Restaurants in Kilkenny

Snaffles2014

I just did a search of the forum and there hasn't been a general 'restaurants in Kilkenny' thread in the last few years, so I'm looking to see where is good. I'm looking for family friendly place for lunch over Xmas but looking to check out good places for couples as well.

Any ideas?

catbear

Worlds End serves food now, can't vouch for it though.

Captain Havoc

catbear wrote: »

Worlds End serves food now, can't vouch for it though.

It's supposed to be savage, especially the breakfast.

citykat

Snaffles2014 wrote: »

I just did a search of the forum and there hasn't been a general 'restaurants in Kilkenny' thread in the last few years, so I'm looking to see where is good. I'm looking for family friendly place for lunch over Xmas but looking to check out good places for couples as well.

Any ideas?

With kids:

Italian Connection
Primo (Smithlands Court)
Jacobs Cottage (Hibernian)
Langtons

Couples:

La Rivista
Zuni
Rinuccinis
Campagne

Bowlardo

catbear wrote: »

Worlds End serves food now, can't vouch for it though.

Captain Havoc wrote: »

It's supposed to be savage, especially the breakfast.

I expected better from the two of yee.

LadyBetty

Anocht in KK Design Centre is fabulous for couples, the service & food is to a really high standard.

Big fan of La Rivista here too, great ambience. They have child-friendly afternoons on Sundays with face painting etc as far as I know.

I love Yindees Downtown too (opposite Matt the Millers), good value for money if you like Thai-fusion food.

Lemongrass (beside Tynan's pub) offers great value on Tuesdays, think it's €5 starter, €10 main & €5 dessert.

miece16

catbear wrote: »

Worlds End serves food now, can't vouch for it though.

+1

also vouch for it

Sunflower 27

I never got tbe hype about rinuccinis. So overpriced, tables too close together and food average. The money they charge for pasta is criminal.

My fave place for fine dining is Anocht, for cheaper food, Aroi is fantastic.

citykat

Only ever in Anocht once for lunch and I wasn't exactly bowled over. It was self service canteen style. Food was ok but price was reasonable. OH is a big fan though.
Was in Aroi for first time recently. Good choice and very reasonable - all mains €11. That night though the dessert choice was ice cream only.
Would also recommend Yindees and Lemongrass for families or couples. Both offer kids menus and do early bird specials for the bargain hunters.
One other place worth noting is Little Italy for families or couples. Good food and location if you want to make a night of it.

lassykk

Favourite restaurant in the South East is Zuni. I've yet to have a bad meal there.

Have eaten in Rinnucini's and Campagne too and enjoyed the meal in Campagne but not so much in Rinnucini's.

femur61

citykat wrote: »

Only ever in Anocht once for lunch and I wasn't exactly bowled over. It was self service canteen style. Food was ok but price was reasonable. OH is a big fan though.
Was in Aroi for first time recently. Good choice and very reasonable - all mains €11. That night though the dessert choice was ice cream only.
Would also recommend Yindees and Lemongrass for families or couples. Both offer kids menus and do early bird specials for the bargain hunters.
One other place worth noting is Little Italy for families or couples. Good food and location if you want to make a night of it.

The lunch at Kilkenny Design is completely different than the evening food. Different menu, its set up as an evening experience. Its not called Anocht during the day. Anocht is Irish for night.

Sunflower 27

citykat wrote: »

Only ever in Anocht once for lunch and I wasn't exactly bowled over. It was self service canteen style. Food was ok but price was reasonable. OH is a big fan though.
Was in Aroi for first time recently. Good choice and very reasonable - all mains €11. That night though the dessert choice was ice cream only.
Would also recommend Yindees and Lemongrass for families or couples. Both offer kids menus and do early bird specials for the bargain hunters.
One other place worth noting is Little Italy for families or couples. Good food and location if you want to make a night of it.

You weren't in Anocht, you were in the design centre cafe, biggggggg difference.

citykat

femur61 wrote: »

The lunch at Kilkenny Design is completely different than the evening food. Different menu, its set up as an evening experience. Its not called Anocht during the day. Anocht is Irish for night.

I'm in your eternal debt for that! When food/dining is classed as an 'experience', I'll take a pass.

Sunflower 27

citykat wrote: »

I'm in your eternal debt for that! When food/dining is classed as an 'experience', I'll take a pass.

Your loss.

toe_knee

Went to Aroi last night for some food and it was lovely. Couldn't believe how quick it was from order to getting served. Will definitely be returning

kikel

Cafe 22 is a new place on Rose Inn street. Located where spar was. Looks ready to open its doors this morning.

Sky King

There must be a hex on that unit. How many businesses have been through there?

Best of luck to them.

