Ristorante Rinuccini

Ristorante Rinuccini provided us with a delightful dining experience today. Despite arriving close to their 2:30 PM closing time, the staff graciously accommodated us. The setting was elegant and welcoming. The calamari starter was delicious, and the prawn dish was outstanding. We finished our meal with a tasty tiramisu. Overall, Ristorante Rinuccini offers excellent food and service. Highly recommended!

Given that this is a Michael-starred restaurant with so many awards, I expected better service. When we finished our meal, we had to order dessert just to have the plates cleared. Despite using our napkins and finishing our meal, the dirty napkins were not taken away by the waitstaff. My empty soda glass remained on the table until the bill arrived, and no waiter picked it up. For a place with such a prestigious reputation, I expected a higher level of service. As for the food, it was good but not exceptional. The desserts, however, were fantastic and truly wowed us. The ambiance of the place was very nice, but it was a bit stuffy and warm inside. Improving the ventilation would be beneficial. Restrooms are one of the most important aspects of a restaurant, and here they were very clean, just as I expected, with a fresh scent.

Had lunch here. Superb! There are only a handful of restaurants in Ireland that have this standard of food and service sadly. Go and enjoy the experience. And the wine...bravissimo!

Feb. 2025 Wow ! This is the best place I have eaten in my life. Service is friendly and helpful 🙂 Atmosphere is lovely. It is across the street from Kilkenny Castle. This place is downstairs, maybe 3 steps. I tip my hat to the chef. You are an amazing cook, and When even I'm in Ireland I certainly will be stopping in a few times.

Overall, we had a lovely experience here. The food is good. I get the feeling the staff/owners think it's "high end" - it's not. I had their risotto - for an Italian restaurant - I was disappointed with it - I've had better risotto's in non-Italian restaurants. However, their tiramasu is absolutely amazing.

We had a lovely dinner here on a recent trip to Kilkenny. I was really surprised at how big the restaurant is. There are various different dining areas but all still retain a cozy romantic atmosphere. We each had a starter and a main course and shared a tiramisu. The scallops for me were the stand out dish. The service seemed a bit off. Our starters came before our drinks arrived and there were one or two other small issues which let the place down. That being said I would go back again and I would recommend it to anyone that was thinking of eating out in Kilkenny.

This Italian restaurant is one of our favorites! Recommended by a friend, it didn't disappoint. The Italian food and wine were good and the staff were super friendly. We'll definitely come back again!

High quality Italian food and service in the heart of Kilkenny! All the produce were excellent fresh quality and the taste was very good. We enjoyed our evening meal here with family and plan to return.

Making a reservation online was easy! Loved the elevated ambience here. Bread service was good and I really enjoyed my Spaghettoni Aglio, Olio e Peperincino con Granchio! Description: Spaghettoni, tossed on the pan with fresh Kilmore Quay Crab, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, a touch of fresh chilli, served with a prawn bisque It was rich and delicious! I enjoyed the soup of the day as well which was a carrot and ginger soup. Service could have been more attentive but overall good experience!

Absolutely delicious lunch with excellent, charming service! When they bring out bread and butter at the beginning, be sure to ask for some olive oil as well -- it's their own brand, and delicious. If I thought I had room in my suitcase I would've bought some to take home with me! Started with the tomato soup, and then had the burrata with eggplant and prosciutto (this is also an appetizer, but I wanted to save room for dessert!). All fresh, with the most delicious dressing on the salad. Others in my party got the (homemade) pasta and raved about it. Did I mention dessert? Holy smokes, they were delicious -- and made on site. Tiramisu... baked pear... Torta al Cioccolato con Caramello Salato... gelato... You're going to want to return numerous times to enjoy all these! Definitely keeping this restaurant on my "to return to" when I go back to Ireland. A real treat!

