Sometimes going out for breakfast with a baby or toddler can be more fun than going out for dinner but it can be hard to find places that are stroller friendly, have changing facilities and have a delicious menu for both youngsters and adults! Here are our top picks for eating out in Cork with a baby or a toddler.
Scoozis
Scoozi’s Restaurant is a firm favourite for families in Cork. The restaurant serves fantastic breakfast, lunches and dinners (try the belgian waffles for breakfast). It is a bit of a squeeze with a stroller but the staff are very friendly and will offer you a high chair and store your buggy if it’s busy. The restaurant is very popular so be sure to make a reservation well in advance for lunch and dinner. You should only have a short wait at breakfast. Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 8am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 8am – 10.30pm, Sundays 12pm – 9pm
Perry Street Market Cafe, Cork City
Perry Street Market Cafe is located on Perry Street in the City Centre and has just opened another cafe in Mahon Point. There are plenty of delicious food options to choose from and it is a particularly good spot for breakfast where you can get pancakes, full Irish breakfasts, scones and croissants, all cooked to perfection! Ingredients are sourced locally and the food is baked or grilled and not deep fried. Perry’s is open from 8.00, Monday to Saturday and from 11.00am on Sundays.
The House Cafe, The Opera House, Cork City
The House Cafe is independently run and located in the foyer of Cork Opera House. It recently underwent a revamp and is the perfect spot to take babies and toddlers in the city centre. The cafe offers breakfast and an all day menu of light lunches and more substantial mains. There is plenty of room for strollers and there are high chairs and changing facilities. The cafe is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 to 5.30 and whenever the Opera House stages an event.
Suttons Bar, Rochestown Park Hotel, Rochestown
Sometimes it can be hard to find somewhere open early on a Sunday morning but Suttons bar in the Rochestown Park Hotel opens each day at 8.30 am and has a fantastic breakfast menu in a spacious, stroller friendly bar/restaurant. There are some great choices on the menu including American style pancakes, omelettes, fresh scones and more and there is plenty of green space for toddlers to run around. Across from the main hotel entrance is a small park with an aviary with colourful birds and there are picnic benches here too so on a sunny day you can take your coffee out here and let little ones run around!
The Bodega, Cork City Centre
The Bodega bar is located on cornmarket street and is a great place for babies and toddlers due to the sheer size of the space. The bar is decorated in Viennese style and serves breakfast, lunch and dinners. there are some great food choices on the menu and it is very central. The Bodega opens at 10am everyday.
Griffins Garden Centre, Dripsey
Griffins is a real treat for toddlers. There is a playground and loads of space to run around in the pretty model gardens. They can see statues of elephants, a treehouse and chickens too! The Spinning Wheel Restaurant is located in the centre and has a lovely outdoor terrace (next to the playground) where you can take in breathtaking views of the lee valley. There is a fantastic kids menu and breakfasts include full Irish, mini Irish, scrambled eggs and omelettes. They also serve delicious award winning scones! The staff are also very friendly and helpful and there is a great little section in the centre selling gifts for babies and toddlers including teddy bears, books and activities. A trip here is definitely worthwhile! Griffins is open from 9 to 6pm Monday to Saturday and on Bank Holidays and opens from 10 to 6pm on Sundays.
The Pavilion, Ballygarvan
The Pavilion is located just beyond Cork airport. The cafe is located within a garden centre and has plenty of space for strollers. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch everyday and all food is homemade using only fresh local ingredients, sourced from local suppliers whenever possible.There is also a shop which sells fantastic gifts for babies and toddlers such as teddy bears and wooden toys. The cafe is very colourful and has a bag of toys for toddlers. The cafe is open from Monday to Saturday and on Bank Holidays from 9.00am – 6.00pm and on Sunday from 12pm – 6pm.
Grumpy and Wise, Crosshaven
Grumpy & Wise is fast becoming a favourite for parents with babies and toddlers due to its fantastic breakfasts (try the pancakes or the eggs benedict) and large open plan space. There is plenty of room for strollers and after breakfast or lunch you can take a stroll through Crosshaven and visit the new playground which is located at the other end of the town. The cafe is open from 9.00am to 6,00pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10.00am to 6.00pm on Sundays.
The Lemon Leaf, Kinsale
The Lemon Leaf, Kinsale is located on Main Street in Kinsale and is the perfect place for an all day breakfast or lunch. The food is fantastic and is all locally sourced. There are half portions available for kids and there is a kids corner. There’s a huge breakfast menu with lots of delicious choices from pancakes and french toast to full Irish breakfasts. It can be a bit of a squeeze with a stroller but the staff are very friendly and they will make room. The cafe is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and from 8.30am to 5.00pm at the weekend.
Bally Seedy, Carrigtwohill
The 26,000 sq ft centre is one of the largest lifestyle and Garden centres in the South of Ireland. The restaurant at the centre is open all day and serves a fantastic range of healthy food, freshly baked breads, cakes and deserts using local produce. There are high chairs and a fantastic, kids menu. There is also a small shop within the centre selling baby and toddler toys and gifts.The centre is open from 9.30 until 6pm, Monday to Friday and from 12pm to 6pm on Sundays. At the other side of the car park is Go Safari, a fantastic indoor play area with a soft play area and ball pit especially for 0-3 year olds complete with slides and safe climbing areas.
Carewswood Garden Centre, Castlemartyr
Carewswood is the perfect place to stop for breakfast if you are travelling to Youghal or Garryvoe. The garden centre has a lovely cafe nestled in the greenhouse at the back. It is a perfect spot for breakfast or lunch and has some toys for toddlers inside as well as a kids table. There is a small playground outside and there are chickens which toddlers will love! The cafe is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 6.00pm and from 12.00pm to 6.00pm on Sundays.