TrustedApple

I think the 22 is for the number of business that have been in the place over the last few years :P

Formosa

Sky King wrote: »

There must be a hex on that unit. How many businesses have been through there?

Best of luck to them.

It never recovered from Big Snack leaving.

kikel

Mamma Mia on Friary Street opened as well this week.

Sky King

Formosa wrote: »

It never recovered from Big Snack leaving.

Even though Big Snack was next door where An Puc Fada is? now

Deathwish4

Sky King wrote: »

Even though Big Snack was next door where An Puc Fada is? now

Good grub wherever it was.

Snaffles2014

What do people think of Paris Texas for food?

Sky King

It's good.

Good beer selection too.

lotdpd

Snaffles2014 wrote: »

What do people think of Paris Texas for food?

Not a regular or anything in Paris Texas but had food at the weekend and like the few other times i was in there it was amazing.... chicken wings are definitely the best i have had in years.... actually in ireland

Steak for mains was beautiful so highly recommend it.

kikel

Snaffles2014 wrote: »

What do people think of Paris Texas for food?

Overall I think it's good food. But think standards are falling in the place in my opinion. The way they cook the food means that you have to get it when fresh to make sure it's top notch.

catbear

Snaffles2014 wrote: »

What do people think of Paris Texas for food?

I went on a saturday evening and the food seemed to be reheated. It put me off going again for grub but their beer selection is very good.

kikel

catbear wrote: »

I went on a saturday evening and the food seemed to be reheated. It put me off going again for grub but their beer selection is very good.

It's not reheated but is already cooked. They'll have a burger out to u in under 5 minutes of ordering. There is nothing wrong with that, lots of restaurants do similar but it it can affect quality during less busy times.

catbear

kikel wrote: »

It's not reheated but is already cooked. They'll have a burger out to u in under 5 minutes of ordering. There is nothing wrong with that, lots of restaurants do similar but it it can affect quality during less busy times.

I didn't have the burger so can't comment there. It's been a while now but it just seemed very bland for what I paid. Even uncle sams seemed like better value.

toe_knee

Love the food in Paris Texas. American style food, very tasty

Yamanoto

kikel wrote: »

It's not reheated but is already cooked. They'll have a burger out to u in under 5 minutes of ordering. There is nothing wrong with that, lots of restaurants do similar but it it can affect quality during less busy times.

Might be par for the course in franchise themed spots like Hard Rock Cafe or TGI Friday's, but surely any self-respecting professional kitchen with a burger on the menu is going to cook it to order from scratch.

road_high

Snaffles2014 wrote: »

What do people think of Paris Texas for food?

Desperate. Had a burger there during the summer. Was expecting a nice gourmet type one. Was a disgusting bought in frozen thing.

catbear

kodirl wrote: »

Actually if it's fast food you're into. The man in the parade kiosk does a sweet bag of chips and best hotdog in KK IMO

I must try the ships although because of its immediate proximity to the public toilets it does get called "piss n chips" which can sound offputting.

kikel

Lebonise place on friary street opened today. Looks savage.

ncmc

Looking for a nice Italian for dinner next week, we will have our two year old with us, so will probably be talking early bird menu. She won't really be eating, but child friendly in the case of space for high chair etc is important.

Was thinking of La Rivista, Little Italy or Rinuccini, slightly turned off the latter due to the price but if it's significantly better then we'll suck it up!

Any thoughts on the above three?

Odyssey 2005

I've regularly been to La Rivista. Lovely and I would say children friendly. Mrs.Odyssey was in Rinniccuni last week and also loved it. If it was my choice it would be LaRivista as Rinniccuni ai a little tight for space

Nokia6230i

Anyone been to Mamma Mia (or is it Mamma Mias?) on Friary St. in Kilkenny yet please?

Think it only opened on Thursday the 10th of December?

Keep meaning to get in there but would appreciate reviews good or bad please. Thanks.

kikel

ncmc wrote: »

Looking for a nice Italian for dinner next week, we will have our two year old with us, so will probably be talking early bird menu. She won't really be eating, but child friendly in the case of space for high chair etc is important.

Was thinking of La Rivista, Little Italy or Rinuccini, slightly turned off the latter due to the price but if it's significantly better then we'll suck it up!

Any thoughts on the above three?

Also consider Primo in loughboy if you have a child with you. They even got a kids corner play area. Not on a par with any of the places you mention but handy with kids.

Yamanoto

Food & service in Rinuccini is worth paying that little bit extra for IMO & as with any Italian family restaurant, kids are made most welcome.

catbear

Nokia6230i wrote: »

Anyone been to Mamma Mia (or is it Mamma Mias?) on Friary St. in Kilkenny yet please?

Think it only opened on Thursday the 10th of December?

