12 Best Places for Brunch in Cork in 2025

Some of the best brunch in Cork is hiding in plain sight, from the sizzle of skillets at Tony’s Bistro and the stacked plates at SpitJack, there’s plenty to wrap your teeth around!

Whether you’re craving bold, no-frills classics or something with a twist, the brunch spots in Cork don’t hold back. This guide serves up the places that get it right, every single time.

The best brunch in Cork City 

The first section of this guide tackles the places that we think boast the best brunch Cork has to offer.

Below, you’ll find the brilliant (and very popular) SALT along with the fantastic gorgeous SpitJack. Dive on in!

1. Good Day Deli

Tucked inside the peaceful gardens of Nano Nagle Place, Good Day Deli offers a brunch experience that feels a world away from the city outside.

This is a sustainability-first café with a conscience, powered by local, seasonal, mostly organic produce and South Pacific influences, thanks to co-owner Kristin’s roots in New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

The setting is calm, the ethos is serious, but the food is fun. Expect all-day brunch on weekends with thoughtful twists: the Huevos Rancheros come with house-made tortillas and punchy sauces; their beetroot benny swaps meat for smoked root veg without missing a beat; and the polenta orange cake walks the line between dessert and breakfast.

Vegetarian and vegan options lead the menu while natural wines and specialty coffee round it out. If you’re after brunch in Cork that feels good and does good, this is the spot.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best things to do in Cork City (walks, museums, tours and more)

2. The SpitJack Cork

Right in the heart of Cork City on Washington Street, SpitJack is a rotisserie brasserie that leans hard into bold flavours and high-end comfort food.

The setting is sharp, boasting polished wood, a buzzing atmosphere, and a sleek upstairs dining room that books out fast for brunch.

It’s a meat-first spot, built around rotisserie cooking – think slow-roasted porchetta with crackling and apple sauce that regulars rave about.

But it’s not just for carnivores. You’ll also find crowd-pleasers like matcha French toast, creative vegetarian options, and free-from dishes that don’t feel like compromise.

Coffee’s solid, cocktails are smart, and everything’s served with a level of polish you don’t always get at brunch. As SpitJack does some of the best brunch in Cork, it gets busy, so book ahead!

Related read: Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Cork (from fine dining to tasty, pocket-friendly eats)

3. Tony’s Bistro

Tony’s is Cork institution, famous for its colossal portions, fast service, and film-themed charm. Set off North Main Street, this place boasts a Godfather-inspired menu, complete with framed movie stills on the walls.

Breakfasts are served sizzling in skillets, often big enough to split, and always with toast or soda bread plus tea or coffee. Crowd favourites include the “Sonny Corleone” breakfast (a full Irish with extras), rich homemade stews, and loaded sandwiches.

The food is hearty, satisfying, and arrives fast. If you’re after brunch in Cork that’ll fill you for the day to come, head for Tony’s!

4. SALT food & wine

Tucked just off the city centre on Victoria Road, SALT is an intimate café-wine bar that punches above its size. Run by Stephane and Cece, this place has a relaxed, personal feel with a strong focus on local produce and small-batch wines, craft beers, and proper coffee.

Brunch here is a weekend-only affair, but worth planning around. Expect French-influenced cooking with an Irish twist – think buttery pastries, bold eggs dishes, and seasonal specials that change up regularly.

The portions are generous, the flavours are sharp, and the setting strikes a rare balance: refined but welcoming.

5. Liberty Grill

A long-standing local favourite on bustling Washington Street, Liberty Grill serves up East Coast American-style brunch in Cork City with Irish ingredients and zero pretension.

It’s bright, casual, and consistently packed, especially on weekends, thanks to its focus on from-scratch-made dishes using top-notch local suppliers like O’Mahony’s farm and seafood from the English Market.

The brunch menu leans classic but elevated: eggs Benedicts and Florentines come out silky-smooth, French toast is thick-cut and indulgent, and the Johnnycakes nod to their US roots.

Lighter options include fresh leaf salads, seasonal veggie specials, and vegan-friendly plates that aren’t just filler.

