The best restaurants in Cork

15/07/2026: average quality products. poor price-quality ratio How can you expect good food when the chef walks around in an old undershirt and reeks like an ashtray from smoking outside? The only good thing they have is the steaks—it’s hard to mess those up; the product speaks for itself—but the scallops are frozen, and you can really taste it. The Irish will buy and eat anything.

12/06/2026: A quick stop at this Cork restaurant, where we decided to share an Irish ribeye steak. The service was okay, though sometimes slow. The meat was only offered medium-rare, which is a shame considering a ribeye can be served beautifully rare, but it seems the chef, apparently French, doesn't know how to do it (or even write "beef" on the menu). Fortunately, the meat and sides were still good, but overcooked for our taste.

15/07/2026: Had a wonderful experience here! The staff were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout our visit. The food was absolutely delicious, fresh, and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was warm and relaxing, making it a perfect place to enjoy a meal. Excellent service, great food, and a lovely overall experience. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this place!

28/06/2026: Went there as a walk in with my husband and my mother. Every table was reserved, so we cut our loses. While looking around to see if any tables were free and we were met with judgy eyes and one customer was really rude with my mother, saying “that the tables were booked, can’t you see” then laughed with her boyfriend. I understand that does not project on the staff but unless you book and table you will be judge and made to feel downgraded and unwanted.

15/07/2026: I had been looking for a nice pastry all afternoon, and found this spot's strawberry and pistachio croissant🥐 The strawberries were fresh and overall, the pastry was not too sweet. Would go perfectly with a tea or a coffee if I ordered one. Nice service too😁

11/07/2026: Went this morning for sandwiches, coffee and orange and apple juice. We did find it quite pricey as others have said, but as my partner and I are just here on holiday it isn't too much of a deterrent and we still think we'll go back tomorrow morning to sample more of their sambos :) the sandwich are excellent and quite filling, and if you don't finish it you can quite conveniently just wrap the rest of it in the baking paper of your tray to have later (though i'm sure they have proper takeaway boxes, we just didn't feel like there was a need). We went around ten ish, there wasn't too much of a queue then but by 11 they had at least six people waiting so it is definitely popular and would recommend going early if you don't like waiting.

17/04/2026: Fantastic evening, super music session and crazy pints. Old school hospitality and so welcoming. My first visit but definitely not my last.

26/01/2026: There were three very skilled boys playing what sounded very much like pub music, and the atmosphere perfectly complemented that. A girl who was studying Irish dance taught some of the boys; it was a very good experience.

10/05/2026: Great spot, get coffee here every weekend and the occasional hot chocolate, would recommend.

09/04/2026: Lovely place great coffee and nice staff

22/07/2026: Lovely store, without a doubt Corks best selection of beans. Saturday isnt the same without a trip to Mahers!

05/06/2026: We order the hazelnut coffee regularly and have done for years. Everyone compliments our coffee when they come to our house. We've tried several of their coffees which are all great but we always come back to the hazelnut. Have to finally leave a review when I got a shipping notice today 30minutes after I ordered. We always visit the shop when we're down in Cork and the smell of freshly roasted beans is divine. We've already recommended this place to all our friends.

13/07/2026: There are many great sandwich options! The service is super fast and polite. There are a few (very few) places to sit at the counter and eat there if you want. I recommend it!

19/06/2026: Very good smoked chicken salad sandwich!

01/07/2026: Great wine, service and food to share!

30/05/2026: I have been here a few times already and feel that the quality of the food is going down (or I was unlucky) because the last dishes I tried weren’t very good. This last time, we got one of the dishes without one of the ingredients and when we complained, the waiter apologised but was defensive. He said he would charge less for the dish and at the end he took 1€ for a €17.5 dish (strawberry burrata). I really don’t care much about the €1, I think if he had offered more bread (which surprisingly the burrata came with none) I would have left happy. Instead, he made us feel like we were trying to get a freebie, saying that the dish was equally good without it (it wasn’t, probably it would be as bad with the pecans on top as without them). Overall I found his answer very rude and gave him the euro back. They get the euro but not a returning customer

15/07/2026: Very pleasant place with tasty treats and coffee with very friendly staff

07/07/2026: Great coffee and selection of books plus the vibe is great. Perfect point to grab a coffee on you in or out of lough lake. Views are amazing and a great spot indeed. Recommended.

28/07/2026: Fun place to mow it up with locals and enjoy some live music

12/07/2026: Asked for help with a guy on the ground across from their bar who was unconscious on the ground and looked like he was bleeding and all I got for the request, was one of the workers a short woman with black hair roaring at me thats shes too busy to help and mocking me for trying to help. No sign of bouncers to help either. Called an ambulance and hope the guys ago no thanks to them

07/07/2026: Yummy muffins very politely and welcoming staff

07/07/2026: Polite staff very warm welcome good selection off food ans drinks

02/07/2026: It's got a lot of choice under one roof

01/07/2026: Not much going on, very small car park, only a few food stalls. Marina marker is much better

24/05/2026: Absolutely lovely place, food was amazing, everyone at the table loved every bite. Gorgeous desserts that I've definitely got to try next time. And such a cool place with the loveliest staff big shout out to our lovely waitress Bernie so welcoming and professional. We will be back!

18/05/2026: It was the best brunch i have ever had !!! You guys doing amazing job egg benedict with mushrooms and hollandise sauce!! You know you know!! Absolutely delicious 😋 thanks for the all service and staff!!

10/07/2026: Great pint of Beamish and friendly service!!

04/06/2026: A typical Cork bar with live music and excellent beers. No tourists.