If you are looking for the best English Market restaurant in Cork, there is one place that stands out for a proper sit-down meal: Farmgate Café.
Located upstairs inside Cork’s famous English Market, Farmgate Café has been serving food for more than 25 years. What makes it particularly interesting is the connection between the café and the market itself. Meat and fish used by Farmgate are sourced from traders in the market, while the menu focuses on seasonal, regional and traditional Irish food.
But Farmgate is not the only place to eat. The English Market currently has several food businesses offering everything from sushi and plant-based food to sandwiches, pies and casual market dishes.
If you want to make the most of a visit, here is where to eat and what to know before you go.
Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in the English Market
| Place | Best for | Style | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmgate Café | Traditional Irish food and a sit-down meal | Café/restaurant | Upstairs in the market |
| My Goodness | Plant-based food | Vegan | Ground floor |
| On the Hoof | Quick lunch | Casual | Ground floor |
| Maki Sushi | Sushi | Japanese-inspired | Ground floor |
| Pie Guys | Pies and casual food | Casual | Ground floor |
| The Sandwich Stall | A quick bite | Sandwiches | Ground floor |
1. Farmgate Café – The Best English Market Restaurant for a Proper Meal
Located upstairs inside Cork’s famous English Market, Farmgate Café is a family-run café known for traditional Irish food, seasonal ingredients and its connection with the market’s local traders. It is a good choice if you want a proper breakfast or lunch while experiencing the atmosphere of the English Market.
Farmgate Café at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | English Market, Princes Street, Cork |
| Food | Traditional Irish, seasonal and regional dishes |
| Best for | Breakfast, lunch and traditional Irish food |
| Dining | Upstairs in the English Market |
| Breakfast | Tuesday–Friday 9:00–11:15; Saturday from 8:30 |
| Lunch | From around 12:15 |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Booking | Lunch reservations available; breakfast is walk-in |
| Family friendly | Yes – children’s menu, baby chairs and booster seats |
| Phone | 021 427 8134 |
What to Eat
The menu changes with availability, but current dishes include Irish lamb stew, fish of the day, risotto, braised lentil pie and free-range chicken. Traditional options such as tripe and onions with drisheen are also available. The café also serves soup, sandwiches, homemade-style cakes and other lighter options.
One of the highlights is the café’s connection to the market: its meat and fish are sourced from traders downstairs, while the food focuses on Irish and regional produce.
Why Visit?
Farmgate Café is particularly worth considering if you want to eat traditional Irish food in an authentic Cork market setting. Rather than being a standalone restaurant, the café forms part of the English Market experience, making it easy to combine lunch with a walk around the market.
Visitor tip: If you want lunch, booking ahead is possible. Breakfast is walk-in only, according to Farmgate’s current visitor information. Opening hours can change around bank holidays, so check before visiting.
2. My Goodness – A Good Choice for Vegan Food
My Goodness is a plant-based food business located inside Cork’s English Market on Princes Street. It is a useful stop for visitors looking for vegan and gluten-free food while exploring the market.
My Goodness at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Unit 1 & 2, English Market, Princes Street, Cork |
| Food | Plant-based / vegan |
| Also suitable for | Gluten-free options |
| Best for | Vegan food and a casual market meal |
| Setting | Inside the English Market |
| Price range | Around €10–€20 |
| Opening days | Monday–Saturday |
| Opening hours | 9:00am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Why Visit My Goodness?
My Goodness is a good choice if traditional Irish market food is not what you are looking for. Its plant-based focus gives visitors another option within the English Market, particularly those following a vegan diet or looking for gluten-free food.
Because it is inside the market, you can easily combine a visit with browsing the other food stalls and traders.
Visitor tip: Opening hours and availability can change, so check the business information before travelling, especially around holidays.
3. On the Hoof – For a Casual Lunch
On The Hoof is a food-to-go stall inside Cork’s English Market, near the Grand Parade entrance. It opened in November 2025 as a sister business to Tom Bradley Bacon & Pork. The focus is on freshly prepared sandwiches, soups and salads using locally sourced ingredients, with more than 90% of ingredients sourced from other traders within the English Market.
