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Killarney Food and Drink Travel Guide

Every county has its own little moniker, Wicklow is the Garden of Ireland, Cork is the Rebel County but only Kerry can claim the title of The Kingdom. It is a rare occurrence that any visitor comes away from Kerry feeling like it was anything less than another world, with gems like Dingle and Kenmare drawing in throngs of tourists all year round. But only Killarney has been called ‘Heaven’s Reflex’ and even a brief trip will prove how apt a description this is.

Killarney is the perfect place to set up base for exploring the breath-taking Ring of Kerry but equally it is a fantastic staycation destination in its own right. Home to the highest mountain in Ireland, a postcard perfect National Park and the magnificent Lakes of Killarney, parts of the beautiful and bustling town have to be seen to be believed.

Add to this the fact that you are spoiled for choice with more hotel beds than other county outside the Capital, many of which are housed in five star luxury establishments fit for royalty. Killarney is a great shout for a weekend away at any time of the year and the following spots will make you want to hop in the car and check your troubles at the county bounds. Expect to be warmly welcomed and reluctant to leave.

BRUNCH/LUNCH


Heather, Gap of Dunloe 

A short drive outside town on the way to the stunning Gap of Dunloe, Heather is a perfect brunch spot. With their own poly tunnels and organic produce from patch to plate, you can’t get fresher than the food in Heather. Well thought out, simple dishes make up a seriously tempting provenance-focused menu.  And their hot chocolate is made with Skellig. Need I say more?

Cafe du Parc at The Killarney Plaza

The Killarney Plaza hotel is bang smack in the middle of town and is home to one of Killarney’s most tempting brunch line ups in the stylish and buzzy Cafe du Parc. Classics like Eggs Benedict can be adorned with a bucket of maple bacon and their Fig Toast with truffle mascarpone will have you reconsidering avo toast as your go-to. Pair your feast with an Avocado Margarita or Rosé flight and you are guaranteed a delicious start to the day.

The Lane Cafe Bar at The Ross

Nobody does brunch quite like the colourful and quirky Lane Cafe Bar at the Ross Hotel, which deserves an extra shout out for sensationally friendly staff too. From Halloumi Crunch with house made dukkah and hot sauce to fat stacks of Dulce de Leche Pancakes, their menu reads like a brunch lover’s dream, and a side of Brunch Fries with chipotle hollandaise and bacon crumbs is basically obligatory.

Aghadoe Heights Hotel 

If you happen to be visiting the Aghadoe viewing park (and you simply must) then you’d be silly not to pop into the five star Aghadoe Heights Hotel for a spot of lunch – personally I’m a fan of the gourmet platter and a glass of vino but equally their Pulled Brisket Burger is a tempting choice overlooking the best view in Killarney.

Quinlan’s Fish Shop

Killarney has a distinct holiday feel to it and nothing says Summer like traditional fish and chips. Quinlan’s always has a queue out the door and has developed quite a seafood empire with branches of their seafood bars and supplier shops across the county. Their lightly battered Wild Dingle Bay squid with homemade chilli jam is a guilty pleasure, but oh so worth it.

DINNER

The Park Restaurant at the Killarney Park

One of the more luxurious dining experiences on offer in Killarney, The Park Restaurant at the five star Killarney Park Hotel is the place to sample local ingredients at their best. Chef Heiko has designed a seven course ‘Taste of Kerry’ menu which can be paired with matching wines and savoured in a stunningly opulent dining room. Dinner at The Park Restaurant is an indulgent fine dining experience showcasing Kerry’s best right in the town centre.

Panorama at the Europe

If you can manage to pick your jaw up off the ground after laying eyes on Panorama’s incredible view of the Lakes of Killarney, chef Alex Nahke will treat you to an array of imaginative dishes designed to excite the palate. A post-dinner digestif on the outdoor terrace gazing out over the lakes is a memorable must.

Cellar One

Known for serving modern and funky food, Cellar One has something for all tastes, incorporating local ingredients wherever possible. With cocktails supplied by the Lane Bar above and tempting dishes like pork belly with bacon jam, Cellar One is the perfect place for a stylish dinner before heading out for the night.

Bricin

If you can get a table, Bricín is a local hotspot which has been serving up consistently delicious, rib-sticking Irish food for 20 years, with brothers Johnny and Paddy McGuire at the helm. If you have never tried a traditional Irish boxty (filled potato pancake) now’s your chance, make sure you come hungry and try to save some room for Bailey’s cheesecake too.

Rozzer’s at Killeen House

Chef Paul O’Gorman has been consistently producing some of the best food in Kerry for many years, keeping Rozzer’s Restaurant buzzing summer after summer with golfers and locals alike. From home-baked chorizo scones to rack of Kerry lamb, you will never leave Rozzer’s hungry or unhappy as proprietors Geraldine and Michael Rosney look after their guests like family.

The Porterhouse

There is no craving that can’t be cured at the Porterhouse Gastropub, the perfect town centre eatery with something for everyone on its varied menu, from steakhouse classics to vegan sticky date pudding with a side of salted caramel Nobó. Run by the Sheahan family, service always comes with a smile here, whether you call in for a meal or a local craft beer.

DRINKS

The Pink Lounge

If you like gin (assuming it likes you too) then The Pink Lounge at the Ross Hotel is a one-stop shop. A fantastic selection of gins can be paired with garnishes to enhance each unique one – I’m partial to a Bulldog with black cherries myself after Barman Dermot introduced me to it. Nowhere compares to the Ross for original cocktails – their Bombay Palace No.42 is named after a local Indian restaurant (and a nice one at that) and made with homemade Indian spicy syrup, Bombay Sapphire and lemon, all served in a takeaway bag!

Charlie Foley’s

For a real taste of the town, a trip to Killarney should always include at least one pint in the institution that is Charlie Foley’s. Perch yourself in the snug with friends or at the bar for tales of wisdom or advice on what’s happening around the town from Colm Foley, the eyes and ears of Killarney!

The Shire

Killarney is a town like no other, not least because it is the only one with its very own Lord of the Rings themed bar The Shire – complete with Gollum lurking around scaring unsuspecting patrons. Jam-jars of their signature Hobbit Juice and green-tinged back lighting make this a seriously unique place for a drink or six.

The Killarney Grand

The place to be for live music every night of the week, the front bar in The Grand is always a safe bet for a night of dancing and revelry in Killarney, be prepared to stay into the wee hours.

I will admit that I may be a little biased….but show me a better town than Killarney and I’ll eat my (green and gold) hat.

ARTICLE BY DARINA COFFEY

Darina CoffeyGrowing up with the name Darina, I was constantly asked if I could cook like my namesake. With that (and greed) as the ultimate motivators, I quickly realised that home-baked goods make excellent bribes and an obsession was born! With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law I undertook a PhD, but a preference for cookbooks to textbooks persisted. As a (self-confessed!) demon in the kitchen, I am the only person to have contested both Masterchef and the Great Irish Bake off, which fuelled my desire to set my focus on food in a serious way. Working with The Taste allows me to satiate this craving and marries my food fascination with my love of writing and ranting. Follow me as I share my food adventures and hopefully inspire others to indulge their passion for cooking and food in the process!

Darina Coffey  Darina Coffey
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