The best restaurants in Kinsale

26/01/2025: This review is a couple of months late, with my apologies. We enjoyed a spectacular meal in November 2024 and I had wanted to say thank you so much. The pumpkin & parmesan croquettes were life-changing... the gnocchi sublime. The thing that made it perfect though was the service which was warm, enthusiastic and professional. Our server was unflappable even when the table next to us set their napkin on fire, and seemed completely uninterested in putting it out. We got an awful fit of the giggles but she was serenity itself as she saved the day. I would come back to Kinsale just to visit The Black Pig. The food was truly the best meal I've had in 10 years, maybe more - every dish perfection. The prices are a steal compared to the highway robbery that's taken over Dublin with largely boring, poorly executed food.

19/01/2025: Well isn’t this quite the find! So lovely we went back the 2nd night … Staff … adorable,helpful, friendly, warm, kind ✅ Food …. Fantastic … not your traditional sit down eat restaurant experience but much more laid back with the feeling of sharing boards/ plates but you don’t have to share if that’s not your thing! ✅ Wine … my husband’s idea of heaven … extensive wine lists … glasses available for all …. interested staff to chat with …. Suits me extremely well too … a glass or two of bubbly and a yummy pudding wine … all in all suits us both. ✅ Do book early … it’s extremely busy but they do have walk ins at the bar but you’ll need to go early … we were delighted. Thank you

02/03/2025: Stopped in for some fish n chips on the way back from my son’s match. He asked me to get Catch of the Day but I went to the food truck next door instead. He was not impressed so I went back and got Catch of the Day kids meal. When we compared the two meals the COTD was far far better quality and value than the other food truck. I won’t be making that mistake again!!

19/02/2025: In the culinary capital of Ireland, this chip van is simply unbeatable. Fish and chips like their ment to be 🇮🇪

16/03/2025: The usual fantastic experience here . Excellent food and Cocktails. Great service despite being very busy.

28/02/2025: Tried this place twice. Gave it a second chance and wasnt impressed. The aubergine fritter was ok but very thin so it felt like it was more crispy grease than aubergine. The short rib was ok, nothing to write home about, but the potato was very salty. The baos were good. The burger wasn't great, too greasy, not much toppings, missing essentials like tomato, lettuce, pickle. The burger meat itself was fine but nothing great. Chips far too greasy, no salad on the side. Honestly don't think I'd recommend it. The cocktails are nice we had those before so maybe more for a snacks and cocktails but couldn't say I'd go back for a main meal.

19/02/2025: In the culinary capital of Ireland, this chip van is simply unbeatable. Fish and chips like their ment to be 🇮🇪

02/02/2025: Restaurant standard and great batter nice and light and crispy...bring a lemon

21/03/2025: My partner and myself had the pleasure of dining here last Sunday. It was absolutely amazing. Everything was perfect. The rump of lamp was like cutting into a fillet steak. Perfection.🥰

06/03/2025: Had a fantastic meal here on Friday 28th February. Booked at short notice. Called the restaurant to book and the lady on the phone was very helpful and accommodating. We booked this restaurant based on the excellent Google reviews so the expectations were very high and even then it exceeded our highest expectations. From the moment we arrived we were made feel incredibly welcome. Even though it was a very busy Friday night and the restaurant was full the restaurant staff were very helpful and professional. The food, service, atmosphere, ambiance, everything was fantastic in every sense. This is a very beautiful restaurant and by far the nicest meal we had in our time in Kinsale. Thank you.

09/02/2025: This hotel is really nice. All the staff were friendly and made me feel comfortable throughout the stay. I had dinner in the restaurant and the seafood chowder was amazing. The free breakfast was also very good.

02/02/2025: Excellent time staying here for the new Beatles Festival. Great food, cocktails, gorgous room, and class music venue. We had a great time, thanks to the staff and positivity of this establishment.

06/03/2025: Had a fantastic meal here on Thursday 27th February. We had just arrived to Kinsale after a long drive and we walked in on spec, without a booking (not recommended) even though it was very busy the gentleman waiter accommodated us. We didn’t catch his name but was wearing glasses and had very cool tattoos (if you are reading this, thank you again) The meal itself was beautiful and served to perfection. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Really nice atmosphere and vibe in the restaurant too. A lovely place to sit and have a great meal. This was our first meal on our first night in Kinsale and it really set the tone for a great holiday. Thank you.

