Cafes in Kilkenny

We offer food tasting and cultural walking tours through Kilkenny’s medieval narrow streets and alleyways. On our tours, you visit local artisan food producers and meet the owners who share their insight on the delicious tastes found in this historic city. Kilkenny was voted Foodie Destination of the Year in 2018 by the Restaurants Association of Ireland. Come experience this renowned food destination for yourself with our fun and informative tours. From world-class produce and exceptional seafood to unbeatable whiskey, there is so much to discover in our local restaurants, eateries, and distilleries. Get to know this foodie’s paradise on our walking food tours! Enjoy the sights along our beautiful streets, taste your way through Kilkenny, and familiarize yourself with its culinary traditions.

Artisan bakery and bistro in the heart of Kilkenny city serving delicious brunches from seasonal local produce and stone baked breads with natural Irish ingredients.

All of our breads are stone-baked daily in our bread oven and contain nothing but salt, water, flour and natural leaven or a fresh yeast culture. no preservatives. no chemicals. just nature. All our flours are grown and milled by our friends at The Little Mill built on the River Nore in Bennettsbridge Co. Kilkenny. Because we are big believers and advocates of seasonality and local produce, our menus are like the weather - they can change from day-to-day.

We don't do reservations for brunch - tables are first come, first served - but if you have any special needs, give us a shout and we'll try and accommodate you. For private parties/dinners, birthdays and events, please send us an email.

We are dog friendly. 

Open: Tuesdays to Sundays. 

Kilkenny Design Craft Centre offers an unrivalled selection of Irish handcrafted gifts. While it has many imitators, the Centre remains Ireland’s most prestigious source of Irish gifts of exceptional quality, all chosen with a discerning eye for quality, uniqueness and style.

The Centre’s unequalled supplier list, drawn from Ireland’s most eminent craftspeople and designers, gives visitors a uniquely special shopping experience, allowing them to purchase the best of Irish crafts and design under one roof. Visitors from outside of the EU can avail of highly attractive tax free shopping.

Zuni Restaurant Bar & Boutique Hotel, situated on Patrick Street, in Kilkenny's City Centre. Serving great food for lunch or dinner seven days a week since 2000. Arrive early for a cocktail in our chic new cocktail bar.

Lunch is served from 12.30pm to 2.30pm daily while Dinner is served from 6pm to 9.30pm daily (except 6pm to 9pm on Sunday's).

Step into the past at Mocha’s Vintage Tea Room Restaurant, on Gas House Lane in Kilkenny City. Charming surroundings and French vintage décor offer a relaxing ambiance to enjoy a freshly made breakfast with Irish free range eggs, or a healthy lunch, or something more substantial.. Freshly prepared dishes offer a varied menu for all tastes and dietary needs. Come and absorb the elegant surroundings and friendly service.

Kilkenny Café is at the heart of Market Cross Shopping Centre, for over 20 years it has been serving the very best food to the people of Kilkenny. We pride ourselves on serving wholesome good food in a relaxed environment. With 200 seats, it’s one of the largest café’s in Kilkenny, but with the friendly atmosphere and relaxing warm environment you would expect from this welcoming City.

It has a very wide menu, so there is something to suit everyone, from gourmet sandwiches to warming roast dinners with all the trimmings. The café is particularly family friendly, with a great children’s menu, colouring competitions, family meal deals and lots of room to relax. We are pleased to accommodate any fussy eaters you may have!

Kilkenny's first patisserie located on the Medieval Mile in the shadow of St Canices Cathedral this Kilkenny cafe is the perfect resting point for coffee lovers and foodies alike. Cakeface Patisserie offers of handmade quirky and unusual cakes not to mention pastries and desserts that are works of art which would be hard to find in London or Paris

Locally produced artisan breads and sourdoughs are beautifully displayed and are available to take home but be quick they don't last long. For coffee enthusiate Cakeface offers a house coffee locally roasted in small batches for freshness plus a constantly changing guest coffee which they source from artisan producers.

Lunchtime at this Kilkenny cafe consists of gourmet, made to order sandwich filled with delicious local ingredients on sour dough and artisan breads. Homemade soups and salad are available seasonally and made on site.

The interior is in keeping with their desserts a little bit quirky and the atmosphere is relaxed. The staff are friendly and easy going and sure know how to make a great cup of coffee. Visit cakeface.ie

Cathedral Cafe Kilkenny....Sample a slice of serenity in medieval Kilkenny!

This Kilkenny cafe's quaint and homely atmosphere is in keeping with the feeling of serenity that runs throughout the building. It is the perfect place to escape from everything and relax. Have a cup of tea and a chat or to enjoy the homemade soups, sandwiches, hot lunches or desserts. Also on the menu at this Kilkenny cafe is an assortment of desserts, such as freshly-made scones, muffins, chocolate biscuit cake served with cream to name but a few. It is also the perfect base to plan your tour of our beautiful city.

Located on the pedestrianised Kieran Street, within view of Kilkenny Castle, this family run Kilkenny cafe offers you the perfect place to relax and chill out over our mouthwatering coffees, savouries and delicious cakes.

Crotty's Coffee House is the love child of husband and wife duo Martin and Mary Crotty. Between them they share over 25 years in the hospitality industry, and are driven by their love and passion for delivering excellent customer service in a cup of coffee, accompanied by there love and respect from one another. Together they have created a haven that encompasses a stand out cafe. Their mission is to enrich the lives of those who enter the front door - whether it be for a quick coffee or a lengthy stay - with friendly genuine service and standout dishes.

Situated within walking distance from Kilkenny Castle and St. Canices Cathedral. Crottys Coffee House is situated on the oldest street in the County it has still retained many of the original features and exudes a traditional & friendly atmosphere. Crotty's Coffee House is a favourite with locals and residents alike, offering extensive menus boasting the very best in fresh local Irish produce and service. There is a strong support for all things local and this is very important for to everyone involved in the Crotty's Coffee house story. From the local musicians, staff uniforms and of course the quality produce used in the kitchen.

Insomnia, a Kilkenny cafe located in Market Cross shopping centre boasts Kilkenny's best coffee. Insomnia's strength lies not only in the quality of the coffee and food served, but also in the great and fun experience their customers have when they visit the store. The brand’s philosophy of this Kilkenny cafe is very simple: that you get the best cup of coffee every single time you visit. Quality and innovation are at the core of this philosophy, from the handcrafted technique they use to make every single cup to the specially selected food from local producers. Change is good and they like to see the word ‘new’ in their stores regularly, whether that’s new flavours or new technologies – they are always looking for new ways to surprise and delight.

When you pop in at Insomnia for your morning coffee before you start exploring Kilkenny's or your afternoon pick me up after a cultural tour of this medieval city, they want you to feel at home, their goal is to make customers happy.