On The Hoof at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Unit 10, English Market, Grand Parade, Cork |
| Style | Food-to-go / casual market food |
| Best for | Breakfast, lunch and quick meals |
| Food | Gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads |
| Popular options | Salt Beef Bagel, Banh Mi, “The Bradley” |
| Ingredients | Mainly sourced from English Market traders |
| Opening hours | Monday–Saturday, 9:00am–4:00pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Seating | Limited outdoor seating and nearby Bishop Lucey Park |
| Phone | +353 87 395 4149 |
What to Try
The menu includes sandwiches and market-style dishes such as the Salt Beef Bagel, made with slow-cooked cured beef brisket, the Banh Mi, and “The Bradley” with hand-carved gammon and North Cork cheddar. Soups and ready-to-eat salads are also available.
Why Visit?
On The Hoof is a good option if you want fresh local food without sitting down for a long meal. Its location by the Grand Parade entrance makes it convenient for visitors exploring the English Market, while the use of ingredients from other market traders adds to the experience.
Visitor tip: On The Hoof is primarily designed for eating on the go, but seating is available nearby. Opening hours are currently Monday to Saturday, 9am–4pm, but it is sensible to check before visiting if you are travelling specifically for a particular dish.
4. Maki Sushi – Something Different at the Market
Maki Sushi Rolls is a Japanese and Hawaiian-inspired food stall inside Cork’s English Market. It specialises in freshly made sushi rolls and poké bowls, using ingredients sourced from traders within the market. It is a good option for visitors who want something quick and different from traditional Irish food.
Maki Sushi Rolls at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Unit 15, English Market, Grand Parade, Cork |
| Food | Sushi and poké |
| Style | Japanese & Hawaiian inspired |
| Best for | Quick lunch, sushi and takeaway |
| Sushi options | Fish, seafood, chicken and vegan rolls |
| Poké | Salmon, tuna, prawn, chicken and vegan options |
| Vegan options | Yes |
| Opening hours | Monday–Saturday, 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Phone | (021) 701 2000 |
What to Try
The menu includes California rolls, smoked salmon rolls, tuna rolls, prawn tempura, teriyaki chicken and vegan sushi rolls. Poké bowls include options such as Atlantic salmon, ahi tuna, spicy prawn, teriyaki chicken and vegan tofu. You can also build your own poké bowl.
Why Visit?
Maki Sushi Rolls is particularly convenient if you want a fresh, casual meal while exploring the English Market. The combination of sushi and poké gives visitors plenty of choice, including vegan options, and the food is available for takeaway.
Visitor tip: Maki Sushi Rolls currently operates Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and is closed on Sundays and bank holidays. The English Market itself can have different opening hours, so check before travelling if you are visiting specifically for Maki Sushi.
5. Pie Guys – A Casual Market Food Option
Pie Guys is a Cork-based pie business with a stall inside the English Market. It is known for handmade savoury pies with all-butter pastry and fillings made with Irish meat, cheese and vegetables. The English Market location is a good choice for visitors looking for a filling meal or something easy to take away.
Pie Guys at a Glance
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | English Market, Grand Parade, Cork |
| Food | Handmade savoury pies |
| Style | Casual / takeaway |
| Best for | Quick lunch, takeaway and hearty food |
| Pastry | All-butter pastry |
| Meat | Irish-sourced beef, chicken and pork |
| Vegetarian option | Sweet Potato, Mushroom & Smoked Cheese |
| Popular pies | Beef & Black’s, Creamy Chicken Tarragon, Butter Chicken, Cheesy Kiwi |
| Opening hours | Monday–Saturday, 9:00am–4:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
What to Try
The menu includes Beef & Black’s, made with Irish grass-fed beef and stout gravy, Creamy Chicken Tarragon, Butter Chicken, and the Cheesy Kiwi beef and cheese pie. There is also a vegetarian Sweet Potato, Mushroom & Smoked Cheese option. The selection can change, with specials available depending on the day.
Why Visit?
Pie Guys is worth considering if you want to try a proper handmade Irish pie rather than a standard fast-food lunch. The business sources ingredients from Irish suppliers and also works with other traders within the English Market.
Visitor tip: Pies can sell out, and the business advises that its selection is available while stocks last. If you want the widest choice, visiting earlier in the day is a sensible option.
What Is the Best Restaurant in Cork’s English Market?
If your priority is a proper sit-down meal inside the English Market, Farmgate Café is the clearest choice.
It has a dedicated dining space upstairs, a long history in the market, and a menu built around regional and traditional Irish food. Its relationship with the market’s traders also makes the experience feel connected to the place rather than simply being a restaurant located inside a tourist attraction.
If you want something faster or more specific, the other market traders give you more options.
