The best restaurantsof irish in Kilkenny

18/07/2025: A lovely country pub will definitely return they facilitated delivery of food for us for which we were grateful no other food options available

17/07/2025: What a wonderful place. One of last bastions of proper music pubs for proper music fans. Wonderful spot

16/08/2025: A very centrally located pub with a large parking lot. It has both an indoor and outdoor area, both beautifully decorated and cozy. The entire place appears clean and welcoming, and is toddler and baby-friendly. We were immediately offered a high chair. The food was also excellent; the garlic mushrooms were so delicious that we ordered two portions. The chicken burger was also great, as were the typical Irish chunky fries and crisp salad.

14/07/2025: Lovely restaurant and the food was out of this world. So homemade and very tasty

16/08/2025: Exquisite dining experience. Enjoyed the tasting menu with accompanying wines selected by the sommelier. Beautiful dining room in the Manor House. Food was amazing and enjoyed speaking to the Head Chef who visited our table to discuss the food and his preparation of the dishes.

29/07/2025: Lady Helen – An Overwrought Experience in a Stodgy Setting Visited: July 26, 2025 | Tasting Menu Dinner | Birthday Trip Lady Helen may be a Michelin-starred restaurant, but for us, it missed the mark — especially in pacing, atmosphere, and guest experience. 🍽️ Food & Pacing The menu leans heavily into conceptual creativity, which we usually enjoy, but here it overshadowed the dining experience. The Parmesan tomato was a highlight, but overall, flavors were good—not exceptional. The real issue was timing. Despite the first few courses being single bites, the meal dragged on for over 3.5 hours, with 15–30 minutes between dishes. By the time we reached the mains, we were fatigued and just ready to leave. It felt like a test of endurance, not a celebration of food. 🥤 Non-Alcoholic Options We don’t drink alcohol, and Lady Helen is not set up for guests like us. There were no mocktails or tea offered, and the non-alcoholic wine was cloyingly sweet. My husband asked for a 0.0% beer, which wasn’t on the menu but was eventually provided. Once our sparkling water ran out (two bottles), our glasses were cleared without any offer of tap water — which oddly is offered at breakfast in the same room. Other tables were served coffee and tea at the end of their meal; we were skipped entirely. 🪑 Atmosphere & Service The room’s layout is disorienting. All guests face inward toward a cluster of center tables, creating an odd “spotlight” effect on whoever is seated there (we were). No background music means the space gets louder as drinks flow — not ideal for a fine dining setting. Staff were kind but seemed undertrained and inconsistent. Despite the 15-minute staggered seating model, pacing was all over the place. Guests seated after us were served ahead of us and left nearly an hour earlier. For a venue at this level, service should feel seamless — it did not. 💡 Final Thoughts We wouldn’t return or recommend it. While pricing is lower than other Michelin-starred restaurants, the value matches. If you’re willing to dedicate 4 hours to a drawn-out meal in a formal, oddly laid-out space with little ambiance, it may still be worth a try. But we left disappointed, uncomfortable, and counting down the courses.

19/08/2025: Had a fabulous light lunch on the patio area. Signature steak sandwich, coffee and pear and almond scone. Can only say good things about the waitresses - jovial and patient. Food was excellent, pricing good and arrived promptly. A great little cafe above the strip so quiet and secluded with a lovely atmosphere. Coffee- flat white 8.5/10 - very good. A nice place to rest your legs after visiting the Castle or climbing St Canice’s tower.

28/05/2025: A delightful cafe, lovely food served by friendly staff.

27/06/2025: hi all..really enjoyed food here .. The restaurant is back open again. It has a great selection of suhi and also oriental food..no drink licence there yet..so allowed bring your own..service excellent..we will definitely eat there again..highly recommend..

25/06/2025: Ordered noodles and rice with beef and a few other bits from LAM cuisine, absolutely incredible! The beef is honestly the best I've had in kilkenny. So soft and flavour full. Portion sizes very good making it great value for money. Highly recommend 👌