The best restaurants in Cork

26/09/2025: We decided to get a takeaway from JCs based on a recommendation from our hosts at cottages for couples where we were staying, and that recommendation did not disappoint! As we walked in the door there was a sizeable queue, which from the get the go tells you there must be quality to explain it. As you order the staff take your name and from that very moment you are talked to by name and it gives a very personable feel and makes you feel wanted as a customer. Onto the main event though, the food. We got a catch of the day, chips and battered sausages and they were faultless. The fish melted in your mouth, the batter was crispy and crunchy but without being too thick it was just right, the fish was beautifully fresh and flavourful. The sausages were well seasoned and substantial with the same top quality batter to go with them. Lastly the fresh cut chips were the perfect combination of crispy outer with perfectly fluffy insides and the delicious small crispy bits throughout. I would not hesitate to recommend JCs to anyone passing through Skibereen.

15/09/2025: Beautiful fish and chips. No frozen fish or chips here. Cooked to order. The type of proper fish and chip shop that is becoming rare to find. Absolutely loved it!

09/10/2025: Our entire group agreed - one of the best meals of our trip so far!! I had the beef stew and my wife had the roast pork. Perfect with great service!

07/10/2025: Friendly staff and attentive staff. Meals were amazing. Even the chips and salad were top class. Pints of Murphey’s are fresh and flowing.

31/08/2025: Lovely lunch, definitely will be back ..Good value too 👌

29/08/2025: The food and its presentation (dishes and desserts) were excellent. The service very gentle and kind. I had a superb espresso corretto with brandy. The rhabarber cake or pie was really good. Keep on and thank you very much!

23/09/2025: A must-visit if you're in the area. Friendly service and a great selection of beers

13/09/2025: Great pub, good choices, the bartender Kat was very enchanting talking endlessly about Ireland. Also a surprise appearance by Molly

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.

15/09/2025: This charming little restaurant was amazing. The baked brie and pil-pil shrimp were outstanding. The range of wines by the glass could benefit from expansion. Overall, it’s a great place with delicious food and very friendly staff.

13/09/2025: Food to die for from the amazing chef and team, with the loveliest hosts helping you along the way. The leg of lamb was perfection.

16/10/2025: Decent food, though some dishes are a little bland. The standout is the regular fish and chips — always fresh and well cooked. Prices aren’t cheap, but the setting and atmosphere on a sunny day make it worthwhile. One thing that consistently irks me is the way staff ask customers to split up at the door — one person to go inside and order, the other to immediately find a table outside. I understand this for larger groups, but when visiting as a pair it feels overbearing and unnecessarily patronising. I’ve seen it create awkward exchanges for plenty of people, needlessly complicating what should be a simple process. And please — bring back the regular soft drinks. That new brand is awful.

12/10/2025: Fantastic fish right by the seaside. After a dip in the sea, you just can't beat it. Fresh, simple, well cooked seafood at a fair price for the location. On a sunny day, sit outside and view the beautiful blue while biting into the ocean's bounty. This place can get incredibly busy on a nice day so be prepared to wait in line for quite a while.

21/10/2025: Popular, convenient local, and fun atmosphere. Belly up and get your pints at the bar, and if you're lucky, you find a seat or a place to stand. It's a gathering place, we did find a table in the back room, tvs with football, and music playing. Worth a stop. During day hours, there is outside seating too, with fabulous views.

23/09/2025: We had a great time getting to know the owner!

30/10/2025: 10/10 Bantry’s finest. Amazing service and helped book me a last minute cab to cork airport to catch my flight! ☘️🍻

28/10/2025: Visited Bantry during a drive on a bank holiday. Most things were closed but we got lucky to find The Quays. Cozy pub, friendly staff, clean bathrooms and delicious food! My husband’s favorite meal of the trip.

18/10/2025: Comfortable hotel. Friendly staff. Restaurant was excellent.

14/10/2025: Beautiful hotel located in a nice area that made it very easy to walk to the main street

10/10/2025: Had a very nice evening meal here. Lady serving was really nice and welcoming. Good atmosphere. Would have liked to stay longer.

31/08/2025: Food fab as usual, thank you Stephen and lovely staff

25/10/2025: Went to Roastie Grill with some friends for the first time while spending the afternoon in Midleton. We tried the burgers, they were tasty and cooked perfectly. The staff were really friendly, and the atmosphere was great. I really recommend this place.☺️

27/09/2025: I just tried here today the 1st time ever and I ordered the fried steak burger with extra hot 🔥🥵 sauce 😋 best fried burger 🍔 I've ever had I recommend this place to anyone and everyone... Extra hot 🔥🥵 sauce 🤤🤤🤤

13/09/2025: Gorgeous, quirky coffee shop and more - not only delicious coffee but also great sandwiches and cakes, and all in a cosy, tasteful environment! Love it! 😀

14/08/2025: Lovely coffee & delicious cakes

01/10/2025: Great seafood, we had been recommended by the tourist guide in Kinsale, so happy it lived up to his recommendation as from the outside one would bit think yo go in - very unassuming but obviously old. Small & a bit cramped inside & too cold to sit out when we were there although there is a sizable garden with seats & tables.

30/09/2025: We enjoyed an excellent dinner here in a lovely country pub setting on our holidays

23/10/2025: We stopped by this charming cafe for a brief coffee and some sweet treats. The proprietor of the shop was one of the most charming people I’ve ever met. She even sat down with us for a quick selfie. The coffee was excellent and the treats delicious. Hello again from Canada.

14/10/2025: We stopped in Glengarriff looking for coffee and a bite to eat, we were so lucky to find the Sugarloaf Cafe. The best BLT I ever tasted, the lady even gave me maple syrup all the way from Canada on the side, very tasty. Can highly recommend the cappuccino. It was excellent. If you are passing through Glengarriff the Sugarloaf is a must stop, I'll be back soon.