My Delicious Cork Food Guide – What to Eat in Cork, Ireland

I’ve lived in the Rebel City for over a year, and this is my guide for what to eat in Cork, Ireland. 

I first decided to move to Cork because I fell in love with the city over a plate of pancakes. They were perfectly fluffy, fresh, and topped with pancakes and a dollop of cream. I later learned that Cork is the Food Capital of Ireland, so naturally it’s the city where you’ll find the best restaurants and most dedicated foodies. In addition to having plenty of tasty restaurants from a variety of cuisines, there’s also great coffee in Cork, and plenty of nightlife. 

In this guide, I’ll share all of my best tips for eating in Cork, Ireland. I’ve included some of my favorite Cork foods and a few must-visit restaurants, like the Good Day Deli in the Nano Nagle Place (where I ate the pancakes). 

Most people are drawn to the culture at pubs, historical sites, and the craic – good times in Cork. I was pleasantly surprised when I first tried the foods in Cork, and I think you will be, too. 

About the Restaurants in Cork

Cork, Ireland has a cuisine that is heavily influenced by its heritage and significant immigration populations; thus; the city has a varied and exciting food scene. Most of the restaurants in Cork have good reputations and serve fresh, tasty foods. Always look for restaurants with good reviews, preferably with a full reservation book and/or a line out the door. 

If you want to try a sit down restaurant in Cork, it’s usually a good idea to call or email ahead of time and try to make a reservation. With a few exceptions, restaurants tend book out a few days to a week in advance. Expect service on par with other European countries, and always assume that you’ll need to request the check at the end of your meal – waiters are unlikely to drop it off unprompted. 

Many restaurants have loosely seasonal menus, with lighter fare in the summer months and heavier dishes when the temperatures start to drop. 

Eating Out in Cork – The Prices

Eating out in Ireland can get pricey quickly, especially if you’re pairing your meal with alcohol. There are times when an entree will feel incomplete on its own and you’ll need to order a side dish, thus increasing the cost of the meal. A common example of this is burger restaurants that don’t include fries, or Indian restaurants that will charge extra for rice. Read the menu closely to avoid surprises. 

Breakfast entrees are typically between 12€ and 18€ per person. However, it is possible to find a full Irish breakfast for less than 10€ at a pub like J.D. Wetherspoon. A few pubs in Ireland run bottomless brunches on the weekends, priced around 35€ per person.

A lunch entree at a sit down restaurant typically runs between about 14€ and 20€ per person, with additional charges for drinks and sides. A sandwich from a cafe or takeout restaurant typically costs between 7€ and 14€. Cafes typically charge 2€ to 5€ for coffee drinks, depending on the order. 

Dinner entrees are usually priced between 17€ and 26€ at a sit down restaurant, with some upscale restaurants carrying much higher price tags. A pint of beer at a restaurant or pub is likely to cost about 6€ and the price for a glass of wine is likely to start around 7€. Cocktails are very popular in Cork, and the prices usually range from about 12€ to 20€.  

You won’t see much variation in prices throughout Cork, so there’s no real advantage to making your way outside of the city center for a restaurant. One exception is the locally famous takeaway restaurant KC & Son & Sons, which features classic fast food dishes for about €5 to €7. This small spot is about a 10 minute drive from the city center and typically has a line out the door during its opening hours. 

The Cuisine in Cork

Ireland is located off of the west coast of mainland Europe, and Cork is the southernmost city in the country. The weather in Cork is slightly warmer than the capital of Dublin, which is a 3.5 hour drive to the northeast. With the help of polytunnels, it is possible to grow many types of food in Ireland, like potatoes, eggplants, herbs, and tomatoes, but the majority of produce is imported. 

Many restaurants will try to source at least a few ingredients locally. If a restaurant sources a majority of its produce locally, it is usually a point of pride and clearly communicated on the menu.  

