So you’re in the city center in Cork, Ireland, and you’re wondering where to grab a delicious lunch. Market Lane is a restaurant that is both affordable and scrumptious at the same time. While the menu is constantly re-furbished by the inspired chefs, some of the more popular items on their menu have been the Pork Belly Sandwiches, Lamb on Barley Risotto and the Bacon Hock Terrine. The eatery is very conscious of the community around it and makes use of local produce only.
The Elbow Room is the place to be if you suddenly feel like a pint of beer and some good food, without the formality of booking a table. The small brewery has its own well-known line of alcohol. Some of its more famous brews are the Wisdom Ale, Angel Stout, Arrow Weisse and Jawbone Pale Ale. As the undeniable fragrance of the wood fire fills the restaurant, the Elbow Room kitchen also serves some of the best ribs and steaks in Cork.
The Quinlans Seafood Bar began upon the Western Coast of Ireland, at Kerry. Since its establishment in 1960, it has sprung three outlets in Tralee, Kilarney and Cork. A section of the sea food menu is still delivered from Kerry to the other outlets, all for the sake of the distinct flavor of the coast. The menu is known for its crab claws, tartar sauce and prawns. The food is especially delicious when coupled with an international wine collection.
KC & Sons & Sons serve what they call ‘fast-casual’ food. Every item on the menu is well thought out, and an equal amount of effort is put into the preparation. If you’re in the city of Cork, Ireland, and you’re hungry for some fast-food, KC’s is just the place to stop by. Keeping to the family heritage, this culinary clan is passionate about everything they do. In fact, the restaurant is one of the best places to get the famous King Creole, an Irish delicacy.
This small pub is especially favoured by locals and artists, and is notable for its friendly and efficient staff. A fine collection of posters from times past decorates the red-painted walls. Live traditional music is played here every Tuesday and Sunday evening, otherwise you're at the mercy of the landlord's own, somewhat eclectic, collection! During the afternoon, Sin E shows the Racing Channel: why not relax, enjoy a nice pint of locally brewed stout, and check out the sport of kings? All this, and Internet access too!
Oliver Plunkett is the perfect example of a typical bar in the city of Cork, Ireland. The staple Beamish Stout is on tap, the food is deliciously ideal and the music terrific. The pub invites many of the local bands to play each night. The songs are boisterously fun and familiar enough to sing along to, in genres like Jazz, Celtic Rock and Soul. Oliver Plunkett is so famous that the street it is on is named after it.
L'Atitude 51 is a wine café located in the Irish city of Cork. The café is abuzz with activity in the form of wine tasting workshops. The venue also functions as a platform for live music featuring musicians from around the city. Apart from an impressive and licensed wine collection, ‘51’ also has a refreshing food menu. The staff works to make the space friendly and welcoming as it builds a small community of its own.
A well-kept and popular pub, the ambiance at The Gables is refreshingly relaxed. Here traditionalists and hipsters rub shoulders, all vying for attention as they call their orders. Good simple food is served and lots of people seemingly enjoy munching their meals while watching a football match or other sports on TV. Trad music sessions are held every Thursday evening and can be pretty lively affairs. Basically, this is a no-nonsense pub where you're guaranteed entertainment of some description on most nights of the week.
This informal restaurant is well worth a visit. The food is excellent and the atmosphere very friendly. There's lots of seafood on the menu; deep-fried Cajun-style oysters, scampi with a tartare sauce and roasted fresh hake to name just a few. Meat eaters - don't despair, for there are some fine fillet and sirloin steaks on offer too. There is also an excellent wine list and everything is reasonably priced.
One of Cork's newest additions, Leonardo's on South Main Street offers continental class without a hint of pretension. A decent and well-priced menu reflects the policy of this establishment - quality food doesn't have to cost the earth. The menu is good and caters for a range of tastes from fish, pasta and Mexican dishes to an excellent selection of pizzas. The kitchen opens into the dining space creating a jovial honest atmosphere. The wine selection is good, and reasonably priced. Leonardo's also has outlets in Douglas and Midleton.
It could be argued that there are enough coffee shops in Cork already, but Café Gusto is nonetheless a welcome addition. It's only just opened, and already a friend of mine (who happens to be a professional coffee roaster!) has proclaimed their espresso to be the best in town. Lunch is served between noon and 4p and consists mainly of wraps and rolls, expertly prepared. Fillings include a smashing goat's cheese salad with roast peppers, and "homestyle" roast beef. You can sit in or take away; if you choose to stay, you're sure to find the decor quite interesting. The big window allows a panoramic view of busy Washington Street, while the seating inside is park-bench style. The relaxing atmosphere is further enhanced by the courteous and efficient staff.