The Southeast — Great Food & Drink

Restaurants

Café Sol, William St., Kilkenny City (tel. 056-776-4987), is a little gem located off High Street. It is a blend of daytime café and evening restaurant, with menus that feature locally sourced meats, produce, and seafood, prepared with imagination and flair. Menu choices include chargrilled salmon, hamhock terrine, three cheese and pea risotto, crab pasta, or house-smoked duck breast. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Circle of Friends, The Square, Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny (tel. 056-775-8800), is named after the novel by Maeve Binchy which was made into a movie set in this charming town. It is  a café by day and a bistro by night, serving homemade soups, sandwiches, pizza, steaks, and more, topped off with fresh baked pastries, cakes, and pies.  Indoor and outdoor seating. Closed Monday.

Fleva, 84 High St., Kilkenny City (tel. 056-777-0021), is a hip upstairs restaurant in the heart of town, with art on the walls and creativity in the kitchen. Signature dishes range from rack of Kilkenny lamb to pigeon in mango or chili-spiced kangaroo. Open for dinner only Tuesday – Sunday and for Sunday lunch

Forde’s Restaurant, Crescent Quay, Wexford (tel. 053-23832).  Set on the Quay overlooking the harbor, this award-wining upstairs restaurant is known for first-rate seafood, beef and rack of lamb. The décor is modern with a red and black theme, original art scenes of Ireland and candlelight. Open for dinner nightly; and for lunch on Sunday.

Lacken House, Dublin Rd., Kilkenny (tel. 056-61085), is an award-winning family-run restaurant serving haute Irish and international cuisine in an elegant Georgian house setting. Well worth a trip to Kilkenny for this one. Dinner only.

La Dolce Vita, 6-7 Trimmers La., Wexford Town (tel. 053-917-0806). A big green, white and red awning on a side street of Wexford signals the entrance to this mecca for fine Italian food. Chef Roberto Pons offers a tempting array of antipasti, soups, salads, and pastas, all prepared in authentic Italian style. For picnics, there is also a deli here. Open only for lunch.

Lautrecs Brasserie, 9 Kieran St., Kilkenny City (tel. 056-776-2720), is a long-established favorite on a side street, named after Toulouse-Lautrec. There is a South of France ambiance with copies of the famous French painter’s work on the walls, and a décor of terracotta and cream, enhanced by stone floors and walls. The menu is varied including seafood, pizzas and salads. Open for dinner only every night.

McAlpin's Cottage Bistro, Cheekpoint Village (tel. 051-380854). For a change of pace, it's well worth a seven-mile drive east of Waterford City to this family-run restaurant near the harbour where three rivers meet (Suir, Nore and Barrow). The menu presents the best of locally sourced seafood, meat and produce, served in a cozy 17th century maritime-themed cottage atmosphere. Open for dinner Monday-Saturday in May-September and Tuesday-Saturday in October-April; except closed January and last week of September.

Oak Tavern & Riverside Restaurant, Ferrycarrig Bridge, Wexford (tel. 053-20922), Originally a tollhouse, this 150-year-old establishment overlooks the River Slaney two miles north of Wexford town. There is seating indoors and outdoors and a menu ranging from shepherd's pie to char-grilled steaks.

Pordylos, Butter Slip Lane, off High St., Kilkenny City (tel. 056-777-0660), is housed in one of Kilkenny’s oldest buildings, dating back to 1609.  The well traveled chef-proprietor has combined many influences on his menu -  European, South African, Cajun, Indian, Californian and the Pacific Rim, as well as fresh seafood from Dunmore East  including lobster. The early bird menu is very good value. Open for lunch and dinner, except closed Sunday and Monday

Restaurant Rinuccini, 1 The Parade, Kilkenny (tel. 056-61575), situated opposite Kilkenny Castle. If you crave Italian food, it's hard to top this Irish/Italian restaurant run by the Cavaliere family. Specialties include homemade pastas, seafood, and local meats.