We smelled something amazing being cooked after we left the Kilkenny Castle and our noses led us to this obscure restaurant. We had the most amazing fried calamari for an appetizer and I decided upon the stuffed rolled pork belly. I still can't stop talking about it! The waiter was wonderful and made our visit very memorable.

Excellent service, very polite workers/staff. The food was lovely. While it may not have been the most traditional, it was super tasty! We had the saltimbocca and cannelloni. The interior was a little chilly, but one of the workers was kind enough to point the air conditioner away. :). It can be a great place for a romantic dinner. It's a little on the upper-mid range, but great for a night out! We would definitely recommend it, and would visit again.

Amazing food and service. I would definitely recommend call ahead seating. The food was more authentic Italian than anything I've had before. Excellent all around!!!!

What a beautiful meal in a lovely place. If you're in Kilkenny you'll have to make a reservation here and enjoy the fare with a nice glass of Borolo! Fresh made pasta and vegan options super fresh and delish!

The food was marginal, which really bummed us out. We wanted to experience this Michelin star restaurant, and while the ambiance and service were good, the food was not. The Gnocc Alla Norma was d round in an undercooked sauce that overtook the dish, and you couldn't event taste the gnocchi or eggplant. The duck was overcooked, and the or;Ange sauce also overpowered this dish, making it hard to enjoy the flavor of the duck. Then the cannoli, touted to be "Sicilian" style were filled with too much marscapone, and it was VERY sweet and dense, so you couldn't even taste the ricotta. Maybe it was because it was a Wednesday night, or maybe they've lost their touch. I suppose if your not Italian and don't know the taste of truly good Italian food, you may not notice how marginal the food actually is.

Average quality food but rather expensive. Used to be better in years gone by. Would brush back to be honest

I had heard so many great things about this restaurant and wanted to try it. I made a reservation and arrived 10 minutes early to be sure we weren't late. Our table fir 5 was ready and they seated us right away.... That's about the only thing that went right. No one came to take a drink order. We had to ask for menus and they brought 4 so I person had to look on with another . A waiter finally hurried over and rushed through taking our order. 1 person only wanted a side salad because she wasn't hungry after a long day of travel. The waiter was rude and acted like he wouldn't do that. He said he'd have to ask the chef. She finally said never mind and didn't get anything to eat. Food was okay... nothing spectacular. I've had better at much less expensive restaurants! Again, waiter was just downright rude the entire dinner. Had to ask for our check. No "thank you for coming". Nothing!! We just got up and left I won't ever come here again. Very disappointed

Not sure why this is considered Italian food. The waiter seemed rushed and with a bit of an attitude. The bread was inedible. None of it was Italian. He seem irritated when I asked for help with a cocktail. We have traveled to Italy close to 10 times and I've never had food like this. The pasta dish tasted like too much sautéed garlic. That was the prominent flavor. Look, this place in no way deliverers on many levels. It's not Italian and I'm not sure what it is. It was recommended by so many. I was very dissatisfied with all the main dishes and appetizers. The dessert was delicious.

So I never got to eat food here but the experience alone was extremely noteworthy and absolutely horrendous. I have severe allergies and after talking with the host(waiter?) in length about my allergies and severity, I was told they could accommodate them. I was seated and was ready to order when someone came over and told me that after speaking with his manager & kitchen they simply could not accommodate me, AFTER sitting me which was after I checked if I could eat there with my allergies. It's frustrating because the whole reason I ask the staff if I can eat at any restaurant the moment I step inside is because of my severe allergies. Telling someone they can eat there, sitting them down, and then changing your mind is honestly the worst thing a restaurant can do and should simply not be how you run a restaurant. Be upfront and honest at first. This might possibly have been the worst experience ever and is absolutely not how anyone should run a restaurant, especially one that is so highly rated.

