With its rich culture, Killarney is a popular spot among the Irish and tourists alike. There are plenty of things to do in this little town in Kerry, Ireland including hiking, strolling, and visiting historical places.
Getting to know a place though won’t be complete without sampling its local food. So we’re taking you out on a little food trip around town to find the best restaurants in Killarney!
Average Cost Per Meal in Killarney
This table will give you an estimate of how much you might spend per meal in Killarney. Based on the experiences of recent travellers in Kerry, breakfast is less costly than lunch, and lunch is less expensive than dinner.
According to Budget Your Trip, you might spend around €46-60 per day:
Top Restaurants in Killarney
We’re reviewing the most amazing restaurants in Killarney through their:
1. The Laurels Pub & Restaurant
| Specialty | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Food Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Price (Higher score = better value) | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
According to locals who talked to us, The Laurels Pub & Restaurant just might be the most tourist-friendly restaurants in Killarney. It’s not just because of the food, but also because of the overall vibe of the place.
First of all, it serves traditional Irish food, so tourists who love to experience Ireland through its food will have the best time here. And what we love about it is that there’s a huge selection, so even picky eaters can choose something!
Second, we appreciate that The Laurels has vegetarian and gluten-free options for those who have a strict diet. It shows that it caters to any type of customer, so anyone will have a good time dining here!
Third, we love that everything’s just very organised! From reservation to ordering, the professional and polite staff will handle everything for its customers so there’ll be no hassle on your part.
The food tastes amazing as well—perfectly cooked and always served warm. The best thing about it is that despite how big your group is, The Laurels’ staff can handle you without problems!
In terms of ambience, we think you’ll love the cosy and elegant atmosphere. It’s the type of restaurant where you can relax while having good conversations with friends.
Lastly, you can cap off the night with good wine and dessert. The Laurels has some of the best dessert options—and we suggest not missing it!
The only thing we’re a little uncomfortable about is that this restaurant is a little pricey for tourists on a budget. But hey—it’s not everyday that you get to eat authentic Irish food, so you might as well splurge a little with no regrets!
Pros
- Has vegetarian and gluten-free options
- Organised reservation
- Professional and polite staff
- Food arrives promptly
- Cosy atmosphere
- Delicious food
- Nice selection of traditional Irish food
- Can handle large group reservations
- Good dessert options
- Accommodates last-minute reservation requests
Cons
- Bar area’s always full
- Pricey
Customer Reviews
Lively and fun atmosphere with good beer selection
Fish and chips! Service! Beer selection and fun atmosphere. Appeared to offer live music but we moved on. While it’s a busy beer pub, we didn’t feel crowded and could carry a conversation without raising our voices. Get a reservation though! Group of golfers at tables next to us.. and three young local couples, celebrating a birthday… plus tourists like us! — 4PSU, Trip Advisor
Cosy place and freshly cooked food
Popped into this pub after exploringKillarney. We heard the potato cakes were good and they did not disappoint. They have a nice seating area in the back with a bar & sports on the TV. We had the bacon & cheese burger. Delicious with hot fries. The bunratty pie dessert is so amazing. It’s a popular place, so you may have to wait a bit for a table but the service is fast & friendly. — Stacey H, Yelp
2. Cronin’s Restaurant
| Specialty | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Food Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Price (Higher score = better value) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
What makes Cronin’s Restaurant stand out to us is its homey vibe. It’s a family-owned restaurant in Killarney accessible to everyone who wants good local food!
First thing we love about it is the owner and staff themselves. They’re friendly hosts and very accommodating that even if customers arrived just before they need to close, they’ll still be accommodated—and even given free glasses of wine!
Perhaps this is also the reason why the place is family-friendly. Good atmosphere and good food can go a long way for travellers who want to experience the best things in town!
In fact, in terms of variety of local dishes, Cronin’s has an extensive list for its customers. Even if you have a companion who has a conservative palate, there’s always something for that companion in the menu.
Just a tiny bit of trivia from locals we’re able to chat with—Cronin’s has killer shepherd’s pie. If you’re a huge fan of the dish or at least want to try it, this restaurant is the best place to go!
We think you’ll also love the dine-in experience as well. Cronin’s has the cosiest dining area, and any customer will enjoy eating in such a lovely place.
