Rive Gauche

Someone from this business manages this listing.

430 reviews

#18 of 206 Restaurants in Kilkenny$$ - $$$, French, Irish, European

+353 56 777 5604+ Add website

Hours

Sun

12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Mon

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tue

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wed

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thu

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Fri

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sat

12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

430 reviews

#18 of 206 Restaurants in Kilkenny

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, French, Irish, European, Wine Bar, Vegetarian friendly

“... bland, the catch of the day was very good, the scallops Thermidor were fine.”

“... such beautiful surroundings👌 Scallops to start, followed by half a duck,...”

“I had scallops with prawns and she Calamari for starters, both were really good.”

Special occasions, Romantic, Bar scene

“Duck is also fab and I had Goose in there one Christmas and it was impeckable...”

Location and contact

No. 2 The Parade, Kilkenny R95 HY09 Ireland

+353 56 777 5604

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Does this restaurant offer free wifi?

Yes

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Details

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About

Rive Gauche is Kilkenny's newest addition to its thriving culinary scene. A French feel combined with an Irish passion for the finest artisan foods from land & sea, cooked with gentle respect for excellent ingredients. An extensive range of wines from across the world & fresh house made cocktails along with our street front setting onto Kilkenny's iconic 'Parade' make Rive Gauche the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon or evening of great food & wine.

CUISINES

French, Irish, European, Wine Bar

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available

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4.5

430 reviews

Excellent

263

Very good

109

Average

Poor

Terrible

Sam C

6 contributions

Amazing food/ service and going the extra mile for the non-gluten crowd

Jan 2020 • none

I visited with my girlfriend last weekend who can't eat (medical not fashion) and we were amazed at the attention paid to us. We mentioned about this when the menu came round. Our waitress gave a full explanation of what was and wasn't gluten free. This is pretty standard these days but what really impressed us was the bread. Normally what happens when this comes out is that either I get 2 slices of normal bread and my girlfriend watches or I get a delicious slice of fresh bread and she gets a toasted piece of cardboard as a consolation. They brought us both freshly baked gf bread which has to be the best we'd ever tasted. When asking if we wanted deserts, she could tell us about the gf desert options without even getting the menu. On top of this, the food in general was unbelievable, the waiting staff was attentive and the ambience was relaxed (nice touch not having kids running around). However, in my view it is the little extra touches take this from a great restaurant to somewhere we would go out of our way to visit/ tell our friends about.

Written January 10, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Left Bank S

Thank you so much for your lovely review & for choosing to dine with us! I am so happy to hear that you and your girlfriend had a fantastic time with us and that our staff took good care of you. It's important to us to maintain an excellent level of customer service. Thank you again for your feedback & look forward to welcoming you back to Rive Gauche soon. Kindest Regards,

Written January 16, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

cl m

Dublin750 contributions

Very Decent Spot

Aug 2020 • none

Called in on a busy Sunday evening (booking essential!) and very impressed with the layout and the food. Starters and mains (chicken and hake) delicious and cocktails and deserts seem to be a specialty. Prices are reasonable and a decent Marlborough for €30 is well below the average price. No rush to leave and staff taking all the corrective measurers which is a bonus in these strange times. Highly recommended.

Written August 4, 2020

LeftBankKK

Hi there, Thank you for the lovely feedback & recommendation. I am delighted you had a great experience with us & look forward to seeing you again.

Written August 11, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jft96ire

Tipperary165 contributions

Excellent Food and Service

Sep 2022 • couples

Had the pleasure of stopping off at this lovely restaurant for an evening meal. We ate from the early bird menu and the choices were great. The chicken was was tender and cooked perfectly, my shoulder of lamb was excellent and the mash and veg were very tasty. The house red wine is great value at €7.50 per glass. The staff were friendly and very helpful they even brought out a bowl of water for our little puppy. Overall we had a great experience, well done and keep up the great work.