Choose Farmgate if you want:
- Traditional Irish food
- A sit-down breakfast or lunch
- A view over the English Market
- Seasonal and regional dishes
- A more memorable market experience
Choose My Goodness if you want:
- Plant-based food
- A casual meal
- Something different from traditional Irish dishes
Choose On the Hoof if you want:
- A quick lunch
- Sandwiches
- Soup or salad
- Casual market food
Choose Maki Sushi if you want:
- Sushi
- A Japanese-inspired option
- Something different from the traditional market choices
Why Eat at the English Market?
The English Market is more than a collection of places to eat.
It is a working food market in the centre of Cork, with butchers, fishmongers, bakeries, delicatessens, fruit and vegetable sellers, specialist food businesses and places serving food ready to eat. Cork City Council describes it as a civic and social hub, while its current trader directory shows the range of food businesses operating there.
That variety is what makes eating at the English Market different from simply choosing another Cork restaurant.
You can have lunch, buy Irish cheese, look at the seafood counters, pick up bread or browse local produce during the same visit.
Best Time to Visit the English Market for Food
For a quieter and more relaxed experience, a weekday visit can be a good option.
Lunch is one of the busiest periods, particularly when visitors and local shoppers are using the market at the same time.
If you are planning to eat at Farmgate Café, check its current opening hours before visiting. Its official schedule changes depending on the day, and the café is not open every day.
For the widest choice, it is also worth visiting while the market is operating rather than arriving near closing time.
English Market Restaurant vs Eating at the Market Stalls
One of the easiest mistakes visitors make is assuming that the English Market is simply one restaurant.
It is not.
There are two different experiences.
Sit-down dining:
Farmgate Café is the main choice if you want to sit down for a proper meal and take in the market from above.
Casual market eating:
Several traders offer food that works better for a quick lunch, snack or takeaway-style meal. The current market directory includes businesses such as My Goodness, Maki Sushi, Pie Guys and On the Hoof.
Neither approach is necessarily better. It depends on how much time you have and what you want to eat.
Tips for Eating at the English Market
1. Look around before choosing
Do not immediately stop at the first food counter you see. Walk through the market and see what catches your attention.
2. Check the day’s menu
For Farmgate in particular, the menu reflects seasonal ingredients and changes over time.
3. Allow extra time
The English Market is worth exploring beyond your meal. Give yourself time to browse the stalls rather than treating it as a quick restaurant stop.
4. Check opening times
Individual traders have their own schedules, and these can differ from the market’s general opening times.
5. Consider a weekday visit
If you have flexibility, visiting outside the busiest lunch period can make it easier to take your time.
Is the English Market Good for Tourists?
Yes, particularly if you want to combine food with a Cork city sightseeing stop.
The market is centrally located and gives visitors the opportunity to experience local produce, traditional foods and newer food businesses in one building.
For first-time visitors, Farmgate Café can make the experience particularly straightforward: explore the market downstairs, then head upstairs for a meal overlooking the trading floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in the English Market Cork?
Farmgate Café is the main choice for a sit-down restaurant experience inside the English Market. It serves seasonal and regional food and has been operating in the market for more than 25 years.
Is Farmgate Café inside the English Market?
Yes. Farmgate Café is located upstairs inside Cork’s English Market on Princes Street.
Does the English Market have vegan food?
Yes. My Goodness is a plant-based food business currently operating inside the English Market.
Can you get a quick lunch at the English Market?
Yes. The market has several casual food businesses, including On the Hoof, the Sandwich Stall, Pie Guys and other food traders.
Does the English Market have sushi?
Yes. Maki Sushi is currently listed among the English Market’s food traders.
What kind of food does Farmgate Café serve?
Farmgate focuses on seasonal, regional and traditional Irish food. Cork City Council lists dishes including Irish lamb stew, fish pie, corned beef, lamb’s liver, and tripe, onions and drisheen among its traditional offerings.
Do I need to book Farmgate Café?
Farmgate offers online table reservations. If you specifically want a table in the dining room, checking availability and booking ahead is sensible, particularly for busy lunch periods.
Final Thoughts: Where Should You Eat at the English Market?
The English Market is one of the most interesting places to eat in Cork city because you are eating in the middle of a working food market rather than simply visiting a standalone restaurant.
For a traditional sit-down meal, Farmgate Café is the standout option, particularly if you want Irish food and a view over the market.
For something more casual, you have several alternatives, including My Goodness for plant-based food, On the Hoof for a quick lunch, Maki Sushi for sushi and Pie Guys for casual market food.
The best approach is to arrive hungry, take a walk around the market first, and then choose the type of food that suits you.