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hand picked restaurants

In a secluded woodland setting in Cork's Blackwater Valley, Springfort Hall Hotel has an old-fashioned charm ideal for romantic getaways or discreet business meetings. The hotel's seductive dark-walled restaurant adds to the intimate ambience, with a succulent menu of international flavours. Typically imaginative dishes include Chinese-style roasted duck with a caramelised kumquat sauce and roasted fillet of ostrich and camel on a raz el hanout bread and potato cake.

Nestled snugly in the heart of Cork, the historic 'walled island', Fenns Quay Restaurant is hard to miss both for its prominent location adjacent to the courthouse and its well-established reputation for serving delectably prepared, fresh seasonal produce. The décor is simple, charming and comfortable and ideal for just about any day and any occasion. The owners Kate Lawlor, who is also Head Chef, Kevin Crowley and Pennapa Wongsuwan believe in keeping their food simple, yet authentic, and it is more than evident in every dish that arrives at the table.

If you're in the mood for early dinner, swing by and order the char-grilled tiger prawns with harissa spiced vegetables and coucous or roll up for lunch and savour the Mediterranean style fish soup and chicken and smoked bacon and mayo sandwich. In conclusion, devour the chocolate and pear pudding with coffee liquor cream as all resolutions respectfully back away.

Italistro has acquired the status of hotspot in Bandon in just a couple of years since its launch, and "why not" you might think, when you consider that it brings a remarkable dining experience to residents and visitors alike. Casually sophisticated, this Mediterranean restaurant relies on its relaxed and laidback atmosphere to draw the crowd, which is usually an eclectic age group ranging from families to young couples on their first or second dates.

The fare emerging from their kitchen is typically Mediterranean but there's also a marked fusion with modern influences from across the world, so it's quite a conundrum between the traditional and contemporary. It's worth mentioning that the restaurant uses only Irish meat and sources all their produce, wherever possible, locally. Their chocolate fondant is famed and has become legendary amongst patrons and the range of fine wines is more than satisfactory.

Tucked away in the luxurious 18th-century surroundings of the Vienna Woods Hotel, Crawford's is an intimate restaurant named after the former owners of this elegant country house. The smart dining room offers a secluded retreat from the nearby bustle of Cork city centre, with a sophisticated menu of international and Irish cooking.

Set in the off the main Dublin to Cork road in the town of Fermoy, Taj Mahal is a simple and unstuffy neighbourhood restaurant with a straightforward menu of curry favourites. Specialising in tandoori and balti dishes, this laid-back eatery also serves staples from pakoras to prawn biryani in an invitingly informal atmosphere.

Set in the off the main Dublin to Cork road in the town of Fermoy, Taj Mahal is a simple and unstuffy neighbourhood restaurant with a straightforward menu of curry favourites. Specialising in tandoori and balti dishes, this laid-back eatery also serves staples from pakoras to prawn biryani in an invitingly informal atmosphere.

Set in the imposing four-star Ambassador Hotel, Seasons is a smartly-turned-out and welcoming restaurant in the centre of the historic city of Cork. The contemporary dining room with its well-spaced tables and warm ambience serves a straightforward menu of international cuisine delivered with an Irish twist. After dinner, relax with a drink in the friendly surroundings of the Embassy Bar or enjoy the open fire and resident pianist in the elegant cocktail lounge.

Lannigan's is a casual, friendly restaurant with a menu influenced by traditional American steakhouses, combined with an international sprinkling of dishes from around the world and plenty of family-friendly sharing and combination platters. The restaurant is situated within the Quality Hotel and Leisure Centre in Cork.

Situated close to Cork city centre, Watermarq is a chic restaurant set within the four-star Silver Springs Moran Hotel. The buzzy open kitchen serves a fusion of modern Irish and international cuisine, featuring dishes such as pan-fried venison medallions on colcannon mash and chicken roulade stuffed with smoked salmon and spinach leaves. Cosy booth seating and retro tones add to the stylish ambience of the interior, and there's a cosmopolitan cocktail bar and summertime al fresco barbeques.