Cork, Ireland

Cork - The Cauldron of Good Food in Ireland

Many of Cork's best restaurants share the same philosophy of applying high standards in culinary training to fresh, locally grown, and organic produce used in season. Some are oriented towards the preservation of traditional Irish cooking, such as the Arbutus Lodge in Montenotte, which also offers spectacular views of the city, the Farmgate Café, overlooking the English Market, where Drisheen and tripe can still be sampled, and Ballymaloe, whose sterling reputation has been built on the principle that good food and wholesome food are inextricably linked, resulting in the establishment of modern Irish Farmhouse cuisine.

The Ballymaloe tradition is continued with a more contemporary flavour in restaurants such as Harold's in Douglas, and the Crawford Gallery Café. Spiced beef or Irish stew can be had alongside a pint in less formal surroundings at Reidy's Wine Vault on the Western Road. Fresh seafood is a specialty at the reasonably priced and ever popular Isaac's Restaurant, housed in a converted warehouse on MacCurtain Street. Next door, Greene's bar and restaurant delivers excellent fish dishes and overlooks a waterfall. No. 5 Fenn's Quay serves up delicious bistro flavors amid a wonderful atmosphere.

To sample a truly creative menu, check out the Ivory Tower where traditional European cooking is given a Japanese edge with startling results. The Yumi-Yuki Club in the Triskel Arts Centre is great for a quick sushi meal with sake. Although there isn't exactly a plethora of vegetarian restaurants in Cork, vegetarians will not be disappointed with the excellent Cafe Paradiso on the Western Road, where artfully prepared meals are served by a young and dedicated staff. The Quay Co-Op on Sullivan's Quay, a self-service vegetarian restaurant, is a Cork institution.

While Cork doesn't have the same diversity of cuisines present in larger, perhaps more cosmopolitan cities, there are nevertheless some places to go for those with an appetite for foreign food. Enthusiasts of Chinese food will love the Ambassador restaurant on Cook Street. For Indian food, the Eastern Tandoori restaurant, opposite the Opera House, provides diners with voluptuous meals and impeccable service, as does the award-winning Indian Tandoori on Princes Street. The recently opened Ruen-Thai serves the best Thai food in town and has some great lunch specials. Eco Douglas embraces a wide range of cooking styles from Thai to Mediterranean at reasonable prices.

New Irish cuisine has overtones of the Mediterranean at Jacque's Restaurant on Pheonix Street, while Proby's Bistro near Crosses Green is more overtly Mediterranean. Ristorante Rossini on Princes Street is an Italian restaurant serving delicious charcoal-grill, pizza, and pasta dishes, while those seeking value for money should try Bully's on Paul Street.

Pubs If you are looking for a sophisticated stylish watering hole, try the Bodega on the Coal Quay. An eclectic selection of musical tastes are catered for here, there are regular Sunday gigs by top Jazz artists such as James Taylor and Louis Stewart, while on Thursday nights patrons are entertained in the Love Lounge by the ever popular Miss Ken D. For a similar vibe but on a smaller scale, The Roundy, just up the street, is an excellent location from which to acquaint oneself with this vibrant city's nightlife.

Lots of bars and restaurants are popping up around North Main Street. The most recent addition is Le Cheile, where friendly staff, sumptuous surroundings, and a low-key music policy, make this an essential stop-off for those who enjoy a cold drink and good conversation in a cosmopolitan setting. Similarly, the newly refurbished Raven Bar has lent this old part of town a European flavor with it's continental coffees and cool cocktails. For those interested in local beers, Cork has a long tradition of brewing. Located on South Main Street is the legendary Beamish and Crawford brewery. Directly opposite this are The Oval and Spailpin Fanach. The Oval is renowned for its lively, energetic atmosphere, with an interesting mix of all types of people. The 'Spailpin' is one of Cork's top bars: there are traditional music sessions nightly, the staff are friendly and if they run out of beer they can always pop over the road and pick up a keg or two in the brewery. The Franciscan Well on the North Mall is a micro brewery and its Shandon Stout should be tasted—it's creamy and smooth with a slight kick in the tail.

With Latino music and a late bar The Vineyard is another city-center hot spot guaranteed to keep you on your toes into the small hours of the morning. For all you alternative rocker types, there's Fred Zepplin's. If you're feeling adventurous take a trip down to the Hi-B, have a seat on one of the old red leather couches, grab a beer and eavesdrop on the local cognoscenti discussing anything from Samuel Beckett to moving statues. Sin E and LV are two of Cork's quintessential bars—for funky sounds and service with a smile these are hard to beat. Sin E shows the Racing Channel in the afternoon and, with a turf accountant on the doorstep, is the perfect spot for those who enjoy an afternoon flutter.

On the south side, Union Quay contains the Strip, five pubs in a row, the perfect pub crawl for the weary or lazy. One of the most popular is The Lobby Bar, it is among Cork's most important live music venues and patrons can enjoy the sweet sounds of trad, folk, and country while enjoying a fine view of the River Lee outside. The bingo at Loafers is a lot of fun on Tuesday's, and all proceeds go to charity. The Exchange on Georges Quay is the place for the discerning wine drinker; it has the best selection of old and New World wines available and DJs play at night.

