Everything from the food, to the service, to the location is exceptional beyond compare. You really don't need me to tell you to go here, just go. I am really sad I forgot our server's name, but I think he may have been a manager. He was Croatian and we absolutely loved him! The short rib was my favorite, but everything we had was so wonderful. read more

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See prior reviews. They have a standard and the food is very good. Appearance excepcional. Service is very good like all of Ireland. Rib eye was very tender and juicy add the garlic butter and heaven. Chips were great topped with mushroom top with caramelized unions. Salad had rosemary and a nice mix of flavors. read more

The restaurant has a beautiful interior and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff and our waitress were very friendly and attentive. I had the chicken with honey carrots and potatoes. The portion was generous, and everything was cooked perfectly. The honey carrots were the standout of the meal as they were sweet, tender, and full of flavor. Overall, a hearty and comforting meal. Highly recommend! read more

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The ambiance in this place is wonderful. The space is inside a medieval building and the exposed stone and beams let you see the bones. Then the use of gold tone mood lighting and mirrors escalates it to a refined elegant look. The wine list is not extensive but well curated and the menu is not large but everyone should be able to find something they will enjoy. I had the local sea bass perfectly pan seared served with potatoes veggies and a nice lemon sauce. Excellent dish. The wife had shrimp in garlic and chorizo oil and salad both very good. Why the 4? Service was a little slow. Not horrible or bad but slow read more

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We had an incredible lunch. It was recommended by our b&b. €8 for soup, little salad, big sandwich, and generous chips. It was all delicious. My partner had a gluten free stuffed baked potato that was huge and fantastic. Also had an na beer that was one of the best I've tried. read more

Petronella - €8 lunch! - Irish Near Me - Kilkenny, KK

I'm dubbing this the most amazing meal we had in Ireland after a week of eating in the highest rated places where we were staying. As foodies, we don't play while on vacation. We will dive into a bottle of wine and order more than we should and enjoy it all to the fullest. Petronella did not disappoint!! The ambience is nice, quiet and tucked away in an alley off the main drag. It's quiet and romantic. Beautiful service ware. Service is great, quick yet friendly. Frank the owner is a gem. The food is definitely the highlight. If they have the fried Brie, order it! In fact if there's 2 of you just do a double order. It's that good! The fresh pasta and gnocci were perfectly cooked and the sauces were nicely balanced with rich creaminess and herbs and fresh vegetables. The stuffed chicken breast was perfection. The cheesecake surprise was yummy as well. Overall I said "yum" out loud and danced my happy dance. read more

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Wonderful food and surroundings. Will absolutely return every time I am fortunate enough to be back in Kilkenny.

We ducked in hoping we could get a seat and the owner immediately seated us but warned us the table was reserved in 2 hours. Then he went over the menu with us making the suggestion we do one of the early bird specials. Under his suggestions we had a spectacular meal! We started with fried Brie that was tastefully presented and was just enough as an appetizer. My baked chicken over gnocchi was excellent and my husband's pasta fantastic with the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Sharing a treacle pudding topped off a delicious dining experience. This restaurant is a must do in Kilkenny. It is a fantastic restaurant to relax and enjoy a great meal read more

Came here for the very cool and spooky history. The food was pretty good. The vibe is very historic, with some of the original stone walls surrounding you. Overall a fun little date night. read more

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Amazing. We loved the early bird menu. If you come between 5:30-7, they have a fun early bird 3 courses for €28. The potato leek soup was off the charts. The three other in my party were making all sorts of odd noises as they devoured it! The main courses were all amazing. I had the hake and it was the best I have had this week (I have eaten it 4 times). There was a red onion/ grape chutney that they had with the chicken. I added it to my hake and Kaboom! This dish went to the moon. Loved it! Dessert was amazing. The sticky toffee pudding was also the best of the week. We've been at castles and manors and this place was the best. We love Kilkenny and wish we had spent more time here. Thank you Petronella! Must visit if near for a great meal- get a reservation if you want a seat. read more

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Closed on Mondays, the signs don't say so, but we just walked by and it's all closed up.

