As promised on Tuesday morning, it’s time to start dipping into some of the wealth of eateries in Kilkenny – especially now that the festive leftovers are drying up or consigned to the back of the freezer.
Each month I’m going to shout out six places locally that cater for lunch, with a mix of venues between the city and county surrounds. Some months more city, others more county, but all open for lunch and all with plenty of options on the food front. This isn’t a top six list, that’s a much larger debate for a very different day, but hopefully, there’s something in here that you’ve not tried before or haven’t been to in a while and even reading the words below could twist your arm in heading there for a sandwich, a soup, come what may.
If you would like to make your own suggestions, you can either leave a comment below, jump over to the Facebook page, or ping an email to ken@kenonfood.com. And if you’re behind the scenes at an eatery in Kilkenny wondering why you’re not on the list, it’s only January, there are just six places here, meaning I’ve got another (quick math, 11×6 = 66) 66 outlets to go before the end of 2024 and I know full well I won’t cover everyone in the one year doing it this way.
So, lessons done, pens down, here are six places you could try for lunch in Kilkenny this January*
1. Nóinín, John’s Bridge
One of 2023’s darlings on the Kilkenny food scene, Nóinin (on the 2024 hit list) is run by sisters Sinéad and Maeve Molcair and while it’s reservation-only for dinner, it’s Christopher Walkins (I’m here all week) for lunch. Noinin’s menu is small and changes regularly – it’s built around what’s in season and available locally. You’ll typically find four or five dishes, one or two meat dishes, a fish option and a vegetarian option. They celebrated their first birthday just over a month ago and long may their journey continue.
If you fancy going back for dinner another night, it’s available Thursday through Saturday and adults-only.
Tuesday-Saturday from midday; closes 3.30pm. noininkilkenny.ie.
2. Cleere’s, Parliament Street
Serving “a limited menu with a small side of abuse”, you won’t go hungry leaving Cleere’s. The spiritual home of music and comedy in Kilkenny, Cleere’s is a long-standing institute of all that’s good about the arts scene in Kilkenny and has been under the stewardship of Johnny Holden and Paul McCabe for over a decade. Whether it’s a nice pint of Smitwick’s (keep that in mind for the WiFi access), a belly-busting Indonesian beef rendang sandwich, the fabled Cleere’s Raw Energy Salad, one of a plethora of Johnny’s homemade soups or any combination of doorstep sandwich, you’ll feel right at home with a twist of getting fed by your grandmother.
If it’s busy on the weekend or you’re at peak festival time, food service may be limited to pizza offerings. And sure while you’re tucking into a sandwich, you could nab yourself tickets for any number of live shows in the back room too.,
From midday. cleeres.com
3. Doppio, Smithlands
Casual, contemporary and a relative newcomer to Kilkenny, you’ll find Doppio in the busy Smithlands centre alongside sister eateries Primo and Mario’s, Grogan & Brown Artisan Butchers, Aldi etc. December added a ravioli carbonara, stuffed with savoury guanciale and tangy pecorino Romana, served in a creamy cheese sauced and topped with golden brown pancetta, a burrata salad, breaded mozzarella balls and truffle fries with Parmesan topping. They do have a handy app as well that can be used for coffee and lunch orders, both for collection and delivery, plus it’s a handy way of getting hold of the menu. So from a pastrami sandwich on sourdough, to wings, hot dishes of the day through to a Sunday roast (only on Sunday, obviously enough), there’s plenty to choose from.
Parking (free) can be ruthless around school collection times with the underground carpark still to open, but there’s no shortage of it all the same.
From 8.30am. doppio.ie
4. Meubles Café, Kilkenny Retail Park
Food at Meuble’s Cafe, tucked away on the first floor of the store (there is lift and stairs access) starts at 9am for breakfast with lunch beginning from 12pm. As this article gets penned, it’s only 4 January and I’ve already been in twice – Tuesday for a coffee and Wednesday for a breakfast bap with a side of coffee and a space to work away on the laptop. Like that, it’s fierce handy for working lunches during the week (or lunch during work hours), with ample free parking at Smithlands. Food service should see a bite land at your table within ten minutes or less with the choice of freshly made sandwiches, wraps, and soups to fish and chips, vol au vents, quiches and more.
Sandwich, wrap and tartlet options come with a selection of house salads.
They’ve got child-friendly menus coupled with a play area for toddlers away from the main thrust of the restaurant space, and have gluten free lunch and snack options available.
From 9am. meubles.ie
5. Aroi, Friary Street
Aroi are open for lunch from 12 daily and they’ve never disappointed. I was in myself this week for their heart-warming red duck curry (it was absolutely milling rain in Kilkenny on Tuesday), washed down with a Fentiman’s ginger beer. At lunch, you’re pretty much dining from the a la carte menu but with a twist – it’s €13.50 a head, any dish, plus a single scoop gelato to finish off, so there’s a saving of a couple of Euro per dish compared to dinner. I’m pretty sure between the duck and ginger beer it was €17 all in on Tuesday and thoroughly filling.
If you’re in early, grab a spot by the window looking out onto Friary Street, or if you’re coming in a group (with booking definitely advised), there are bigger seating options in the centre of the restaurant. Need gluten-free or vegetarian options? No problem.
From midday. aroi.eu
6. Italian Connection, Parliament Street
I’ve often dropped into the Italian Connection just for their garlic bread with cheese alone as it’s a winner whatever the weather. However, be it a weekday or at the weekend, it’s another of Kilkenny’s long-established eateries that never fails, the Cardillio family opening its doors in 1990. For the most part, the menu has remained the same for years bar the occasional price shift so if you’ve been recommended the veal cannelloni or the Pizza Connection before, you can be sure it’s as good now as it was then.
While a reservation would be advised for the weekend, during the week it’s usually no hassle getting a table or at least you won’t have too long of a wait, whether you’re dining on your own or heading in with friends or family. There’s also a gluten-free pizza option with vegan cheese available if that’s your thing. My shouts are definitely the cannelloni or the Pizza Connection with some extra garlic. I’m a creature of habit.
Daily from 12pm. italianconnectionkilkenny.com.
Suggest your favourites
Got somewhere you’d like to share or a spot that definitely has to make the list? I’ll have another six picks around this time next month and this series will continue monthly through the end of the year. Sound off in the comments below, jump over to the Facebook page, or email me at any time on ken@kenonfood.com.
*Eating out isn’t just for January, these spots are open and available all year long.
