The best restaurants in Kilkenny

10/11/2025: Everything from start to finish was excellent. Waiter was brilliant 👏 food delicious and great value. Location so central snd overall atmosphere was really great. 👌 can't wait to return. Highly recommend.

22/10/2025: What a fantastic experience at Grapevine Kilkenny! The atmosphere was warm and lively, the service friendly and attentive, and the food absolutely delicious. We tried several dishes, but the highlight for us was definitely the paella — perfectly cooked, full of fresh seafood, rich flavours, and that authentic Spanish touch that made us feel like we were on holiday. The tapas were all beautifully presented and bursting with taste, especially the prawns with chorizo and the patatas bravas. The wine list is impressive too, with great Spanish options that pair perfectly with the food. The staff were so kind, taking the time to recommend both dishes and wines, which really made our evening special. A wonderful place to relax, enjoy amazing food, and soak up the great vibe. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be back soon!

08/01/2026: We had our wedding at the New Park in November 2025. Having booked the Hotel almost two years in advance there was always someone to contact along the way with any questions. While there was some minor changes in staff along the way the process never changed and replacements settled seamlessly. The reception, meal, service and facilities including pool and open spaces were second to none with assistance available at all stages from the extremely helpful staff. Mr Flynn himself was often present when we visited and it defined their marketing as a 'Family Run Hotel'. Thank you for having us, Darragh and Katie.

03/01/2026: Positives 1. Staff all professional and friendly 2. Lovely pool and spa area. 3. Lovely Christmas decorations in the lobby. 4. Activities for kids. Negatives 1. Outdated and needs a refurbishment 2. Worst breakfast I have had in a Hotel. Was like hospital cafeteria food. 3. Room 220 is beside the life so you here the motor going every time some one uses the lift. 4. The air con wasn't working proper in the room and the bathroom floods when you use the shower.

23/11/2025: I ordered food via Just Eat… ordered accepted, got the message ready for collection and when arrived to pick up the food was not there and I had to wait 40 min to figure that they forgot to prepare my food, I decided to wait as the attendant said they would prioritise, then another 25 minutes and guess??? They forgot again and this time didn’t even apologise and said if you wanna cancel go ahead… horrible customer experience… the food might be delicious but the customer experience is one of the poorest I have ever experienced.

13/11/2025: We've ordered here for years but recently the quality of the food has taken a nose dive. The chicken and prawns are so rubbery they're inedible. Really disappointing for the price.

10/01/2026: Great location, food was excellent and there is lovely old stone work in the bar. My only complaint was I ordered a rare steak and it was more medium but the flavour was there. The chips were beautiful, cooked in beef dripping. Pepper sauce perfect and salad was fresh, really lovely dinner. Full Irish was good although egg was overcooked. There was also smoked salmon cheeses and cold meats, good juice and coffee. Can't fault my stay here, I reccomend this hotel.

08/01/2026: Fantastic place great location very friendly staff would definitely recommend it

11/01/2026: We had a two night stay at The Rafters Gastropub, we had a family room for 2 adults and our 3 teenage sons. The room was clean. warm, the beds were comfy and the amenities were everything we needed. We had a fabulous full Irish breakfast each morning, 5 stars!! The location is excellent, right in the centre of the city. Gerry and the staff were amazing, they couldn’t do enough for us. The bar is lovely with live music on the Saturday night which we really enjoyed. We will be back!!! Thank you Gerry and staff. Majella and Noel

11/01/2026: Rafters is in prime location In the heart of kilkenny staff very friendly and welcoming gerry the owner couldn't do enough to help u rooms very nice breakfast is very very tasty best value for money stay in kilkenny in my opinion