Decent food but the staff was very rude and appeared to not want us to eat here. The only place so far in Ireland that seemed to be disparaging of Americans

1st visit here while visiting Ireland. Really really great food. Superior service and attention

I've had plenty of Italian, high end and budget and this one just missed the mark on several levels. My order was taken at 7:57pm and I left the restaurant before 8:30pm. As a solo diner I was hoping for recommendations and opinions but I was met with "I prefer beer" when asking about wine recommendations and didn't see my server between the time I placed my order and when I paid. I worked in food service for years and I appreciate good customer service, which wasn't this. I felt rushed through the dining experience and served food that was lackluster at best when considering a flavor profile. I will say their presentation is decent. They have several awards and stipulations on their website. I'm sure it was something great previously but I think the accolades have prevented them from providing an experience and more focused on flipping tables and maximizing profit. Skip it if you're considering.

I have to say this place was absolutely fantastic!!!!! Best food eveeeerrrr!!!! OMG!!! I chose the Mussels as starter, superb! the sauce was so delicious. My impression was when i got Cunard Fish with pizzaiola sauce, it's from another world!! and finally Pannacotta for desert. uuufff!!! The waiter from "Montenegro" was more than helpful and friendly and added to an enjoyment! I'm definitely coming back and back and back again for more! There's one bad thing about this place, there is no other like it in Dublin. well I will have to come to Kilkenny for dinner... :D

Famished after a big walk in Kilkenny Castle and its grounds, out came my Yelp app which led me to this place. Prices are a little steep - even for lunch, I paid close to €17 for a chilli garlic prawn spaghettini. It was lovely but for that price, I'd expected it to be gorgeous and the prawns to be just a little bit fresher. Service was good but also just that little poncy (does this word get used in Ireland? See: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poncy) It's probably a place more suited for dinner perhaps?

We stopped here for dinner on our visit to Kilkenny and we were really impressed with Rinuccini. The portions were ample, and the food was quite good. Its not Italian thats going to blow your mind, but if youre tired of Irish fare this is a good switch up. Its hearty portions, good quality, and reasonably priced. I would definitely go back.

A distiller taste tester James, at Pearson Lyons Whiskey in Dublin, highly recommended Rinuccini. On a tour, stopped at 11:45am. Even though we were early, the were happy to see us! A nice welcome and seating we had tomato soup with parsley, hot and excellent. Ordered the spaghettini & meatballs which was outstanding. Enjoyed with a glass of chianti reserva was a great touch! Great recommendation, stop here for lunch or dinner and pamper yourself and see all their awards! A Must stop!

So. Delicious. We were craving some comfort type food and this Italian food was out of this world. We had calamari to start, I had the spaghettini with prawns and garlic, my husband had the cannelloni. The flavors were fresh and the food perfectly cooked. The service was very attentive, the wine list extensive. The best Italian food I've had outside of Italy.

Authentic Italian, Rinuccini's is an institution in Kilkenny and allegedly one of the longest standing restaurants in town. I can well believe it having visited here first almost 20 years ago. I doubt it has changed much in the meantime so it's a little tired around the edges. But so what? It all adds to the charm of this fine eatery just across the road from the impressive Kilkenny Castle. Booking is essential as it is a very popular spot and usually booked solid. Our latest visit at 7pm on a Saturday night was no exception. I had the spaghettini and meatballs as a starter which was a brave decision considering the potential damage to shirt but I survived and was rewarded with a sublime example of perfect pasta and just right meatballs. My main was a steak, cooked medium rare to perfection, accompanied by roast, sliced potatoes and cauliflower. Delicious. My companion chose the cannelloni which she declared to be equally excellent. All washed down with an acceptable house Merlot with a couple of extra glasses thrown in for good measure. Rinuccini's has never disappointed us yet and will always be our 'go to' restaurant whenever we're lucky enough to visit Kilkenny.

Food and service was top of the line...and the wine list was more than impressive. As a couple that has travelled to Italy several times, we were skeptical with an Italian recommendation from our concierge, but we are so happy we went. My fiancé declared this as "some of the best Italian food" he's had. I ordered the cannelloni dello chef which were filling and delicious; highly recommended. Fiancé had the tagliatelle with truffles and mushrooms; more bread was requested to finish the sauce. Overall an excellent option if you need a break from the traditional Irish food you'll find in most pubs.

