Places to eat around the City of Kilkenny

Kilkenny city has so much to offer when it comes to food. It would be impossible to list everything, so we will have a part two with even more listings. If you have experienced incredible food somewhere in Kilkenny and it is not listed we would love to hear about them so please share with us. These are just a few favourite places of the Shenanigans’ team – for even more suggestions, see Tripadvisor or https://visitkilkenny.ie/member-category/dine/

Restaurants and gastropubs:

Foodworks – find them on Facebook @foodworkskk

Award winning cafe-bistro on Kilkenny’s medieval mile, serving fresh produce from farm to fork. A former bank in the town centre: a high-ceilinged, airy space with a bright, fresh look which matches the style of the cooking. Unfussy dishes use quality local produce, including pork and vegetables from the experienced chef-owner’s farm.

La Rivista – see http://larivista.ie/ or on facebook @larivistakilkenny

La Rivista is a cosy little gem in the heart of Kilkenny City for people with great taste; the perfect setting to dine, drink and catch up with family and friends in relaxed surroundings. Situated in the centre of Kilkenny opposite the Waterside Theatre, La Rivista restaurant boasts an unrivalled setting right in the heart of Kilkenny. La Rivista is a Bistro style restaurant created by Therese Maguire and Jennifer Quinn in 2009. Today, La Rivista is one of Kilkenny’s best known restaurants, serving delicious food with an Italian edge in an elegant, comfortable and unpretentious setting.

Zuni – see http://zuni.ie/ or on facebook @zunirestauranthotel

Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner you are after, Zuni will cater for you! Watch chefs and their team prepare you a delicious meal through the open kitchen, while attentive waiting staff tend to your every need.

Petronella’s – see http://www.petronella.ie/ or find on facebook by searching for ‘Petronella Kilkenny’

From wherever you are standing on the High Street in Kilkenny, a few minutes walk will get you to the most famous of all the slips, the Butterslip Lane and to Petronella Restaurant-Cafe. Over four hundred years ago horse drawn carriages trundled down this thoroughfare. The charming slip with its pretty name is steeped in history and worn with footfall and remains so today. Duck under the archway and just on the right Petronella quickly becomes a regular for those who discover her.

Rive Gauche – see http://www.rivegauchekk.com/ or on facebook @RiveGaucheKilkenny and next door there’s the Left Bank Bar & Gastropub https://www.leftbank.ie/ or on facebook @LeftBankKilkenny

Close to Kilkenny Castle on The Parade, this chic restaurant houses two areas – towards the front, some outdoor seating and a bar and small drinking area, ideal to savour a drink while watching the world go by, and further inside an elegant eating area filled with rich wood and vintage finishes. Sample menus for both lunch and evening time are available online for both Rive Gauche and The Left Bank.

Royal Spice https://www.royalspice.ie/ or on facebook @RoyalSpice

Located close to the Watergate Theatre, Royal Spice has a great city centre location. This wonderful restaurant offers a wide variety of flavoursome Indian food presented with a contemporary twist. There are spice levels to suit all tastes, along with a friendly helpful service and superb value for money overall.

Aroi https://www.aroi.eu/ or on facebook @aroiasianfusion

Aroi is associated with the eating experience in Asia. Pronounced (Aroy) means delicious or tasty. Aroi is a casual dining venue in Kilkenny City, open from lunchtime until late offering tasty food with excellent value.

Kytlers https://www.kytelersinn.com/ or @Kytlers on social media
Dame Alice le Kyteler, the original owner of this Inn, was born in Kilkenny about the year 1263. The daughter of a Norman banker, she was something of a ‘sensation’ in her day. Kytelers Inn work closely with local suppliers to include local meats and beers on their menu.

Matt the Millers http://www.mattthemillers.com/ or @MattTheMillers on social media

A lively bar in the heart of the city. Serves great food and has live music often. Follow on social media to see their schedule and check out the bar menu on their website.

Langtons https://www.langtons.ie/ or @langtonhousehotel on social media

With several dining options from bars to tea rooms and a restaurant dining room, Langtons has something for everyone.

Paris Texas https://www.paristexas.ie/ @ParisTexasBar

Located on the main street in the city, Paris Texas describes itself as A new concept in food that offers the fusion of traditional American South West favorites with the sophistication of New Orleans French Quarter. A competitively priced broad menu has something for every palate.

Coffee & Cake

CakeFace www.cakeface.ie CakeFace @Cakefacepastry on Facebook and Instagram and See Face2 @FaceKilkenny on Facebook or @Face_Kilkenny on instagram

CakeFace and their second outlet Face2 are renowned in Kilkenny. Specialising in the unexpected and delicious, their range of savoury and desserts is designed to wow and surprise.

The Black Cat Café  See them on Facebook @blackcat.Kilkenny

The Black Cat Café is nestled high above Elvery’s sports store and can be accessed both by escalator and elevator. With a large outdoor terrace as well as a spacious indoor seating area, it is an ideal centrally located space for both friends and families alike.

The FoodHall Café at Kilkenny Design Centre www.kilkennydesign.com or on Facebook @TheFoodhallCaféKilkennyDesignCentre or Insta @foodhallcafe_kilkennydesign
The FoodHall Café at Kilkenny Design Centre, located directly across from the main gate of Kilkenny Castle offers a large seating area for dining in, as well as takeaway and picnic options. Sample menus from their website.

The Yard https://www.facebook.com/theyardcafe1/

Cosy little café where you can sit, eat, drink, chat with friends or simply lose yourself in a newspaper in the heart of Kilkenny. Enjoy wonderful coffee, along with an abundance of fresh flavoured savoury and sweet delights for all tastes including vegan and gluten free options. There’s outdoor seating ideal to watch the world go by on pedestrianised Kieran Street, or why not take your order to-go and enjoy a picnic along the river bank or in the castle park.

The Truffle Fairy https://trufflefairy.ie/ See @TruffleFairy on Facebook and @thetrufflefairy on Instagram.

The Truffle Fairy is an established Chocolatier with two retail shops. One in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny and the second on Ormonde St. Kilkenny City, Ireland. The award winning Truffle Fairy makes an extensive range of handmade chocolates, truffles, bars, figures etc. using single origin fine flavour couverture. Gluten free chocolate brownies, muffins, cookies, cakes etc… Worth seeking out, their creations are simply heavenly!

Fragola Café See @fragola.kilkenny on Facebook and @fragolacafe.kilkenny on instagram.

Fragola is a small café nestled on a cul de sac side street (William Street) off Kikenny’s main street (High Street). With excellent coffee, baked goods and light bites, it is a little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Just note, seating is limited. See @fragola.kilkenny on Facebook and @fragolacafe.kilkenny on instagram.

Tess’s Homestyle Bakery See @TessHomeStyleBaking on Facebook and @Tesshomestylebaking on Instagram.
Tess’s Homestyle Bakery is a family run business right in the heart of Kilkenny. Ideal central spot to pick up eats on the go, breads, tarts and cakes ideal for any gathering, or choose a selection of sweet and savoury for the makings of a wonderful picnic to enjoy on the river bank or in the Castle Park. The ‘toasted special’ sandwich and individual lemon meringue pies are among Team Shenanigans’ favourites! See @TessHomeStyleBaking on Facebook and @Tesshomestylebaking on Instagram.

Only the tip of the iceberg as they say when it comes to choice and we hope you enjoy some of our favourite places.