The best restaurants in Carlow

08/05/2026: Beautiful food here and kids will love choc pizza for dessert

03/05/2026: This has to be the worst restaurant in Carlow. We’ve given this place multiple chances, hoping it would improve, but it’s been consistently bad. The garlic bread was completely inedible—drenched in oil and loaded with raw garlic. It’s such a basic dish, and getting something that simple so wrong says a lot. On previous visits, the pizzas have also had wet, oily bases, so this clearly isn’t a one-off issue. The frustrating part is that the staff are friendly and the interior is lovely. It should be a great spot, especially as one of the only Italian options in Carlow, but the food quality is nowhere near acceptable. We don’t like leaving negative reviews, but this really needs to be said. Unless there’s a serious improvement in the kitchen, it’s hard to see how this place keeps up—especially if any real competition comes along.

08/04/2026: Great experience . I booked a table for my family (5 ),,really surprised of the serving and staff..really good and tasty food, kids loved the desserts .. at the end they made me a surprise and sang ,,HappyBirthday,, to me.. thanks so much Mimossa Carlow ... ure the best .. we will come back again... great experience ...great day.. ❤️❤️❤️

28/03/2026: Bit over hyped. It was pretty loud and noisy. Food was ok, but not great. Maybe my expectations very set too high by the previous reviews that this would be a decent place. For somebody it might be the perfect place if they want noise of a bar instead of a restaurant because "people are having fun" and you will not be able to hear person sitting next to you unless you shout yourself to the point that it was louder than a busy bar or a fast food. And at the same time owner justifying it to you that your October visit was on Xmas and therefore this is expected. And the fact owner responded defending that siuation made me dislike the experience even more. So maybe this is amazing for somebody, but I don't think I will come again even if they would offer free service.

15/04/2026: If you’re in Carlow, Mullichain Cafe is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the staff make you feel genuinely welcome—so friendly, approachable, and attentive without being over the top. The food is fantastic, with a real emphasis on quality and flavour, and everything we had was fresh and beautifully presented. The café is spotless, with a lovely, relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy your time there. What really sets it apart, though, is the sense of place—it feels uniquely Irish in the best possible way, from the warmth of the service to the charm of the space. You can tell a lot of care has gone into every detail. A standout spot in Carlow—highly recommend and will definitely be back.

09/04/2026: Beautiful spot along the river Barrow with excellent coffee. The owner didn’t hesitate to help us organise a lift at short notice when our uber canceled last minute. A huge thank you to ‘flying Mike’ who got us to Bagenalstown in a heartbeat and saved our day. We will be forever grateful.

06/11/2025: My first visit today and will definitely be back next time I’m in town. Gorgeous food, coffee and generally lovely vibes! They have a couple of vegan options too that included the best mushroom soup I’ve ever had :)

03/11/2025: Great quality, organic , delicious coffee and bread .......warm and cozy ambient!!

08/04/2026: I had a meal there with friends a couple of weeks ago. We really enjoyed it. The food was delicious and the attention to detail amazing. We can't wait to go back!.

23/02/2026: Lovely relaxed dining experience. Food so flavoursome. Excellent staff. Perfect for a special celebration with family and friends

08/05/2026: First Birthday Steak 🤩🥳 Happy Costumer , Happy Chef

02/05/2026: Drop by with my friends to have dinner food was so fresh and delicious.

13/04/2026: Lovely pub, good beer & food. Knocked down a star because of the older manager berating staff behind the counter while they tried to do their jobs, owners need to give him the marching order ASAP, would visit again, hopefully when that individual isn't there.

06/04/2026: Great food, tasty and not too expensive

17/04/2026: Probably the best garden center in the country. Lovely cafe.

15/04/2026: Great place called in about a week ago looking for a cherry blossom tree & Sinead went out her way to get us one from Kilquade a week later . Great service & she rang & was there when we collected it. Very fair price. Keep up the good work. James Brennan

06/05/2026: What a gem of a hotel. Walking into the hotel you were welcomed with the sweet smell of freshly cut flowers, open reception area with plenty of seating to suit all needs. Lovely quiet area to sit with a book & glass of wine. Reception were very welcoming. Room spotless. Dined in the bar/restaurant that evening. Great selection of tasty food to cater for all. Would recommend to drop in if ever passing. Breakfast was freshly cooked. Staff were exceptional, friendly & courteous throughout. Would highly recommend this gem of a hotel.

01/05/2026: We had the most wonderful stay here while visiting for the Punchestown Races. We stayed for two nights, heading off early each morning at 7:30 am to ride out at the fantastic yard of John “Shark” Hanlon, then returning to the hotel to shower, change, and head back out for the racing. The staff were incredibly accommodating, kindly preparing a takeaway breakfast for us each morning, a simple bacon and egg, which was perfect. The evening meals were excellent, and the whole place had such a warm, social atmosphere that it really felt like the best spot in the area. What stood out most was the team's consistency; many of the staff have clearly been there a long time, which really shows in the level of care and service. Faultless from start to finish, this will absolutely be my go-to hotel whenever I return.

14/04/2026: Had a quick bite here for lunch.Great food but doors were wide open on quiet a breezy day. Busy spot and reasonably clean. Staff were very pleasant and helpful.

12/04/2026: I've been a regular customer for many years and the level of service and quality has never slipped, 5 stars well deserved.

15/03/2026: We called in on the off chance of getting a Sunday roast. We were seated quickly and fed and watered. Served by a young man called Sean who was extremely friendly and very good at the job. Thank you ..

22/01/2026: First time here beautiful food lovely service Definitely will call again

15/02/2026: Very enjoyable experience all round. We'll definitely be back.

01/01/2026: Booked for a New Year's Eve dinner, we've had food here on a couple of occasions and we were never disappointed. We adore this part of the south east, it's a pleasure to eat in this total gem! The very best of Irish hospitality on our door step. Wonderful friendly service, couldn't fault anything. The food is very inventive and fresh, attention to detail is outstanding. Each meal a work of art!

28/12/2025: Highly recommend Basil for some delicious freshly prepared and well priced Asian food. Had the duck and will recommend it anyday

26/11/2025: I regularly eat here with my partner. It’s really nice restaurant. Very friendly welcoming staff. Great menu and really nice freshly made dishes. I go here regularly and love returning. I always get tofu pad Thai or tofu yaki soba, highly recommend both.

06/06/2025: Ducked in out of the rain and was treated to some good coffee and nice muffin. Recommend it for the warm greeting by staff alone. Stop in

22/04/2025: Croissants were fresh & light. You could tell care was taken. This is the bakery for you.

11/05/2026: Excellent, very friendly staff lovely atmosphere. Great range on the menu had breakfast and dinner. Staff very attentive. Excellent value for money. Highly recommend.

04/05/2026: Large pub with many rooms. Wide selection of food for both small and large appetites.