I love breakfast food, but whenever I promise myself to wake up early to satisfy my pancake cravings, I end my snoozing my alarm until it goes off completely.
Luckily, we have brunch spots in Cork that will allow me to enjoy breakfast food without the need to wake up early in the morning.
So if you love having waffles and smoothie bowls mid-morning, or maybe need to nurse that hangover, continue reading and check out these brunch spots in Cork!
1. Cafe Gusto
Media credit: @cafegusto
Website: http://www.cafegusto.com/
Address: 3 Washington St, Centre, Cork, T12 R9WH
Contact Details: +353 21 425 4446
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
If you want some great coffee and light brunch food then you should head over to Cafe Gusto. If you want some Italian classics, you’ll love that they serve paninis and bruschettas.
What’s great about this brunch restaurant is that you can approach the counter and easily choose a menu from their blackboard before taking a seat—a very straightforward and quick process before enjoying your brunch.
This restaurant is also known for their big portions, allowing you to share plates with friends or family.
Moreover, you’ll love that their staff maintains the restaurant clean and tidy. It’s great that the entire place smells great too!
For those of you who are fans of smoothie bowls, this brunch restaurant also serves them for breakfast.
Pro tip: If you’re alone and if you want to eat while people-watching, opt for the window seat. This spot also has a great ambiance because of the lighting.
2. Sophie’s Rooftop
Media credit: @sophiesrooftop
Website: https://sophies.ie/menus/
Address: 33 Harcourt St, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
Contact Details: +353 1 607 8100
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM; Friday: 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM; Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM; Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
If you want to have brunch while enjoying a great view of the city then you should head to Sophie’s Rooftop.
For vegetarians out there, you’ll love that you can enjoy their healthier version of your favorite brunch meals at this rooftop brunch spot. But of course, they still serve brunch meals for those who follow a regular diet.
This restaurant serves breakfast food in a buffet style, so you can have your favorite brunch meals for an unlimited time. You’ll also love that they serve brunch cocktails such as Bloody Mary and mimosas.
Pro tip: Consider celebrating private events at Sophie’s Rooftop’s terrace area. This will allow you to enjoy the panoramic views of the city while enjoying their specialties.
3. Cafe Velo
Media credit: @cafe_velo_cork
Website: https://sophies.ie/menus/
Address: 3 George’s Quay, Ballintemple, Cork, T12 KD37
Contact Details: +353 21 239 4694
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Saturday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
If you love to eat some brunch at a cozy, rustic place while you get a good view of the River Lee then you should add Cafe Velo to your list.
You’ll love how accommodating their staff is, helping you decide what to get from their menu, based on your craving or preference.
For those who need some gluten-free meal options, you’ll love that you can get them at this brunch spot. Even better, they also serve gluten-free cakes, allowing you to satisfy your sweet tooth without going off your dietary requirement.
Additionally, this restaurant can offer milk alternatives such as soy and almond, letting you enjoy your coffee however you want.
Meanwhile, if you need to bring your furry pals, you can get lovely seats at the outdoor area. Bonus: your dogs will be given treats and some sausage, which we find lovely!
Pro tip: Parking is quite challenging around Cork Quay. If you’re ready to walk for a few minutes, you can opt for the streetside parking a few blocks away, or just opt to ride a public transport for a more convenient option.
4. Bright Side
Media credit: @brightsidecork
Website: http://brightsidecafe.ie/
Address: 23a Washington Street West, Centre, Cork, T12 VKP0
Contact Details: +353 21 239 4694
Bright Side offers a lively atmosphere where you can enjoy your favorite brunch meals. In addition to the regular diet meals that they serve, you can also get some good vegan options here for a healthier alternative.
You can order sandwiches and flatbreads such as their pesto, roast vegetables, and halloumi. You can get some in-house baked goodies such as carrot cakes, brownies, and flapjacks.
One of the best-sellers here is their coffee, so make sure you get your coffee fix at this brunch spot too. But if you don’t need that caffeine kick, you should try their chai mix—bonus: it’s vegan too!
Meanwhile, you can also bring your furry pals here so you won’t have to worry about leaving them alone at home.
Pro tip: The temperature inside Bright Side is quite cold as fewer heaters are available inside.
5. Beantown Cafe
Media credit: @beantowncafecork
Website: https://www.facebook.com/beantowncafecork/
Address: A Farranlea Park, Model Farm Rd, Cork, T12 NX7P
Contact Details: +353 21 239 9400
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Beantown Cafe offers Cork residents some American flair by offering traditional brunch food like BLTs and some baseball decor all over the place.
This restaurant can accommodate romantic dates to larger groups wanting to celebrate as they have both indoor and outdoor seating.
Some of the brunch favorites that you can try here are the raspberry and white chocolate pancakes, the pastrami melt, and the Reuben sandwich.
The owner is from New York, so you’re most likely to grab really good homemade bagels here too—just make sure to get them early in the day as they sell out pretty fast!
