Ristorante Rinuccini Review: A Foodie's Confession
Experience the culinary triumph: Ristorante Rinuccini, the epitome of Italian excellence in Kilkenny – A Foodie's menu review
Across the street from Kilkenny Castle, you will find a doorway that takes you into Ristorante Rinuccini.
Where the waiters wear tuxedos, Ristorante Rinuccini puts the cheese in the heart of Kilkenny with their “Italian Way.”
After one visit to this classic Italian restaurant and tasting the Rinuccini menu, you’ll feel like the most satisfied “cat” in town.
Ristorante Rinuccini the best Italian restaurant in Kilkenny
This family-owned restaurant in the heart of Kilkenny seamlessly combines classic Italian flavors with fresh Irish ingredients. With over 30 years of excellence, Rinuccini has garnered numerous awards for its outstanding service.
What sets this restaurant apart is its versatility, offering an evening menu and a casual Rinuccini early bird menu for lunch visitors. However, their recipe for success ultimately lies in their unwavering commitment to exceptional service.
During our dining experience, we observed a diverse range of patrons, from an eccentric woman from Northern California (me) cradling a sleeping baby to formally dressed locals meeting over lunch. Regardless of background or origin, every guest received the same level of attentive service.
Rinuccini serves as the perfect convergence of business and pleasure, welcoming foodies from all walks of life. It transcends traditional dining norms with its inclusive approach to hospitality, ensuring that everyone, without exception, feels embraced and valued.
WANT MORE ITALIAN FOOD? Check out where we ate the best Italian food in Carlow, Ireland with kids.
BROWN BREAD
Unlike the states, where table bread generally appears white, you will taste soft, moist, brown bread as one of your starters. With a side of Irish butter, of course. This is one of the first ways Rinuccini incorporates Irish flair into its menu.
FRESH BURRATA WITH GRILLED EGGPLANT AND PROSCIUTTO
A true show stopper that one must stop to eat. Break into a creamy eggplant with fresh burrata and savory San Daniele Parma Ham.
ZUPPA DEL GIORNO
As a sucker for soup, I ordered the soup of the day made with fresh market vegetables. I drank this soup as if it were liquid gold. And it certainly brought the sunshine to a place where the sun doesn’t shine much in November.
CALAMARI E ZUCCHINI FRITTA
It’s hard to pass up the calamari when you know that the little squids are coming out of the ocean nearby. I recommend this as a must-taste for all curious eaters.
COSTATA DI MANZO
Red, red wine you look so fine. Our table all agreed that this was truly a special dish. You have the savory soft braised short rib of Kilkenny beef paired with a parmesan risotto and a red wine sauce.
Meat that is easy to eat.
RIGATONI ALLA NORMA
Every great Italian restaurant has a classic tomato sauce-based pasta on the menu kids love. The rigatoni, made of homemade organic egg pasta with a tomato and eggplant sauce, was a hit with our 9-year-old.
PESCE DEL GIORNO
Finally, you have the fresh catch of the day as an option on the lunch menu. The fish come out of Flaherty’s boat house at Kilmore Quay.
Firm, sweet and delicate, we enjoyed a Black Sole fish. This was the top favorite among all of our dishes.
RISOTTO WITH FUNGHI
A dish that certainly makes you want to lick the plate.
Ristorante Rinuccini FAQS:
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR DINING?
Visit for lunch or dinner where you can also find the a la carte and group menu. Menu options.
ARE THEY ON SOCIAL?
YES! Check out their social pages for the Rinuccini Menu highlights and stories.
DO I NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
Technically no.
Although we walked in for lunch without a reservation on a Tuesday, I recommended making a reservation for dinner and group meals.
ARE THEY FAMILY-FRIENDLY?
YES. When we dined for lunch, our baby slept in her stroller. The waitstaff accommodated our needs by seating us appropriately. They also gave us bread sticks to-go for our baby to snack on after her nap.
Find more foodie places to eat in Kilkenny
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