complete; room rates include access to the grounds and morning walks by the river.
Ristorante Rinuccini ★ 4.3
medieval-mile · 1 The Parade, Kilkenny, R95 XKR7
Ristorante Rinuccini has anchored The Parade since 1989, the Cavaliere family importing Italian ingredients and building a cellar of over 12,000 bottles.
Tip: The Sunday set lunch runs until 17:00 and is among the best-value fine-dining options in the city.
Lyla's ★ 4.3
medieval-mile · 22 William Street, Kilkenny, R95 Y9TA
Lyla's on William Street is the third venue from siblings Michael O'Neill and Bee O'Grady, sister restaurant to Petronella, with a 46-seat room and Table Six.
Tip: Book the six-seat Table Six counter for the chef-led tasting menu with paired drinks; standard service runs Wednesday to Saturday evenings only.
Aroi Asian Fusion ★ 4.3
medieval-mile · Friary Street, Kilkenny
Aroi on Friary Street has been Kilkenny's most-awarded Asian kitchen since 2015, chef Fadilah named Best Asian Fusion Chef in Ireland in 2019.
Tip: Tuesday Movie Night: a main, gelato and a cinema ticket for €24 per person. Great value for the quality.
Zuni ★ 4.2
medieval-mile · 26 Patrick Street, Kilkenny
Zuni on Patrick Street is Kilkenny's most consistent hotel dining room since 2000, chef Michael Thomas building modern Irish menus on local produce.
Tip: Hotel rooms upstairs are a practical overnight; the restaurant closes at 20:45 Monday to Thursday, 21:15 at weekends.
Petronella ★ 4.1
butterslip · Butter Slip Lane, Kilkenny, R95 A030
Petronella sits in a 1602 building on Kilkenny's medieval Butterslip Lane, serving seasonal Irish cuisine sourced from Mountain View's own farm.
Tip: Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner; Sunday lunch only. Book dinner at weekends, walk-in at lunch most weekdays.
Rive Gauche ★ 4.0
medieval-mile · 2 The Parade, Kilkenny
Rive Gauche on The Parade delivers French-inflected seasonal Irish cooking in a room of exposed brick, with natural wines and hearty sharing plates.
Tip: Open Monday through Friday from 17:00, Saturday and Sunday from noon; the covered terrace faces the castle gates.
Foodworks ★ 4.0
medieval-mile · 7 Parliament Street, Kilkenny, R95 X577
Foodworks on Parliament Street runs a farm-to-fork bistro in a restored bank building, the pork from pigs the owners raise on their own family farm.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday; open Wednesday through Sunday with evening service from Wednesday to Saturday.
Stathams by Pembroke ★ 3.9
medieval-mile · Patrick Street, Kilkenny
Stathams Supper Club at the Pembroke Hotel serves built modern Irish sharing plates and hosts a heated outdoor courtyard in the heart of Kilkenny.
Tip: The heated outdoor courtyard is one of the better al fresco dining options in the city on a clear evening.