Meanwhile, aside from coffee, you can also enjoy their fresh fruit smoothies, great if you want to quench your thirst.
Pro tip: Avoid parking at the pub’s car park across the street as they clamp up cars for non-patrons.
6. Perry Street Market Cafe
Media credit: @perrystreet.ie
Website: https://www.perrystreet.ie/
Address: Perry St, Centre, Cork, T12 TV04
Contact Details: +353 21 427 8776
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Perry Street Market Cafe offers traditional favorites such as steak with chops and smoked salmon on scrambled eggs with brown bread.
You’ll also like that they serve big portions, letting you and your friends order different dishes that you can share.
What’s great about this brunch spot is that it accommodates various dietary needs
This restaurant can get quite busy between 12 and 3 in the afternoon. Nonetheless, their service is quick, allowing them to accommodate those in the queue right away.
Meanwhile, this restaurant is known for its artisanal coffee such as flat whites and rich espressos.
Pro tip: If you’re planning to go to Perry Street Market Cafe frequently, consider availing their loyalty card. This will grant you a free coffee after several visits.
7. The Barn
Media credit: @thebarn.ie
Website: http://www.thebarn.ie/
Address: The Barn, Tivoli, Glanmire, Co. Cork, T45 X684
Contact Details: +353 21 486 6211
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 11:00 PM
The Barn is another brunch spot in Cork that you should add to your list, especially if you’re craving for french toast, and pancakes. They also serve veggie breakfast, allowing them to serve those with different dietary preferences.
You’ll love that the restaurant is nice and quiet, allowing you to enjoy sharing brunch meals without the busy surroundings. The servers are very prompt too, so you don’t need to worry about waiting for your orders too long.
In fact, they have a digital ordering system where you can order from your table by scanning a QR code. It also saves a lot of time when you need to ask for the bill!
If you plan to celebrate an intimate party or maybe just gather your friends to enjoy some brunch meals, you’ll love that this restaurant has a spacious private dining room.
You can also bring your furry friends here. And don’t worry if you forgot to bring your dog’s water bottle, the restaurant will be giving a water bowl to keep them refreshed during your stay!
Pro tip: The Barn has highly accessible facilities, making them a great brunch option for those on wheelchairs, or for families with babies on strollers.
8. Good Day Deli
Media credit: @gooddaydeli
Website: https://www.gooddaydeli.ie/
Address: Nano Nagle Place, Douglas St, Cork, T12 X70A
Contact Details: +353 21 432 2107
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Good Day Deli has been known as a cozy and calming spot for brunch around Cork.
This restaurant is known for their generous portions, allowing big groups like friends and family to share their favorite brunch meals without indulging too much!
Their desserts are not overly sweet too, so you’ll have more peace of mind knowing that there isn’t too much sugar rush for the kids.
You’ll love that their servers take their time in checking customers from time to time. Because of this special attention, you know that your satisfaction from getting your orders to serving your meals is their priority.
Meanwhile, if you’re celebrating something special, they often give extras such as housemade sodas!
Pro tip: If you prefer a more peaceful ambiance, consider sitting at the outdoor area. The acoustics inside the restaurant is quite poor, allowing you to hear loud conversations.
9. The River Club
Media credit: @theriverclubcork
Website: https://theriverclubcork.ie/
Address: Western Rd, The Lough, Cork, T12 X2AH
Contact Details: +353 21 493 7772
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
For those who want to be surrounded with greenery and natural light, The River Club is a great brunch spot.
If you want to enjoy eating and lounging outdoors, you can enjoy the terrace while having a great view of the riverside. In case it gets more chilly at night, you’ll love that they can transform it to be a heated space.
When it comes to their food, you’ll love that their meals are well-plated, making your brunch meals feel a bit more classy than usual.
Here, you can order your favorite brunch classics such as buttermilk chicken waffles, eggs benedict, and eggs florentine.
Pro tip: For a more intimate corner at The River Club, consider the grill area where you can be surrounded by flowers and lights while having the best view of the river.
10. 14a
Media credit: @14acork
Website: http://www.restaurant14a.ie/
Address: 14A French Church St, Centre, Cork, T12 KVN6
Contact Details: +353 21 427 6457
Operating Hours: Sunday – Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
If you’re looking for a brunch space near the city attractions such as The Opera House and The English Market, then you should head to 14a.
What’s great about this restaurant is that they utilize organic ingredients. They also grow their own vegetables, herbs, and fruits inside their kitchen garden.
Additionally, you’ll love that their other ingredients are given by known suppliers from the English Market.
Some favorite brunch foods that you can order here are the full irish and mini breakfast. There’s also a veggie breakfast for the health-conscious. You’ll love that all sets come with a regular cup of tea or coffee!
Pro tip: 14a only accepts credit card payment for orders above €10. Make sure you’re bringing cash with you if you won’t meet the minimum amount.