Best Breakfast Spots in Cork
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Top 5 Must-Try Breakfast Spots in Cork

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and if you’re in the city—this is one of the things you’ll look forward to. As the food capital of Ireland, there are several must-try breakfast spots in Cork you don’t want to miss!

We’ll be exploring these restaurants in this article to give you a taste of what they offer. We’re also going to evaluate the food as well as the customer service of each spot.

Let’s get on with it!

Average Cost of Breakfast in Cork

According to various sources, the average cost of breakfast in Cork is €12.00-20.00 per person. This is already a complete Irish breakfast and includes a cuppa—whether it’s coffee, tea, or juice.

If you prefer international cuisine for breakfast, there are also a lot of restaurants offering various global breakfast dishes. But prepare to spend at least €20.00 per dish.

Top Breakfast Spots in Cork

We’re listing down the top breakfast nooks in the food capital using the following criteria:

Food is the most important factor to consider since the quality, the serving size, and the price determine whether eating at this particular spot is worth it.
Ambience evaluates the view, the vicinity, and the main location.
Local reputation gives us an idea of what the locals think about a food spot—and if they love it, it’s the best place to go.
Service crew shows how the staff are trained to communicate with and serve the customers.

1. The Farmgate Cafe

The Farmgate Cafe
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://www.farmgatecork.ie/
ADDRESSThe English Market, Princes St, Centre, Cork, T12 NC8Y, Ireland
CONTACT DETAILS+353 21 427 8134

OPERATING HOURSTuesday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Saturday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Food★★★★★ (5/5)
Price      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Quality      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience★★★★★ (5/5)
View and vicinity      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Location and accessibility      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Local reputation★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service crew★★★★☆ (4/5)

The Farmgate Cafe is very accessible as it’s located right at the Old English Market. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a lovely view while eating, and also for those who love to walk around the vicinity after stuffing themselves with good food!

It’s one of the locals’ favourite go-to breakfast places for several reasons. But according to some of them, what they loved the most about the place was the food itself—served in large portions and with that authentic Irish taste.

In fact, they recommend the Market English Breakfast which is a combination of eggs, sausages, tomatoes, toast, and mushrooms. It lacks some of the typical Irish breakfast inclusions, but the taste makes up for that.

It’s also a vegetarian-friendly place. There are several options on the menu for those who have strict dietary needs.

We think you’ll also like the ambience of the breakfast place—it’s clean and well-lit, and also pretty relaxing even during peak hours. The staff are also pretty attentive which adds to the friendly atmosphere.

Make sure you check your bills though. There are rare moments wherein the staff tends to make mistakes in your bills, so if you don’t want to pay for more than you’ve eaten, double-check it.

Some of the customers don’t like the coffee though—it’s fine, but nothing special. There are other coffee shops around the area where you can satisfy your caffeine cravings, but for the food—you shouldn’t miss The Farmgate Cafe. 

Pros

  • Lovely view
  • Reasonable food price
  • Excellent breakfast plate
  • Has vegetarian options
  • No long wait before getting seated
  • Large portions
  • Clean and sanitary
  • Attentive staff

Cons

  • Subpar coffee
  • Tendency to make mistakes in billing

Customer Reviews

Extensive breakfast menu

The food was amazing. We came here for breakfast. Got the Market English Breakfast and Field Mushrooms & Roast Tomatoes | Parmesan | Sourdough Toast, orange juice and ice latte with oat milk. The Market English was really good. Scrambled eggs were perfectly cooked and the Coughlan’s Sausages were really tasty. Would be really nice if there were beans in there too (maybe instead of the black pudding). The portion size was really big. The Field Mushrooms & Roast Tomatoes | Parmesan | Sourdough Toast was lovely. A good portion. Ice latte was good (no sweeteners available) but orange juice was a really small portion.—Harini, Google Reviews

Friendly and attentive staff

Lovely Irish breakfast and tea! Staffs are very friendly and attentive. I had a pleasant time at the Farmgate Cafe, which is worth a visit!—Riley Tang, Google Reviews

2. Perry Street Market Cafe

Perry Street Market Cafe
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://perrystreet.ie/
ADDRESSPerry St, Centre, Cork, T12 TV04, Ireland
CONTACT DETAILS+353 21 427 8776

OPERATING HOURSMonday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Food★★★★★ (5/5)
Price      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Quality      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience★★★★☆ (4/5)
View and vicinity      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Location and accessibility      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Local reputation★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service crew★★★★★ (5/5)

Whether you’re craving a savoury and heavy breakfast like the typical Irish breakfast or a sweet breakfast like pancakes, Perry Street Market Cafe is perfect for you. It has diverse options for your first meal of the day and a good cuppa to go with it!

