The best restaurants in Cork

05/10/2025: Really generous portions of amazing home cooked food for amazing prices. The service is great, too! I really love this place and will keep coming back. It's worth queueing for!

23/09/2025: The food here is some of the best home cooked food you'll find in north Cork. Prices are very reasonable for the size of portions. The owner was friendly and helpful with the food options. I had the beef stroganoff. I don't usually eat mushrooms, but I ate some in this, and the whole dish was lovely. The banoffee pie was very good too. We all really enjoyed our dinners here and we'll definitely be back to the Orchid soon as we live locally. Be aware that they don't sell alcohol here. I'm not sure if they allow you to bring your own wine etc. I will ask next time.

26/10/2025: We had vegan falafels here and they were delicious. Thanks.

24/10/2025: I had fish and chips, they offer a grilled option for those who don't want the fried fish - it was so tasty! Great to see a healthier option available. Lovely staff, welcoming and clean place, would recommend.

19/11/2025: Amazing restaurant! We had mussels marinière and calamari salad, and it was excellent! The staff is welcoming and friendly. Thank you so much.

18/11/2025: A very beautiful and cozy place to enjoy your dinner. The service was very good and polite. Proper portion sizes and quite good quality ingredients. Prices are also okey . I highly recommend it!

08/06/2025: Had the classic. Great home made sausage with just the right spices. Roll held together till the end. Onions and peppers were tender and fresh.

04/06/2025: Contained in the huge English Market SC ,this place stands out from all the other exceptional vendors. Just a small stall with usually only 3 workers, it can turn out food to die for. All sandwiches are make rite on the spot. You can customize or order any of the house specials. Grab a special, find a quiet spot, (not possible) and enjoy.

25/12/2025: This is one of those hidden (even though it’s off the end of the N22 ) in Ballincollig is Desmond’s Bar. The locals call it the Ovens Bar. Christmas Eve was a beautiful, quiet but busy experience at this local gem. As soon as we walked in you could feel the warmth of the fire as the locals gathered around the bar close to the fire. With a Christmas tree beautifully decorated in the far corner drinking a very nice pint of Carling and listening/watching the world’s best 70’s & 80’s music videos. I can’t give any food rating b/c I did not have any but if the atmosphere is as good at it was I’d say the care they put into the atmosphere the food can’t be too far behind. You will enjoy this little place tucked away at the west end of the village. Enjoy.

16/11/2025: Friendly welcome. Beautifully redecorated in welcoming colours. Thoroughly enjoyed my lunch. Highly Recommended *****

29/10/2025: Staff were lovely and it was clean. Food was very basic. It’s says the sandwiches etc come with tortilla chips-there was 3 on the side of the plate. Side salad was very fresh though. The bagel I ordered was missing toppings and was 80% relish with a small amount of goats cheese. Grand if you just want something very basic and quick.

29/10/2025: A very cozy cafe, I really liked the food, the sandwich was not dry, lots of cheese, very clean, the staff is top notch, polite and friendly, the food is the best.

08/09/2025: Top quality food as always along with excellent service 👍👍

23/08/2025: Yet another gem of Crosshaven. Amazing food with huge portions. Turned up without a reservation on Saturday but still got a table, but was busy. Highly recommended.

14/12/2025: My mum and I went here for dinner recently. The place was absolutely gorgeous, decorated beautifully. The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was great. We ordered the hake and the fish & chips. We were so impressed. The hake and cauliflower were beautifully cooked ( massive portions too ). The fish and chips were so tasty, one of the best I’d say. The tartare sauce was unreal! Also a massive portions ( 2 big filets of fish ). We then had the apple crumble and the x-mas pudding for dessert, which were so good! I would definitely recommend this place! We’ll be back :)

11/11/2025: I was looking for a cozy place to enjoy the Irish atmosphere and food, and Lifeboat Inn was a perfect choice. The quality and service were excellent, as was the warmth and originality of the place. Plus, the prices were very reasonable for the high quality of the food. 100% recommended.

05/10/2025: One of the best French toasts I ever had. Service is top notch!

20/09/2025: Dined there a little while ago waitress was friendly food ok the owner could do with brushing up on his people skills kept me waiting nearly 5 mins to pay while he was taking an order on the phone when I did pay he continued with his phone call no acknowledgement of my existence

17/08/2025: Great cozy place, for food and drink. The staff was amazing and really helpful.. Definitely recommend😁

28/07/2025: I always stop at Rohu's Country Market on my way to West Cork. The sandwiches and pizzas are fantastic, and the fresh food and bread are absolutely delicious. I love this place!

18/08/2025: Blairscove is without a doubt one of the finest places to visit if you are looking for both refinement and warmth. From the moment you arrive, you step into an atmosphere where time seems to pause. The crackling fire and the grand chandelier at the center of the room create a setting that feels like another world, one you are fortunate enough to discover for the length of an evening. The welcome is impeccable, the cocktail list is rich and varied and every detail is chosen with taste and elegance. The buffet of starters is full of different tastes to enjoy, the main courses strike a perfect balance between creativity and local flavors, and the dessert buffet is the perfect sweet finale to a remarkable meal. The cocktails designed to accompany the desserts are nothing short of exceptional. Blairscove is a place not to be missed if you want to experience a magical escape, whether during a visit to West Cork or while planning a journey through Ireland.

18/07/2025: A Hidden Gem for Vegans in West Cork We stopped into Blair’s Cove yesterday without a booking, and were so grateful they managed to fit us in. From the very start, the whole experience felt special. The staff were incredibly professional but also warm and relaxed. Everything flowed so smoothly—it was like watching a beautifully choreographed dance. As a vegan, eating out while on holiday in places like West Cork can be stressful. It often feels like vegans are overlooked completely, or given something bland as an afterthought. But Blair’s Cove was the total opposite. They really took care, and I felt genuinely included. The vegan food was not just “good for a vegan option”—it was full-on delicious, thoughtful, and deeply satisfying. Hands down the best meal I’ve had in the area. The live piano music was another lovely touch—just the right level and beautifully played. It gave the whole evening an elegant, laid-back vibe that made us want to stay all night. As a vegan chef, I make a point of trying other local spots even when the vegan choices are limited—but this was on another level. Blair’s Cove showed that it’s absolutely possible to cater for everyone with style and flavour. If you’re plant-based (or dining with someone who is), don’t hesitate. This place gets it right. Massive thumbs up from me—we’ll definitely be back! Nicola Smyth

15/10/2025: Visit this wonderful place especially on the first Sunday in October ❤️ but also at other times

08/09/2025: Seam a small pub at first but had a number of room which lead out to an eclectic theatre with an old fishing boat build into the bar.

01/04/2025: I was there as they opened for the first time. I wish you all the very best 👌

08/03/2025: Friendly people, nice food and drink

19/11/2025: We made a two and a half hour round-trip to visit Diva Boutique Bakery, and it was absolutely worth it! The Reuben Sandwich was magnificent, the Savoury Danish was incredible, and the mince pies were delicious. We also tried the Falafel sandwiches and a vegan dessert: everything was fantastic. I’ll definitely be going back because it’s that good!

22/09/2025: A seriously top-tier bakery, quite possibly the best cinnamon bun I've ever eaten, phenomenal. Really good coffee too, highly recommended.

17/11/2025: For the price and the situation, one of the best places to eat. Surprisingly fast

09/08/2025: Istanbul Bites is a nice takeaway. Food is good. Staff are friendly. Prices are reasonable. They have a sign up saying they prefer cash.