The best restaurants in Laois

23/09/2024: We dine in many eateries in and around Kilkenny and Ashbrook Arms one off the best by far food is always excellent ,generous portion sizes .Service is exceptional from all the staff .Highly recommend .

03/09/2024: We recently attended a family wedding in Durrow and had the good fortune to book into the Ashbrook Arms for 2 nights. The accommodation in the Courtyard was beautiful, it accommodated all of us in individual units. We had a delicious meal on the evening before the wedding and the breakfasts were first class. Paul and Rosezita are lovely hosts, and they couldn’t do enough for us. We plan to go back again just for the food and the accommodation.

22/12/2024: Great spot to meet up. It has a really good atmosphere, I wasn't drinking, so the Guinness Zero was on hand. A band was playing in the background, but you could still chat away, my first time to visit, but it won't be my last..

20/10/2024: The best porter in the Portlaois 👌

04/02/2025: Food was awesome, well worth their Star, highly recommended, if you're passing through, stop!

01/02/2025: A love letter to my favorite restaurant. What is there to say about this place, the biggest wonder is how is this place not booked out months in advance and how it doesn't yet have a Michelin star, it is that good. We have been to ireland twice and came here to dine both times, the food here is worth a trip in itself, if we lived closer we would be here every week, Chef Sam Moody knows his way around a kitchen, from vegetables to meats to desserts and everything in between, Front house always greets you warmly and is very attentive and helpful with suggestions. We had the tasting menu, you get an amuse bouche first that gives you a hint of all the wonderful flavors you are about to experience. then comes homemade Irish bread with butter, that is already soft to spread, this little detail is sometimes overlooked at other restaurants not here, the attention to detail is supreme. A tiny cup of mushroom soup took our breath away with the depth of flavor, followed by a Jerusalem artichoke dish that was above any level of vegetable dish I've ever had (the celeriac salad we had here last year ranks as a tie) now I'm not a vegetable first person in the slightest, but sam knows how to make it taste sublime. The quail dish was served next, it's so tasty and perfectly cooked that the only think left on our plates were the tiny bones, next we had a dish dish of melt in your mouth haddock on a milky corn sauce that was enjoyed to the last drop (yes I drank the broth) Chef Sam came by to say hi and surprised us with a bonus dish of smoked and raw trout on a thin crispy cracker that I finished in 2 bites (I ate my wifes dish too) The Irish beef dish that followed was perfectly pink and so tasty. Followed by 2 desserts, a apple ice parfait that was delicious with its sweet and tart contrast, then the piece de resistance the hot chocolate souffle, this is a dessert you should fly in for, my only regret was I ate it too fast, it's so perfectly baked and just sweet enough it's really sublime. Thank you Chef Sam and team, we look forward to seeing you again soon

16/02/2025: Perfect service brilliant food and great boss man

09/02/2025: The food is great never over cooked the pizzas are great and the chicken is brilliant I would always he back to it for food

19/02/2025: Blaw is the way to go. Coffee excellent. Got a telling off for ordering food and coffee off the same person. Fix that and excellent.

26/01/2025: This café truly has it all—amazing coffee, mouthwatering cakes, and the kindest staff. The coffee is always perfectly brewed, the cakes taste like they’re made with love, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere makes every visit unforgettable. Their chicken pesto sandwich is the best I’ve ever had, and I even ordered my wedding cake here—it was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend for a cozy, indulgent experience!

18/03/2025: At first when i came in i smelt coffee which was good but for the acai bowl delicious.

25/10/2024: Best coffee in Portlaoise! Peter is always great for a chat and the protein balls are hard to turn down!!

07/11/2024: Family run cafe and bakery, reasonably priced good service. Public paid parking but not expensive for a short stay.

19/10/2024: Great breakfast and homemade brown bread 🍞. Fantastic

21/03/2025: Food is brilliant! Love eating at this place. They have a great selection of foods for you to pick, the staff were friendly, it's very accessible for wheelchairs, and I will definitely eat here again when I'm travelling from Mitchelstown to Dublin! I would recommend this place to anyone! 👍👍

19/03/2025: If there was 10 stars I would give it. I travel up and down the Dublin Road 3 and 4 times a week food is absolutely amazing

06/02/2025: I find it a little bit hostile from my experience there. All and all a nice establishment

21/11/2024: Beautiful little pub with alot of history and a beautiful pint

26/02/2025: Good coffee. Good options for everyone and lovely cafe

03/01/2025: Excellent coffee, comfortable and nice atmosphere

16/03/2025: Great food. Great service. Super staff. Buzzing atmosphere.

07/03/2025: Very relaxing and good service.

14/07/2024: Excellent pub great craic, staff are fantastic, drinks are perfect. Best pub around!

21/03/2025: Cozy atmosphere and an excellent pint of Guinness!

16/02/2025: The best food I've had in years! Visit Eddie's hotpot twice once gammon steak and steak sandwich the second time both amazing! Little lad got popcorn chicken really nice

16/02/2025: Absolutely beautiful restaurant with fantastic food.staff very friendly always check to see if everything is ok definitely recommend this place to anyone.