Written September 30, 2022

Susan E

2 contributions

Lovely Ambiance

Aug 2020 • friends

This restaurant has a beautiful setting and the music creates a lovely relaxing ambience and the staff were very attentive. Overall the food was ok,the steak & chips was tasty. One of our party ordered the scallop & prawn starter which has a six euro supplement was very disappointing, it was frozen seafood in a stodgy sauce with very little flavour and poor presentation, definitely not worth it. Unfortunately the lamb main lacked flavour & the jus tasted like the fat hadn't been separated from it, it was mediocre. Perhaps just an off nite for the chef.

Written August 22, 2020

LeftBankKK

Hi Susan, Thank you very much for the review. Sorry to hear that the food was only ok for you, all feedback is crucial & I will ensure to pass these notes onto the chef & discussed further within the team. Hopefully you will allow us another chance to impress in the future. All the best.

Written August 31, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Katelyn

1 contribution

Terrible service

Aug 2020 • couples

I am absolutely disgusted at the way myself and my partner were treated in this restaurant. We booked our table 6pm and arrived on time. Our whole meal was rushed from the outset and our three courses were finished in less than 45 minutes.After dessert I decided to take a look at the cocktail menu and order another one before we left . Whilst I was having a look the waiter came over and slapped our bill on the table (without us asking for it) and then less then a minute later came back to our table and said “are yous ready to settle” . It nearly felt that they thought we weren’t going to pay for our meal and couldn’t wait for us to leave . I want to also add that it was nothing to do with the government restrictions as we had not even been in the restaurant an hour .we were the only table that were treated like this . The table next to us were eating their starters when we arrived and we’re still sitting there having drinks when we were rudely handed our bill .Also the table across from us were there long before we arrived and when they finished their meal they moved to the high stools to have drinks . Won’t be returning and will be advising others not to waste their money!

Written August 2, 2020

Lucy G

1 contribution

May 2022 • friends

If you are a vegan, this restaurant has basically NOTHING to offer, which for a busy restaurant in the centre of Kilkenny is so disappointing. Went there last night after doing a 25km cycle with the Kilkenny cycling group. The vegans were offered a salad or beetroot and goats cheese without the goats cheese! Then they told us the salad was off! We had bread and wine - pathetic

Written May 28, 2022

Brian B

Dublin20 contributions

BE THERE BEFORE 9.

Nov 2021 • solo

On a wet Thursday night and after a very busy day I decided I would eat before driving home to Dublin. I got to the restaurant at 8.55 asked very nice young man were they still serving and he said they were. He got a waitress to show me to my table were she gave me the menus. I took off my wet coat and was deciding what I could eat when another waiter came to the table and told me the kitchen was closed but I could either have a dessert or a cheese board. I declined the offer of the cheese board or dessert and the waiter then told me to try Paris Texes and gave me directions. Sure enough I got there at 9.06 pm and was served. So can’t really comment on food but last orders is either at 9.00 pm or is it 8.55

Written November 12, 2021

NicB

18 contributions

Birthday lunch

Feb 2020 • friends

Booked for 15 of us visiting Kilkenny for the weekend for friends birthday. Booking was easy and I was contacted the day before our visit to check our booking which was reassuring as we were visiting from out of town. Beautiful restaurant, lovely atmosphere. Really friendly staff who were very accommodating. Good was delicious, everyone in the group commented on quality and taste of food. Good value. Lovely place for a special occasion, everyone was impressed.

Written February 22, 2020

LeftBankKK

Hi, we are delighted to hear of your positive experience with us & we would like to thank you for sharing. We hope to get the opportunity to welcome you back to dine with us again in the near future. Kindest regards, Rive Gauche Team

Written February 24, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Cait G

County Wicklow6 contributions

Super ambiance

Mar 2023 • family

As a couple, we ate at Rive Gauche tonight. We choose the Early Bird menu as that met our needs. The food was delicious and well presented. We both had the Chicken Liver Parfait which was so tasty. For the mains, I had the Hake which was cooked to my likening and served with a bean cassoulet, and was just yummy. My husband had the chicken supreme which was moist and tasty. There was a large selection of wine too. What particularly impressed us was the relaxed and warm ambience and decor, the lighting, the soft jazz music playing in the background and the friendly, professional and attentive staff. Very good value for money. Cannot really find any fault except that the toilets were chilly but who really cares about that! Highly recommended.

