Buddy's Take Away in Fermoy

08/10/2026: Hidden gem! On our way back to Dublin from Kinsale, we were in a hurry and needed a quick bite. This restaurant caught our eye on Google and Travel Advisor as a highly-rated spot in Fermoy. We were glad we decided to check it out. The service was fast and friendly, and the pizza dough was absolutely delicious! We started with bruschetta and ordered two margarita pizzas, adding pepperoni and arugula to each. I also couldn’t resist getting an apple pie to go. I can’t wait to try it later at the hotel!

12/09/2026: We visited Bella Cafe in Fermoy for a special anniversary dinner, and while it is part of a chain, the genuine warmth of the staff made it a memorable evening. The front-of-house team works remarkably hard with a smile on their faces from start to finish. There is zero lack of effort here; they are clearly putting in a massive shift to keep a busy dining room happy, especially given the rapid pace of service needed to support their brilliant free-corkage policy. The food itself is very tasty. The prawn starter arrived piping hot and was absolutely delicious. For the main course, I had the Tagliatelle Pollo Con Broccoli—the flavours were lovely, though a touch more generous with the sun-dried tomatoes would have taken it to the next level, as those bites were outstanding. To finish, the tiramisu was a real delight: rich, authentic, and served in a very generous portion. If there is room for improvement, it comes down to operational finesse rather than effort: Table Clearing & Pacing: The main courses arrived while our starter plates were still on the table. Assigning a dedicated host or floor lead to check table progression before firing mains would immediately smooth out the pacing. Service Checks & Seasoning: A quick check-back after each course and an offer of freshly grated Parmesan or cracked black pepper at the table would easily lift the seasoning of the pasta dishes. The staff are the absolute heart of this place, and their enthusiasm shines through. With a tiny bit of tweaking on section management and timing, Bella Cafe would be well-nigh faultless.