The Wine Vault, High St., Waterford (tel. 051-853444) presents Waterford's finest dining experience in the setting of a restored 15th century fortified townhouse. Proprietor David Dennison offers a bistro-style menu of excellent food with emphasis on seafood and vegetarian dishes, accompanied by a wine bar choice of over 300 labels.

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Cafés & Coffee Shops

Cappuccinos, 25 N. Main St., Wexford Town (tel. 053-912-3669), the longest established coffee house in Wexford, offering full barista service.

Kilkenny Design Café, The Parade, Kilkenny (tel. 056-22118). Housed on the upper floor of a craft complex, this self-service café offers a splendid array of freshly made soups, salads, casseroles, pastries, and breads.

Nosh + Coffee, Custom House Quay, Wexford Town, (tel. 053-916-0747), overlooking Wexford Harbor and serving soups, sandwiches, paninis, freshly baked scones and pastries.

O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bar, 41 N. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-2242), is an all-Ireland chain known for its made-to-order sandwiches, or specials such as the “wrappo”, “toostie,” and smoothies. Also located at Redmond Square (tel. 053-912-6639).

Rathwood, Rath., Tullow, Co. Carlow (tel. 0503-56285), situated on a back road amid sheep-filled fields, this self-service café is part of a garden centre/craft complex. The menu offers made-to-order sandwiches, pastries, and home-baked goods, all served on local pottery.

South 51 Café/Bar, 51 S. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-917-4559, a trendy spot, serving breakfast from 10:30 a.m. and snacks all day till 9 p.m., on 3 floors including a rooftop garden.

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Pubs

Con Macken’s The Cape, Bull Ring, off N. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-2949), unique combination of bar, undertaker and wine shop – worth a photo of the façade

Edward Langton, 69 John St., Kilkenny (tel. 056-65133), is known for its "Old Kilkenny" décor - stained glass windows, etched mirrors, polished granite tables, and brass globe lamps, plus an award-winning pub food menu.

Jack Meade's Pub, Cheekpoint Rd. Waterford, (tel. 051-873187) is off-the-beaten-track, located in a sheltered valley 4 miles south of Waterford City. It dates back to1705 and has been in the same family for almost 150 years. Enjoy old pictures, antiques, and open fireplaces inside and a beer garden and walking trails on the grounds outside.

Kyteler's Inn, Kieran St., Kilkenny (tel. 056-21064), is a fine example of a medieval tavern, dating back to the 14th century. Wander through the caverns and arches and see memorabilia associated with Dame Alice Kyteler who was accused of being a witch.

Lord Bagenal Inn, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow (tel. 0503-21668), is on banks of the River Barrow. Step inside to enjoy an Old World atmosphere and top notch pub food.

Marine Bar, Pulla, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford (tel. 058-46520), started as a shebeen in the 1700’s for passing mariners on the road between Waterford and Cork (N25).  Hosts Christy and Helen O’Neill still provide a seafaring atmosphere with good lunchtime bar food.  Christy, who is an ace musician, often pulls out his guitar and plays a few tunes during the day, but the real music starts at night from 9:30 p.m. (every night during June-September and on Saturday and Monday the rest of the year)

The Sky & The Ground, 112 S. Main St., Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-1273), is an old style pub with music. Upstairs is a very good restaurant, known as Heavens Above.

T & H Doolans, 32 George's St., Waterford (tel. 051-872764), dates back over 200 years and was once a stagecoach stop. With a Tudor façade and a lantern-lit interior of great charm, it claims to be Waterford's oldest pub.

The Munster, The Mall, Waterford (tel. 051-874656), is a favorite in the heart of Waterford. The décor combines etched mirrors, antique Waterford glass sconces, and dark wood walls, some of which came from timber recycled from the original Waterford toll bridge. "The Men's Bar" is a classic remnant of a different age.

Thomas Moore Tavern, The Cornmarket, Wexford Town, (tel. 053-912-4348), is a local landmark named after the Irish poet and songwriter whose mother was born in this building.

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