The best restaurants in Kilkenny

09/02/2025: Food has been disappointing the last couple of times iv been. The prawns don't taste fresh, and are over cooked. The beef was also very dry. Honestly all the food is under seasoned and is lacking in spice. The Thai green curry has little to no spice. Such a shame as I use to enjoy the food but unfortunately it's been consistently disappointing for a while now.

11/12/2024: Nice restaurant with good food and service. Sadly there was nobody else there this night, probably because of the weather, so it lacked atmosphere but we will go back another night.

07/03/2025: Burger is class and I'm not kidding, I was only going to have a pint with my meal but never had as nice a pint of Coors ever so I stayed for a couple more.

16/02/2025: I travelled to Kilkenny on Saturday for a short break. It was recommended to me by a friend. However when I booked the stay I was given a price of 160 euro per night. I then checked their website and found that Billy Byrnes bistro was advertising a room for 120 euro. I did not mention the price difference but thought I would query this point when I arrived on Saturday evening only to be told then that the price would be 180 euro. I was shown to my room by a very pleasant member of staff. The double room (8ft x 8ft) with ensuite (3ft x 3ft ) with no hot running water. The room had a double bed, no wardrobe, no chairs, a kettle that did not work however there was a stool. . My friend and I had a few drinks and an overpriced very nice meal but of (take away standard). The drinks we consumed were paid for as we went. Separately I was charged for the meal. I registered my visa card with the company by text 2 days before my arrival. However I was asked on 3 occasions to pay for my accommodation and I obliged as the member of staff was very pleasant and professional in her job at all times. The noise level I experienced in the room from the music downstairs kept me awake until 2am. I arrived down for breakfast Sunday morn at 8.57 am when i was met by a lady who informed me with a cold response and told me that breakfast did not start until 9am so i returned to my room. When i arrived back for breakfast I at this time tried to register my dissatisfaction but no one seemed to be interested. May I add that breakfast did not include cereal and a soft drink. The tea when it arrived was luke warm. The morning when I left the manager practically ignored me. If the situation as I see it as a customer does not change significantly then I will not be a return customer nor would i recommend the place to anyone else. Myself and my friend have been regular customers over the years but now feel very disappointed at the standards offered at such high prices.

13/02/2025: Cenamos en The Lady Helen en nuestra segunda noche en Mount Juliet y fue una manera maravillosa de completar nuestro fin de semana de celebración. El servicio era excelente pero no relleno - el equipo era tentativo, amable y conocedor de la comida. La habitación era preciosa, como el resto del hotel. Y el menú degustación de 8 platos fue increíble! Había un plato en el menú que no era de nuestro gusto, pero se intercambiaba fácilmente con una alternativa vegetariana. Impresionante

18/10/2024: Dire food and service with what is meant to be Michelin level. I cannot believe it has kept its star. The one shining light was the sommelier who is young and very enthusiastic about the wine.

10/03/2025: My Fiancée and I absolutely love staying at the Lyrath. We have stayed there four times within the last two years. That says a lot, given we like to stay in different places. Every single detail seems to be looked at with precision. The decor is fabulous, a lovely warm atmosphere everywhere you look, doesn’t matter where you are in the hotel, you feel so relaxed and in a sense, at home with yourself. We stayed in the signature suite for the second time, good value and a fabulous room with stunning views. Moving onto the food, our favourite part. The grill restaurant upstairs is where we always dine. The prawns to start and either the fillet steak or the ribs for main is a must try. 10 out of 10 for the quality of their steak and ribs. They could do with upping their game with their deserts, but still not bad. The bar area is a lovely are to chill out, either for lunch or post dinner drinks. If you can get a seat beside the open fire, do so. Bliss! The chicken wings and chips for Lunch is always our go to. Yum! I have to say tho, it’s their staff that make the experience at this hotel so delightful. Iv never stayed at a hotel where every single staff member are so attentive, friendly and so professional at what they do. They are obviously very well trained and you can sense a real pride from them in what they do. They must be well Looked after, because all of the team Seem very happy to be working there. Kilkenny town is a great town to have on your door step while staying at the lyrath. Lots to do and see in Kilkenny. Thank you so much guys for yet again, looking after us so well. Can you please thank the girls in the spa for been so accommodating to us. You are all just so nice and brilliant.

08/03/2025: Food was fabulous but service exceptional. Music and atmosphere so enjoyable.. staff a credit to the hotel. Definitely be back to stay next time. Only dinner and drinks. Definitely 5 star

08/02/2025: We popped in here for a bite to eat on our day trip to Kilkenny. I ordered a cheese and tomato toastie and a soup from the menu. It was advertised as €10.90. They first brought me the wrong sandwich, then they charged me €13.90 for it. I was told that the extra cost was for tomato because it was a "special sandwich". I can't help but wonder....were they some sort of special tomatoes only found in Kilkenny? Are they grown in some rare bat guano? Unfortunately this profound exercise in scabbiness has left a bad taste in my mouth, almost as bad as the taste of the under-toasted toastie and soup with too much turnip.

06/02/2025: Great atmosphere friendly staff food good

25/03/2025: Pedimos 6 sándwiches para nuestra familia para disfrutar en el parque y estaban buenos. Pedimos sándwiches de verduras y queso, así como jamón y queso y un BLT. Los sándwiches eran grandes y estaban emparejados con papas fritas y una bebida, todos estaban contentos.

30/12/2024: Service was good. For the food - I had high hopes given the Google rating! Very plain and not very flavourful, felt a bit like a supermarket sandwich. For the price I definitely expected more.

22/03/2025: Ordered vol-au-vents with chicken and mushrooms. I got 2 slices of mushrooms, just enough to be able to claim it in the name. Chicken pieces huge enough to cut in 3 bites. Food came out room temperature and upon inquiry, server confirmed that's how they serve it. Parmesan fries had so little parmesan on it that they can claim it's there, but not enough to taste it. One of us was given a wrong menu that was discovered as she tried to order food they don't make. Coffee was really nice and servers very polite. Atmosphere calm, small and busy. Overall, next time we'll go for lunch somewhere else where hot food is served hot.

22/03/2025: Absolutely the worst set of waitresses I've ever encountered. Got our order completely wrong. When mentioned to them we were met with utter disrespect. And only 2 out of 4 dishes came out. Crazy prices, terrible staff and an overall horrible dining experience. If I could give this minus stars I would. Don't waste your money.

05/03/2025: Great service great food lovely staff

28/09/2024: Always top notch food never a complaint