6. The Castle Cafe (Blackrock Castle)

Set inside the stone walls of 16th-century Blackrock Castle, Castle Cafe boasts the most unique setting out of the Cork brunch spots. You’re dining in a working castle overlooking the water, and yet, the vibe is casual and family-friendly, not stuffy or staged.

The Mediterranean-inspired menu focuses on quality local ingredients, with standouts like fresh fish from Ballycotton, free-range chicken, and seasonal veg.

Brunch here ranges from hearty eggs and sambos to lighter salads and seafood — the fish and chips and chicken sandwich both get regular praise, and vegetarians and vegans are well catered for.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best breakfast in Cork (from fine dining to tasty, pocket-friendly eats)

7. The Farmgate Cafe (English market)

Perched above the stalls of Cork’s legendary English Market, Farmgate Cafe is a cornerstone of the city’s food scene, not just for what it serves, but how it connects to its surroundings.

This is a café rooted in tradition, drawing its ingredients from the vendors below and building menus around seasonal, often forgotten Irish staples.

Breakfast runs Tuesday to Saturday and keeps things simple but rich in flavour, with the likes of porridge, traditional Irish fry-ups, and breads you won’t find in your average café, stealing the show.

Come lunchtime, it shifts up a gear: think slow-cooked stews, fish from the market downstairs, and tarts or quiches made with whatever veg is in peak season.

8. Cafe Spresso

A hidden gem in the heart of the Victorian Quarter, Cafe Spresso blends Irish comfort food with Polish flair in a laid-back, local setting. It’s small and it punches way above its weight for quality and value.

The breakfast menu is a standout – from classic full Irish plates (praised for being among the best in Cork) to beautifully poached eggs, homemade porridge with banana, and Polish dishes like Breischale that offer something a little different.

Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the food is consistently fresh.

9. Gusto

On the corner of Washington Street and Grand Parade, Cafe Gusto is a low-key local favourite for early risers and daytime diners. Open from 7am on weekdays, it’s one of the first cafés in Cork to get the coffee brewing and the breakfast plates flying out.

The menu is compact but thoughtful. Morning options include Ballybrado organic porridge, homemade waffles with lemon mascarpone and blueberry compote, and a standout açaí smoothie bowl topped with seeds, coconut, and granola.

Toasts are their calling card – the grilled halloumi and sun-blushed tomato version, with roasted peppers and pesto, is a regular go-to.

10. Goldberg’s

This stylish bar and restaurant is situated in the historic Jewish quarter of the city was inspired by the “New York Meatpacking” district.

The breakfast, lunch and brunch menu all incorporate quality local ingredients and are finely presented. One of their most famous items on the menu is their cleverly named ‘Goldburgers’.

You have all the breakfast, brunch and lunch classics here; eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine and a full Irish (with vegetarian option).

There are also some unique twists available too, the smashed avocado with chilli eggs is a must, the freshly baked sourdough it comes with is delish!

11. Dukes Coffee Company

Located in a quiet corridor in the city centre, this family-owned spot has been making tastebuds ‘zing’ since 2005.

It’s an ideal spot for families as there is plenty of space inside to kick back (there’s room outside for dining alfresco, too).

Great coffee aside, you get some real delights on the breakfast and brunch menu. The mighty “Dukes Fry Up”, with Clonakilty Pudding, steals the show!

12. Brick Lane

We’re off to Brick Lane, next, which is up there as one of the more unique places for brunch in Cork .

Part brunch spot, part cocktail bar, and part late-night venue, Brick Lane is one of Cork’s more eclectic offerings (it’s also one of the more popular pubs in Cork!).

By day, it’s a relaxed café-style space with booths, bold wall art, and a brunch menu that blends comfort with creativity. By night, it morphs into a buzzing social spot with DJs and dancing.

Brunch here leans indulgent – think stacked pancakes, loaded toasties, big fry-ups, and brunch cocktails to match.

Explore the city beyond the Cork brunch spots

Now that you’ve a sense of the best places for brunch in Cork, it’s time to explore.

In our guide to Cork City, you’ll find a 1-day itinerary that’ll take you around the best of the city!