Whether you are on business looking for a comfortable room for the night or a family on a week's holiday, Cork offers prospective visitors a wide range of hotels, guesthouses and country houses from which to choose. Due to the compact nature of Cork, irrespective of where you stay, you will almost certainly be within walking distance of the city center.

City Center

The historic Imperial Hotel offers some of the best accommodation available in Cork and is situated in the city's banking and financial district on the South Mall. That famous denizen of the city, Michael Collins, spent his last night here; the suite where he stayed bears his name. South's Bar downstairs is one of the most popular in town. Along the banks of the Lee, Morrison's Island was the first all-suite hotel in Cork. The penthouses offer guests spectacular views of this intriguing area. Jury's Inn is also located on the river and is a great place for families as patrons are charged a room rate and there is a baby-sitting service available.

If you're in town for a spot of shopping, why not stay at the Victoria Hotel. It's located just off Patrick Street, the main shopping area, so you won't have far to go with those heavy bags. As Charles Stewart Parnell and James Joyce are former guests, you'll be in good company! Beside North Main Street, the city's oldest thoroughfare, are both North Gate Hostel and Seven North Mall. The former offers luxurious, relaxed, friendly accommodation at a reasonable price. Seven North Mall is a 240-year-old listed building. There are seven rooms and a small conference center available. If you happen to be superstitious and seven is your lucky number then, needless to say, this is the place for you.

North of the City

One of the most attractive districts in the city is around Shandon. Here one finds St.Ann's Church housing the famous 'bells', the old Butter Market and the Firkin Crane dance project. Shandon Court Hotel, located under the eye of the clock, is an elegant hotel that successfully combines old world elegance with modern comfort. Up the street, Kinlay House Hostel offers probably the best budget accommodation in the city and is very popular with students and backpackers.

The Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain Street is one of the most popular in the city; it does excellent weekend deals and houses a fine swimming pool and leisure centre. Each October it becomes the home of the annual Jazz Festival. Nearby on Wellington Road sits D'Arcy's, a handsome Georgian guesthouse. There are super views of the city from the front of the house while breakfast is a real treat (check out the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs). On the same road lies the Glenvera Hotel, a Victorian mansion, the perfect resting place for the busy traveler.

In the exclusive suburb of Montenotte the Arbutus Lodge offers luxury accommodation in a beautiful setting. This elegant townhouse set in its own gardens was built in 1802 and overlooks the city. The hotel also houses a fine collection of modern Irish art. The nearby Country Club Hotel also offers breathtaking views of the city. Silversprings Moran Hotel of Cork is located in the attractive suburb of Tivoli; there is a nine-hole golf course on the grounds and four eighteen-hole championship courses within a thirty-minute drive.

South of the City

On the South side one finds Jury's Hotel. This hotel is popular both with people on business and with families. Facilities include a heated indoor pool from which you can swim to an outdoor one, and a state of the art fitness center. Off College Road sits Hayfield Manor Hotel, perhaps the best hotel in the city. It is set in two acres of mature gardens allowing guests to enjoy both the bustle of city life and the serenity of nature. It also provides conference facilities for up to one hundred delegates.

Beside University College Cork on Western Road there are many fine guesthouses. They include the Killarney Guesthouse, Saint Kilda Guesthouse and the newly opened Lancaster Lodge. These all provide quality accommodation at reasonable rates. Off Western Road on Mardyke Walk, Roserie Villa Guesthouse is only 10 minutes from the city center and is an ideal base for the busy executive or vacationer.

In the picturesque suburb of Douglas, the Rochestown Park Hotel is a manor style residence set in mature gardens. The hotel features an excellent leisure center while Mahon golf club is located nearby. Also in Douglas, Maryborough House Hotel is set in 24 acres of listed gardens and woodland. It is a charming eighteenth-century house with a beautifully designed extension featuring excellent conference, banqueting and leisure facilities.

Beyond the City

The historic town of Kinsale is a popular place to visit. It has a wonderful marina and contains some of the best restaurants in the country. Scilly House was built in 1760 and is a mysterious, romantic place offering its guests spectacular sea views and fine California cuisine. In the center of the town, Old Bank House is a perfect blend of Georgian splendor and modern comfort.

In Midleton, Ballymaloe House needs no introduction. This is the home of the famous Darina Allen, the woman responsible for the revival of Irish farmhouse cuisine. All the food served is locally produced, much of it on the Allen's farm itself. There is also a small golf course on the grounds and a lawn tennis court. Nearby in the small village of Cloyne is Barnabrow Country House, a seventeenth-century family-run guesthouse; it's the perfect setting for a relaxing vacation.

In West Cork, Inchydoney Island Hotel is situated on a small island and is an idyllic spot to spend some time. Facilities include a fully equipped thalassotherapy (seawater) spa while there are some lovely sandy beaches close by. Liss Ard Lake Lodge, in Skibbereen, offers luxury accommodation in the midst of an inspiring contemporary park overlooking the lake Abisdealy. It is a small exclusive hotel tailored for the individual guest. West Cork Hotel promises guests one of the warmest welcomes to be found anywhere in Ireland. It is an excellent base from which to explore this part of the country. In the beautiful village of Schull, East End Hotel is a family-run hotel overlooking the harbor. It offers good, affordable accommodation and families are always very welcome.