Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Cork

"Camden Fort Meagher is internationally recognized as being “One of the finest remaining examples of a classical Coastal Artillery Fort in the world”. For almost 400 years the fort played a key role as a strong strategic position for the defense of Ireland, the west coast of England and Wales. The fort is a prime location to watch ships passing through Cork Harbour, the second-largest natural harbour in the world."

"In a city chock-full of fine coffee houses and a county with the best roasting scene in Ireland, Filter is Cork’s epicenter for serious coffee drinkers. Assembled from recycled materials, it sports the clean, spare lines of a lab with none of the sterility, and an extensive array of coffee-related kit. Filter carries an impressive range of beans from top Irish roasters to titillate the obsessives yet functions equally well as a coffeehouse for the general public."

"This little coffee bar has been impressing locals and wanderers alike since 2012 and they don’t seem to be showing any signs of slowing down.F I L T E R Espresso & Brew Bar lovingly grind, extract and serve up 3fE and Badger & Dodo beans to a loyal and discerning crowd. Don’t forget to add a local snack to go with your coffee:In To Food andDiva Boutique Bakery both supply sweet treats here!"

"Cork’s leading speciality coffee shop, serving an incredible range of Badger & Dodo and 3fe coffees, among other lesser known but quality other brands. They do filter, espresso or Aeropress, depending on your preference and you’ll even get some coffee education from your server. Not much seating though – it’s more like a coffee bar – so here’s hoping they expand soon!"

"On Union Quay, this lovely spot is not only serving impeccable coffee, sambos and sweet baked things, they’re also doing BRUNCH ON SATURDAYS NOW. So basically hurry up and go even if it’s not Saturday is all we’re saying.Union Grind also has some pretty serious sausage roll gameand they do in-house barista training. Get a coffee, learn how to make a coffee and eat BRUNCH."

"A new kid on this constantly transforming block by the quays. Serving artisan coffees, roasted in Ireland (at the moment it’s single source Costa Rican) and run by young owners who seem to really care about their coffee and their customers. They also do music nights so sip your coffee and catch a gig here."

"One of the nicest dining rooms in the country, this is an oasis of serenity in the heart of Cork city in one of the country’s major galleries. The lunch menu remains an immaculate reimagining of the culinary ethos of the doyenne of Irish food, Myrtle Allen, who first opened it as a cafe some 30-odd years ago. The decidedly homey and traditional fare — including eggy quiches, roasted bone marrow, devilled kidneys, and home-baked cakes — nonetheless does not seem remotely out of place in these grand surroundings, but cooking like this is an art form in itself."

"Located in the cultural setting of the Crawford Art Gallery in the heart of Cork city center is the renowned Crawford Gallery Café. Situated on the ground floor of the gallery building, the café is an eclectic but inviting space. There is rarely an empty seat and there is often a short queue in the mornings as visitors eagerly arrive to enjoy a delicious breakfast."

"An attractive neoclassical room at the back of the city art gallery houses this top-notch cafe. It is managed by the good people from Ballymaloe, which means you can expect a deliciously fresh, locally sourced..."

"Small, cute and dog friendly, Pinkmoon has some vegan options for brunch, as the full vegan breakfast in the picture above. But I felt in love with this place for their great choice of vegan sweet treats. Read more about Pink Moon >"

"Along with having an on-site roastery, tasty espressos and delicious cakes SOMA also serves up some of the yummiest brunches in Cork. With a different brunch special every weekend alongside some incredible brunch cocktails, brunches in SOMA are not to be missed!. Address: 23 Tuckey St, Centre, Cork, T12 WD38"

"This pub is one of the busiest in the city is always a favourite of Erasmus Students and foreign people. It’s one of the best pubs for dancing and the price for a pint is around €4.50. The Old Oak can be a good option for those who don’t want to go home early because it closes at 2:30 am."

"Once providing haircuts with your pint, Sin É is now one of the city's top venues for live traditional Irish music. Pronounced 'shin ay', meaning 'that's it', the name is a reference to the funeral parlour next door. Far from being past its expiry date, the walls, which are covered in postcards and posters, shake with the sounds of fiddles and flutes as locals strike up the sounds of Ireland."

"A Gaelic pub through and through, Sin é has attracted a loyal following of folk-loving locals since it opened 150 years ago. A homely tavern stuffed with nautical knick-knacks and Guinness memorabilia, Sin é is one of Cork’s welcoming old-school establishments. The long-time home of folk music, make a beeline here for live trad sessions – craic is guaranteed."

"Often considered the home of traditional Irish music in the city, Sin E is a must visit. The name translates to “that’s it” which rather somberly takes its name from the funeral parlour next door. However, the atmosphere is as lively as ever with a longstanding tradition of good music and beer."

"Desmond Castle is an impressive and historic tower house that is located in the County Cork town of Kinsale and has a fantastic heritage. It was originally constructed in around the year 1500 after it was built as the Customs House for Kinsale; it continued this function until the year 1641 before it was converted into a naval prison. Throughout the following centuries, it changed its function again, ranging from a town gaol to a workhouse."

"Kinsale's roots in the wine trade are on display at this early-16th-century fortified house that was occupied by the Spanish in 1601. Since then it has served as a customs house, a prison for French and American..."

"Desmond Castle Kinsale Cork has had a colourful history, ranging from Spanish occupation in 1601 to use as a prison for captured American sailors during the American War of Independence."

"The Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a striking modern structure on the lush green campus of University College Cork. Completed by O’Donnell & Tuomey Architects in 2004 and named Best Public Building by the Royal Institute of Architects the following year, the building is a remarkable frame for the art on show. A former banker from New York, Lewis Glucksman settled in Cobh, County Cork and his philanthropic efforts focused on developing Irish-American cultural relations, also establishing Glucksman Ireland House – the centre for Irish and Irish-American studies at NYU."

"In a head-turning modern building unveiled in 2004, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is at University College Cork’s main entrance on Western Road. The building won a raft of awards when it was completed, and was designed by the Irish firm, O’Donnell + Tuomey architects. The gallery has three floors of exhibition space, putting on three temporary shows a year."