Wondering where to grab the best breakfast in Cork City? You’ve landed in the right place!
After publishing a guide to the best places for brunch in Cork a while back, we received a crazy number of emails (37, to be exact…) about Cork breakfast spots that we missed.
So, after doing a bit of digging and from reaching out to family and friends living in the city, we’ve come up with the guide below.
It’s packed with well-reviewed places where you’ll be treated to some of the best breakfast in Cork, from quirky eats to traditional Irish frys.
Where we think do the best breakfast in Cork

Photos via the Castle Cafe on Facebook
The first section of our guide tackles our favourite places for breakfast Cork has to offer, and there’s some mighty competition for the top spots.
Below, you’ll find everything from casual places to nip into after a night spent in some of the best pubs in Cork, to more refined eateries that go toe-to-toe with some of the finest restaurants in Cork.
Note from the editor: We’ve somehow managed to upload some very non-breakfasty photos for some of the spots below, so you may need to use your imagination! Cheers!
1. The Castle Café

Photos via the Castle Cafe on Facebook
Next up is arguably one of the most unique Cork breakfast spots. I’m talking, of course, about the Castle Cafe.
Situated in Blackrock Castle which is the oldest surviving structure in the city of Cork, the Castle Café is a Mediterranean café that attracts hungry patrons for breakfast and brunch.
Some of the must-try items on the menu include ricotta pancakes with burnt pineapple, sausage with poached eggs, and corn and feta cakes.
The potato and kale boxty is also a big crowd-pleaser. The entire breakfast menu is made using locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce. This place’ll make your happy belly.
32. Cafe Spresso

Photos via Cafe Spresso on Facebook
You will find Café Spreso in the heart of Cork City. The food here is reasonably priced and, according to several people we’ve chatted to, it’s a solid option if your after a hearty feed.
The décor is nothing special, but the food is mouthwatering and comes in giant portions. Mushrooms on toast will set you back €6, while eggs on toast costs €6.60.
The café has an outdoor setting and in addition to Irish food, specialities offer international cuisine including Hungarian, Italian, and Polish breakfast delicacies.
3. Café Gusto

Photos via Cafe Gusto on Facebook
Foodies in search of the best breakfast in Cork City should pay a visit to Café Gusto. With an extensive breakfast menu and tasty coffee, this casual café offers classics all of the usual clasics like scrambled eggs.
It also boasts a menu that contains everything from Mediterranean veg croquettes with rocket, sun-dried tomato salad and much, much more.
The service is swift and friendly and the food is reasonably priced. This place punches well above its weight.
4. The Farmgate Café

Photo via Farmgate Cafe
If you are visiting the English Market in Cork City, make sure to drop by the legendary Farmgate Café. Here, authentic Irish dishes are prepared in a traditional and simple style, but some come with a modern twist.
From Irish cheeses and fresh fish delivered from the nearby Ballycotton Pier to high-quality meats, there is plenty to look forward to when visiting this charming café.
Try their mushroom pie or order the lemon and poppy seed cake. Guests also like the beef Bolognese and say how the Irish lamb stew is extremely delicious.
When you finish up, there are plenty of things to do in Cork City nearby (if it’s raining, get yourself to the Butter Museum or Saint Finn Barre’s Cathedral).
5. Dukes Coffee Company

Photos via Dukes Coffee Company on Facebook
Serving a wide range of coffees for over 15 years, Dukes Coffee Company is a family-run joint that offers friendly service, tasty coffee, and some cool foods like in-house baked fresh scones, flaky pastries, and fresh smoothies.
A wide range of handcrafted coffee is on the menu to satisfy every palate, while breakfast options include everything from smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and potato cake to potato cake with eggs with avocado, asparagus, and spinach.
You can also stay for lunch and order the tasty Cajun chicken with peppers and Gouda flatbread.
6. Liberty Grill

Photos via Liberty Grill on Facebook
Welcome to Liberty Grill, a New England-influenced restaurant that offers a reasonably priced selection of dishes. In addition to seafood specialities, steaks, and burgers, this place serves brunch all day long.
Favourites include things like the French toast with maple fried banana or something they call the East Coast Breakfast.
Arrive early in the day, since this joint is range high on platforms like Trip Advisor and attracts large crowds of visitors.
I almost forgot to mention their hearty pancakes which are simply amazing. Liberty Grill is arguably one of the most popular places for breakfast Cork has for offer, and for good reason.
7. Orso Kitchen & Bar

Photos via Orso Kitchen & Bar on Facebook
You’ll find some of the best breakfast in Cork City in Orso Kitchen & Bar, where there’s a little bit of something to tickle most fancies.
This Mediterranean influenced restaurant is well-known for its innovative cuisine. Try the Lebanese manoushi flatbread with a poached egg and black pudding or go for the flatbread with toasted almonds, banana, and cinnamon.
Oh, the desserts! The delicious home-baked muffins will delight your senses. Fish lovers can try the Bombay spiced Monkfish. The restaurant is located in the centre of Cork and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The best breakfast Cork has to offer: Where have we missed?
I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally missed out on some great places for breakfast in Cork in the guide above.
If you have a favourite Cork breakfast spot that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments section below.
Niamh Cooper
Thursday 3rd of March 2022
OMG have you never been to Tony's bistro on Corks North Main Street? Great food, great staff and great atmosphere. You really must check it out even if there is a que outside