Eating out with kids in Kilkenny doesn’t have to mean stress, tantrums or apologetic glances at other diners. The city and surrounding area have a good spread of family-friendly cafés, diners and restaurants that welcome children with open arms — think highchairs, kids’ menus, play corners and staff who don’t mind a bit of noise.
Whether you’re after a quick coffee and bagel while shopping, a sit-down dinner the whole family can enjoy, or somewhere with a play area to burn off energy, here’s our roundup of child friendly restaurants in Kilkenny.
Jump to a section:
- [Workhouse Square, MacDonagh Junction](#workhouse-square)
- [Insomnia](#insomnia)
- [Kilkenny Design Centre Foodhall](#foodhall)
- [Kilkenny Design Centre Restaurant](#design-centre-restaurant)
- [Eddie Rockets](#eddie-rockets)
- [Mario’s Diner](#marios)
- [La Rivista](#la-rivista)
- [Jarrow Cafe, Castlecomer Discovery Park](#jarrow)
- [The Watergarden, Thomastown](#watergarden)
- [Primo Italian Restaurant](#primo)
- [The Langton Bar](#langton)
- [Lemongrass](#lemongrass)
- [Paris Texas](#paris-texas)
- [The Grapevine](#grapevine)
- [FAQs](#faqs)
<h2 id=”workhouse-square”>Workhouse Square, MacDonagh Junction</h2>
Inside MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Workhouse Square is an indoor courtyard with a handful of cafés under one roof — handy if everyone in the family wants something different. Each café has highchairs, plenty of room for pushchairs, and self-service counters with comfortable seating nearby.
Options in the square have included Bagel Factory/O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar for hot and cold bagels, salads, wraps and smoothies, Costa Coffee for wraps, sandwiches and baked goods, and Quigley’s Bakery and Café for soups, hot dishes, desserts and fresh bakes. There’s also occasionally free musical entertainment at weekends, which younger children tend to love.
<h2 id=”insomnia”>Insomnia</h2>
Insomnia Café in the Market Cross Shopping Centre is a spacious, family-friendly spot with an extensive menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and snacks alongside their usual coffee and drinks range. It’s a solid choice for a relaxed lunch break during a shopping trip.
<h2 id=”foodhall”>Kilkenny Design Centre Foodhall</h2>
The Foodhall at the Kilkenny Design Centre in the city centre is a lovely spot for barista coffee, tea or a light lunch. Sandwiches and drinks “to go” make this a great option if you fancy an impromptu picnic in the park across the road at Kilkenny Castle.
<h2 id=”design-centre-restaurant”>Kilkenny Design Centre Restaurant</h2>
Upstairs at the Kilkenny Design Centre Restaurant, you’ll find a more extensive menu and plenty of room for pushchairs. Colouring materials are available on request, and it’s a popular spot for meeting friends over coffee — you’ll often spot groups of parents there with babies in the mornings.
<h2 id=”eddie-rockets”>Eddie Rockets</h2>
Eddie Rockets in MacDonagh Junction brings a fun American diner vibe, with large red leather booths that seat up to eight and individual jukeboxes on the tables. They serve gourmet burgers, subs, salads, nachos and hotdogs, plus a dedicated kids’ menu and the odd novelty gift to keep little ones entertained.
<h2 id=”marios”>Mario’s Diner</h2>
Mario’s Diner in the Smithlands Centre in Loughboy (behind Lidl) is a relaxed family restaurant serving traditional fish & chips, burgers, southern fried chicken and American-style hotdogs. There’s a kids’ menu and a play area, making it an easy choice with younger children in tow.
<h2 id=”la-rivista”>La Rivista</h2>
La Rivista on Parliament Street is a family-friendly Italian restaurant and pizzeria, a good option for an evening meal or a Sunday lunch out. They offer a children’s menu and are genuinely welcoming towards families.
<h2 id=”jarrow”>Jarrow Cafe at Castlecomer Discovery Park</h2>
Jarrow Cafe at Castlecomer Discovery Park serves fresh, home-baked food from breakfast through the day, including lunch, snacks and home-baked treats. The children’s menu offers small and half-portions of the day’s specials, so it’s easy to find something that suits younger appetites — and there’s plenty to explore in the park afterwards.
<h2 id=”watergarden”>The Watergarden, Thomastown</h2>
In Thomastown, The Watergarden is a café set in a lovely relaxed setting with seating both indoors and outdoors. It’s a great spot for a coffee and a treat, or a full family lunch with healthy options including soup, salads, sandwiches and hot dishes. There’s a small selection of books for kids to browse while you wait, and you can stroll through the streamside gardens and kitchen garden that supplies many of the café’s ingredients.
<h2 id=”primo”>Primo Italian Restaurant</h2>
On the Waterford Road in Loughboy, Primo serves authentic Italian food in a genuinely family-friendly setting, with dough made fresh on site every day. A children’s menu is available, and there’s a small play area to keep kids entertained while food is on its way.
<h2 id=”langton”>The Langton Bar</h2>
This award-winning restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere and serves a mix of traditional Irish and international dishes using locally-sourced ingredients. It’s spacious, with highchairs available, making it comfortable for family groups.
<h2 id=”lemongrass”>Lemongrass</h2>
Located at John’s Bridge in Collegepark, Lemongrass offers healthy, authentic Asian food and is accommodating to children and families. Locally-sourced produce features heavily across their extensive menu.
<h2 id=”paris-texas”>Paris Texas</h2>
On High Street in Collegepark, this gastropub serves traditional American food with influences from New Orleans’ French Quarter. A children’s menu and a baby bowl option are available, making it a flexible choice for families with a range of ages.
<h2 id=”grapevine”>The Grapevine</h2>
The Grapevine is a wine and tapas bar on Rose Inn Street in Collegepark, offering delicious food in a genuinely kid-friendly atmosphere — a great pick if tapas-style sharing plates are your thing.
<h2 id=”faqs”>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
Which restaurants in Kilkenny have kids’ menus?
Several of the restaurants above, including Eddie Rockets, Mario’s Diner, La Rivista, Primo, Paris Texas and Jarrow Cafe, offer dedicated children’s menus. It’s always worth checking with the restaurant directly on the day, as menus can change.
Are there restaurants in Kilkenny with play areas for children?
Yes — Mario’s Diner and Primo Italian Restaurant have small play areas for children, which can be a lifesaver while you’re waiting for food.
Where can I get a quick, casual bite with kids while shopping in Kilkenny?
MacDonagh Junction’s Workhouse Square and Insomnia in the Market Cross Shopping Centre are both good options for a relaxed, self-service style meal that fits around a shopping trip.
Is it easy to find a highchair or space for a buggy in Kilkenny restaurants?
Most of the family-friendly spots listed here, including Workhouse Square cafés, Insomnia, the Kilkenny Design Centre Restaurant and The Langton Bar, have highchairs and good space for pushchairs.
What’s a good option for a family day out combining food and outdoor space?
Jarrow Cafe at Castlecomer Discovery Park and The Watergarden in Thomastown both pair a relaxed café with lovely surrounding grounds to explore before or after your meal.
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Have a favourite family-friendly restaurant in Kilkenny that we haven’t mentioned? We’d love to hear about it.
