Why is Kinsale famous?
Kinsale has been called the “The Gourmet Capital of Ireland” and is a paradise for any food lover. Kinsale has a number of cafés, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste and budget.
Let’s dig deeper into those famous Kinsale eateries.
Kinsale has many award winning restaurants and we have found 3 mentioned in the famous Michelin guide.
Firstly we look at a Kinsale restaurant with 1 Michelin Star.
Bastion
Bastion is a contemporary restaurant set in the very centre of town, owned and run by a talented couple: Paul cooks, while his wife Helen looks after the service.
Paul McDonald is a Scottish born chef but the cooking at Bastion has a strong Irish base, with regional ingredients leading the way with natural flavours and local seafood is a highlight of a culinary visit. Dishes are skilfully prepared with a modern style, innovative and showing depth in their flavours and textures.
Bastion is surely a place you should visit when in Kinsale.
There are 2 other restaurants in Kinsale mentioned in the esteemed Michelin Guide.
Fishy Fishy Restaurant
Fishy Fishy Restaurant Kinsale, is an award-winning restaurant run by husband and wife team Martin and Marie Shanahan, this team has created something really unique and exciting.
Martin Shanahan is one of Ireland’s leading seafood chefs and in 2006 Martin purchased a large Gallery and converted it into the Fishy Fishy Restaurant. The ethos that Martin and his team have stuck is that of using and cooking local, fresh, seasonal fish served in an informal setting.
Max’s
Max’s Seafood Restaurant in Kinsale was established in 1999 by resident head chef and owner Olivier Queva and serves a wide array of carefully crafted seafood dishes paired with an array of fine, natural and organic wines.
This is truly a great restaurant to eat at.
But Kinsale is not known as a food capital for only 3 restaurants.
Following is a list of some of the most popular restaurants in Kinsale.
The Supper Club
Situated in the centre of Kinsale, The Supper Club is a funky, warm and inviting restaurant that will really surprise you..
The Black Pig Winebar
The Blag Pig is an award winning, organically focused wine bar offering more than 250 wines by the bottle, and over 100 by the glass. All we can say is wow!.
Cosy Cafe
Reportedly the Cosy Cafe has the best breakfast in Kinsale and you should definitely give this eatery a try.
The Cosy café was created by Edyta and Sebastien Perey in 2016.
In their own words: – Both of us had been working in this industry for a long time and decided it was time to make ‘’the big move’’, realizing our dream and opening our own café.
As a visitor to Cosy Café you only have to look at the photos on the suppliers “sustainability” wall of frame to realize just how fresh the food here is.
CRU Winebar & Bistro
Since CRU opened its doors in 2018, the aim has always been to provide locals and visitors with a relaxed, informal, Bistro style restaurant that offers uncomplicated, fresh and flavourful dishes. It has alway been imported that these dishes are complimented by a great selection of wines.
Ready to start planning that trip to Ireland? Start here
Secure Your Dream Irish Experience Before It’s Gone!
Planning a trip to Ireland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions spoil your journey. Iconic experiences like visiting the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the Rock of Cashel, or enjoying a guided walk through Ireland’s ancient past often sell out quickly—especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Ireland’s hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.
Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!
Debbie Bregman
Friday 27th of January 2023
After watching the movie Banshees of Inishiren , I feel TRAUMATIZED. I was hoping it would be a heart-warming movie , but instead , I got : self-mutilation by a fiddler (with , in real life , would NEVER HAPPEN), a Suicide by a lonely teenage boy , and Arson. ! (a man whose mini donkey dies after choking on a severed finger of the aforementioned fiddler, decides to burn down the fiddler's house.) This movie is NOT AT ALL FUNNY, and I'd like my $16 and those two hours of my life BACK !!