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Kilkenny Design Centre

Situated in what was once the stables and dairy of Kilkenny Castle - and overlooking the craft courtyard - this deservedly popular first floor self-service restaurant is situated above temptations of a different sort, on display in the famous craft shop.

Wholesome and consistently delicious fare begins with breakfast for guests staying at Butler House (see entry), as well as non-resident visitors.

The room is well-designed to allow attractive and accessible display of wonderful food, all freshly prepared every day: home baking is a strong point, and there is plenty of hot food to choose from as - well seafood chowder with home-made soda bread, for example, and beef & pepper casserole with button mushrooms or a speciality chicken & broccoli crumble with local Lavistown cheese.

The lovely crumbly Lavistown cheese is also used in great salads, which are always colourful and full of life - fresh beetroot, asparagus, spinach, red onion, coriander & Lavistown, for example, combine to make a salad worth travelling for, and the selection changes all the time.

A short carefully chosen wine list offers seven wines by the bottle or half bottles, and gourmet coffees and herbal teas are offered. Very reasonably priced too - well worth a visit.

Seats 150; children welcome; toilets wheelchair accessible. Lift. Meals daily 11-7. Self service. Closed Sun & banks hols off-season (Jan-Mar). Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Opposite Kilkenny Castle.