03/01/2025: Absolutley fantastic. Best steak you will ever have. Service is friendly and efficient. Very creative starters and good wine selection. Can't go wrong here.

19/02/2025: Amazing coffee and varieties of drinks

09/02/2025: Very nice and cosy with perfect coffee ☕️

28/01/2025: The fried chicken in lime and yoghurt was a delight and I enjoyed it. The vanilla ice cream sandwich which is a candied brioche sandwich with caramel, was delicious. The service was flawless and the staff ensured that I enjoyed my time here.

01/01/2025: (Traducido por Google) Habitaciones espaciosas realmente agradables y servicio atento en un ambiente informal. La comida era muy buena y razonable para la calidad. (Original) Really nice spacious rooms and attentive service in a casual setting. Food was very good and reasonable for the quality.

21/03/2025: Great food at reasonable prices.

17/03/2025: This place is awesome! I had the burger and it was great. Lovely pint of Guinness and great service! Pub side is great.

04/03/2025: This is place is simply my favourite place to eat fish and chips in Kinsale. The quality of the fish is simply sublime and the portions are huge so you're paying for what they give you. Been to this place 4 times already and the quality is consistent, so I highly recommend it!

22/02/2025: Here on work event. Staff couldn't be any nicer. Will be back again with my family.

16/03/2025: We arrived at 3:00 p.m. and they told us that it was full and that if we wanted to get on the list to wait for a table and we accepted, we asked for something to drink while. At 3:50 p.m., tired of waiting, we asked again if there was a long time left for our table, to which they replied that the kitchen closed at 4:00 p.m. and that we still had a table ahead of us...an hour wasted for NOTHING and having 2 children...fatal!

10/03/2025: We did the Food Circle for three night this last weekend keeping the Bullman up our sleeve for our last night. Arrived early for a drink in the bar downstairs - in truth wish we hadn't - young disinterested shabbily clad and utterly disengaged young lads who never came out from behind the bar - a pint of Murphys and a flat Prosecco at €13.90 was also a turnoff (even by Kinsale standards) - I stood up and went outside to re-read the plaques at the entrance from where some of our expectations were founded to see who had mis-led us with their recommendation and found my answer - if I'm not mistaken they are living on a long past reputation. Enough said with regard to downstairs. The girls upstairs were extremely welcoming and pleasant and the room is nicely appointed. We chose a mix of the Smoked Duck, Scallops, Yellow Curry and Chowder - the food is most definitely all its cracked up to be - full of exciting flavours and lovingly prepared - we both felt strongly though at €40's for a main course (with the side order of veg) that some really basic standards are sadly missing (not within the chef's remit). We were warmly welcomed, sat, order taken, served our food, cleared down and presented with our bill full stop! No offer of an aperitif (we would have), no checking in to see were we enjoying it (we were as it happens), no topping up of the wine (we would definitely have had another if it had been poured efficiently) - purely perfunctory! I'm not sure if this is inattentional and I am missing a modern twist but canteen stainless steel cutlery, paper napkins and a completely naked table at €40's even by Kinsale standards is to me sitting back on your food quality far too much - take your gifted chef out of the equation and good luck! There is no experience. It was not busy we were the last table and no one was under pressure. I have very pleasant memories of past times spent at the Bulman - ye need to re-assess guys - they're easy fixes but before the season kicks of .........

08/03/2025: What a great place. Visiting from America we were great with great service,food, and a lovely atmosphere. Would highly recommend for a local feel if you have one stop.

08/03/2025: Lovely food, friendly staff and good atmosphere, we'll definitely be back

03/03/2025: We visited Kinsale for only part of a day while on a cruise tour. (what an adorable town!!) I stopped at their outdoor window to order a chai to warm up. Wow! Blown away by the flavor!! The tastiest I've yet to have in my 50 years of life! If I could bring their recipe back to the States.. I gladly would!! Everything is so bland here!! Thank you for the tasty warm drink on our chilly day in Kinsale! 🥰

01/02/2025: I’ve visited OHK a few times and it’s always 10/10. Such a gem that we travelled down from East Cork. I’ll need to return again for the Turkish eggs and the vegan cookie!!

20/03/2025: Quiet and out of the way. A great bar and restaurant on site and easy access into everything in Kinsale

09/03/2025: Super hotel with views of the water from the room. Food in the bar was excellent as was the breakfast each morning. We highly recommend this hotel.