No great Hen party happens without amazing yummy food, after all the activities, daytime or nocturnal a feed is key to keeping the show on the road. Here, we give you a list of award winning and popular restaurants in Cork that are sure to match any taste.
Market Lane
One of Cork’s most famous and well known restaurants. Market Lane has an astonishing 2,400 reviews on Google with an average rating of 4.6, showing their consistent quality over time. It was interesting reading the reviews to see the highlights of heated outdoor terrace. The signature dish of beef with meat falling off the bone and great price/quality ratio.
For the cuisine, they focus on ingredients from local suppliers. On their detailed website, they show how much they’ve spent with them which is amazing. Other dishes are a mix of meats, fishes and vegetarian options, they also brew their own beer. They’re located right in the middle of Cork on Plunkett Street so easy to visit.
Be sure to book in advance on their website to avoid disappointment.
White Rabbit Bar&BBQ
This is one Cork’s best restaurants for groups, as voted by Tripadvisor reviews, and surprisingly, it’s speciality is barbeque food! Their Instagram page would make you drool with their options available. They also make their own BBQ sauce and smoked butter. Highlighted meals include ribs, pulled pork (8 hours slow cooked) and brisket. Last food orders at 9pm but the bar is open till 11.30pm so be sure to get in early to enjoy a full meal. They also have a bourbon wall of rare and unusual drinks, which is beautiful to view and even better to taste.
As with all great restaurants, be sure to book in advance to assure yourself of getting a table for your Hen party. They need a booking deposit so be certain of going before booking.
Their location is also central to Cork city in the Victorian quarter.
Paradiso
After White Rabbit, we will give you the opposite with Cork’s finest vegetarian restaurant with Paradiso. The stripped back website shares the story of their creation in 1993 by charismatic Dennis Cotter who has written multiple cookbooks and his vision based around seasonal local vegetables. Lonely Planet recommends it as one of the best restaurants in Cork and highlights their best meal as corn pancakes filled with leek, parsnip and Dunmanus cheese with fennel-caper salsa and smoked tomato. A reservation can be made directly on the website and very much recommended as it doesn’t seem like a big place.
A hen party can be a mix of different people so be sure to check in to see that vegetarian food suits every palette on the trip. Most restaurants have a mix of meat and veggie options but Paradiso just serves vegetarian so good to be aware.
Quinlans Seafood
One of Cork’s more fishy and in demand restaurants would be Quinlans Seafood on Princes St in the city centre. A long running family business, they have won many awards like the Blas of Ireland, Food of Ireland and have a wonderful story of connection to the production of the food linked to their fish factory in Kerry.
Their famous dishes include prawns, crab or the native salmon/haddock, be sure to ask them about their catch of the day to get the best tips. Their reviews on Tripadvisor are top notch with lots of great experiences with the serving staff.
Greene’s Restaurant
A feast for all the senses, Greene’s restaurant is in a converted 18th century warehouse with high ceilings in the Victorian quarter of Cork city. Another multiple award winner with best restaurant list in 2019 and 2020, they focus on the luxury end of the restaurant market with 6 course tasting menus including Monkfish, sorbet, duck carrot and Pork belly. Current prices are 75e for the whole menu, best to check with the bride and group if this suits the style of the weekend.
Reading the reviews on Tripadvisor, the phrase fine dining comes up regularly as well as an interesting observation that the staff can be quite formal. Be sure to book to be able to seat the full bride tribe at the table.