We love that it has a vegetarian menu as well, which most of the patrons we talked to appreciate. They said that there’s always that one person in a group who has dietary needs, so it’s good to find a regular breakfast place that can cater to him or her. 

The ambience is lovely too—warm and welcoming. It has a cute interior and a nice layout that makes the place cosier. 

In addition to that, are the nice and accommodating staff who are always ready to assist you or address any concerns. We love that you can feel the typical Irish hospitality when you dine at this restaurant.

Perry Street also has good coffee—so we recommend pairing that with your breakfast. We think it goes particularly well with pancakes, but it doesn’t hurt to drink it if you’re having the Irish breakfast, waffles, eggs florentine or porridge either. 

Just a little warning that it tends to get really busy, so you might want to come early to make sure you’ll get a seat. Also, it’s a hidden gem so it’s not that easy to spot—bring out the Google Map!

Pros

  • Wide variety of breakfast options
  • Vegetarian-friendly
  • Good coffee
  • Warm atmosphere
  • Nice and accommodating staff
  • Large portions

Cons

  • Tends to get really busy
  • Not that easy to spot

Customer Reviews

Opens early

Hidden breakfast gem in Cork. One of the few places open early. We have the pancakes, a full Irish breakfast, powder eggs with toast and eggs Florentine.  The service was great, our server was so friendly. Food was delicious.—Kathy Lee, Google Reviews

Various breakfast options

Various options for breakfast ranging from full Irish to vegetarian. Food was beautiful, place looks lovely and service was great even though the restaurant was busy. Certainly be coming back.—Vini, Google Reviews

3. Tara’s Tea Room

Tara's Tea Room
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://www.facebook.com/tarastearoom/
ADDRESS45 MacCurtain Street, Centre, Cork, T23 DVY3, Ireland
CONTACT DETAILS+353 21 455 3742

OPERATING HOURSWednesday - Saturday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Food★★★★★ (5/5)
Price      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Quality      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience★★★★★ (5/5)
View and vicinity      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Location and accessibility      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Local reputation★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service crew★★★★☆ (4/5)

Pastries and cakes are the specialty of Tara’s Tea Room, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t serve a good savoury breakfast. In fact, most customers come to this restaurant just to have a full hearty Irish breakfast!

In addition to this, we think you’ll love that it has a good selection of coffee and tea to choose from. What’s better than having your favourite morning drink to pair with your breakfast of choice?

Another thing we love is that it has a variety of breakfast options. So where you’re craving the typical sweet breakfast like waffles or pancakes, or want a savoury egg and toast, Tara’s Tea Room has it all.

Some items on the menu are pricey though which might be a turn-off to some. But not to worry because there are other things on the menu that most will find affordable.

Another thing we think you’ll love—it arguably has the best cakes and pastries in town! So if you love sweets, it won’t hurt to try some of them–plus they have gluten-free options for cakes!

Last but not the list, the restaurant has a lovely and relaxing interior, which adds to the great experience. It feels like having breakfast in a typical Irish home—cosy, casual and homey.

Pros

  • Cosy and casual ambience
  • Breads are freshly baked
  • Arguably the best cakes and pastries in town
  • Warm welcome from the staff
  • Variety of breakfast options
  • Has gluten-free cakes
  • Freshly brewed tea and coffee

Cons

  • Limited vegan options on the menu
  • Some items are pricey

Customer Reviews

Lovely spot for breakfast

A lovely place for a full breakfast – even if pastels aren’t your style, they’re easily looked past if you can appreciate good food and genuinely friendly service.—William O’Sullivan, Google Reviews

Good coffee and tea selection

Great Irish breakfast, good coffee and tea selection. Cakes looked good, but already full after previously mentioned breakfast.—Bartel Van Der Veek, Google Reviews

4. On the Pigs Back Cafe Deli

On the Pigs Back Cafe Deli
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://onthepigsback.ie/
ADDRESSUnit 26, St Patricks Woolen Mills,, Douglas West, Cork, Ireland
CONTACT DETAILS+353 21 461 7832

OPERATING HOURSModany - Saturday: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Food★★★★★ (5/5)
Price      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Quality      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience★★★★★ (5/5)
View and vicinity      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Location and accessibility      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Local reputation★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service crew★★★★☆ (4/5)

If you’re up for casual dining, we recommend visiting On the Pigs Back Cafe Deli. It has such a cosy and relaxing atmosphere, that you’ll feel like you’re being invited inside an Irish home instead of dining in a restaurant—which is a good thing!

