Market Lane Restaurant & Bar

This bustling two-storey restaurant and bar near th This bustling two-storey restaurant and bar near the English Market is a friendly and welcoming place with a lively atmosphere.e English Market is a friendly and welcoming place with a lively atmosphere.

The premises was previously a pub - and, although now operated mainly as a restaurant, it has a full pub licence; there’s a bar with old wooden furniture behind it along one side of the main dining area, which is set up simply but smartly with a mixture of banquettes and bentwood chairs, plain-topped tables with simple, good quality cutlery and glasses, and menus that double as place mats. 

Fresh and artisan produce from the English Market is used as much as possible, with the aim of offering good quality food – and real value for money. This they do well, providing well cooked, unfussy food at moderate prices; varied menus offer plenty of choice and include sandwiches and salads, some unusual items (fish stew with seafood bisque, samphire and baby potatoes, for example, €14) and a good range of popular dishes.

This Cork restaurants got a small children’s menu (including a homemade baby bowl, €2.95), plenty of vegetarian choices and a coeliac menu is available on request.

Service is efficient, friendly and attentive, and a small wine list (38) offers a good selection from around the world, with a good number by the glass.

This is a restaurant with its heart in the right place – no wonder it’s always busy.

*The Castle Café and restaurant at historic Blackrock Castle, Cork, is under the same management.