Food Producers

Ballymaloe House could be seen as the spiritual home for Cork’s food culture, with the Allen family providing several generations of great cooks, teachers, writers and innovators. A classic Irish Country house is at the centre of a restaurant, cookery school, organic farm, regular festivals and so much more.

Another local favourite, Cafe Velo sits right on the river at George’s Quay, chooses local produce where possible and serves up brunch favourites in a bright, simple space. A fine Sunday morning option in the city.

Producers of a full range of delicious relishes, dressings and sauces.

The O Crualaoi group of local family butchers and delicatessans, have been offering the very finest and freshest quality food produce since 1957.

The Ivory Tower is an intimate, quirky dining room above some shops on Oliver Plunkett Street, the busy heart of Cork city centre. Chef Seamus O’Connell is something of a Cork legend, a maverick, an inventor, a supremely talented chef who fuses Irish ingredients with French, Mexican and Japanese traditions. His tasting menus are famous, the experience is rarely less than intriguing and it will almost certainly be a meal to remember.

An award-winning family business based in East Cork specialising in the highest grade, farm fresh whole spices sourced direct from their native lands.

Eat raw nettles, discover how to brew delicious herbal teas, pick a fresh salad and find out about common uses of plants, trees and funghi, the folklore of the flora of the Irish landscape with Will & Away foraging walks at various locations in Cork.

A herd of Italian Water Buffalo on a farm in North Cork? It may sound quixotic – but Macroom Buffalo Cheese, the passion project of farmer Johnny Lynch – is Ireland’s only herd of water buffalo and their milk produces Johnny’s award winning cheese. They welcome groups of visitors (if you contact them through their website) and the farm hosts open days once a month.

For weekday and Saturday brunches – ask a Cork City friend where they are going for brunch, and they may well be heading for the classic menu at The Liberty Grill, on Washington Street, right in the city centre.

For artisan sushi, noodles and other classic Asian dishes, Dashi Deli on Cook Street in Cork is a firm favourite with the locals.