Wow, this restaurant occupies a beautiful space in cozy Butter Slip in Kilkenny. What looks to be original stonework comprises the main structure of the restaurant; the flooring and stairwell are gorgeous hardwood. Thinking of the restaurant's namesake and imbibing the surroundings, one almost feels as if they've stumbled into the 14th century. Or at least we did when we decided to give Petronella on a try on a quiet Thursday evening. Unfortunately, our dining experience didn't quite match up with the expectations set forth by the menu and the decor. Don't get me wrong - I firmly believe a romantic bistronomique can elevate quotidian cuisine. A quick perusal of Petronella's menu really excited my partner and me. They have a dedicated vegetarian menu that not only omitted meat, but offered some interesting entrees including a polenta cake, a lentil/nut loaf, a mushroom/squash risotto. The price point and the ambiance of the restaurant compared to other nearby offerings suggested we were in for quite a treat. I suppose it could be our fault for not ordering these items, but we'd been exploring the town, trying a few pubs, and had already enjoyed some delicious soup and soda bread. We decided to split the brie starter and the salmon filet. The Wicklow brie was tasty, but I think was popped into the frier a tad too long. The crust came out appearing almost breaded, and upon taking a knife to it, the cheese simply poured out of this fried shell. Don't get me wrong - melted cheese is awesome - but I suppose I'm used to prepared brie maintaining some of its shape. The jam upon which it sat was composed of grapes and carmelized onions, providing a crucial substantive tang to the appetizer. The addition of zesty microgreens and carrot purée definitely broadened the flavor profile and the overall presentation. The dish was clearly envisioned with care, but perhaps its execution was a bit off during our visit. Next came the salmon. The quality and freshness of the filet was very fine, exactly what I'd come to expect. The olive tapenade crust was unfortunately either missing or so finely minced that upon searing the fish, the skin took on a very hard yet brittle charcoal texture and taste. I definitely gave it a few tries, but failed to garner the acidity of a tapenade. I eventually flipped the filet over to unlock the tender meat of the fish, which was excellent. The accompanying spring onion-potato mash and citrus salad were just fine; the star of the dish unfortunately appeared lackluster. We had an event to attend, so we forewent dessert. My partner had tea and I had a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Valdemoro. Both were just fine. It is worth mentioning that we arrived around 18:00, and there were two other tables nearing the end of their meal. Minimal staff was present. So while I'd need to try them again with a wider range of food selections to truly give a proper review, it is telling that when our table for two ordered food for one, it lacked the care I'd expect from an establishment suggesting a haute cuisine experience. By all means, if you're in Kilkenny often, then give Petronella a try. read more

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Great lunch in Kilkenny! Lunch special was delicious and included soup, salad, sandwich, and fries/chips for less than €10! Atmosphere and service was great too. Highly recommend. read more

Petronella - Great lunch! - Irish Near Me - Kilkenny, KK

This was a great place to eat lunch after visiting the medieval mile museum for a quick tour!

Service - 10 Atmosphere - 5 Food - 10 Value - 5 The reservations were easy to make on-line and when we walked in the door, the owner knew who were right away. He made everyone feel special and welcomed. The menu had a good selection of local ingredients and homemade bread. I could go back just for the bread but, I would be not treating myself to more. I started with the chicken liver pate and then my main dish was the beef cheeks... The flavor was incredible and each bite got better and better. I really look forward to going back and trying something new. read more

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As weary exhausted travelers just arriving in Kilkenny on a Thursday afternoon, we made our way to Petronella at around 5:30pm. This as it turns out qualifies you for an early bird special, a multi course prix fixe type deal, and what a treat that was. The food was wonderful, friendly service, and nice atmosphere. By the time we left, the restaurant was completely full so if not on the early bird ticket, definitely make a reservation. read more

So very good!! Atmosphere, service, and certainly the food (esp for we vegetarians) were just what we were looking for!!

Amazing! We have been in Ireland for two weeks, and this was by far the best dinner we have had. When I read the other reviews, I thought it can't be that good...It is. We met the owner, Frank, and he was very welcoming and so kind and humble. I had the chicken, and for an appetizer, we had the bruschetta, which was the best bruschetta we've ever had. The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and cozy, especially considering the building was erected during the medieval period. Our experience here is one we will not forget. We highly recommend any who come to Kilkenny to make sure they dine here. A read more

We had a lovely vegetable soup with a wonderful whole grain bread. He had the steak and I had the hake. Both were excellent. The merlot was tasty too. Charming little spot! read more

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Blown away by the hospitality of the owner here. He went above and beyond to accommodate our group and shared local stories with us about the structure of the building as well as the history behind Petronella's significance. The food here is so fresh and delicious! I ordered the vegetarian soup and it was an absolute delight of flavors with some bread on the side. The owner and chef really care about making the experience wonderful and clearly have a love for food. My main dish was the chicken with mashed potatoes drizzled with a sauce and a few veggies and the plating leaves you in awee. Kudos to the chef for creating amazing food that is also pleasing to the eye! For the dessert, I got the Strawberry Cheesecake and it was very light and refreshing more on the mousee side. My friends got the chocolate by death desserts (yes this is what its called) and also loved them. They also offer vegan and gluten free options for all their items and are always willing to accommodate so just ask. The service was top notch and our server was very prompt in refilling our water glasses and serving us food. We sat on the upstairs area which has a beautiful rustic feel with the wooden beams and stairwell leading up to the seating area. If you're ever in the Kilkenny area Petronella is a must stop for dinner and is located in a small alley opening. read more

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My sisters, brother-in-law and I ate dinner at this place a week ago. The owner told us a story about Petronella being a hand maiden who was burned at the stake in the mid 1300s? I'm looking up that info on the Internet. Morbid but fascinating (like watching a train wreck). Any, we all enjoyed your food and company. Thank you for creating such a wonderful environment and food while we visited Kilkenny! read more

