The best restaurants in Kilkenny

05/10/2025: Have always been meaning to go in but always forget….. wondered down today after parking in Market cross and my god it was delicious…. Couldn’t fault it at all… Arancini was amazing, Caesar salad was fresh … pizza was suberb… wait staff were fab … the price for two courses was 27 euro… I think 32 for three courses… can’t wait to go back…. Amazing!!!

04/10/2025: Visited La Rivista recently for an early dinner with a friend. My starter, a hallomi salad was good however for me a little drenched with dressing. My main, a slow cooked featherblade dish arrived to table cold so i returned for reheating. On tasting the dish my vegetables, baby potatoes, broccoli and carrots were undercooked, in fact hard and the beef was extremely tough. The main was very disappointing. When we had finished eating the server collecting our plates noted I hadn't finished my main. I told her that the meat was tough and veg were undercooked, she said she would mention to chef. When I paid the bill there was no acknowledgement of my issue which I thought was poor customer service. I didn't want to create a fuss so I paid and left. Would be reluctant to eat there again unfortunately.

10/08/2025: We went with three children for a snack, and it's a small but charming place. The pastries were delicious, as was the coffee. Highly recommended.

09/08/2025: Great location for breakfast !!!!

23/09/2025: We live in Kilkenny and this is our favourite restaurant. We have had family dinners (with teens), meeting friends and meals just as a couple - all wonderful. The food is lovely, great wine selection. The decor makes me feel like I am in Paris but it’s the fabulous service that keeps us coming back time and time again. Everyone there is so attentive, friendly and professional. Tvrtko (hoping I spelled this correctly) in particular is a gentleman and looks after us so well every time we are there. Highly recommend.

14/09/2025: I looooved this restaurant a lot. Wasn't expecting to find a jewel in Kilkenny from the get go. It was a random choice and such a lucky one. The food was a delight. Not only tasty, but artistically arranged. The staff is helpful, attentive and at the same time not distracting you from enjoying the food - nice balance here. And atmosphere is a separate joy. If I could, I would have given 6 stars😁. Fancy, darkish, stylish, tasteful. Pricing a bit on a high-medium side (about 50€ per person), but you expect that from a good restaurant. Lovely evening in a lovely place. And a definite recommendation for those, who visit Kilkenny.

05/10/2025: We enjoyed our brunch very much. The food was excellent and creative, the wait staff pleasant, and the vibe upbeat without being over the top. Recommend wholeheartedly.

07/09/2025: Staff are very friendly and well informed about events on in the city. Breakfast was amazing. The French toast melts in the mouth.

07/10/2025: We really wanted to love this restaurant, but both times we've eaten here the service was inconsistent. This visit we were seated by the same gentleman as the last time we ate here, and unfortunately he made it feel like he was doing us a huge favor taking us to our table (we made our reservation a month in advance). There was no friendly greeting or any hint of a smile. Once seated, our waiter, another gentleman, was stern and abrupt the entire time. We wondered if they didn't want Americans to eat here. The other staff, who were younger, were perfectly fine, but having two people be dismissive spoiled the experience. The food and ambiance were very good.

01/10/2025: Decor and service were on point.

29/07/2025: Went in hungry Came out hungrier

03/07/2025: Don’t like making fuss (and didn’t) but was really surprised from one rude and ableist individual on the staff team who humiliated someone from our table about using the disabled toilet and apparently taking too long (a couple minutes) . Couldn’t fault the rest of them as they were all super friendly and were working really hard . But even just one lets things down. We swiftly walked out after just getting drinks so I can’t rate the food.

22/09/2025: Can't at 6pm on a Monday night. Not to hungry do I got the chowder and it was absolutely delicious, and a2 person band playing authentic Irish music so this place gets a 5.0

20/09/2025: Staff 100%. Racist, homophonic bouncers. I will never recommend this place. People on the door disgraceful. Bouncers saw me and my boyfriend holding hands and said we were drunk to get in.

16/09/2025: Such a beautiful quaint coffee shop off the Main Street. Server was super nice and attentive and great coffee to boot. Would 100% recommend for coffee and a little sweet treat.

08/09/2025: cute café with a lovely and attentive owner! We stopped for a coffee break and tried the selfmade pastries, which were delicious! There's also tables for sitting outside in the backyard

10/10/2025: Great food, quiet and relaxing atmosphere and friendly service. Appreciate a small and simple menu

09/10/2025: Dropped in on spec on a saturday night and were lucky to obtain a table for two. Excellent restaurant in the heart of Kilkenny. Great service, superb food, beautiful atmosphere, all in all a beautiful experience, no complaints at all. will be back.

19/09/2025: An old pub with a great atmosphere. Both the service and food was superb

19/09/2025: Traditional Irish pub ,when U enter, modern out the back. The servers were friendly & the food was excellent, & large portions. Coffee was good. Toilets very clean.

16/08/2025: Favorite stop in Ireland! David is super knowledgeable about the area, gave great recommendations on things to do, and the drinks he recommended and made were 10/10!

14/08/2025: Lovely place looking forward to going again

13/10/2025: The best pub in Kilkenny. Spent a few hours with some locals there. The best group and lots of fun. Best Guiness to be had there. Didn't eat there. Don't know if they have food.

19/06/2025: Exceptional bar, you go to the corner and smoke, you feel like you're smoking a cigarette in your aunt's garden. The pool table is free, just don't mention it to the waitress.

09/10/2025: Very nice food with friendly service 🙂

07/10/2025: If it were possible to give a score higher than ten, it would be this place. Beautiful hotel. Excellent service, beautiful rooms, excellent location. No words

22/09/2025: Friendly and authentic gem. Fresh, delicious sandwiches with highest quality ingredients, made to order, with care. Very good value! We had a lovely outdoor picnic on this beautiful sunny day and enjoyed every bite.

01/09/2025: If you’re looking for authentic Sicilian flavors, this place is a gem! The sandwiches are amazing with fresh bread, quality ingredients and great combinations. The Italian owners from Sicily are very friendly. Highly recommended!

29/09/2025: Does not serve food. Google lies that it’s a restaurant. But the drinks and atmosphere are perfect. A James Joyce awarded pub, quintessential Irish pub experience.

16/09/2025: A warm and welcoming pub in central Kilkenny, catty corner to the castle. Local pub vibe. Ordered 2 Guinness pints, a ham & cheese toastie with a cup of their seafood chowder, hubby ordered goat cheese crostini and seafood chowder. Amazing chowder, chunky fish bites, creamy deliciousness! Felt like a warm hug on this cold day.