10 exciting new café openings in Cork

IN these times, it’s a refreshing balm to see new hospitality businesses opening or expanding.

It’s often proven that when the straits are dire, the cauldron of creativity doth bubble over, so, even in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis, there can be rays of hope. And, just like spring herself, the green shoots of tasty new things are bursting open in Cork, ripe for our delectation. Here’s what’s caught my eye…

Naturally Nourish Café, North Point Business Park, @naturally_nourished_cafe

It’s great to see a new branch of this café opening in the middle of an industrial estate.

Bright, vibrant, and with menus packed with colourful veg-forward, healthy and nourishing choices for brekkie, brunch and lunch, it’s the perfect antidote to the grab and go drabness of service station offerings. This is fast good food that’ll get you through your day!

Léa’s at The Glucksman, @leasattheglucksman

It took a while to find a new custodian of the gorgeous café space at The Glucksman. The team behind Lea’s is behind Joe’s & Bro’s, but arguably a more upmarket offering to suit the exquisite space and live up to what has been before it.

Think Ham Hock Benedict or pimped up versions of a Philly Cheese Steak with tender beef sourced from Allshire’s of Rosscarbery. There’s all day treats and a selection of classy organic wines – perfect for a post culture trip refuel.

Proby’s Kitchen, Proby’s Quay @probyskitchen

Housed in a beautifully restored building in the heart of Cork’s medieval quarter, with views of Elizabeth Fort and St Finbarr’s, this quiet corner location has been revived with flavour-driven food and impeccable nods to provenance.

A partnership between Café Gusto and Liberty Grill owners, with chef and former Ballymaloe Cookery School instructor, Pat Browne, at the helm in the kitchen, expect a collision of classic technique with contemporary flair and international flavours.

Upstairs at The Quay Co-Op @quaycoopcork

A pioneer of vegetarian food and cookery in the city, the much-loved café at The Quay Co-Op has been restored back to its rightful place in the light-filled rooms above the shop.

Large Georgian windows flood the space with light and offer fantastic views of the Lee and Grand Parade. The food is consistently delicious and wholesome, an oasis of goodness in the city. Open six days a week all day long.

The Kabin, Ballincollig @thekabincork

Tadgh Long Catering, formerly known as TLC in Ballinhassig, rebranded as The Kabin and now has just opened a shiny new location in Ballincollig. With an interior designed by Rachel Hobbs and fronted by partner John Styles (formerly of Reardons in the city), expect plenty of vision and energy in a space that has been carefully curated to blend into the Ballincollig community.

 All the daytime breakfast, brunch and lunch classics on offer here – generous portions as standard.

Sage Restaurant and Café, Midleton @sage_restaurant_cafe_

Sage has had more reinventions than Madonna, and each time the new look gets tastier and tastier! After the devastating floods of last winter, a radical rethink has resulted in an incredible revamp of what was the old fine dining room into a casual all day and evening dining spot alongside a daytime only café.

All the classic Sage hallmarks are there: funky flavours, seasonality, local produce all wrapped up in a menu of accessible classics with chef-proprietor Kevin Ahern’s flavour-driven melody given liberal application. It’s a joyous homecoming for sure.

The Lee Café @theleecafe

Who doesn’t love a little hidey hole to sneak away to for a little coffee and cake hit? From its very modest exterior, the Lee Café transforms into a tardis complete with two decked seating areas to the rear that hover romantically over the river Lee. 

It’s a magical place that has been a hit with locals from the get-go with great coffee and sumptuous bakes are the order of the day. 

Expect regular live music, monthly book club meets, plus it’s pet friendly, too!

Yellow Submarine Supper Club, Patrick Street, Fermoy @theyellowsubmarinesupperclub

They’ve been taking towns in north and east Cork by storm with their restaurant quality smash burgers, buttermilk fried chicken sambos and prawn po’boys served from a bright yellow food truck. 

But now, the brothers Mount have finally managed to realise their dream of opening their first burger shop in Fermoy. Opening over the Easter weekend, it’s been a labour of love, but will no doubt become the Cork mecca for smash burger afficionados.

Nádur Day, Cork City, @gooddaydeli

Opening this Spring, Nádúr Deli is the sister venture to Good Day Deli. Expect a focus on natural foods and natural wines in an 18th century building with outdoor seating on the beautiful front plaza of Nano Nagle Place surrounded by history, stunning architecture and design.

Casual seating inside with high stools or outside on the plaza, a smaller menu of bites is built around favoured food producers, such as Richard’s Farm, Cork Rooftop Farm, Toonsbridge, Macroom Buffalo, Hederman’s Smoked Fish, Goatsbridge Trout, the Little Mill, Lisheen Greens and more.

Wazzy Woo, Clonakilty @wazzywoo

Long before the doors opened on their first bricks and mortar café, we were all enjoying Wazzy Woo’s vegan-friendly treats. Scots-born owner and creator, Liam O’Leary, built his business off the back of wholesaling his handmade fantastically nutty bakes and bars, and now has put down roots in the colourful town of Clonakilty serving up a coffee blend created with neighbours Stone Valley Roasters, and Bkultured Water Kefirs.

Long before the doors opened on their first bricks and mortar café, we were all enjoying Wazzy Woo’s vegan-friendly treats. Scots-born owner and creator, Liam O’Leary, built his business off the back of wholesaling his handmade fantastically nutty bakes and bars, and now has put down roots in the colourful town of Clonakilty serving up a coffee blend created with neighbours Stone Valley Roasters, and Bkultured Water Kefirs.