My favourite Italian in Kilkenny. Never had a bad experience. Both food and staff are 5 stars

This restaurant is highly overrated. We went on the basis of the reviews and our hotel's recommendation and felt like we ended up in a tourist trap. I used to live in Italy and this food was not authentic at all. The food was very disappointing and the wine equally so. We got seated right away but felt very rushed to order so they could flip the table. I would definitely avoid this restaurant.

We just missed the early bird special by a few minuets but still decided to order a starter and entree. We were not wowed by the appetizers or pasta. Nothing tasted badly, but nothing was memorable either. The 20 euro bottle of wine was a good deal though. Staff was attentive but serious. I think I insulted them when I did not eat my entire plate because they kept refusing to take the plate, telling me to eat more. Maybe it is a cultural thing? All in all not a bad meal by any means, but not worth the price. Maybe with the early bird menu it might be worth it.

Decent Italian, little bit pricey, tad old-fashioned but nice people and great choice of menu

I don't think anyone could ever write a bad review of this place. You go through an outdoor arch into the dim lit restaurant that smells just like Italy and immediately grabs your attention. Now it's a small restaurant and I can only assume it isn't easy to get into every night, but we didn't have much trouble on a Thursday night. We were immediately seated at a beautifully setup table with fresh flowers. The waiters took our coats and we say down to eat one of the best meals of my entire trip to Ireland (Italian in Ireland doesn't make sense but it's worth it I promise!). We all started with drinks: their award winning prosecco and house red wine that prepared our palettes for the delicious plates we had coming up shortly. If you're going with any beef entrees, the house red wine is a simple pairing that fits perfectly. While the prosecco is an all around fitting choice no matter what you pick for dinner. We started with a few apps, I mean let's be honest, we are Americans and we can finish our fair share of food. The meat and ricotta starter alongside the bruschetta e mozzarella and smoked salmon on ciabatta bread were great appetizers that had big flavors with every bite. I would recommend each one if your party has arrived with a big appetite. They all come with a plethora of spices that each person can enjoy. When it came to the main dishes we all chose slightly differently. I chose the ravioli al pomodoro (I can't say no to anything stuffed with cheese and spinach), two others got the cannelloni dello chef (pasta stuffed with beef that actually melts in your mouth: proof of its high & delicious qualities), spaghettini con gamberoni (probably the mostly simple dish of us all but the garlic sauce made it even more exciting, if you just want garlic and olive oil this dish is the perfect combo) and polpetinne con spaghettini (I mean if you love spaghetti and meatballs as much as my father does you cannot go wrong with this, a lot of food and even more flavor). On top of the pristine presentation of our food within seconds of it being laid out in front of us we were asked if we wanted some fresh grated Parmesan to go on top, they actually grated it in front of you, and you would have to be a fool (or lactose intolerant) to say no. If dinner has been enough for you move on to dessert. We didn't have room, but we made room. We chose the chocolate mousse with caramel ice cream and tiramisu. Thinking about it now even makes me want to drool. And I think we finished it in maybe 3 minutes (that is most certainly overestimating). My father even said that this was the best tiramisu he has ever had (and he's had a lot....) So if you're willing to eat some Italian food in a small Irish town, this is a fantastic option. You won't be disappointed.

We had dinner this evening and we had stopped last time in Kilkenny but no space was available. However we were spot on this time. Greeted by Tom who turned out to be the back waiter for our dinner. The front waiter, from Montenegro who was excellent, fine spirited and a pleasure. The food was so tasty, delicious and lovely. The prixfix menu was perfect for Carol and I, calamari, an eggplant rollatine, cannelloni and risotto with fruit of the sea followed by tiramisu and an apple rhubarb tart. Great wines, excellent service and food you couldn't ask for more.

