['Japanese', 'Donburi', 'Ramen']€€Barrack Street and The Lough
A cult Cork Japanese takeaway counter from Chef Takashi Miyazaki, named Ireland's Best Asian Take-Out 2017. A tiny kitchen with counter seats.
Order: Salmon zuke donburi - cured salmon over seasoned rice with Japanese condiments; the dish that put Miyazaki on the Cork food map
['Burgers', 'American street food', 'Craft beer pairings']€€MacCurtain Street (Victorian Quarter)
Cork's most celebrated burger joint, operating from a former music store on MacCurtain Street. Everything - patties, sauces, pickles - is made in-house daily.
Order: The signature Cork burger with house sauce and pickles - the combination of daily-fresh patty and fermented pickles made in-house is what Cork food critics keep returning for
['Halal Turkish', 'Doner kebab', 'Late night']€City Centre
Cork's premier late-night halal kebab, open until 3am daily on Oliver Plunkett Street. Halal-certified with a sign clearly visible on the premises.
Order: Lamb doner in flatbread after midnight - Istanbul runs full quality until 3am, unlike most late-night competitors who wind down service from midnight
['French-Irish deli', 'Charcuterie', 'Artisan bread']€€English Market Quarter
Isabelle Sheridan's French-founded English Market stall, trading since 1992, which won Best Market Stall in County Cork. A counter of Continental.
Order: A quiche slice and a piece of French bread - the most French experience Cork can offer without flying to Brittany
['Irish market food', 'Drisheen', 'Traditional Cork']€€English Market Quarter
Perched on the balcony above the English Market since 1994, the Farmgate is Cork's most storied lunch destination. The market traders supply the kitchen.
Order: Drisheen on buttered toast as a side to the daily special - a Cork food that has nearly disappeared from restaurant menus; the Farmgate serves it with conviction
['French patisserie', 'Irish cakes', 'Market pastries']€€English Market Quarter
Joe and Barbara Hegarty's French-Irish patisserie stall in the English Market, trading since 1996. Classically trained pastry chefs making handmade mousse.
Order: Seasonal mousse cake slice - the West Cork butter in the pastry base is detectable and makes a difference