Market Lane
Market Lane is the mothership of Conrad Howard's Market Lane restaurant group, and it is one of the most maternal, welcoming and unpretentious places to eat, always packed with a marvellous mix of people, many of whom have been coming here since the room first opened in 2007. This is an old-style dining room, the type of space that has almost completely vanished in Ireland, with the type of food offer that miraculously manges to please everyone. That democratic mix explains the broad demographic who come here, but it’s nothing other than deliciousness that brings the happy customers back, time after time. Having their own Elbow Lane beers means that the beer-battered fish and chips is out of the ordinary – crisp; light; dry; beautifully finished – whilst beetroot, feta and walnut cakes are just the sort of inspired dish that makes vegetarians very happy indeed. A fantastic team of servers bring this fine food to the tables, and thanks to their warm personalities they also bring the charm and bustle of the room together. It’s a potent, charming mix, and makes Market Lane stand out as truly special Cork destination.