The Pantry is on the main street, painted teal green with a long double traditional Kilkee bay window – and it is probably one very good reason why so many families come to Kilkee for the holidays.
Owned and operated by Imelda Bourke and her husband, Pat, baking starts at 5.30 each morning, and they produce the most amazing selection of breads, cakes and desserts. They’ve recently revamped the restaurant and business is booming.
They use butter in everything and only the best of ingredients, quoting Darina Allen saying that “if everyone on the street are making scones you just make sure yours are the best”, that’s what they have done for the last 20 years, and every year it gets better.
You can come here at 8.30am before breakfast to collect freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh fruit salad with natural yoghurt, honey and walnuts, smoothies and the best ever mixed berry and cinnamon scones or a wee Irish breakfast. All day, 7 days a week from Easter until September, you can have wonderful morning coffee, lunches and afternoon tea until 6.30 each day.
Imelda, who is a home economist, is helped by her one time student Bernie Haugh who is restaurant manager and head chef, Maureen King who creates wonders for lunch like salmon & cod pies, roast vegetable & goats cheese quiche, seafood chowders rhubarb crumble, and carrot cakes, which are eaten in a large bright room in coffee and creams, with modern lights hanging from a high ceiling and a long self service counter running the full length of the back wall.
Staff are young and friendly, with bright orange aprons and pale green t shirts. There is a marvellous and somewhat chaotic buzz here and it is constantly packed and adored by locals and visitors for years. They even have a separate loo for kids!
Menus are coeliac friendly, and there’s an early bird; wines available, including half bottles
Open 8am to 6.30pm; children welcome; house wine from €12.95. Closed Oct - Easter. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
