Places To Eat In Cork – Some of the dishes at Crawford Café have been on the menu for 20 years – the locals insist on it! Credit: Daniel Callen
For Darina Allen, founder of the legendary Ballymaloe cookery school in Co Cork, the past year has been as busy as ever. After keeping the local community supplied with produce from his 100-acre farm throughout the lockdown, the school and restaurant at Ballymaloe House are back up and running and Allen herself has been busy working on a cookbook.
Places To Eat In Cork
With hospitality in Ireland now open, it’s a table at her local Palestinian restaurant or an old fashioned ice cream that can lure her away…
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“The chef at this restaurant, Ahmet Dede, uses local produce to create wonderful Turkish dishes. It won a Michelin star this year, but everything is very simple and welcoming. It creates some absolutely delicious flavors; Last year I had a wonderful salad with baby tomatoes and smoked paprika.”
Allen likes to indulge in bone marrow with parsley and caper salad, and a slice of praline cake at Crawford Gallery Café Credit: Daniel Callen
“We are lucky to have so many beautiful places to eat in Cork. One of my favorites is the Crawford Cafe, attached to the art gallery. Sinead Doran cooks simple delicious food there. Some of the dishes have been on the menu for 20 years because the locals won’t let him take them off! It’s nice to go down and have a plate of bone marrow with parsley and caper salad (Fergus Henderson style) and a slice of her praline cake with a coffee to finish.”
“An authentic Palestinian restaurant run by refugees and asylum seekers. After coming to Ireland a few years ago, the community helped them get the business started and they have since become a much-loved part of the Cork food scene. They make the most amazing maneesh, soups and thick breads. It’s worth a stop.”
Places To Eat Cork
“Jane Murphy, who owns the farm, supplies the cheese that goes into our restaurant salad and it’s really fantastic. Jane and her family have been making goat cheese for over 20 years; she knows the name of every one of her goats! She makes a variety of soft and hard goat cheeses as well as her own feta and is always experimenting to produce new flavors.”
“This little traditional saloon opened this year near the pier in Ballycotton. It serves great-tasting, nostalgic-sounding home-made ice creams, including Ballycotton Banoffee and East Cork Mess.” The Rebel County certainly knows its food, given that it has a culinary market that has been around for over 400 years, and that they are the proud owners of Ballymaloe House and Cookery School.
Food talent abounds and Cork City has plenty of great restaurants, so we’ve put together a great list (in no particular order!) of the 15 best places to go for food when in Cork.
This vegetarian restaurant on Lancaster Quay is a haven for any foodie, they are super inventive in their cooking and incorporate styles from around the world into their dishes. However, you’d be mentally trying to get in here without a reservation, so always call ahead.
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This amazing bar does everything from tapas to amazing dessert boards, huge burgers and delicious wings. Come for the food, stay for the gorgeous decor and generous portions of wine.
Located right next to the English Market, this restaurant uses only the freshest produce in its dishes and it shows in their top-notch food!
These guys have been in business for 30 years, and they serve up simple, fresh, flavorful tapas in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
This bistro is always packed which is an indication of how great their food is. Market Lane specializes in high quality meat, fish and game, all sourced locally in Cork.
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You’ll enjoy some of Cork’s best burgers at the Liberty Grill, where they do great food in an informal setting. Not only is it an overpriced burger, but they also make a mean breakfast. If you’re feeling brave, try their wild boar burger!
This award-winning French restaurant showcases fine dining at its best – their food presentation is out of this world. They import all their wine from France ensuring you always find a fantastic bottle to match your meal.
Located in the heart of the English Market, you can choose super fresh salads from their counter service or alternatively sit down and enjoy the delights of the à la carte menu in the airy atrium.
This no-frills restaurant does wholesome, simple food just like your mom’s cooking that offers amazing value and huge portions.
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This restaurant is part of the River Lee Hotel, but it’s worth a visit even if you’re staying elsewhere. They pride themselves on using only farm-to-table produce and have a lovely terrace for the summer months.
Known as ‘The Club’ to the locals, this relaxed bar is right on the boardwalk overlooking the River Lee. Far from stuffy, this place is all about good hearty food, so expect plenty of baked pasta, frittatas and their famous spiced potatoes!
Located in the heart of the city on Cornmarket Street, these guys specialize in seafood and steak, so it’s the perfect place to bring someone you’re trying to impress. Be sure to try some of their amazing cocktails while you’re there.
This restaurant, cafe and food hall is a bit of a Cork institution – whether you want to go for a treat while shopping, or have a long dinner in the evening, it’s perfect for all occasions. If you’re there during the day, you can also pick up some fresh bread or some of their famous granola to bring home.
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This art deco restaurant overlooks the cathedral and the river and offers amazing seafood caught fresh every day, so expect amazing oysters, crab claws and hearty fish stews. Once you’re done eating, this place turns into a buzzing nightclub, so definitely stick around.
This Asian street food restaurant on Carey’s Lane is worth checking out. Aroi serves seriously delicious food in a casual dining setting without breaking the bank. It’s the perfect place for a bit of relaxation after work before turning in for the night. If the urge for a last-minute lunch or pint grabs you this weekend, there are plenty of places in the city center offering tables for those of us who didn’t reserve them weeks in advance
The new multi-coloured canopy and parasols that have been installed on Prince’s St to support outdoor dining. Photo: Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO
Grab drinks and food from Lafayettes from 8am to 5pm on the South Mall floor or dine al fresco from 5pm to 10pm.
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Electric has tables available Wednesday through Saturday for food and cocktails. Open from 3pm to 11.30pm, closed Sunday to Tuesday.
For their alfresco dining, Paradiso has a casual all-day menu, harkening back to classic Paradiso “coffee” lunch dishes, then transforming into a wine bar from 5 p.m.
A walk-up area is set up on the sidewalk, and patrons are told to simply walk up to grab a table.
Walk-ins are accepted at Impala on Paradise Place, with tables in the back as well as additional space up front.
Cork & Fork Restaurant
If Cork Harbor is still your go-to for a bite to eat, you can swing right up to Idle Hour without a reservation.
While the rooftop venue needs to be booked (and is booked for every Saturday this month), Clancy’s Princes Street seating is first come, first served.
The Woolshed has outside booths with TVs and will keep a few walk-in tables, but if you’re hoping to catch a match you might want to book now.
If you fancy a pint on a sunny Sunday (or any other day), the Old Oak is open for a stroll.
The 22 Essential Cork Restaurants
Walk-ins are available to SoHo street seating areas, though the second-floor garden terrace is by reservation only. There’s a kind of magic that comes with eating outside in the summer. Feast on fresh seafood on a picturesque patio or tuck into wood-fired pizzas on a rooftop terrace. Famous for its amazing food scene, Cork chefs and restaurants are working hard to make outdoor dining the highlight of your summer. Enjoy locally made artisan food and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere with family and friends.
1 The River Club at the River Lee Hotel Our epicurean tour begins on the banks of the River Lee which flows through the heart of Cork city. Book in for a sumptuous meal at The River Club at the River Lee Hotel and really treat yourself. Try some local flavors and order the English Market Tasting Table or Ballycotton Seafood, served with a delicious slice of Guinness brown bread. While you’re here, make time for a pre-dinner drink at the River Club’s Bar & Terrace. Inspired by the Mediterranean, this fern-clad bar is drenched in natural light and the perfect place to sip a cocktail after a long day on the town. The heated terrace is quiet all year round and offers stunning views of the river. Our choice is a cloud
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