Eat in Barrack Street and The Lough, Cork

Miyazaki Japanese Takeaway ★ 4.7

Takashi Miyazaki's cash-only takeaway on Evergreen Street, run separately from his bistro, serves Fukuoka-style Japanese street food from a tiny kitchen.

Signature: Katsu curry, Ramen, Tonkatsu

Miyazaki Japanese Takeaway ★ 4.7

Takashi Miyazaki's cash-only takeaway on Evergreen Street, running a tight Tuesday to Sunday lunchtime and evening service. The kitchen is tiny, the queue.

Order: Tonkatsu or ramen; both are prepared to a standard that would hold in Japan.

Tip: Cash only; no cards accepted. Open 13:00-15:30 and 17:00-21:00; closed Monday.

Alchemy Coffee and Books ★ 4.5

Cork's best-loved neighbourhood coffee destination, doubling as an independent bookshop on the south-side Barrack Street. Curates guest specialty roasters.

Miyazaki Japanese Takeaway ★ 4.7

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.

Miyazaki Japanese Takeaway ★ 4.7

Ireland's best-value Japanese food, closed Mondays. The salmon zuke donburi is the benchmark dish at around €14-16. The queues are part of the deal; arrive.

Alchemy Coffee and Books ★ 4.5

Coffee and a book on Barrack Street for under €10. The brie and rocket croissant sandwich with a flat white is Cork's best cafe meal-deal for the money.

Miyazaki Japanese Takeaway ★ 4.7

A tiny Japanese counter on Evergreen Street that most Cork visitors walk past, where chef Takashi Miyazaki serves salmon zuke donburi to a handful of seats.

Why locals love it: Barrack Street location outside the tourist corridor; no signage visible from the main road; no website; queues require local knowledge about opening times

Alchemy Coffee and Books ★ 4.5

The corner of Barrack Street and Evergreen Street holds two of Cork's most-loved off-the-track rooms - Alchemy on one corner, Miyazaki on the other.

Why locals love it: Barrack Street is off the standard tourist map; the bookshop-coffee hybrid format is underrepresented in food guides that categorise venues as either cafes or bookshops, not both

Alchemy Coffee and Books ★ 4.5

The south-side's most popular daytime destination runs an informal brunch service with croissant sandwiches, seasonal cakes and rotating pastries alongside.