CASUAL DINING IN KILLARNEY
We’ve hand picked some of our favourite feasting hot spots to give you an entire weeks worth of casual dining options in Killarney.
These great restaurants are open for lunch and dinner so you can dine day or night with minimum fuss.
In alphabetical order:
The Caragh Restaurant, New Street
A traditional family run restaurant serving lunch and dinner for decades.
Their extensive menu is packed with crowd pleasing classics. Light bites, sandwiches, salads, mains, vegetarian and vegan options. Truly something for everyone and you won’t leave hungry!
The staff are wonderfully friendly and the prices reasonable.
Cronin’s Restaurant, College Street
This family run restaurant has been serving the best of top notch Irish fare since 1957 and is a friendly spot where the locals eat.
The menu is both traditional and upmarket. Choose from Chowder, Smoked Salmon, Wings, Lamb Cutlets, Hereford Beef, Chicken Curry and Chicken & Ham Roast to name but a few.
Meat, fish and vegetables are locally sourced and of the highest quality. Cronin’s dishes have been time tested to perfection and are always served with a smile by charming hosts.
Open every day from 5pm to 9:15pm.
Khao Asian Street Food, 66 High Street
Expect an abundance in choice of tasty, fresh and vibrant Thai food.
Stand out dishes include the Massaman Curry, Bang Bang Chicken Salad, Bpet Pad Kar Prow (Duck Stir Fry) and of course the trusty, unfaltering Pad Thai.
Look out for great value lunch deals on their Facebook page.
Food is served with a smile in their small, bustling restaurant or for take-away every day from 12 noon to 10:30pm.
Kitty O’Se’s Seafood and Grill, College Street
Opened in 2019, it didn’t take long for Kitty’s to establish itself as a firm foodie favourite in town.
The decor is new and fresh and the atmosphere buzzy. Service is always with a smile.
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the menu! Arrive hungry and try the Seafood Tower for two, you won’t be disappointed. The hot favourite from the grill? A quality cut of 8oz steak cooked on a stone.
Lunch and dinner is served every day of the week 12pm to 9:30pm. Go once and you’ll be back for more!
Luna Deli & Wine, 1 Brewery Lane
The new kid on the block opened in 2022, Luna boasts huge sliding windows that pull back to let the fresh air right in when the weather is fine. They also have loads of outside seating.
Opening hours are 7:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm on Saturday and 8am to 5pm on Sunday.
Luna specialise in barista brewed coffee and simple, delicious food bursting with flavour. On offer every day are breakfast granolas, scones, baguettes, with a veggie option, salads, sausage rolls, cakes, protein balls and much more to dine in or takeaway.
By night this cool Deli turns into an even cooler wine bar with an eclectic selection of formidable wines from natural to orange which you can enjoy with local Irish cheeses.
The Mad Monk, 21-22 Plunkett Street
More of a high end casual dining spot and one of our favourites. This is the place to go if you want to impress without breaking the bank.
An exciting menu full of freshness and flavour. Garlic crab claws, the best oysters, lobster, white sole, black sole. Enjoy a glass of wine while you pour over your options.
Have a steak out of the josper grill if you want to deviate from the fish dominated menu.
Food is served with a smile in this bustling restaurant so book a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
The Porterhouse, 26 Plunkett Street
Tastefully decorated with an olde world charm, The Porterhouse ticks many boxes when choosing a great place to eat out in Killarney.
The menu is varied and the portions are generous so make sure you arrive hungry!
Amongst the top quality fish and meat options, you’ll find impressive vegan dishes and desserts sure to keep every palate happy.
To top it all off the service is quick, friendly and very attentive. Open from 5pm to 10:30pm daily and from 4pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Quinlan’s Seafood Bar, 77 High Street
Fresh fish caught daily from their very own boats off the South Kerry coast. It doesn’t get fresher than this!
Traditional battered Fish & Chips are the most popular choice but you can opt to pan-fry your fish and switch those chips for a salad as a healthier option.
The menu also boasts shellfish and ‘Catch Of The Day’ specials. Their chunky chips are made from real potatoes, freshly peeled and chipped each day.
Warning: the portions are generous! Open Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm to 8pm (9pm weekends).
Eleven77 Food Bus, Muckross Road
(Not Operational Since 2023 – But We Hope They’ll Be Back)
Opened in 2021 during the lockdown, this converted bus is a gourmet delight. Their take-away offering has been a breath of fresh air to Killarney’s dining scene.
Choose from Tacos, Burgers, Korean Wings, Loaded Fries, Crab Croissant and the Cubano Sandwich.
My personal favourite, the Indian Roll is a taste explosion not to be missed!
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30am to 8pm serving great coffee and sweet treats too.
Eleven77 is worth a stop any time of the day. You might have to queue but it will be worth it!
If you fancy some fresh air and a stroll after dinner, check out our Open Spaces Guide
