An oasis in the walled gardens of the beautiful Nano Nagle Place, overlooking Cork city, this unusual sustainable foods deli and café is run by environmentalist Clare Condon and her Maori partner, Kristin Makirere, who is from the Cook lslands.
The South Pacific is Kristin’s Turangawaewae, his place of belonging. Here, Mana Tiaki, guardianship of heritage and the environment for future generations, is a beautiful value to live by. It is at the core of Good Day Deli, and totally appropriate at this state-of-the-art educational and heritage facility where Nano Nagle’s vision of empowerment through education, community inclusion and spiritual engagement for a changing world is celebrated.
Celebrating local, organic and sustainable are the guidelines at Good Day Deli and not only do you see it all through the menu (with suppliers, including Richard’s Little Farm and Green Space, credited) but it follows through in the good food delivered on the plate as well.
The day begins well with a terrific breakfast. Treats to look forward to include energising dishes like Popongi Oatmeal Power Bowl (organic Irish oats, fruit and nut energy crunch, banana and Irish honey drizzle), or the ever-popular local smoked salmon with scrambled eggs - and many regulars come especially for the big Halloumi stack: with roasted tomatoes, grilled Toons Bridge Halloumi and poached egg stacked on sourdough toast with fresh parsley pesto, it will set you up for the day.
Lunchtime brings a change of tone with warming soups - Carrot and coriander, perhaps, with sourdough bread and chilli & coriander butter - or an outstanding Curry Bowl (The Crown Prince Squash & Chickpea Coconut Curry Bowl, with Basmati rice, yogurt and toasted coconut), or a fish dish such as Kai Moana Fish Tacos (Kai Moana means seafood in Maori); this is a lovely dish of lightly battered Irish hake on Blanco Nino Corn Tortillas (made in Clonmel) with raw slaw, pickle plus lemon coriander, mayo and fries.
Vegetarians and vegans are very well looked after - who could resist the Vibrant Vegan salad? - and there are interesting sides, including Nut Dukkah, Tapenade, Paprika Fries.
Delicious desserts (don't miss the Poached pear pancakes with coconut mascarpone and a drizzle of Irish honey...) and baking too - and interesting drinks, including delicious apple juice from the Mealagulla Orchards in Ovens and the excellent locally roasted West Cork Coffee.