Keep meaning to get in there but would appreciate reviews good or bad please. Thanks.

Yeah, what's the story with that place. It seems to be more of a daytime thing, anytime I've thought of going there they're shut.

citykat

ncmc wrote: »

Looking for a nice Italian for dinner next week, we will have our two year old with us, so will probably be talking early bird menu. She won't really be eating, but child friendly in the case of space for high chair etc is important.

Was thinking of La Rivista, Little Italy or Rinuccini, slightly turned off the latter due to the price but if it's significantly better then we'll suck it up!

Any thoughts on the above three?

Would recommend all three. Italian Connection is also worth bearing in mind.

kikel

Left bank just won an award for best gastric pub Kilkenny

Bowlardo

kikel wrote: »

Left bank just won an award for best gastric pub Kilkenny

It's very nice. I was in it months ago and the wait time for food was crazy and food was nothing to write home about/slightly trying to hard

I was in it recently and the food and waiting time was vastly improved. I think they got the head chef from Anocht.

We really are spoiled for choice in KK with regards to good restauraunts

Sky King

kikel wrote: »

Left bank just won an award for best gastric pub Kilkenny

That's Left Bank, Hibernian and Marble City Bar that are ALL the best gastro pub in Kilkenny now :rolleyes:

I wonder who is dishing out these awards. Pun intended.

ncmc

Thanks for the Italian recommendations guys. We're staying in Lyrath and I was planning to eat in the oriental restaurant there one of the nights. But the recent reviews for Lyrath are pretty terrible with a lot of people mentioning slow service and over priced food. Has anyone eaten in the oriental restaurant there recently? Was thinking we might try good pub grub instead so maybe one of the places mentioned above.

kikel

Sky King wrote: »

That's Left Bank, Hibernian and Marble City Bar that are ALL the best gastro pub in Kilkenny now :rolleyes:

I wonder who is dishing out these awards. Pun intended.

Yeah it a self-promoting thing. https://www.facebook.com/IrishRestaurantAwards/posts/10153457639671033?fref=nf

Yamanoto

Sky King wrote: »

That's Left Bank, Hibernian and Marble City Bar that are ALL the best gastro pub in Kilkenny now :rolleyes:

I wonder who is dishing out these awards. Pun intended.

Took the family for a bite in the Marble City bar in January & spotted the various gastro pub awards displayed outside. Food was bog standard pub fare tbh & we were all quite underwhelmed by it.

Hibernian is certainly better, though I'd also question how & why these places merit awards for producing food that's in no way beyond what countless other pubs plate up on a daily basis.

ncmc

So we're back from our couple of nights in Kilkenny, ate in the Hibernian the first night, I really didn't rate it. I had the duck starter which was nice but small, they could have added some salad to fill it out a bit. Husband had wings which he felt were average. For mains he had the carbonara which was ok, but not carbonara as I know it! Tasted a bit over salted. I had the jambalaya, now it's one of my favourites and this was by no stretch of the imagination jambalaya. It was like risotto in pepper sauce with chicken on top! I actually thought he had brought me out the wrong meal, but he assured me it was correct. I don't know what planet the chef is from if he thinks that's jambalaya. Dessert was nice and service was good, but they did try and overcharge us only my husband spouted it! Definitely wouldn't recommend.

For our second night we went to Little Italy, really nice and one of the best value meals I've had in a long time. €50 for three courses and a bottle of wine (which was Santa Rita 120 so not total vinegar) We had goats cheese and prawn tempura for starter, both delicious. I had a creamy pasta for mains and husband had a pizza. Desserts tasted a little like they were bought in, but nice at the same time. Definitely would go there again, superb value!

TitianGerm

Folks myself and my girlfriend will be in Kilkenny on Thursday night.

I've had a quick read of the thread and like the sound of a lot of the places but we will only be here for the one night and would like someone to point me in the right direction.

I really liked the sound of Anocht but I think i'll give that one a miss this time around as there wasn't a lot on the menu to her liking. I wouldn't be overly fond of Asian Cuisine so that rules out a few more.

Any help is appreciated.

Sky King

You have *loads* of options in fairness. Loads.

Yamanoto wrote: »

Took the family for a bite in the Marble City bar in January & spotted the various gastro pub awards displayed outside. Food was bog standard pub fare tbh & we were all quite underwhelmed by it.

Hibernian is certainly better, though I'd also question how & why these places merit awards for producing food that's in no way beyond what countless other pubs plate up on a daily basis.

MCB has declined big time in recent times IMO. I was a regular. These days not so much. It's a pity because the staff are dead sound. I'll check back in in a month or so to see if they got their act together food wise.

Hibernian is better alright.

kikel

Hibernian.