Pub Food

Even if you don’t go for the food, visiting a pub is one the best things to do in Cork. In Ireland, pubs are short for Public Houses or community gathering spots. Their significance in Irish culture goes much deeper than a bar or a restaurant. If two locals are planning to meet up, they might go to a pub for lunch, a cup of tea, or a pint of beer, all of which you can find at a pub. 

Unlike most Irish pubs in the United States and other countries, you’ll find that not all pubs in Cork serve food. Those that do might serve pizza Neapolitians or have a partnership with a nearby Japanese takeout restaurant. Still others may serve classic fare like fish and chips or hamburgers. 

As a general rule, if you enter a pub and it’s packed with people eating food, the food will probably be pretty tasty!

Traditional Irish foods 

Be sure to try some traditional Irish food while you’re visiting Cork. These dishes will include foods you might consider “pub foods” like fish and chips, brown bread, or beef stew. You’ll find these staples on many Irish menus, as well as dishes like roasted salmon and dishes made with black and white pudding. 

If you’re not sure that you’ll like traditional Irish food, try a full Irish breakfast. They’re delicious, varied, and the dish is approachable for most visitors. 

Modern European Cuisine

The term “modern European” is admittedly a catch all, but it describes most of the popular restaurants throughout Cork. These restaurants are most comparable to gastropubs in the US, serving a variety of modern dishes from various origins, usually including some French influence. A typical modern European restaurant will have dishes with roasted meat mains, thoughtful vegetable sides, and a few traditionally Irish menu options. 

Takeaway

Takeaway is a term used in Ireland and the UK to describe takeout food, usually the cheapest option for a quick meal. Although you can order food “for takeaway” from many restaurants in Cork, there are also restaurants that only serve takeout and delivery meals. Usually, takeaway restaurants will only have a counter with a menu, so there’s nowhere in the restaurant to eat your food. 

Additionally, there are “chippers” which are takeaway restaurants that serve fried foods. Think about it this way: all chippers are takeaways, but not all takeaways are chippers. 

International foods 

The number of international restaurants in Cork might surprise the casual visitor. You’ll find popular restaurants serving Japanese, Palestinian, Malaysian, Chinese, American, Italian, and Indian cuisine, among others. Cork’s diverse population has made it possible for all sorts of restaurants to thrive in the city. 

What to Eat in Cork

Now that you know a bit about what to expect from the restaurant scene in Cork, here are some of the dishes and food items to try while visiting. Day trip visitors who want to sample a few different cuisines might make their way to the English Market or the Marina Market, both of which have plenty of vendors with different foods to try. 

Fish and Chips

Most any pub or modern European restaurant in Cork will have fish and chips on the menu. Typically, fish and chips consist of a fried filet of battered cod, served alongside thick cut chips. Some pubs will serve this dish with mushy peas, but that is not universal. 

Full Irish Breakfast

Visitors in Ireland simply must try a full Irish breakfast at some point during their stay. Ideally, you’ll have the opportunity to try this dish while staying at a B&B in Cork. 

This traditional meal is usually a large spread that includes toast, orange juice, coffee or tea, sausage, black and white pudding, bacon, fried eggs, baked beans, and a grilled tomato half. You may also see mushrooms and/or hash browns included in the Irish breakfast, depending on the restaurant. 

Vegetarians and vegans can usually also enjoy an Irish breakfast. Many restaurants will serve the meal with vegetarian sausages and make any other alterations to meet diners’ dietary restrictions. 

Baps

In Ireland, a bap is a style of breakfast sandwich that’s typically made with a large brioche bun. A typical bap will be made with bacon, egg, cheddar cheese, and a sort of relish. Vegetarian baps are less common in Cork, but you’ll still see them from time to time. 

Tea and Scones

Locals in Cork love to go for tea and scones, so you’ll find lots of great spots to enjoy this treat. In Cork, scones are usually served with raspberry jam and butter, though they’ll sometimes also include whipped cream (just called “cream” in Ireland). Most establishments will offer you a choice between a plain scone and a ‘fruit’ scone, which is a scone made with currants or raisins. If there are other flavors available, they’ll usually tell you directly. 

