Kilkenny has recently won the top award for ‘Foodie Destination in 2018’, which acknowledges the fantastic food producers and places to eat Kilkenny has on offer.

Foodie Destinations 2018 is a fantastic competition by the Restaurants Association of Ireland to promote food tourism initiatives across the country. As, the winner, Kilkenny is recognised for its excellence in promoting our wonderful County as a food destination by hosting a wide range of activities such as food festivals, farmers markets, food trails and tours as well as offering visitors to the area fantastic dining experiences.

So to celebrate Kilkenny being recognised for the perfect Foodie Destination, we’ve put together our top recommendations for places to eat in Kilkenny City & Country during your next visit!

Butler House

Under the management of Executive Chef, Gerard Dunne, the Butler House kitchen has an ethos that the best meals start with the best ingredients. Wherever possible the finest local, natural, organic and seasonal ingredients, are sourced and featured on the menu. And it shows, as the food is divine! Not only that, but the setting of the dining room overlooking the garden and castle views make for a memorable dining experience.

Butler House is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea – the Afternoon Tea is a real treat!

To find out more, visit Butler House website

 

FoodWorks

If you are looking for a relaxed and casual dining experience along Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, then FoodWorks is a must-visit during your stay in Kilkenny.

Quality is the main ingredient in all menu items, whether it is local produce or produce from their own farm, the unfussy dishes are a treat for your taste buds. We often dine here and recommend it to our guests often, and we have never had a bad experience – actually we’ve never had an average experience! The friendly atmosphere and simple menu makes for a great experience. I can personally recommend any of the fish items of the menu!

To find out more, visit FoodWorks website

 

Aroi Asian Street Food

Good Asian food can a difficult to find, but the latest addition to the Kilkenny foodie scene has totally transformed the Asian food offering!

Aroi (pronounced Aroy) is associated with the eating experience in Asia and means delicious or tasty. All of the dishes – from sides, curry, stir-fry, grilled, rice, wok noodles, noodle soup – run from €3-€11, with juices, cha, beer, soft drinks and wine from €2.50-€7. You can literally dine there like the King of Siam and not break the bank.

Along with our other recommended places to eat, Aroi places a huge emphasis on serving market fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

View the full menu here

 

Campagne

We couldn’t put together a list of the best places to eat in Kilkenny and leave out the only Michelin-starred restaurant located in the heart of the city, Campagne.

Inspired by regional French cuisine, the menu at Campagne offers pure decadence guided by seasonal produce. The perfect setting for a special occasion or celebration, Campagne is one of our go-to restaurants when we are looking to treat ourselves or impress special visitors!

Located under the old railway arches on Gas House Lane, Campagne boasts a stylish interior featuring oak flooring, curved banquette leather seating and modern paintings depicting rural life by Klkenny artist Catherine Barron. Plus, it’s only a short walk from Rosquil House.

To view the latest menu, visit their website

 

Cakeface Patisserie

Sometimes you’re just looking for a sweet treat and a good coffee, rather than a full meal and Kilkenny has just the place – Cakeface Patisserie!

Located on the Medieval Mile away from the hustle and bustle of the main street, Cakeface offers a place to sit, relax and indulge. Voted the best coffee in Kilkenny and with the handmade sweet treats to match, you really can’t go wrong. Plus, if you’re looking for something a little more, they offer a quirky range of yummy sambos using their own in-house Sourdough breads.

To find out more, visit Cakeface website