Foodie

It would be completely wrong of me to leave out where and what I am eating on my adventure abroad. Especially since multiple online sources claim Cork City as the Food Capital of Ireland. Don't believe me? Check out Campus IE, BBC Travel, or Irish Examiner.

But let's start off with what I can put together myself. Now I have to tell on myself, before coming to Ireland I rarely cooked at all! Unless you count Lean Cusine's or soup? So I have consumed a lot of various quesadillas, cereal, and nutella/peanut butter/jelly sandwiches. But I have also made for the first time scrambled eggs (yes I hear you all laughing), chickpea and red pepper side dish, and some pretty awesome salads. This semester I will be testing out various dishes and pushing my newfound baking skills to the test.

However, Cork does not receive such high praise for my often ill-fated attempts at "cooking." So where are places that you should definitely dine at if you ever fancy a trip to Cork? Well in no particular order:


 The Quay Co-op is a self-service vegetarian restaurant that never has the same menu day after day. If you want a Broccoli and Pine Nut Crepe or a Lentil Burger with Red Pepper Sauce this is the place for you!

 The English Market is a bustling collection of stalls of fresh produce, fish, meat, and cheeses that has been a part of the history of Cork for over 400 years. Many of the stalls have sandwiches, sausages, and assorted pastas that could make great picnics. Or head upstairs to the Farmgate Café and grab yourself a chicken salad sandwich and bowl of potato leek soup to go. (There is also a dine in area upstairs if the weather is not appropriate for bench eating). Closes at 5pm.

 Café Gusto located on Washington Street, right before the English Market, is a great place if you just need an afternoon pick-me-up or for a full fledged meal. Operating just during the day during the week, but serving dinner on the weekends--a place high on the list but with only 20 seats better get there fast.

 Having not been to Coqbull yet myself, I am putting this on the list by recommendation of our API Resident Director Shane. Shane works at UCC and lives a little outside of Cork so is very much our local insight. "Best burgers any where in Cork and huge."
 Uncle Pete's is a classy little joint serving up loads of different kinds of pizzas as well as open faced subs and falafel. Walls are covered in movie posters--very popular so there might be a wait. But it is worth it!

 Duke's Coffee Company makes a killer chai tea latte! Serving breakfast all day, this coffee shop is a great place to stop in and order lunch or a scone and coffee during your down time. Seating on multiple floors inside as well as some covered outdoor seating.

 

 Fellini's Tearoom is any artists' dream spot! Filled with vintage furniture and artwork, Fellini's is a great place to lose an afternoon. And how cute is it that there is a bowl of sugar cubes on every table? Great subs and tomato soup.

 The Edison is the hipster retreat on a girls night out for cocktails. They do also serve food opening at 6pm. Though a little pricy at 10 euro a cocktail, their innovativeness and sweet vibe has people crawling back for me. "The Zombie, Chocolate Martini, Mermaid's Orgasm" are just a few of the drink choices plus specialty beers a plenty.

 Having frequented this pub a few times for a drink while enjoying the killer view of the main drag in the city center, I would say it seems a popular hang out for many in Cork. If reading reviews online, one might see multiple complaints about rude staff, but every visit I have been greeted with the same attitude as I find elsewhere.

 Seemingly small and unimposing from the outside, Old Oak brings to mind the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover." The pub extends way back once inside and has a small area that later in the evening turns into dance floor with a DJ and flashing lights. Drinks are a little on the high side, but as I've found in Cork, for having such a drinking culture most bought at pubs are rather expensive. Best advice--pre game or as the Europeans say pre drink and then only buy one or two drinks on your night out.

 The Oliver Plunkett pub on the lower level with the Frisky Whisky bar upstairs is a great venue to gather with friends to listen to both trad. and modern bands play, take in a sports game, or talk amongst the homey décor.


Also check out the Half Door Café, that I speak of in an earlier post! I'll be sure to keep adding to the blog where to go for the best food, drinks, and music.

love always,