To eat your scone, split it in half like a bagel and then layer it with butter, jam, and cream. 

Irish Cheddar Cheese

If you associate Ireland with cheddar cheese, you’re not wrong – it’s popular here, too. Most any charcuterie board you find in Cork will include Hegarty’s cheddar, the local cheddar of choice in Cork. It’s an aged white cheddar, tasty when eaten with crackers and jam. 

You can find traditional Irish cheddar cheese at the English Market, in grocery stores, and at farmer’s markets. 

Relishes and Jams

Don’t be surprised when you see various relishes and jams included on sandwiches throughout Cork. A local cookery school, Ballymaloe, makes a tomato relish that is popular at many restaurants. In addition to Ballymaloe tomato relish, you may see onion jam, chili jam, or sometimes onion relish. 

If you’ve never tried a tomato relish, you might be surprised at the depth of flavor it brings to savory dishes. 

Halloumi 

Although halloumi isn’t technically an Irish food, it’s popular throughout the country and a staple vegetarian option on many menus. You’ll find halloumi in wraps, on eggs benedicts, and in sandwiches throughout Cork. 

The best halloumi sandwich I’ve had in Ireland was actually from a food truck located along the path to the south of the Cliffs of Moher. It was seared and served with a slice of pineapple and a cabbage slaw on a bap bun. 

Potatoes

Potatoes are one of the dishes that Ireland is known for, and you’ll certainly find plenty of spuds on restaurant menus. Regardless of the cuisine, you’re likely to find chips or French fries on the menu along with any other sides. In addition to chips, many Irish or modern European restaurants will offer hearty potato dishes like gratin and roasted potatoes. 

You aren’t likely to find any Russet potatoes in Ireland, where smaller varieties with thin skins are more widely available. If you’d like to try an Irish baked potato, look for a “jacket potato” as they’re known locally. 

Brown bread

Irish brown bread is most often served as a side dish alongside soups or salads. In Ireland, brown bread is made using a mix of wheat and bran flour, creating a softer bread that is moist and a little more dense than wheat breads. Be sure to slather your brown bread with butter and dunk it in a tasty, filling soup for the most traditional experience. 

Irish Coffee

A strong, warming Irish coffee can be the perfect treat after a day exploring Cork on a dreary, rainy day. This drink is traditionally made with hot coffee, cream, Irish whiskey, sugar, and a sprinkle of nutmeg and served warm. Most bars with a cocktail menu will serve Irish coffees, and they may include a drizzle of chocolate syrup for presentation. 

Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are a staple at most cafes throughout Cork. They’re usually made with either a pork sausage or black pudding, contained within a flaky pastry. Many establishments will also carry vegan and vegetarian sausage rolls, but always ask to be sure because they look identical in the display case. 

Turkish Eggs

As the name suggests, Turkish eggs are a dish that originates from Turkey. This dish consists of poached eggs that are served over a garlic yogurt sauce and drizzled with chili oil. Toast or pita bread is usually included on the side. 

You can try Turkish eggs at many restaurants throughout Cork, but the best version may well come from the Good Day Deli. Located within the Nano Nagle museum, the Good Day Deli is tucked into an assuming back garden. GDD is known for locally sourcing its ingredients and carefully preparing each of the items on its relatively small menu. 

Pizza Neapolitan 

Cork has a number of surprisingly good Neapolitan pizzerias, serving up traditional pizzas. One of the best is Pompeii Pizza, located inside the Franciscan Well pub, a local brewery. The menu features traditional and less traditional options, like a pizza margarita made with fresh mozzarella and basil or a Nduja pizza, made with a crumbled meat of the same name. 

If you want to learn more about food in Ireland, check out the article below:

• What to eat in Dublin

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