Ate here while visiting Kilkenny. The hostess was able to fit us in after kindly juggling a couple of reserved tables. Most of the diners were local Irish residents with some tourists. It was a welcome change from Pub food. The pasta was homemade and fresh. Ingredients for most dishes were from local places and listed on the back of the menu. I had the Chicken Cacciatore which was very good, well presented. The service was excellent.

Beautiful little Italian opposite the castle. Food and service second to none with an extensive wine list. Would definitely recommend.

A fantastic Italian Restaurant in Kilkenny city centre, the menu clearly indicates which items are gluten free & the staff are very knowledgeable. The bread was the best my wife ever had & was indistinguishable from normal bread. With early bird menu options the price was very reasonable. The service was top class & the atmosphere of the restaurant was excellent. Would recommend to anyone visiting Kilkenny.

This place was fabulous. From the decor and ambiance of the restaurant itself, to the wine list and delicious food, it was an overall wonderful experience. Perfect for a date night or special occasion as it is a bit expensive. But definitely worth it!

Ristorante Rinuccini is fabulous! The food was exceptional, the atmosphere is very romantic, but also enjoyable as a group. The staff is superb. We got a side of noodles with our pasta that was an excellent choice. Definitely want to go back. The highlight of my Ireland food experiences.

You cannot go wrong at Ristorante Rinuccini, located in the heart of Kilkenny city. Fantastic service, ambiance and authentic Italian food.

Service was exceptional! Very attentive and friendly! We had the meatballs and pasta and the Seabass. The homemade pasta with the meatballs was so very tasty and fresh. Lemon cheesecake was heavenly...light and just the right sweetness! Not too rich. Presentation was very good. Great wine selection!

Wonderful!!! Quiet, perfect atmosphere!! Priced right!! Love, Love, Love!! Highly recommend!!

So so good! I can only recommend this to everyone in the area. Great service, great wine and brilliant food.

Delicious food, lovely warm atmosphere and fantastic service! Every time I come to Kilkenny I make it my mission to visit Rinuccini's. I have been going here for years and years and have never once been disappointed by this fabulous restaurant. The restaurant, located opposite the castle, has a very cosy, warm, intimate atmosphere and is a great escape from the hustle and bustle outside. The staff are always so welcoming, friendly, professional and attentive and really add to the warmth and charm of the place. The food is always exceptionally tasty and cooked to perfection. The menu shows a list of the various suppliers and I was delighted to see that so many of the ingredients were sourced locally. On my last visit to Rinuccini's I chose from the Early Evening menu. To start I had the seared Kilmore Quay scallops which were absolutely delicious. The dish was simple, but very tasty and the sauce was a lovely compliment to the scallops, without taking away from their flavour. For my main I had the spaghettini with prawns, again this was a fantastic dish that was full of flavour and the portion size was just right. I highly recommend paying a visit to Ristorante Rinuccini, I know I will certainly be going back!

Truly a great Italian restaurant in the heart of Kilkenny. Our meal included a spaghetti with meatballs and the duck. The portions were quite ample. The pasta was cooked perfectly. The sauce was excellently seasoned with a rich tomato flavor from the San Marzano tomatoes. The pasta was served with nice seasoned veal meatballs. The duck was cooked perfectly medium with a crispy skin. It was served with sautéed vegetables and roasted potatoes.

Great find! Thank you Yelp, again! Beautiful, authentic Italian restaurant! We started with the mussels- wonderful and insalata (salad)! My husband had the spaghetti and meatballs, I had the cannelloni. They were both very good. A little pricey but elegant atmosphere. We were happy. It is located across from the Kilkenny castle.

Fantastic food, fantastic service. Wonderful ambiance, great for a romantic night out. The pasta was magnificent, as was the braised short rib. Very extensive wine selection and moderately priced. Cannot say enough great things about this restaurant!