For one, the interior is casual, simple, and interesting, which adds to the personal touch of the place. The staff are very welcoming and friendly as well, and they make you instantly feel at home.

Food-wise, we love the fact that everything is made from fresh ingredients. The presentation of the food is nice as well, making you appreciate the efforts of the chef.

We think you’ll also be fascinated by some of the menu items just like us. You’ll find unique food on the menu that you can’t find anywhere else—and if you have questions about them, the staff will assist you.

We love that the restaurant also has outdoor seating if you prefer a relaxing view. There’s nothing better than eating a freshly baked croissant and sipping a cuppa with the lovely nature as your backdrop.

The only disadvantage we can see is that it has a limited menu, which is pretty understandable since it’s a deli. But to us, it’s definitely still worth trying because the quality of the food makes up for the variety!

Pros

  • Lovely cafe interior
  • Friendly staff
  • Good coffee
  • Has outdoor seating available
  • Food is made from fresh ingredients
  • Cosy and clean
  • Has unique food options

Cons

  • Limited breakfast menu
  • Long wait for food during peak hours

Customer Reviews

Food made with fresh ingredients

There is nowhere like the Pigs Back Cafe on a sunny day sitting outside drinking excellent coffee. Had an incredible ( and I don’t use that word lightly) lightly toasted, croissant filled with ham, meltingly lovely D’Ambert cheese and slices of fresh figs. With warm and friendly service this little window into French life in Douglas is an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates great coffee and great food.—Byran Kearney, Google Reviews

Interesting food options

Excellent Cafe with an interesting interior and food. For a bite of food or a cup of coffee, I’d highly recommend this place as one of the best eateries in Cork. Attention is paid to the little things,  all of which make one’s dining experience more memorable. The staff are friendly and of course, the food options are always interesting and brimming with flavour.—Kevin Byrne, Google Reviews

5. Nash 19

Nash 19
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://www.facebook.com/Nash19Cork/
ADDRESS19 Princes St, Centre, Cork, T12 W718, Ireland
CONTACT DETAILS+353 21 427 0880

OPERATING HOURSTuesday - Saturday: 8:15 AM - 4:00 PM
Food★★★★★ (5/5)
Price      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Quality      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience★★★★★ (5/5)
View and vicinity      ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Location and accessibility      ★★★★★ (5/5)
Local reputation★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service crew★★★★☆ (4/5)

If you’re up early on a weekend and want a hearty breakfast before you explore the city, Nash 19 is the place to go. A lot of its customers love the fact that it opens early on weekends, allowing them to get their caffeine fix before starting their day.

One thing we love about Nash 19 is that it’s also easy to spot, making it an instant go-to for anyone who’s passing by and wants their first meal of the day. It’s located in the city centre so it’ll be easy to locate.

We recommend trying the scone with the coffee—it’ll change your life! But other than the scones, it has the typical Irish breakfast, omelettes, soup, and other international options you can choose from.

The ambience is warm and friendly as well. The staff are very attentive and are easy to call if you have questions about the menu or if you’re following up orders.

If you miss breakfast, we think you’ll be happy to know that Nash 19 also serves great lunch. Other than the extensive menu, it also has vegetarian options for those with dietary restrictions.

Just a little heads up that the restaurant tends to get busy even during the early hours of the morning. So if you want to make sure you can get seated, we recommend arriving earlier than the opening hours.

Pros

  • Great atmosphere
  • Prime location
  • Excellent customer service
  • Good coffee
  • Wide variety of breakfast options
  • Amazing scones

Cons

  • Small coffee serving
  • Tends to get busy even during early mornings

Customer Reviews

Opens early on Saturdays

Great Atmosphere, they open early on Saturdays! And the best of all, their breakfast is amazing. My wife ordered the sandwich with avocado and eggs and I ordered the breakfast sandwich, look at the pictures… they were great!—Romeu Hayashi, Google Reviews

Great value for money

When plenty of the places to eat brunch in Kinsale on Sundays are closed, this restaurant was open early, and the smell of coffee drew us all in. Everyone in our party had delicious breakfast omelettes and cappuccinos. Staff are attentive and friendly so it was a great breakfast choice—Gilly Beans, Google Reviews

FAQs About Breakfast Spots in Cork


There goes the end of our list! We hope our review helped you find the best breakfast spot in Cork. If you’re in other cities and are looking for good restaurants, visit the Best Breakfast Spots in Limerick or the Top Breakfast Spots in Dublin.