Written March 9, 2023

AaronSlater

Dublin454 contributions

Wow, and no room for dessert

Mar 2023 • couples

Rive Gauche is located near the castle and has has a fabulous ambiance. The restaurant was busy and brimming with attentive staff who were able to answer any questions on the food, wine and area. We shared a stater and we're not disappointed. Well portioned, on the large side, tasty and accompanied plenty of bread. The pleasures continued with the mains. We found the man's to be truly satisfying. Large portions, packed of protein and tasty vegetables. It has been a while but we were unable to tackle dessert. We were disappointed as the ones we saw going to other tables looked exquisite.

Written April 1, 2023

Suzanne61Birmingham

15 contributions

Accidental Find

Aug 2020 • family

In a vain and desperate search for a loo on a damp Sunday afternoon in Kilkenny, I asked hesitantly at the door of this restaurant if I could possibly use their facilities. The young man on the door couldn’t have been more helpful, showing me exactly where to find the loo. I was on my own at that point but when I saw the lovely atmospheric decor within and how pleasant the staff were, I went and got the rest of the family from the castle park and all six of us (2 children) enjoyed a really fabulous meal there. Excellent food. I would certainly recommend this restaurant.

Written September 1, 2020

LeftBankKK

Hi Suzanne, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. I am very happy to hear you came across us by accident, always nice to find a hidden gem unexpectedly. We look forward to seeing you back in Rive Gauche in the near future.

Written September 22, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Acehunter

Montreal3 contributions

Great food in a cozy setting.

Jul 2021 • couples

Rive Gauche rarely disappoints and today was definitely a good day for the restaurant. Due to a miscommunication our reservation was not registered, but they managed to seat us near the bar and the service was very good. We shared a baked Camembert for appetizer, followed by a roasted lamb shoulder and a charred strip loin. My only complaint is that the medium rare steak was served rare but the flavour was spot on! The food was paired with a very nice bottle of Malbec from Cahors. The meal was finished off with a delicious dessert - creme brûlée and white chocolate mousse with blood orange coulis. All in all a very good meal and date night.

Written August 14, 2021

Adrianne M

1 contribution

Gorgeous food and amazing experience

Mar 2023 • friends

Wow! It has been a while since I've had such a stupendous meal and overall amazing experience in such beautiful surroundings👌 Scallops to start, followed by half a duck, cooked to perfection and then the most scrummy creme brulee and cheesecake to end it off and put me in a food coma😋😁 Even the wine was delicious and all of the staff were so friendly. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are ever in Kilkenny👍

Written March 23, 2023

JewelJoan

Monaghan33 contributions

Great food and good atmosphere

Sep 2020 • none

Restaurant was very busy, given the current restrictions , although tables were well spaced The food was excellent, from a varied menu. The sole and duck, our choices, were cooked to perfection. We also enjoyed our desserts. An extensive wine list is available. The atmosphere is buzzing and the decor is reminiscent of a Paris cafe. Worth trying out.

Written September 16, 2020

Richie H

2 contributions

What a disappointment

Sep 2023 • couples

Food dreadful . Only good think about the experience was the complimentary bread The Bottle of Red wine which we choose and the sparkling water. San Pellegrino West Cork Scallops was Prawns server on a plate of slop. Lamb if one would like to call it lamb just a piece of fat and gristle The one starter ordered was a basic prawn cocktail and that was poor.

Written September 25, 2023

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RIVE GAUCHE, Kilkenny - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor