I love burgers! I like the juicy, thick patties that blend well with the sauces and veggies. Of course, I won’t say no to a smashed burger for a crispier experience!
Fortunately, it’s very easy to find a burger in Cork. A short walk lets you discover lots of popular meat sandwich spots that can satisfy the meat lover in you.
As a burger connoisseur, only the finest patties can meet my standards. Here are the top five burger restaurants in Cork that offer supreme deliciousness in a bun!
What is the average price for a burger in Cork?
A burger in Cork typically costs around €7 to €15. The price depends on many factors like the restaurant’s location and the type of meal.
How We Chose The Best Burger Restaurants in Cork
- Food Quality: A burger has to be fresh and flavorful, and its other ingredients must complement the meat perfectly. I chose the dining spots in Cork that achieve this feat.
- Menu Variety: The burger is the star of the show, but the restaurant should also offer tasty side dishes like burgers and onion rings. Also, the dining spot should have an ample varieties of burgers for everyones’ palates.
- Service: The finest burger restaurants need time to prepare their cuisine, but it shouldn’t take almost an hour to reach one’s table. It’s also a plus if they serve it with a smile!
- Ambience and Vibe: Whether indoors or outdoors, the burger restaurants on this list entice you to come and eat.
- Value: You should get the most bang for your buck in every bite, so the list below features the right balance of price and serving sizes.
1. Bunsen
The first time I saw the front of Bunsen, I thought it would be super expensive. Nowadays, most new restaurants use an interior with brick walls and exposed light bulbs.
While I find this trendy aesthetic clean and simple, they usually mean the restaurant items are exceedingly pricey. Fortunately, Bunsen pleasantly surprised me with its menu even before I read it!
Believe it or not, the menu was the size of a business card. I couldn’t believe my eyes at first. After all, how will they satisfy customers with a small selection?
Yet, I saw that there were a lot of people eating, so perhaps they’re that confident with their patties. That’s why I just ordered a Double cheeseburger.
Bunsen just named it “Double,” and it was €12.95, their priciest meal among the four selections. The plain Hamburger was only €8.95, which is surprisingly cheaper than most burgers in Cork.
Of course, I wanted to taste their best, so I got the pricier option. After a few minutes, the waitress happily served me their meaty creation.
I absolutely adored the Double cheeseburger! It was deceptively simple, yet it packed so much flavor! I’m not sure what cheeses they used, but it complemented the beef and sauce exceptionally well!
Needless to say, this is arguably the best burger restaurant in Cork. However, I do wish they avoid bringing the wrong orders to people. The waiter made that mistake twice while I was there.
Decent burgers
“Decent burgers, shared a cheeseburger which was tasty. They also had their own beer which was cool. Decently priced too”
- Tiidgey, Tripadvisor
Best burger in Cork
“Simply the best!!! We’re returning customers and been here many times. If you’re looking an exceptional burger this is your place. No frills, just quality ingredients and great service”
- Tracey A, Tripadvisor
2. Son of a Bun
When I came across Son of a Bun, I found the name to be funny and witty, but will its burgers be tasty? I went into the restaurant to see if it could satisfy the meat lover in me.
I loved the rustic, homey feel that the restaurant’s interior gave off, but the music was just a tad too much. It didn’t ruin my dining experience, but I saw a few potential customers who went elsewhere because of it.
I asked one of the staff for the menu and found that the restaurant has won Cork’s 96FM Best Burger Competition three years in a row. Learning that made me more curious about this dining spot, so I checked the menu further.
I found it interesting that they offered a Burger of the Month, which was the “Son of a Bun’s Cane’s Burger.” I was about to pick that, but it used chicken fingers instead of a beef patty.
I really wanted to see if Son of a Bun truly deserves its title as one of the best burger restaurants in Cork, so I picked its mainstay, the “Chicken and Waffle Burger.”
Within 10 minutes or so, I got my order, and it was massive! It looked like the buns were just barely keeping the chicken breast and beef patty contained.
Well, I couldn’t contain my appetite, so I dug in! I absolutely adored the mix of the sweet maple syrup, spices from the Southern fried chicken, and the juicy patty!
Needless to say, I’ll give this place a visit again. After all, it’s near the River Lee, so I can take a leisurely stroll along the river before and after a fantastic meal.
We will definitely go back!!
“The burger was excellent, with incredible flavors that really stood out. However, the music was a bit too loud, which affected the atmosphere. If they lowered the volume a little, the experience would be perfect.”
- yosbely hernandez, Google
The best burger!
“Honestly the best burger me and my friend have ever had! It’s been two weeks and I’m still thinking about it! 10/10 loved it”
- Hels, Tripadvisor
3. Coqbull
Coqbull grabbed my attention with its unique name. “What even is a “Coqbull?” I thought to myself. That’s why I walked through its doors, looking for answers.
The restaurant itself looked like any other, so I didn’t find any clues in the decor. Perplexed, I asked the waiter for the menu.
I saw that the restaurant focuses on chicken dishes and burgers. Eventually, a lightbulb went off in my head, and I finally figured out what “Coqbull” might mean.
The “coq” could be referring to the mouthwatering chicken dishes, and the “bull” might be alluding to its delectable beef burgers.
Of course, I’m here to discover the best burger restaurants in Cork, so I looked at their patty and bun combos.
The cheapest was the “Plain Jane,” which was €10.50. I wanted something extraordinary, so I got the “Cheeky Bull.”
I loved the playful names of the menu items and their unique ingredients. The one I got, the “Cheeky Bull,” had “red wine braised beef cheek, mature cheddar, pickle, smoked onion mayo, and Coqbull sauce.”
However, I found my only problem with this burger place: the wait time. I waited about half an hour to get my order, and the other customers were already visibly upset, anticipating their meals.
Thankfully, my food arrived properly cooked, and it was worth the wait! The mature cheddar and smoked onion mayo gave the meat a tangy yet umami taste.
I might bring a friend here next time. Aside from the delectable meals, I can invite a pal to experience their cuisine with a Coqbull Gift Voucher!
Home food
“We stopped here for a quick lunch, and were pleasantly surprised.
We had the lunch combo (burger, drink, and fries) for 10 Euro each. The place was hipstery, but delicious, fast, and definitely hit the spot.”
- Aly T., Yelp
Solid Food and Excellent Service
“Good options for vegetarians (including a salad with smoked tofu). Was served by Jen, who was incredibly welcoming and attentive. Thanks, Jen!”
- ArbaSicula, Tripadvisor
4. Liberty Grill
Liberty Grill broke me free from my assumptions about what burger restaurants are like. I was expecting a casual place with cooks usually visible behind glass cooking patties.
Upon entering the place, I was greeted with fancy seating and lighting with multiple utensils for different dishes. I requested for the menu, and I found that it had a breakfast, brunch, and dinner menus.
I truly appreciate this type of menu because it lets me enjoy the restaurant in different ways depending on what time I visit.
Good thing I arrived at around five in the afternoon because I can order from the Dinner Menu, which had more burger options.
I chose the “Liberty Salsa Burger,” which had Bandon cheese, house relish, jalapeño salsa, guacamole, and, of course, a beef patty.
I told the waiter my selection, and he asked me what sides I wanted. To my pleasant surprise, the burgers always came with French Fries, which I can replace with Sweet Potato wedges or a salad.
Though I would appreciate it if they didn’t take more than 30 minutes to prepare my order. Fortunately, the serving sizes were worth the wait, especially with the fries.
The Liberty Salsa Burger is a unique experience. I never thought of adding avocados to my burger, but the guacamole and salsa added a bit of herby flavor to the succulent patty!
I may drop by Liberty Grill again, especially since it’s near Bishop Lucey Park, and I like sitting around there from time to time.
Amazing Brunch Catered the Needs of Family
“Food was very good, ambience is great, and staff are very kind! The prices are worth it, will visit again for Brunch. All of us had some poached eggs with hollandaise. One of us was also vegan and I’m glad that she was well catered! My nephew was also happy for being treated like a VIP with activity to do while waiting for the food to arrive!”
- A E, Tripadvisor
“This is a great spot to eat casual food in Cork! It’s a modern and comfortable restaurant. We had burgers for lunch that were really good. The service was wonderful too. No problem in recommending it.”
- Sarah C., Yelp
5. The Spitjack
The Spitjack was truly enticing from the outside. It had a white facade, and when I entered, this immaculate coloring extended to the interior.
This is one of the burger restaurants in Cork that stood above the rest from looks alone. While most burger spots have a rustic look, this one opted for a cleaner aesthetic.
I requested for the menu and read a few interesting things about the restaurant. Apparently it was a from a husband and wife team, Richard and Laura, who started Spitjack in 2017.
They wanted their cuisine to reflect the “taste of Ireland” with quality Irish meat. This goal has guided the restaurant to success, as it has won numerous positions at the Irish Restaurant Awards for 2025.
I was really hungry, so I didn’t want to keep reading further. I looked for the burgers and chose the “North Cork Sirloin Beef Burger.”
I chose it because it had the city’s name in the title, so I figured they wanted to represent Cork with this burger.
Eventually, my order arrived, and I was truly delighted! The combination of bacon, blue cheese, garlic aioli, and Aged Red Hereford Sirloin Beef gave an explosion of flavor in every bite!
I could have finished it sooner if I hadn’t munched on a few fries in between bites. The Spitjack truly is one of the top burger restaurants in Cork!
Though I have to mention that the menu prices were highly expensive. The burger I picked cost €23.99, which is significantly higher than the average.
Great experience
“This is a wonderful restaurant. Staff are so friendly and helpful. The food is gorgeous. The early bird is very good value. I would highly recommend this place”
- Fiona B. Tripadvisor
“Wonderful, small place, had pork belly and rack of ribs and did not disappoint. Fries were good too, as well as the cocktails”
- Jen F., Yelp