"Killarney's traditional boxty house, griddling potato pancakes since 1991 above a craft shop — come for the boxty and the heritage room."
About Bricín
Bricín was opened in November 1991 by brothers Johnny and Paddy McGuire in their native Killarney, set above a craft shop in a High Street building whose natural stone walls reflect two centuries of town history. The brothers restored the room with antique timber and stained glass, and it has stayed in the family ever since — a traditional Irish table in a town better known for its tour buses.
It sits right on the main run of restaurants. For other Killarney tables, compare the hotel dining at The Europe, the long-running Cronin's and the casual Mad Monk, or browse the wider dining picks.
The Kitchen
The house specialty is boxty — the traditional Irish potato pancake, cooked on the griddle and folded over a choice of fillings: chicken and vegetables in a tarragon cream, ratatouille in a piquant tomato sauce, or marinated curried Irish lamb. There is a vegetable boxty too, and beyond it a menu of Kerry staples, including a cream-based seafood chowder loaded with hake, salmon, smoked fish and mussels.
Value is part of the appeal: a boxty runs about €25, and the two-course early-bird at €22 (served until 6:45pm) is one of the better deals on High Street.
The Room
The dining room sits upstairs above the family craft shop, a low-lit space of exposed stone, antique timber and stained glass that feels genuinely old rather than themed. It is intimate and unhurried, currently open Thursday to Saturday evenings, with the kind of warm family service that keeps regulars coming back across decades.
Best for a relaxed traditional Irish dinner in the centre of town
Bricín suits a relaxed traditional Irish dinner — the heritage room and gentle prices make it a natural first-date or low-key birthday table, and it is an easy solo dinner too. For more of the town's tables, see Aghadoe Heights or browse the full Killarney dining guide.
Not for
Not for a modern tasting menu or a late-night table — this is a traditional, family-run boxty house open a few evenings a week, where the draw is heritage cooking, not innovation.
Frequently Asked
What is Bricín in Killarney known for?
Boxty — the traditional Irish potato pancake, griddled and folded over fillings like tarragon chicken, ratatouille or curried Irish lamb — served in a restored two-century-old building above a craft shop.
What should I order at Bricín?
The boxty is the house specialty (about €25); the cream-based Kerry seafood chowder with hake, salmon, smoked fish and mussels is the other thing to try.
How much does Bricín cost?
It is good value: a boxty runs about €25, a vegetable boxty €23, and the two-course early-bird is €22 until 6:45pm.
When did Bricín open?
It was opened in November 1991 by brothers Johnny and Paddy McGuire, and remains family-run on High Street, Killarney.
What are Bricín's opening hours?
It currently opens Thursday to Saturday evenings, roughly 6pm to 9pm; booking is advised, especially in high season.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Bricín
Book via the Bricín website or by phone; the two-course early-bird runs until 6:45pm.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address26 High Street, Killarney, Co. Kerry
NeighbourhoodIn a restored two-century-old building on High Street
CuisineTraditional Irish (boxty house)
PriceTraditional boxty €25; vegetable boxty €23; two-course early-bird €22
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingUpstairs heritage dining room; booking advised. Currently Thu–Sat evenings
ReservationBooking advised; currently open Thursday to Saturday, 6–9pm
