Beyond potatoes and Guinness, Cork is a culinary playground where traditional flavors tango with international flair. And let me tell you, your midday meal just might be the highlight of your day (it definitely is for me)!
If you’re searching for the perfect spots for lunch, you’ll find cozy cafes or pubs tucked away in centuries-old alleys or trendy bistros serving up Instagram-worthy plates.
So get ready to embark on a gastronomic adventure through the best lunch haunts this side of the River Lee!
What’s the average cost of lunch at a restaurant in Cork?
Generally, you can expect to pay around €10 – €15 for a casual lunch in Cork, which might include a sandwich, soup, or a simple main course.
For a more upscale dining experience, prices could range from €15 – €25 or even higher, especially if you opt for seafood or steak dishes.
When it comes to drinks, a cup of coffee typically costs around €2 – €3. Other beverages like soft drinks, juices, or alcoholic drinks can vary in price depending on the specific brand or type.
How We Chose the Best Lunch Spots in Cork
1. 5 Points Cafe
| Menu Selection | 4.8/5 |
| Quality of Food | 5/5 |
| Serving Size | 5/5 |
| Cleanliness & Hygiene | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 5/5 |
5 Points Cafe is a beloved local spot for casual lunch, brunch, or an afternoon coffee break. We love the charming and welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
If you love having breakfast or brunch food for lunch (or any time of the day, really), then you should definitely pay them a visit.
This New York-style cafe is popular for their bagels, gourmet sandwiches, and coffee. And if you’re planning to grab a bagel for lunch, come before noon as they often run out (yes, they’re that good!).
Their sandwiches are also one of our favorite go-to takeaways and we love that they come with a bag of crisps. They have a good selection of sandwiches like the Grilled Reuben and Cajun Ciabatta.
We appreciate that they have some vegan and vegetarian options as well, such as their Hummus Flatbread and Veggie sandwich. Meanwhile, they have four types of bagels and you can choose to put butter, cream cheese, or egg and cheese.
We can’t really fault them for anything, but expect that the cafe is often busy and you might have to wait in line, especially during peak hours. Also, if you prefer lunch beyond sandwiches and bagels, then it’s best to look elsewhere.
Customer Reviews
Tried the coffee in the morning, came back for lunch and another coffee – Absolutely delicious. Sandwich was fresh, tasty and filled perfectly, not like other sandwich shops where you might as well just be eating bread. Coffee is also banging. Lads running the place all seem great craic. Really cool vibes, definitely returning next time I’m around! – Liam Rigby, Google Reviews
We had lunch at “5 Points” today. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere. It is part of the Victorian Quarter of Cork. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The food is absolutely amazing and incredible value. We had the Toasted Special, the Vegan Flatbread and the Brekkie “Bacon and egg. ” We were all delighted with the food which was prepared with fresh ingredients. The coffee was also spot on. We were all given a complimentary packet of crisps with our orders. We also bought some cakes to go. We are all looking forward to our next visit. – Eileen Hornibrook, Google Reviews
2. The Long Valley Bar
| Menu Selection | 4.8/5 |
| Quality of Food | 5/5 |
| Serving Size | 5/5 |
| Cleanliness & Hygiene | 4.9/5 |
| Customer Service | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 5/5 |
The Long Valley Bar has been a fixture in Cork’s pub scene and is even considered a landmark in the heart of the city, as it’s been around since the 1920s (or even earlier!).
This historic eatery combines the casual atmosphere of a traditional Irish pub with a modern twist on classic lunch fare, with the star of the show being their sandwiches!
A lot of people come here to try their famous sandwiches which locals consider to be quite legendary. Plus, they’re pretty affordable too at just €4.50 – €5.50, while you can get coffee and tea for €2 to €2.20.
We love coming here as it’s very homey and cozy and you can stay longer for drinks. So it’s an ideal place for extended catch ups with friends as they’re open daily until late.
Having been around for a long time, we find it really impressive that they were able to maintain the quality of their food. Even though the interiors are a bit outdated, it’s still quite memorable and definitely part of its charm.
The Long Valley Bar will always be close to our hearts and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Cork for the first time!
Customer Reviews
This pub was recommended to us by the host of our B&B as the place to get the best sandwiches in Cork. Having been there, we have to agree. Our sandwiches were superb, really tasty and stuffed full of lean meat. Although we only went in for a quick lunch, we ended up staying for a couple of hours for extra drinks which were also great. The staff were super friendly and efficient too. – Steve K., Google Reviews
Love this place. First visited ‘The Long Valley’ well over thirty years ago, hasn’t changed a bit. Lovely big sandwiches and beer. – Micahel McGrath, Google Reviews
3. Farmgate Cafe
| Menu Selection | 5/5 |
| Quality of Food | 5/5 |
| Serving Size | 5/5 |
| Cleanliness & Hygiene | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.8/5 |
If you’re looking for a healthy lunch fare, Farmgate Cafe is an excellent choice! You can find them at Cork’s historic English Market where you can explore a variety of foodie spots that are an integral part of the city’s culinary landscape.