Cute little town and fabulous restaurant! The food was quality, fresh, and DELICIOUS! Ordered the ravioli and it was obvious that it was made in house. My daughter ordered the cream sauce with chicken dish and she loved it too. She talked about how light the sauce tasted for a cream sauce. It's a MUST try!!

DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!!!! We were discriminated against for being American. We waited 1.5 hours for our food. When we finally complained the waiter said it will be right out even though the entire restaurant was served food except us. After waiting for another few minutes like the waiter said we realized our food was not coming out anytime soon. As we walked out the manager said to us "this is not McDonald's". That is one of the rudest things anyone has ever said to me in a restaurant manager setting. I used to live in Italy and the food served at this restaurant is not authentic Italian at all. You can tell that immediately from their menu. The food that we saw on other tables looked very heavy with cream and tiny portions. This is a tourist trap that doesn't like Americans. I have no idea how they got so many good reviews. Do not go here!

Overpriced and overrated. Went here on the back of it being well reviewed and was very disappointed. Had the garlic ciabatta and the fried broccoli to start. Ciabatta was so stale I almost lost a tooth and the broccoli tasted like air. Had meatballs and the pollo pasta for mains. Chicken seemed store bought and only for a sizable helping of Parmesan, flavour was minimal. Couple this with slow and below average service and you've got yourself money poorly spent.

An Italian restaurant, run by actual Italians, this place offers a range of delicious, authentic Italian meals. Everything I've ever had here has been really great. The lasagne is definitely worth ordering. Besides traditional Italian food you can also get steak, veal or chicken. All come with vegetables including the odd-sounding but surprisingly tasty deep-fried brocolli. The desserts include tirimasu and a really rich chocolate mousse. The staff are warm and efficient and the whole place has a cosy, relaxed feel to it. It's also quite reasonably priced so is great value for money. Come here for a perfect meal every time.

Absolutely fantastic food... Nicest meatballs and spaghetti I ever had in my life ! top class . Can't wait to go back. I could not fault one thing about this place ! 5 stars!

The pate was delicious. We enjoyed a carafe of red wine that paired nicely with everything we had. Formal atmosphere, but we were comfortable in a sweater and chinos after a walk around the castle grounds. The homemade pasta was very nice. I had the cannelloni. The chicken dish was perfectly cooked. Chocolate tart was out of this world. Make reservations and don't be discouraged when they tell you that you only have a short time spot.

This authentic italian restaurant offers very tasty food. Situated in the heart of the city opposite the kilkenny castle

Our hostess at the bed and breakfast we stayed at in Kilkenny recommended this restaurant to us and I'm so glad she did. After a long drive from Dublin and lots of sightseeing we had worked up quite the appetite and were really looking forward to Italian food. We walked in the door which is adorned with awards might I add and descended down the steps into an intimate dining room with several tables. We sat by the kitchen at a cozy corner table. After a long day, we all to eagerly sprung for the large glasses of Prosecco and basked in the smell of delicious entrees making their way out of the kitchen. After much thought and some bread I decided on the Rigatoni con Pollo e Panna and Bobby ordered the soup du jour and a salad. This food was AMAZING! The best Italian food I have ever tasted. The chicken was cooked to perfection and placed over a bed of fresh pasta covered in the most delicious creamy mushroom sauce! If you're in Kilkenny this is a must go for sure. When we make it back to Ireland this will be one of my first stops :)

Walking in without reservations in our casual attire and seeing a formal atmosphere with black tie waiters, we weren't sure how we would be received. I was pleasantly surprised by the non-snobby atmosphere. We were led past several rooms to the back room which was warm and lively. Our waiter, Luis, was exceptionally friendly and attentive. When we commented on the windows in the floor that revealed the wine cellar beneath us, Luis took the time to invite us downstairs to see it. My ravioli with a creamy Gorgonzola sauce was amazing, my companion's spaghettini with prawns was just okay. The carafe of red wine was very reasonable for the quality. All in all a great experience that I would highly recommend!