Kytelers Inn, Kilkenny City

I've never tried Kytler's for dinner, but have eaten here for lunch on numerous occasions. As a venue for lunch I think it is really good. Our last trip here both my wife and I went for the Vol au Vents, which were served with generous servings of chips and salad. The food is simple but good, served reasonably quickly, which is pub-food at its best in my opinion. The dishes are not too adventurous, just simple good pub-food. Service was good, staff friendly.

Ate here on a Saturday afternoon during the Arts Festival. The place was relatively busy and popular for food. Good atmosphere with live music. When we arrived (group of 5), the main lounge area was full so we tried to look for a seat in the beer garden, this was full too so we found ourselves a seat in the empty cave/tavern part of the premises. No staff member greeted us or offered to seat us, we had to help ourselves. After waiting a few minutes no member of staff (despite 3 or 4 having seen us) gave us menus..we went and got them ourselves. Eventually we managed to order our food and drinks. The food was very quick arriving to our table which was great because we were starving. Staff member wasn't very friendly..literally took the order and left! Most dishes were identical - portion of skinny fried chips, side salad mix chopped up tiny (!), then the individual meat/fish dish added onto it. We ordered fish cakes, chicken breat, lasange and vol-au-vent. The portion size was decent, plenty big. It wasn't anything special but decent pub grub, we all liked the taste anyway! Each dish cost on average €11, perhaps a bit steep. Another staff member cleared our dishes and we asked for dessert menus which eventually came. This staff member was verging on rude, no greeting, no smile or any concept of good service. Literally 2 minutes later, she returned to take our orders so we hurried into picking something (€5 each, again expensive for what came out), nothing spectacular and one member of our group got the wrong dessert but we decided to eat it anyway and leave once we settle our bill. Overall, a good atmosphere in the place, impressive building, food was decent although bordering on the expensive side for what is was. Service was incredibly poor and unfriendly and this is the main deterrent for me returning to Kytelers in the future. Very disappoing overall.