Kilkenny Design Centre, The Castle Yard, The Parade, Collegepark, Kilkenny

Tel: (056) 772 2118 

anochtrestaurant.ie

Part of the historic Kilkenny Design Centre, which dates back to the 1780s and showcases some incredible Irish talent, Anocht is a contender for the country’s most beautiful dining-room with its broad oak beam ceiling, cartwheel windows and linen drops which create a sumptuous atmosphere. The modern Irish and European fare is just as breathtaking with the Smoked Fish Cake with Soft Poached Egg, Chive & Hollandaise Sauce and the Free Range Black Leg Chicken Breast with Creamed Celeriac, Chanterelle Mushroom, Black Cabbage, Leg Kiev & Burgundy Truffle heavily reliant on seasonal, local ingredients. Along with an extensive wine and beer list, they have amazing ciders from the nearby Highbank Orchards. 

The €28.50 Three-Course Early Bird, which includes a fantastic Fillet Roasted Hake, is exceptional value for this standard of cooking.

Best Dish: Roast Haunch of Wild Sika Venison, Red Cabbage, Salt Baked Kohlrabi, Cocoa Nib & Blackberry Jus - 27€