We recommend making reservations in advance though. The place gets fully packed, and while walk-ins are allowed, you will wait for a long time, and this can be inconvenient to hungry travellers!
Pros
- Friendly staff
- Lovely and hospitable owners
- Accommodates last-minute customers
- Killer Shepherd’s Pie
- Extensive menu
- Family-friendly place
- Gives free wine on the house
- Cosy dining area
- Accessible
Cons
- Needs reservations
- Long waiting time for walk-ins
- Always fully packed
Customer Reviews
Accessible restaurant with a quaint vibe
Cronins Restaurant is a great choice if you are visiting Killarney and looking for a nice meal. Make sure you call ahead to get a reservation as the restaurant fills up quickly. The atmosphere is very nice and quaint and it is located on one of the main avenues in the city. We had the Shepard’s Pie and the Lasagna, both were very good. Our server suggested some local beers that were brewed in the area, they were very good. Overall a nice dinner. — Bytor, Trip Advisor
Amazing entree and dessert options
I brought a group of grad students here as part of a two-week trip through Ireland. We ordered ahead so they knew we’d be coming, and they were ready for us when we arrived. The service was cheerful (this is not always the case when you’re dining as a group) and we very much enjoyed our meal. There were several entree and dessert options from which to choose–truly something for everyone. Be sure to try the Fried Brie and the Shepherd’s Pie! This is the second time I have visited this restaurant with a group, and we have loved it both times. Location in Killarney was great, too–walkable to many hotels. — Abby Q, Trip Advisor
3. Bricín Restaurant and Boxty House
| Specialty | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Food Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Price (Higher score = better value) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
It’s probably very obvious, but the specialty of Bricín Restaurant and Boxty House is boxty—a traditional Irish pancake! But it doesn’t mean the restaurant doesn’t serve other Irish food—it does, and they’re as good as the restaurant’s specialty!
One thing we love about Bricin Restaurant is its cosy interior. It feels like dining in at a lovely restaurant, but you don’t need to dress up for it and just enjoy eating the food however you like—yes, it has that vibe!
We actually appreciate that it’s located on the second floor so it’s more intimate and cosier. However, this might not be ideal to some who aren’t very fond of stairs.
In terms of food, according to locals, Bricin Restaurant is ideal for picky eaters. It has a lot of options including vegetarian options, the food is always perfectly cooked and flavourful, and the place has really good desserts!
We think you’ll appreciate the nice selection of wine as well. It’s well-priced too so you don’t need to spend so much just to enjoy good food.
The staff are super friendly–we appreciate how attentive they are to customers. We also love that the prompt service—food’s delivered quickly!
Just an advice from us—if you can’t reserve in advance, at least come early. It tends to get super full that even if you go as a walk-in, you might not be accommodated.
Pros
- Prompt service
- Delicious desserts
- Lovely and comfy interior
- To-die-for boxty
- Has vegetarian options
- Food is flavourful and perfectly cooked
- For picky eaters
- Super friendly servers
- Nice wine selection
- Well-priced
Cons
- Always full
- Located on the second floor
Customer Reviews
Caring and attentive staff
Amazing staff, lovely food and just an all round real caring interest in making sure everything is perfect. Our son ordered the camembert cheese as a main and the waitress had a real genuine concern whether he would have enough. Simply really cared and the front of house gentleman was an excellent host . — Liam D, Trip Advisor
Best place to relax and disconnect
Bricin remained the best restaurant we ate at during our two week vacation. The food, the service and the ambiance everything was top notch. It is as local as you can get. It’s not a tourist trap. It’s a little more expensive than other few restaurants in Killarney but it’s so much worth it. I tried the duck confit with herbed mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Wife tried the vegetarian boxty. Boxty is an Irish dish from the North Connacht region, it is said to have originated in Leitrim. It’s pancakes made with mashed potatoes and flour. They are served with fillings of your choice (similar to soft shell tacos; just bigger and more filling). We both loved our dishes very much.— Rohit A, Yelp
4. The Mad Monk by Quinlans
| Specialty | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Food Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Price (Higher score = better value) | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
According to locals we happily chatted with, The Mad Monk by Quinlans is all about seafood. It has the best seafood dishes in all of Killarney, and if you want the best experience, this restaurant is the place to visit!
One thing we notice about the restaurant is that it has tables outside. If you want to enjoy your food with a good view and perhaps watch people as they stroll across the streets, we recommend sitting at one of the outside tables.
