Kinsale cuisine, famous for a good reason

Kinsale is famed for its concentration of excellent restaurants, independent boutique shops and galleries, as Kate Ryan reports

A perfect pairing: fresh-brewed coffee and a slice of homemade lemon meringue pie, served in the peaceful garden at the Lemon Leaf Café in Kinsale. Picture Chani Anderson

Kinsale is always on the move. While its slim meandering streets speak of a time long passed, this town keeps pushing forward. Renowned for the concentration of excellent restaurants, independent boutique shops and galleries, and its breath-taking coastal vistas, Kinsale is a town that invites you to keep exploring, to discover something new, and follow your tastebuds.

Tracy Keoghan, owner of the Lemon Leaf Café in Kinsale, has been at the heart of the town’s food scene for years. Known for its homely atmosphere and wholesome food, the café has recently added a new chapter, opening its doors at night as a vibrant food, drink, and music venue — bringing a fresh alternative to Kinsale’s night scene. Picture Chani Anderson

Food adventures

Don’t just visit Kinsale, taste it with these delicious food experiences.

Kinsale Good Food Circle

www.kinsalegoodfoodcircle.ie

The Kinsale Good Food Circle was established in 1971 to boost tourism in the town by promoting great Irish produce and cookery. Over the years, the Good Food Circle has been pivotal in the international recognition Kinsale now has as a centre of gastronomy.

Ten of Kinsale’s restaurants are members, but the Circle’s enduring influence can be seen throughout the town with myriad places to enjoy a quality bite to eat.

Koko Kinsale

www.kokokinsale.com

Throughout July and August, chocolate makers Koko Kinsale are hosting truffle making workshops for small groups above their bijou chocolate shop.

Over 1.5 hours, dive into the rich history of chocolate, savour a chocolate tasting with a selection of single-origin chocolates, then master the art of making ganache and creating your own signature truffles. Take home ten of your truffles boxed — then decide if you want to share them! Minimum age is 12; classes take place on the upper level with no lift access.

Book your spot online, €50pp.

Kinsale Food Tours

www.kinsalefoodtours.com

The flagship Walking Food Tour is a wandering meal with four stops covering snacks, main meal, drink and sweet, and a great way to learn about the town’s food heritage and sea fairing history. 

Discover Kinsale and its environs, its food and landscapes with Kinsale Food Tours.

The Coastal Foraging Tour connects food from land and sea, cultivated and wild, on gentle strolls that are pet friendly. Or if the ocean is calling, take the tour to the water with a gourmet food and sailing experience in collaboration with Sovereign Sailing for a truly unique experience.

Kinsale Mead

www.kinsalemeadco.ie

Kinsale Mead is Ireland’s only commercial meadery and is a must-visit location for a unique take on Ireland’s historic nectar wine. An exciting addition to the mead range is a collaboration with the Midleton Distillery has led to Ireland’s first “Miskey”. Made by aging mead made by fermenting forest honey from Northern Galicia in Irish oak hogshead barrels seasoned by aging Irish whiskey first. The result is a drink that delivers “all buzz and no burn” and an eminently sippable drink.

Tours run at noon, 2 and 4pm daily May to September and cost €20pp. Booking is advised, or drop in for a tasting of meads daily, 11am to 5pm, €12pp. Free parking, wheelchair accessible.

Blacks of Kinsale

www.blacksbrewery.com

Step into Blacks of Kinsale co-located brewery and distillery for a tour and taste experience like no other! Beer, gin, rum and whiskey is brewed here, and there is a full compliment of tours to suit every taste.

Treat yourself to an al fresco fine dining experience on the waterfront at Trident Hotel, Kinsale.

The Whiskey Connoisseur tour showcases Blacks Premium Whiskeys, including inaugural releases of Cask Strength Single Pot and Single Malt Whiskeys (€75). If gin is your thing, learn how Blacks distil and flavour their gins then taste a flight of three (€30). OG fans of Blacks beers, the brewery tour with a beer flight is for you (€25) - plus lots more tours besides. Book online, chose your slot and your tipple.

Fridays throughout July and August, the Sunset Sessions return to Blacks Lagoon Bar with DJ’s playing the soundtrack of your summer. Every Friday and Saturday, sustenance comes via Toto Pizza of Kinsale. The new covered space makes the most of those river views with the benefit of being all-weather.

Kinsale Farmers’ Market

www.facebook.com/kinsalefarmersmarket

Kinsale’s farmers’ market pops up every Wednesday. The market is well stocked with up to forty independent traders selling all manner of food and handmade goodies. There is always something new to find here, and the buzzy atmosphere is ideal for hanging out and soaking up the vibes.

Town Cark Park, behind Tourist Information Office, from 9:30am — 2:30pm.

Kinsale’s Salty Sea Trail

Briny waters are a part of life for locals, with salt and sea seasoning food, drink and culture, too. Join in with this salty sea trail around the town…

n  Part of Kinsale Arts Week, SALT is a short film by filmmaker and photographer, Alice Ward, exploring her lifelong connection with salt.

From her mother noticing her salty skin at birth —leading to a Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis —to becoming the first woman in Ireland to shoot surf photography from the water, this story is an intimate and profound profile capturing the elemental role salt plays in Alice’s life. A discussion with the filmmaker follows the screening.

n  Salt of Kinsale is made in small batches using nothing by time, wind and sunshine.

Grainne Barnett and Deirdre Cox enjoying the Farmers Market in Kinsale. Picture Dan Linehan

Sprinkle a little on food or on cocktail glass rims and taste the ocean one salty grain at a time.

Presented in beautifully designed boxes makes for a perfect gourmet souvenir and an excellent addition to any kitchen larder.

n  The Kinsale Food Tours collaboration with Sovereign Sailing curates a unique picnic experience of delightful tastes and sips of the town on the ocean wave and allow tastes to be seasoned by the salty air while gently cresting the waves.

n Sea Swimming in the crystal-clear waters off the soft sandy beach of Dock Beach are a quintessential part of Kinsale life. #

Make it a sunrise dip for an even more magical experience, then pop down to Wild & Tame for a life affirming coffee.

n  Walk Kinsale’s Stoney Steps with its unique mural of the fierce and legendary female pirate, Anne Bonny, and then you can follow that by raising a glass to her at The Supper Club with a Blacks Rum Alexander cocktail.

n  Head for dinner at the iconic Fishy Fishy restaurant for daily fresh fish cookery, great wines, and even better hospitality.