If the jazz isn’t quite filling you up enough, here are six must try establishments in Cork city for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. These joints are guaranteed to enhance your weekend at the cork jazz festival …
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Liberty Grill, Washington Street, CorkÂ
Liberty Grill is a favourite with locals and for good reason. The New England style breakfast/brunch menu is served all day featuring dishes such as apple crumble French toast, silver dollar pancakes, Jonnycakes and eggs benedict. It’s walk-in only but Liberty Grill has partnered with a queuing app that allows you to virtually queue, negating the need to hang around furiously eyeing up those lucky enough to be seated. Bonus points are granted for their cava cocktails priced at only €7.50. www.libertygrill.ie. @libertygrillcork
LUNCHÂ
Quinlan’s Seafood Bar, Princess Street, Cork
Unsurprisingly, it’s all about seafood at Quinlan’s Seafood Bar, adjacent to Cork’s famous English Market. Wild squid from Dingle, Portmagee crab and deep water Atlantic prawns are just the tip of the iceberg so suffice to say, the choice is vast. www.seafoodbar.ie. @quinlansseafoodbarcork
Farmgate Café, The English Market, Cork
No visit to Cork is complete without a visit to The English Market, and Farmgate Café is the place to stop, rest and enjoy with some top notch food. Farmgate has a longstanding reputation for excellent food served with panache and the Cork Reuben looks positively moreish. There is also a nice selection of local beers and ciders, and notably an Aperol Spritz will only set you back €9.50. www.farmgatecork.ie @farmgatecafe
DINNER
Goldie Fish and Ale, Oliver Plunkett Street, CorkÂ
The problem with dining in Goldie Fish and Ale is simple, you will want to order everything. Buttermilk fried fish with bread and butter pickles and lime aioli? Yes please. Prawn cocktail crisps? But of course. Steamed white sole with leek, panko goujon, chicken and Madeira butter sauce? I’ll order two. You see what I mean. My advice? Bring a crowd and have them order everything you want to taste, and then some. www.goldie.ie @goldierestaurant
51 Cornmarket, Cornmarket Street, Cork
Brunch at 51 Cornmarket has a legion of fans, not least for their famous ‘Frenchie’ French toast, but the dinner menu is something special in itself. A glance on their Instagram page has me yearning for some of the spectacular creations that pop up. This is a restaurant that takes its food (and wine) very seriously. Go if you can. www.51cornmarket.ie @51cornmarket
DRINKS AND NIBBLES
Paladar, 6 Bridge Street, Cork
From the people behind Cask, the newly opened Paladar cocktail bar promises ‘the very best of Latin-American inspired cocktails and small plates in a vibrant and eclectic space’. Initial reports suggest that this claim is in fact true and the menu is in itself inspired with Latin American spirits like rum, cachaça, tequila, mezcal and predominantly pisco. The coffee is from Cork-based Soma coffee roaster, and the small plate options include deep-fried beef empanada, picanha anticucho with salsa Creola and grilled sweet corn. At the weekends, DJs will take to the decks, adding to the Latin American fiesta feel. www.paladar.ie @paladarcork
