There was a time when the safest choice for lunch in Killarney was to make your own and feast your eyes on the scenery instead. Today, however, you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants in and around the town of Killarney to keep your taste buds happy. And all of them are within easy reach of Killarney’s Holiday Village. Here are a few to get your appetite going:
The Lane Café Bar, Ross Hotel, East Avenue
Tucked away on a side street in Killarney town centre, the Lane Café Bar is a chic spot for lunch, with its pistachio and magenta colour scheme and a window that makes it ideal for watching the world go by. Order one of their signature cocktails, if it’s going to be one of those kinds of lunches, or enjoy good coffee with tasty little home-made biscuits. The menu is Mediterranean-themed, and if you really can’t decide, go for the tapas platter. It’s packed with tasty bites, including miniature naan breads, tiny smoked duck and blue cheese samosas, and mushroom bruschetta topped with prosciutto.
Noelle’s Café, Market Lane
You rarely have to wait long for rain in Killarney, so when it does spill and you want somewhere cosy to take shelter and munch away the afternoon, go to Noelle’s. Noelle also runs a vintage shop on Market Cross, and the café is decorated with quirky finds. There is plenty here to interest the vegetarian with vibrant and tasty nut loaves and quiches, zingy soups, and seriously tempting cakes and pastries. The coffee is seriously good too, and there is a terrace out the back, for when the sun comes out again.
Muckross Café
You can’t say you’ve been to Killarney unless you have visited Muckross House & Gardens. Just a 2.5km drive from Killarney’s Holiday Village, Muckross House is a stately 19th century mansion that boasts Muckross Lake as its garden pond and presides over what is one of the most impressive backyards in the world—Killarney National Park. Don’t leave without visiting The Garden Restaurant, where you can relax and enjoy panoramic views of the Victorian walled garden area against a backdrop of Torc and Mangerton mountains while savouring home-cooked daily specials like duo of cod and rainbow trout or braised beef steak with an onion and Guinness sauce.
La Petit Delice, High Street
For a taste of France in the southwest, go to La Petit Delice, an earthy and inviting café at the far end of High Street. Settle yourself by the window and tuck into delicious and filling soups, quiches, pies, and sandwiches made with their own bread. The coffee is superb, and the prices are extremely reasonable. Of course, you could skip lunch altogether and abandon your diet for some truly exquisite patisserie.
Stonechat, Fleming’s Lane, High Street
Down a side street not far from La Petit Delice, you’ll find the Stonechat restaurant, a Killarney fixture that’s treasured by locals. The setting is in the style of an old stone cottage with cosy fires and comfortingly subdued lighting. The lunch menu is simple and satisfying, with good soups and sandwiches and more satisfying staples like Irish stew, homemade burgers, and wild cod served with chips.
Other places to check out in season are the Avoca Café at Moll’s Gap and the Deenagh Lodge Tea Rooms. And, remember, when the sun shines, you have the perfect place for lunch in Killarney outside your door – the courtyard at Killarney’s Holiday Village!
