Cork Food
Cork's cuisine has gone through a revolution in recent years, thanks largely to its continuing appeal to visitors. As the tourists have arrived in the city, so the need to cater for every taste has developed, meaning that there are some wonderful eateries to find.
But that is not to say that Cork has become a tourist trap. There are many fine restaurants and a wealth of quality places to eat which will suit any budget. Cheap food in Cork does not necessarily mean poor quality and some of the heartiest offerings can be found in inexpensive eateries.
Ireland is famed for its wonderful breakfasts and Cork is no different. To really start off your day on a high note, enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast which will leave you wanting very little until the evening! Similar to traditional English breakfasts, the Irish tend to go a stage further and offer something close to a fully fledged evening meal. Typically, breakfasts in restaurants in Cork will see eggs, bacon, sausage, white pudding, black pudding, tomatoes, potatoes and baked beans. And if that's not enough, why not have some cheese sprinkled over it and a side order of toast?
It is therefore perhaps no surprise that lunch in Cork is generally a lighter affair. Soup or stew tends to take over as the main course at lunch, particularly in the winter when the weather is a little more bracing. A warm bowl of soup can help to thaw cold tourists to prepare for an afternoon of sightseeing!
Being so close to the Irish Sea, the city of Cork delights in its seafood. Fresh fish and other seafood can be bought relatively cheaply in the local markets, while restaurants in the city all offer a fine selection of the best fruits of the sea. Cork is probably one of the best places in the world for salmon lovers, not only because the fish is in plentiful supply in most restaurants, but also because it will be hard to find a fresher, tastier salmon anywhere else on earth.
Vegetarians are also well-served in this city, with an ample range of vegetarian eateries to choose from. Cork even boasts the best rated vegetarian restaurant in Ireland, Cafe Paradiso, although this particular venue is at the higher end of the budget. For cheaper vegetarian fare, however, there are a number of fine places to eat in the city, despite the obvious Irish love of more meaty dishes.
Historically, of course, Ireland is synonymous with the potato. And to this day Ireland remains famous for its potato-based dishes, from boxty to colcannon. Cork offers a number of restaurants serving such traditional fare, although the beautiful quality of other dishes, such as the fish, means that these dishes are rarely favoured by locals.
Stout is the traditional favourite across Ireland. While Dublin is famed for its Guinness, there are a whole range of stouts across the country which have not had such international success, but nonetheless remain popular with locals and visitors alike. There are plenty of bars and pubs in and around Cork for travellers to sample the dark stuff, as well as the country's various whiskies. Cork's busy feel during the day is amplified at night, when most bars come to life with a jovial atmosphere rarely found outside of Ireland. While some are aimed at the city's business people, this can result in some expensive drinks, but there are plenty of other pubs away from the centre which can provide a much more inexpensive experience.
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Eating & Drinking