It was rated five stars, so we decided to go. The staff were fantastic and friendly. The reason for the three stars is because the food was not five star good. The Brie starter was good, but all other meals seemed lack luster. They looked pretty! Suggestions: cook the pappardelle al dente and the chicken was dry and too small of a portion. Two slices hardly allowed for the chicken to be enjoyable. Toast bread even if it seems crispy. One meal was under salted, and one over. The ambiance and location rocked. We really wanted an amazing food experience. Especially for Kilkenny read more

We were on an late April road-trip vacation in southern Ireland and stopped in Kilkenny for two nights. Our hotel desk clerk/manager recommended this place and weren't we glad of it. The food was wonderful but the White Onion soup was over the top and not to be missed if it is on during your visit. Judging from our experience and the other reviews I'm sure your Petronella meal will not disappoint. All the staff we encountered were pleasant although they did seem concerned when we didn't order an Entree. We love culinary variety and per our habit we ordered several different starter plates, a desert and several glasses of wine. Nothing we tried was found wanting. On the contrary it made us look longingly at other tables set with delicious looking entrees. But we are too experienced - read old - to ruin our perfect evening by over eating. Frank, the owner/manager took notice of us and we enjoyed getting to know him when he joined our table. I would recommend making a reservation if you would like to be assured of an unusually good meal in a very beautiful and comfy setting. They do not have a bar and thus no cocktails, but don't be bashful about asking about something not on the menu. Nothing ventured ------ To our delight Frank produced an after-dinner wine not on the menu. My biggest disappointment is that I do not live in Ireland, thus making a return visit to Petronella something that I regret must be reluctantly differed until a later date. Thanks for a memorable Kilkenny evening Frank. Slàinte Mhaith! read more

One only has one 1st impression. This restaurant failed right out of the gate. Walked in on a recommendation from a wonderful local gal. Walked in looking for a cocktail and dinner. We where great with a stearn face asking "can I help you?" My bride said yes, but first may you tell me where the restroom is. He replied, "are you going to eat here?" I replied we'd like to start with a drink if that's ok. To which he replied "we're not a bar." Spun on our heals and walked out. read more

Wow! Such great food! Staff and owner are so engaging, and the dishes are unique. Make sure and order the brie starter.

I had a fantastic experience here. Straight away the staff were very friendly and welcoming. My partner is vegetarian and there was so much for him to choose from. He got the fried Brie to start and I got the pate, both delicious. I then had the hake for main and he had the nut loaf - which was amazing! I don't think he's ever been as happy with a meal, would definitely recommend if you're in Kilkenny. read more

Great atmosphere and service. The food was amazing. The three of us wound up sharing tastes of our choices with each other and we all felt each dish was amazing. From the baked Brie starter through the desert, all was excellently prepared. The chef's orzo and butternut squash was perfect and the ribeye steak was one of the best I've had. read more

Very good food in a nice atmosphere. The owner is present to keep the quality good. Highly recommend.

Straight to the point: Petronella is the best restaurant in Kilkenny. The atmosphere is quaint and comfortable, offering table environments that manage to feel both intimate and uncrowded. The staff's dedication to providing excellent food for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike is inspiring. The wine list, while short, is well-chosen and will satisfy nearly all diners, and the prices are quite reasonable for the quality of food that is produced in the kitchen. Frank, the owner, is a warm, wonderful man who will stop at nothing to make you feel welcomed and at home. The sterling reputation of this place is richly deserved. Go eat there. One caveat, which serves to underline the virtues of the place: MAKE A RESERVATION. The restaurant is small and *very* popular. If you try walking in at 7 or 8 on a Friday or Saturday you will be stone-cold out of luck. read more

Cute restaurant in the downtown area with a great variety of options for lunch. Would definitely recommend their potato and leek soup.

We stopped here for lunch after a tour of Kilkenny Castle and a bit of shopping on a misty day. What a treat! The setting was warm and interesting with good seating. The menu was a fine mix of flavors and choices from soup to salads to meat, fish or vegetarian options. Our service was well paced and not rushed so we could enjoy both the delicious food and the great music on the playlist. If you are walking in Kilkenny take the Butter Slip to this restaurant; you won't regret it if you are hungry and enjoy well prepared food! read more

Petronella is a warm, welcoming cosy restaurant that I consider a real treat to visit. Theres a huge range on the menu, caters for absolutely everyone and you dont have to going for a lavish meal out there, while that is an option. You can also enjoy a tasty light lunch too. Great for vegans too . Would give more stars if i could read more

We had the early bird dinner (which at 7PM is not that early) and it was excellent. We didn't have a reservation but they were able to accommodate us anyway. We had the hake seafood dinner with salmon starter and toffee cake dessert. Best dinner we have had in ireland, seriously, it was great! Yum! read more