Inside is much more intimate, but it has a friendly and cosy atmosphere that makes the place lively. We love that it’s also very clean because who doesn’t appreciate a neat place?
In terms of food, we love that The Mad Monk stays true to its reputation—it has the largest selection of fishes and seafood. You’ll also find a unique seafood menu here which you can’t find anywhere.
It’s a little pricey though considering it’s seafood, and we all know seafood can really be quite expensive. However, we still think it’s a must-visit for seafood lovers so you’ll get your money’s worth!
The serving is quite large too, so you won’t feel like you’re at a disadvantage. Plus—we think you’ll love the restaurant’s wine selection.
Just a couple of pieces of advice—avoid sitting at the tables near the kitchen because they’re not the best spots in the house. Also, steak might not be The Mad Monk’s specialty, but we have varied preferences—eat what you want to eat!
Pros
- Best seafood dishes
- Food always freshly prepared
- Excellent customer service
- Has good fish selection
- Unique seafood menu you can’t eat anywhere
- Friendly and cosy vibe
- Good wine selection
- Clean restaurant
- Has outside tables if you want a nice view
- Large serving
Cons
- Steak’s not a house specialty
- Tables near the kitchen aren’t the best spot
- A little expensive
Customer Reviews
Best selection of fish dishes
This is the best fish you can eat, fresh and perfectly prepared. We had the octopus and the mussels as a starter, heavenly. As main we had the sea bass fillet and the crab claws. Here you can eat some fish which you cannot eat in any restaurant. Also wonderful and great service of all the staff — Willem T, Trip Advisor
Fresh seafood and attentive staff
The seafood here is fresh, well prepared, and delicious. We were in Killarney for three nights and discovered this restaurant the first night. We didn’t bother booking anywhere else. The service is professional and caring and the management is excellent. I can‘t possibly give it the number of stars it deserves. — Linda M, Google Reviews
5. Treyvaud’s Restaurant
| Specialty | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Location | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Food Quality | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Presentation | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Price (Higher score = better value) | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Service Quality | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If it’s date night you’re aiming for, we recommend booking a table at Treyvaud’s Restaurant. It has a cosy and romantic atmosphere, so your significant other won’t only enjoy the food, but the overall vibe as well!
First of all, we love the location—it’s located in a commercial strip full of other restaurants. It stands out to us though because of its extensive menu of modern Irish and international cuisines.
This means there are a lot of choices for food lovers like us. And if you have kids, it has options for even the pickiest eater—good news indeed for the parents!
Second, we love that Treyvaud’s offers an early bird menu. So you can get more options and even discounts when you arrive early.
Third, we also appreciate how the staff are very attentive to its customers’ dietary needs. When you’re ordering, the staff will ask you about your preferences—if you have allergies or there are ingredients you don’t want to add to your dishes.
And lastly, we love the food presentation! Very elegant and aesthetic—they make the food more palatable, plus it shows the effort put in every single order.
Just don’t expect the food to be super affordable—it’s not. Also, it’s better to make reservations before your trip because the restaurant is always fully booked most especially during peak hours.
Pros
- Varied menu
- Charming servers
- Lovely food presentation
- Relaxing atmosphere
- Offers early bird menu
- Cosy and romantic atmosphere
- Kid-friendly lunch menu
- Staff are attentive to its customers’ dietary needs
- Located among a strip full of restaurants
Cons
- Always fully booked
- Service is sometimes rushed
- A little expensive
Customer Reviews
Top-notch food and service
My husband and I had Sunday Lunch here on Sunday 10th September. I always follow Paul on TV and was dying to try out this restaurant. The food, the service and the atmosphere was A1. There was a great buzz in the restaurant and the food & wine was delicious. The staff were so attentive and we were delighted to be served our main course by the main man himself Paul. This is a must if you are in Killarney. Book in advance to secure your table and treat yourself. Thank you Paul and the team, as I said leaving the restaurant “that’s another one ticked off my bucket list”. We will definitely be back when next in Killarney. — Bernadette F, Trip Advisor
Irish food with a french twist
This was our second favourite meal in Ireland. Irish with a French twist. If you are tired of the same tired menu by the time you reach Killarney, you will enjoy the care in preparation and original touches on their menu. Really good food and service. — Jeff C, Yelp