Kerry —
Great Food & Drink

Valentia scallops, Dingle Bay prawns, Kerry mussels and lobster, Kerry mountain lamb, and boxty (potato pancakes with various meat and vegetable fillings). These are just a few of local Kerry specialties.

Click here for Kerry's Restaurants, Kerry's Cafes, or Kerry's Pubs.

Kerry's Restaurants

Bricin, 26 High St., Killarney (tel. 064-34902). Named after a local bridge, this restaurant in housed in one of the town's oldest buildings (1830's) and sits over a book/craft shop. The menu features traditional boxty dishes as well as Irish stew and other local dishes.Open for dinner only. Closed Sunday and Nov.-March.

The Chart House, Mail Road, Dingle (tel. 066-9152255), is a delightful restaurant at the east entrance to Dingle Town beside the harbour. Proprietor Jim McCarthy, who has built up a reputation throughout Ireland, blends innovative modern Irish cooking and friendly attentive service. The menu features local fresh seafood plus steaks, and specialty dishes such as roast breast of duck with savory cabbage, pan-fried escalope of pork with vanilla risotto, roast shallots, grapes, and wild mushroom sauce, or local Annascaul grilled black pudding with baked apples and bacon. Dinner only. Open nightly except Wed.-Thurs. in winter.

D’Arcy’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Main St., Kenmare (tel. 064-41589). Housed in an old bank building, this long-established restaurant has a new dimension, focusing on seafood and shellfish and organic and seasonal produce.  Fresh oysters and lobsters are available daily from the tank. The oyster bar is open noon to 10:30 p.m. and the grill room from 6 p.m. till 9:30 p.m., times vary off-season. 

Doyle's Seafood, 4 John St., Dingle (tel. 066-9151174). Established over 25 years ago, this restaurant changed hands in recent years from its original owners to the Cluskey family, but it still ranks highly in this town known for fine food and especially fresh local seafood including lobster from a tank. Dinner only. Closed Sunday and mid-Nov. to mid-Feb.

Fenton’s, Green St., Dingle (tel. 066-915-2172). With a cozy country-cottage atmosphere, this award-winning restaurant has open fireplaces, sugan chairs, polished wood floors and local art on the walls. Owned by Patricia Fenton, who comes from a farming family, the menu featured locally sourced ingredients. Main courses include the roast rack of spring lamb (reared on the Fenton farm) with herb crust and port wine jus; and black lobster farmed locally. The “early bird” value menu often features unique choices such as oysters on the half shell or mushroom soup with Irish whiskey as starters.

Gaby's, 27 High St., Killarney (tel. 064-32519), is a nautically-themed restaurant specializing in Kerry seafood including shellfish platters or lobsters from the tank. Dinner only. Closed Sunday and Christmas/New Year's and mid-Feb. to mid-March.

The Global Village, Main St., Dingle (tel. 066-915-2325). As its name implies, this shopfront restaurant is known for international cuisine. Chef/owner Martin Bealin has mastered recipes from his cooking work in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Channel Islands, and Central America and now Dingle. Early bird menu offers great value.

Kate Kearney’s Cottage, Gap of Dunloe, Beaufort, Killarney (tel. 064-44146).  Named after a local 19th century lass who was known for her beauty and for distilling illegal spirits, ths authentic cottage carries on a long tradition of hospitality.  It sits at the entrance to the famous Gap of Dunloe and is decorated with authentic memorabilia. The menu offers traditional Irish favorites (Kerry lamb, wild salmon), accompanied by traditional music and dancing for a fun-filled evening. Open for lunch on Sunday and dinner every night except Tuesday.

Lime Tree, Shelbourne Rd., Kenmare (tel. 064-42225). Housed in a former schoolhouse dating back to 1821, this restaurant presents "new Irish" cuisine ranging from barbecued bread and warm salads to seafood en papilotte or oak-planked Kenmare salmon. Open for dinner only daily; closed Nov.-March.

Murphys Ice Cream, Strand Road (tel. 066-915-2644), is a one-stop source for delicious ice cream desserts and snacks. Proprietors Sean and Kieran Murphy, who hail from the US, use fresh Kerry cream/milk, Irish free-range egg yolks, fresh fruits, pure chocolate, homemade caramel, Irish whiskey, and more –  to churn out designer ice cream in many flavors and colors. A second shop is located at 37 Main St., Killarney. It’s the gelato of Ireland!

