Caffè Nero in Cork

I really enjoy coming here for coffee and toast, it’s one of my favorite spots. Recently, though, I’ve noticed things seem a bit busier than usual. There’s often just one barista serving with a queue forming, and a few tables waiting to be cleaned, which made me leave the last two times I tried to stop by. It’s still a great place with great coffee; just wanted to share in case the team might be a bit short-staffed lately.

The drinks and food are really good, but from what I’ve seen, the cafe is chronically understaffed. I often see trainee baristas left on their own to deal with long queues of customers. There are lots of opportunities here to improve service. There should be a minimum of two baristas at the counter.

Great coffee shop in the heart of Cork. Staff was very friendly, helpful and welcoming. Restroom was very gross and stinked. Coffee was awesome however!

We had a cup of coffee and hot chocolate with whipped cream. The chocolate wasn't exactly hot, but the taste was good.

Another place in Cork where you can drink a good Italian espresso. On the third day, the barista recognized us and was already making the usual one. Excellent, I'd say. These are the places I like. I recommend it.

Is smiling illégal for the staff ?

The seats are comfortable, and WiFi and charging sockets are provided. However, the store is requested to increase the cleaning frequency so that customers do not have to help clean up the table garbage left by the previous customers.

The coffee was excellent — as expected from Brazilian beans, it’s hard to go wrong with such quality. The lemon cake was delightful, perfectly balanced in flavor, and the panini de mozzarella was also very well executed. From a gastronomic point of view, everything was on point. However, the service left much to be desired. There was a noticeable lack of warmth and attentiveness. In my five years working as a barista, I’ve never seen staff so disengaged — no greeting, no smiles, and an overall atmosphere that felt unwelcoming. I understand we all carry personal challenges, but professionalism in hospitality requires that we do not bring those burdens into our work. There are so many people eager to work in this industry, and customers expect not only good food and coffee but also a pleasant human connection. A simple “good morning” and a genuine smile can elevate the entire experience and make the excellent coffee and food shine even more. With more attention to service and guest interaction, this place could truly stand out as exceptional.

I finally had a great coffee in Cork. A cortado.

A coffee break in the Dublin rain is the best idea and a muffin with warm chocolate to enjoy!