KinsaleRestaurants

Restaurants in Kinsale

  1. A

    Jola's

    With double-height ceilings, exposed brick walls and a stunning chandelier, Jola Wojtowicz's restaurant brings a dash of metropolitan style to Kinsale. The food is equally adept, confidently marrying Eastern European and Irish cuisine. The pierogi (dumplings) made with Clonakilty black pudding are divine, but are merely preparation for the mouth-watering mains, which include a particularly lovely dish of lamb cutlets with basil and walnut pesto.

    reviewed

  2. Otto's Creative Cooking

    You have to book at this remote spot at a stunning location near Butlerstown. There's plenty of choice on the set menus, with all the produce locally sourced and much of it organic and coming from Otto's itself. A four-course lunch is available for around €35, a five-course dinner for around €55. Why not make a night of it and stay in one of the individually decorated guestrooms (around €110/€130 for a single/double) reserved for diners?

    reviewed

  3. B

    Fishy Fishy Cafe

    Arguably the best seafood restaurant in the country has a wonderful setting, with stark white walls splashed with bright artwork and a terrific decked terrace at the front. All the fish is caught locally; have the cold seafood platter, a tasty spectacle that's a concert of what's fresh. Scallops are dollops of goodness. Front-of-house staff are charmers, but waitstaff can look tired. The Fishy Fishy empire also includes a superb fish 'n' chip shop.

    reviewed

  4. C

    Jim Edwards

    Like many places in Kinsale, this much-frequented eatery has bar food of a restaurant standard. A steady Irish touch is nicely frothed with European influences. In the bar you may need to fight for attention amid the clamour, but once served you'll want to stay all night. The restaurant specialises in steaks and fish, and does an excellent seafood platter for around €30.90.

    reviewed

  5. D

    E Kirby 66

    An old neighbourhood pub has been reborn and has a welcoming dinner menu of Italian classics. It’s great for when you want to say no to mussels and say yes to spaghetti and meatballs. There’s excellent pizza and, in a nod to local tradition, fine seafood ravioli. By day this charmer is good for a coffee and a pause along the gentrifying street.

    reviewed

  6. E

    Bulman

    This is seaside eating at its best. Escape from central Kinsale to this gastro pub in an unspoilt harbourside venue, where salty informality is a style in its own right. Seafood excels here, whether swimming in chowder or laid out seductively on a platter. Much of everything is sourced locally; herbs are right from the kitchen garden.

    reviewed

  7. F

    Vintage Restaurant

    The décor may be a little fusty these days but the Vintage is one of the reasons that Kinsale deserves its gourmet label, with prices that are truly justifiable. Unbeatable dishes range from oyster starters to mains of lobster in brandy or sea bass in white port crème; fish that demand a magic touch - and get it.

    reviewed

  8. Dillons

    Bright, inviting Dillons serves interesting variations on Irish staples in its bistro-style dining room. The emphasis is on meat (for example, Skeaglianore duck breast and roast quail), but there are interesting fish and veggie options too. Credit cards are not accepted.

    reviewed

  9. G

    Max's Wine Bar

    Behind the brilliant red traditional wooden facade is a restaurant popular with locals that combines French influences with the best Irish produce and seafood. The menu changes regularly but the wine list doesn't (at least in concept): it's always vast and alluring.

    reviewed

  10. H

    Fishy Fishy Shop

    The casual retail outlet for the vaunted restaurant, you can pause here on your Kinsale ramble for just a superb coffee but, really, you’ll want some of the best fish and chips in town, or one of the other treats. Tables are located both inside and out.

    reviewed

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  12. I

    Vista Wine Bar

    This shiny modern bar has spectacular views over the marina, and diners can enjoy the rhythmic clank, clank, clank of rigging banging on boats. Come for quiches and the baking at lunch, tapas in the evening (from 6pm) and wine and coffee any time of day.

    reviewed

  13. J

    Hoby's

    More excellent Irish-European cuisine is served at this swish place. Subtle colours, thoughtful seating, candlelight and friendly service make you feel that it's all just for you. A three-course set menu is available for around €28.50.

    reviewed

  14. K

    Man Friday

    Around the harbour walk in relaxing Scilly, this veteran seafood restaurant has outdoor seating with views back across the harbour to Kinsale. Book if you want a terrace table on balmy evenings. Just the walk down to the entrance is magical.

    reviewed

  15. L

    Dino’s

    People happily spill out over the surrounding sidewalks at this nautically themed chippy and family restaurant. Besides fish and chips, Dino’s does breakfasts (€7). Plop down on the low wall and enjoy marina views.

    reviewed

  16. M

    Muddy Mahers

    The big bar meals here are good and tasty. The menu includes plenty of meat dishes, veggie options, a great ocean chowder, an even better fish pie and well-filled sandwiches, including the Holy Cow! steak special.

    reviewed

  17. Casino House

    The bright, simply decorated farmhouse overlooking the sparkling bay is the perfect setting for the modern Irish cuisine of Casino House. Local produce is used in every dish. It’s just off the R600.

    reviewed

  18. N

    Spaniard Bar & Restaurant

    This is a classic pub on Scilly, with low ceilings and a peat fire, so why not crack open some crab claws or settle for a sandwich at the bar. Prices for most dishes at the bar are around €10; there's a pricier restaurant upstairs, which serves more or less the same food as downstairs but doesn't have half the atmosphere.

    reviewed

  19. O

    Crackpots

    The title 'ceramic restaurant' over the front door refers to the fact that all the crockery in use here was made…here. Normally, when you combine art workshop and food something will give, but in this instance it's certainly not the grub, which relies on locally sourced meats, fresh catch from the sea and organically grown veg. Owner Carole Norman has recently given over her walls to local artists – you can peruse the art for sale while you dine.

    reviewed

  20. P

    Cucina

    Laid-back jazz sets the mood at this modern little cafe. Healthy bruschetta, salads and soups, and not-so-healthy but very delicious cup cakes are served in a simple setting.

    reviewed

  21. Q

    Spinnakers Bar & Restaurant

    A bright, jaunty pub on the water, serving local seafood, fish and steak.

    reviewed

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  23. R

    Stolen Pizza

    An old neighbourhood pub has been reborn and has a welcoming dinner menu of Italian classics. It's great for when you want to say no to mussels and say yes to spaghetti and meatballs. There's excellent pizza and, in a nod to local tradition, fine seafood ravioli. By day this charmer is good for a coffee and a pause along the gentrifying street.

    reviewed

  24. Jim Edwards

    If Fishy Fishy has a serious rival, it's 200m away in this unassuming pub, where the bar food is way above standard and the restaurant exceptional. A very traditional ambience belies the high quality of the menu, which doffs a cap to meat-eaters but specialises mostly in all kinds of locally caught fish.

    reviewed

  25. S

    Fishy Fishy Shop & Chippie

    The casual retail outlet for the vaunted restaurant, you can pause here on your Kinsale ramble for just a superb coffee but, really, you'll want some of the best fish and chips in town, or one of the other treats. Tables are located both inside and out.

    reviewed

  26. T

    Bulman Bar & Toddies

    This is seaside eating at its best. Escape from central Kinsale to this gastro pub in an unspoilt harbourside venue, where salty informality is a style in its own right. Seafood excels here, whether swimming in chowder or laid out seductively on a platter. Much of everything is sourced locally; herbs are right from the kitchen garden. The more formal restaurant Toddies serves an excellent range of beautifully prepared seafood – the lobster risotto (€18.95) is recommended.

    reviewed