Novo Centro, John St., Dingle (tel. 066-915-2584).   With a name that means "1900," this shopfront restaurant is furnished in an old world decor of electric candles, crank telephone, copper pots, stone pillars and a fireplace, enhanced by Italian background music, leafy plants and raspberry-colored walls. The menu is a blend of modern Irish and Italian, featuring pastas along with Dingle Bay seafood, steaks, and mountain lamb. Early bird menu is good value. Dinner only, except Wednesdays.  

Old Smokehouse, Lr. Main St., Dingle (tel. 066-915-1061). Located in the heart of town in an old stone building beside a stream, this country kitchen offers made-to-order sandwiches and salads, with seating both indoors and on an outdoor patio at lunchtime, and full dinners in the evening including seafood platters, roast lamb and steaks. Hours vary with the season.

Out of the Blue, Waterside, Dingle (tel. 066-915-0811) is a small and rustic restaurant and deli facing the marina.   The menu focuses solely on fresh fish and shellfish, caught locally each day.   If you crave fresh salmon, sole, trout, mackerel, prawns, lobster, crab and other seafood, it doesn't get any better than this. Hours vary with the season.

Packie's, Henry St., Kenmare (tel. 064-41508). This shopfront bistro is known for its creative menu using Kenmare ingredients including produce from its own garden. Irish stew and braised beef in Guinness are house specials. Dinner only. Closed Sunday and Monday and mid-Nov. to mid-March.

Prego, 18 Henry St., Kenmare (tel. 064-42350), is a local favorite for Italian food, especially a wide variety of pizzas and homemade pastas, as well as crusty baguettes, salads, soups & daily specials. Seating is available indoors and in an outdoor courtyard. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Stone House Restaurant, Fahan, Ventry, Dingle Peninsula (tel. 066-915-9970). Sitting on a hillside overlooking Dunbeg Fort, this stone-faced building is a welcome oasis on the Slea Head Drive. It has an old-world ambiance, like entering a country cottage, but the menu is up-to-date with excellent fresh salads, seafood and home-baked treats.  Open for lunch and dinner; closed Tuesday and January-February. 

Tír na Rí, Green St., Dingle (tel. 066-915-0803). For a change of pace, try this upstairs restaurant overlooking the local church.  In spite of its Irish name, the cuisine is Oriental featuring classic Chinese and Cantonese dishes as well as curries. Open every day for dinner and weekdays for lunch.

Treyvaud's, 62 High St., Killarney (tel. 064-33062). Although the name over the door is Swiss, this highly acclaimed restaurant is 100% Irish, run by the Treyvaud brothers (Paul and Mark), both Irish-born of Swiss ancestry.   They aim to present modern Irish and international cuisine, using the finest local ingredients, such as Kerry lamb, fresh seabass, wild salmon and prime Irish beef, as well as exotic treats – ostrich fillet, Barbary duck and kangaroo fillet. Lunch is simpler, with a menu of salads, sandwiches, omelets, and Irish beef in Guinness pie.   Open for lunch and dinner, except Mondays.

Velvet, Henry Lane, Kenmare, Co. Kerry (tel. 064-79837). Opened in 2007, this is one of Kenmare’s newest “in” places, espousing the motto “from sea to plate, from field to fork,” so ingredients are locally sourced and organic. Menu items often include Kerry lamb prepared three ways (slow-roasted shoulder, pan fried rib chop, and chopped aromatic lamb in puff pastry), cioppino (mussels, cockles and monkfish in tomato and saffron broth), or spinach and ricotta rotola, with slow-cooked Irish ham, as well as a signature potato soufflé. “Big plate” and “small plate” portions are available for most choices which can be a money-saver for people with small appetites.  Open nightly for dinner in summer and Sunday brunch (closed Mon.-Wed. in off season).

Kerry's Cafes

Áine’s Café & Wine Bar, Old Market Lane, Killarney (tel. 064-71489), offers wraps, baps, bagels, brownies, cappuccinos, lattés, and more, in café setting with indoor/outdoor seating.

An Cafe Liteartha, Dykegate St., Dingle (tel. 066-9151380). As its Irish name implies, this place is a combination bookstore and cafe. The menu features freshly baked goods, salads, and seafood, and traditional dishes such as Irish stew.

Fionan's Kitchen, Valentia Island (tel. 066-9476306). Housed at the Skellig Heritage Centre, this cafe serves homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches in a bright and modern setting with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the harbor.

