['Patisserie', 'Chocolate Cafe', 'Macarons']€€City Centre
Boutique chocolate cafe in the Edwardian Winthrop Arcade, with truffles, cakes and macarons handmade by chef Brendan Cashman of the former Augustine's.
Order: A flight of macarons with a cup of single-origin hot chocolate, Cashman's signature pairing in the arcade's brass-and-marble setting
['Traditional Irish Bread', 'Cakes', 'Pastries']€City Centre
A family-run bakery on the Old Mallow Road with an exceptional local reputation - 4.7 stars from over 460 Google reviews, the highest-rated bakery in Cork.
Order: Fresh cream slice - the old-school choux and cream pastry that Cork locals grew up with, unashamedly retro and delicious
['Artisan Bread', 'Pastries', 'Brunch']€€Douglas and Blackrock
A south-side neighbourhood gem in Ballinlough with a devoted following. The early-morning bread run starts at 07:00 and sells out by midday at weekends.
Order: The morning pastry selection before 9am - arrive at opening for the croissants and pain au chocolat while the batch is still warm
['Wholefood Bread', 'Vegan Pastries', 'Organic Baking']€South Mall and Lancaster Quay
The baking arm of Cork's iconic wholefood cooperative since 1982. The in-house bakery produces daily loaves of spelt, rye and seeded wholemeal for the deli.
Order: A spelt scone with the lunch special - the bakery's allergen transparency is Cork's best, and the spelt scone is substantial enough to anchor a meal
['Traditional Irish Bread', 'Cakes', 'Pastries']€Douglas and Blackrock
A family bakery in Wilton Shopping Centre, baking the full Irish bread range daily alongside cream cakes and freshly filled rolls for the lunch trade.
Order: Brown soda bread, fresh from morning bake - a reminder that Cork brown bread needs no improvement
['Sourdough', 'Pastries', 'Artisan Bread']€€City Centre
Cork city outpost of the celebrated Midleton bakery, baking with organic flours from Shipton Mills and Oak Forest Mills via a 36-48 hour cold fermentation.
Order: Cold-fermented country loaf - the slow ferment produces a tang and crust that no high-speed bakery can match