What makes them stand out among Cork eateries is their charming atmosphere and farm-to-table ethos. They offer a dining experience that combines Traditional Irish cuisine with a contemporary flair.
At the heart of Farmgate’s appeal is its unwavering commitment to local, seasonal produce. The cafe’s menu, which changes regularly to reflect the best available ingredients, showcases the rich bounty of Cork’s farmlands and coastline.
Notably, their seafood chowder is a big hit and considered among the best in the city. Their other lunch offerings are served fresh and tasty as well.
We also love having their Irish Lamb Stew and Risotto and it’s great that they offer a wide selection of drinks, from coffee and tea to soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
For those who like to secure a table beforehand, it’s good that they offer reservations, especially that they’re only open from Tuesdays to Saturdays until 3:30pm.
Take note that wait times may be long for walk-in customers, so it’s highly recommended to book your reservation in advance. Also, expect the pricing to be a bit higher, but the quality and ethical sourcing more than justifies the value.
Customer Reviews
An Irish temple of fantastic food. Deliciously simple but brilliant dishes for foodies and others, a must for people who like to eat good stuff. – Marion Chieffo, Google Reviews
Found this place by accident. It should have been our go-to! Welcoming, friendly and in an extraordinary location – historic and contemporary all at once. We loved the lunch, appreciated the cheerful service and relished the decor and the vibe. Thanks, team, you made our first visit to Cork especially memorable. – Roy Clare, Google Reviews
4. Koto
| Menu Selection | 5/5 |
| Quality of Food | 5/5 |
| Serving Size | 4.9/5 |
| Cleanliness & Hygiene | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.7/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.6/5 |
Craving Asian cuisine? Koto is one of our go-to’s if you’re looking for a delightful array of Asian fusion dishes.
It’s worth noting that they’re an award-winning restaurant and they offer a wide menu selection that includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
For fans of spicy food, they have a number of dishes such as Sambal Hake, Eight-hour Brisket, and Thai Curry. They also have noodles, stir-fries, and several scrumptious starters.
We also love that they have a wide selection of beverages from tea and coffee to cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine. Their extensive cocktail menu is particularly our favorite, which makes the dining experience even more enjoyable.
We appreciate that they’re open daily until 9:30pm so you’ll really get to enjoy their wide menu offerings until the late evening.
It’s also recommended to book a reservation before your visit so you won’t have to worry about waiting in line.
What’s more, they have a Click and Collect option on their website which is very convenient and they even offer midweek lunch specials with a drink.
However, while the food is highly praised, pricing is on the steeper side and customer service can be improved, as some complained that service was a bit rushed.
Customer Reviews
Simply wonderful! The food was exceptional. Tasty and delicious. The portion size was very good. The dishes were reasonably priced. Good options on the drinks menu. The ambience is great. Lovely music and excellent service from the staff. Don’t be fooled by the size, there is upstairs seating too. The facility contains a bathroom if you need it. If you fancy Asian cuisine and live in or around Cork, I recommend you visit Koto. – Lena Blaq, Google Reviews
Honestly one of the best Asian restaurants I have ever been to and I have been to Thailand and Vietnam. The food, the staff, the owner, everything about this restaurant is incredible for dine in or take out. Love their curries, Pad Thai and Cashew nut stir fry AND their cocktails are amazing! A must try in Cork! – Sophie Murphy, Google Reviews
5. Orso Kitchen & Bar
| Menu Selection | 5/5 |
| Quality of Food | 5/5 |
| Serving Size | 4.7/5 |
| Cleanliness & Hygiene | 5/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.9/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.8/5 |
Another must-try culinary gem in Cork is Orso Kitchen & Bar that offers a healthy and tasty selection of Lebanese and Moroccan flavors.
We love their eclectic menu and stylish yet warm ambience that reflects their innovative approach to casual dining. We love having lunch here especially when you come with a group as they offer a selection of small plates that’s perfect for sharing.
Their lunch menu consists of flat bread and several main dishes. Our favorites are the Prawn Scampi and Chicken Korma.
It’s also great that they offer some vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes such as Smokey Cauliflower Steak, Creamy Black Lentil Dahl, and Orso Spring Salad. What’s more, they have a wide array of beverages including cocktails, beers, and wine.
Apart from their delicious offerings, another awesome thing about them is their strong support to local suppliers. It’s nice that they feature the suppliers on their website and social media pages to promote the businesses.
Although, there are few drawbacks. We noticed that the portion size for some dishes are a bit small for the steep pricing. It’s also important to take note that they’re closed on Sundays.
But overall, we love the tasty and healthy food selection and beverage menu that are perfect for date nights and hangouts with friends.
Customer Reviews
Simply lovely in every way! We had vegetarian food and enjoyed everything. Really great cauliflower dish, cannellini was amazing, and the eggplant dish was amazing! Service was fantastic and the ambience was great, not too loud, cozy, and just lovely overall. – Nazanin “Wander Enthusiast”, Google Reviews
In a City with many wonderful restaurants, Orso stands out. A wonderful little restaurant, with a nice atmosphere, great food and wonderful staff. – Brian Doyle, Google Reviews