The best restaurants in Cork

16/08/2025: Absolute joke of a restaurant. Ordered a Sophie Lorraine with no sweetcorn, got my pizza with sweetcorn. I took it back and explained my situation and was told I’d have to wait 30/40 mins for my new pizza went back and collected my pizza had a slice to find more sweetcorn. I can honestly say the sweetcorn was picked off and the pizza was reheated and given back to me as I ate two slices to find more sweetcorn. When I went back the second time i was given a faint “I’m sorry” by the owner. Yes I got my money back but my god as a chef it’s not that hard to take an item off when requested

19/06/2025: Still confused about pricing. Either Prices shown in the menu are for takeaway orders only. Or An additional €1 per person is charged for dine-in service.

21/03/2025: We stopped in this restaurant on a Friday evening. We were the only customers, which we found surprising but we decided to give it a go anyway. The place was very dirty: dust, dead bee right next to us, the menus that were given to us had food on them, the tea spoon used for the sugar hadn't been cleaned for a while (see photo), and the toilets were absolutely disgusting and looked like they hadn't been cleaned for a long time. The food was decent though. In the end, when we asked to pay, the owner replied it was 50€ without showing us any bill and that it was only possible to pay in cash. However, 50 euros seemed quite expensive compared to the prices that were on the menus we were given. Therefore, we insisted on getting a bill and he wrote one down (52€!), with prices that had nothing to do with what was displayed on the menu. When we got out, we took a take away menu to compare but the prices were a third set of prices. Even using this menu, the sum of our dinner (48.50€) was lower than the bill presented to us, even though still more expensive than the menu we were given inside the restaurant. We decided to pay the 52€ and left without confronting the man. I feel very sorry for this man running this empty restaurant, but I better understand why it is this way. As I can't find any other negative reviews, I suppose my review will be deleted but I wanted this man to know his place could be so much better with a bit of cleaning and honesty about the prices.

10/09/2023: Got charge 40€ for 2 smalls pizzas and a cheese burger..some joke

10/06/2024: I witnessed an older member of staff getting verbally abused. I regret supporting this establishment.

24/06/2025: We were absolutely starving , ordered 2 kebabs and chips, Kebab consisted of some sort of reconstituted kebab meat with a chopped up lettuce leaf .Couldnt eat it and went elsewhere to get a real kebab. The place itself is an absolute dive . Avoid .

04/09/2024: From the journey over to Heir on the 2pm ferry - €6 return (no charge for those with a travel pass) to the return journey at 4pm we just had a fab time. The lovely weather was a welcome addition to the experience. There is an inclined 10-15 min walk up from the pier to Island Cottage where we were greeted by Ellmary. The menu is no choice and I mean No choice. There is no wine list, however a very nice French red & white wine are available to diners. We sat at a communal dining table with some lovely people. The food is wonderful: medium-rare steak with a buttery mash on a red pepper jus (I could be wrong on this but it was lovely) followed by the lightest of lemon soufflé, Tea/Coffee with home made biscuits finished up the experience. We never actually caught sight of John the chef, as we left to catch the 4pm ferry - however we could hear the industry & smell the aromas eminating from the kitchen. Well done to you both. I look forward to returning.

28/07/2024: An amazing intimate restaurant experience. No menu choice. It is what it is and that’s that. Starter, mains and desert service with tea or coffee for €25! Wine available by the glass or bottle. We sat at a table of 8 and got to have cross table conversations with two lovely ladies and an actor and his Kazakstan partner. The setting was intimate and we got a sneak peek into the tiny kitchen with the husband cheffing. The steak and mash on a lovely sauce followed by a soufflé that melted in your mouth. The others at the table missed their ferry boat back and so we gave them a jaunt back .. So if you want an experience and to meet some fab people and have some lovely food try and book at table . Booking open 10am Tuesdays !

29/07/2023: Got eskimo pizza with ham sausage and chicken the pizza was dry and I swear to god you could break your teeth off the chicken it was so tough and dry

28/07/2023: Really rude manager who barks orders at the employees and is also rude to customers. The food also is not good.

22/10/2023: Best chipper around! Food cooked to perfection. The staff are always very friendly and polite and very fast service. I would definitely recommend LJ's 100%.

23/07/2023: This shop is DISGRACEFUL!!!! My nan who’s 90 year old with dementia came in here for a lovely battered sausage and coke but she left with her sausage battered. I have informed the guards and this poor family business is going to be a subject of a robbery next Friday night. Be aware then I will be wearing all black.