Cork City Guide
Eating
Budget: "Idaho Cafe" (19 Caroline St, +353 021 427 6379). The food here is to die for, and the prices are pretty impressive too! Ideally situated just off St Patrick�s St, directly behind the Brown Thomas department store, only open for breakfast and lunch. Or for an evening meal try "Quay Co-op" a super vegetarian restaurant (24 Sullivan's Quay, +353 21 431 7026).
Mid-Range: "Greene's" (48 Mac Curtain St, +353 21 4552279). Serving modern, innovative international cuisine at reasonable prices. In the summer months you can also dine alfresco in the courtyard next to their waterfall! Or you could try "Isaacs" next door (+353 21 4503805), which has a fantastic interior and an East meets Mediterranean atmosphere.
Luxury: "The Ivory Tower" (The Exchange Buildings, +353 21 4274665). Described as "modern continental" it has been said that this place is not for the faint hearted, but nonetheless the unusual yet superb dishes are not to be missed.
Drinking
"The Coal Quay" (Cornmarket St) is one of the trendiest pubs in the city, sip on one of their specialist beers while taking in the ultra modern interior. If contemporary and fashionable bars are what you are looking for you might also want to visit "The Vineyard" (Market Lane) cocktail bar or "Bodega" (46-49 Cornmarket) which is late licensed at the weekend and always buzzing.
For a more traditional Cork drinking experience there are numerous pubs to try. "The Lobby Bar" (opposite the town hall) hosts a variety of live music from folk, jazz and blues. "Maguires Warehouse bar" (Daunt Sq) is situated just off 'Patrick St' and is Edwardian in style with a host of unusual features. Finally make time to visit "The Long Valley" (Winthrop St), a must see as a family run pub with fantastic decor and a great atmosphere. They also serve good sandwiches too!
Things To See and Do
- Crawford Municipal Art Gallery - Exhibiting the most important collection of 18th and 19th century art outside of Dublin. Collections of well-known Irish painters, glasswork, and hand crafted silver and sculptures.
- St Anne's Church - Famous for it's giant pepper pot steeple. Why not try your hand at ringing the Shandon bells? Or climb even further up and look out over fantastic views of Cork.
- The Old Butter Exchange - At one time the largest salted butter exporter in the world. Closed in 1924, it has now become a popular museum.
Shopping
There are numerous shopping centres and department stores in the city including "Brown Thomas" one of the largest, situated on St Patrick's St. The "English Market" is also central with entrances on St Patrick's St, Princes St and The Grand Parade. The building dates back to 1786 and sells a variety of produce.
For traditional Irish crafts there are several wonderful smaller shops to be found just by wondering through the streets. One you might want to try is "Crafts of Ireland", which as the name suggests sells traditional wares including weavings, wall hangings, pottery and leatherwork. The "Mercier Press & Bookshop" (5 French Church St) is the oldest independent publishing house in Cork and stock a large variety of titles.
Beyond The City
Blarney Castle and Stone - (5 miles west of Cork). Despite often being full of tourists, this is a must see. An extremely impressive castle, and the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney stone.
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