Jam, Old Market Lane, off Main St., Killarney (tel. 064-31441). A favorite for coffee, tea or a snack with the locals, this restaurant features freshly baked breads and pastries, as well as homemade soups.

Locs Gourmet Pie & Coffee House, 77 High St., Killarney (tel. 064-35737), a haven for old fashioned comfort food, such as meat or vegetable pies, mashed potatoes, organic porridge, and scones.  In addition, the menu offers an array of salads, fruit bowls, sandwiches, soups, natural yogurts, handmade chocolates and vegetable crisps – for eat in or ready to go.

Mac’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlour, 6 Main St., Killarney (tel. 064-35213), for Irish ice cream, plus an international array of tortillas, baguettes, pizza, pastas, and even Irish stew.

Novo Centro Gourmet Italian Delicatessen, Main St., Dingle (tel. 066-915-0663).   A sister enterprise to the restaurant of the same name, this small shopfront deli features homemade dishessalads and imported cheeses, plus excellent pizza by the slice. It's a good place to go for a snack or picnic fare.

Pancake Cottage & Tea Rooms, Strawberry Field, R568, Sneem, Co. Kerry (tel. 064-82977), is a unique café on the Ring of Kerry between Sneem/Kenmare and Molls Gap. The menu offers good old fashioned pancakes (regular and gluten-free) with a dozen different toppings, both sweet or savory, as well as homemade soups, scones, and specialty apple pie. Open year-round, daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Scéal Eile, 73 High St., Killarney (tel. 064-35066), serves gourmet coffees and homemade treats in a country kitchen atmosphere enhanced by framed posters of Irish writers.

Shyne, 1 Old Market Lane, Killarney (tel. 064-32686), features homemade soups, tortilla wraps, and fresh salads; natural juices, smoothies, organic gourmet coffees, and herbal teas.

The Thatch, Strandsend, Cahirciveen, (tel. 066-947-2316). Enjoy freshly made soups and salads and home-baking at this thatched-roof cottage, set on its own grounds on the Ring of Kerry road.

Truffle Pig, The Square, Kenmare (tel. 064-89624). Planning a picnic in a scenic spot? Step into this deli and make your selection of gourmet salads, meats, cheeses, breads, pies, and other treats.

Kerry's Pubs

Ashes Bar, Main St., Dingle (tel. 066-915-0989), established in 1849, has a quiet “old Dingle” atmosphere in contrast to the town’s many music pub

Buckley’s, 2 College St., Killarney (tel. 064-31037), décor of quintessential Kerry football/sports memorabilia, plus traditional music on weekends.

Danny Mann, New St., Killarney (tel. 064-31640), known for nightly traditional music.

Dunloe Lodge, Plunkett St., Killarney (tel. 064-33503), sessions of traditional music on weekends.

The Laurels, Main St., Killarney (tel. 064-31149), is in the heart of town, with an old world decor - tiled floors, beamed ceilings, lots of alcoves and dimly lit corners, and live music and Irish dancing in the summer months.

O’Connor’s Traditional Bar, 7 High St., Killarney (tel. 064-31115), traditional music and more.

O'Flaherty's, Strand Street, Dingle (tel. 066-915-1461) is a vintage pub in
the heart of Dingle, known for its rustic atmosphere and great sessions of
Irish traditional music. Enter from Strand Street or from the musically-themed back gate (shown in photo) along the harborfront.

Oyster Tavern, Spa, Tralee (tel. 066-713-6102). Head to this rustic pub for a drink or snack overlooking Tralee Bay, with seating both indoors and outdoors.

P. F. McCarthys, 14 Main St., Kenmare (tel. 064-41516). Dating back to 1913, this atmospheric pub is furnished with local memorabilia. But it is best known for great pub food at lunch and dinner time, especially homemade soups and seafood dishes. There is seating outdoors as well for warm days.

Scariff Inn, Caherdaniel (tel. 066-947-5132). For stunning picture-window views of the Ring of Kerry seascapes, stop into this pub and enjoy a drink or snack overlooking the Atlantic.

South Pole Inn, Main St., Annascaul (tel. 066-915-7388). Formerly owned by Tom Crean who was famed for his Antarctic explorations, this pub is full of memorabilia from Tom’s travels. It’s a handy stop between Tralee and Dingle and bar food is served all day.

Spillane's Bar, Templenoe, Kenmare (tel. 064-41103), is known far and wide for its spontaneous sessions of Irish traditional music.

Tatler Jack, Plunkett St., Killarney (tel. 064-32361), for folk, traditional and contemporary music.

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