Quay Co-op

Lovely spot in Cork for some great quality food. I've been to the quay coop grocery many times and finally had the chance to try the restaurant upstairs. The place is quite spacious yet cozy, especially with the fireplace going and the big windows that let in the beautiful winter sun. A beautiful selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes , including a variety of drinks options and desserts. I had the quiche, tomato and lentil soup, and the barley drink. Everything was delicious and great portions, and reasonable prices given the quality and flavour of the ingredients and the generous serving sizes. The quiche was especially filling . Everything tastes fresh and homemade and I love that you can see the kitchen in the back. I liked the barely drink and would have it again, and I would recommend it if you want to try something other than coffee. For dessert, I had the avocado chocolate tart. If you're a dark chocolate lover,like myself, you are going to fall in love with this tart. It is luscious and decadent but not too heavy. It really leans into the dark chocolate richness, and it is the perfect level of sweetness for me. It is a good dessert to share due to its richness, or to save it for later. I highly recommend the restaurant, and I will definitely be back. Not only was the food lovely and the space and staff inviting, but I support the quay coop principles and the causes they stand with ✌️.

Healthy organic vegetarian/vegan food in Cork Hidden gem! Food **** Absolutely delicious. We got the special which was a Malaysian vegetable curry with spicy apple chutney. We also ordered the Nut loaf which was an absolute must - one of the best dishes we’ve had in a while - comes with roasted potatoes and roasted root vegetables. SO GOOD! Atmosphere **** Very cute restaurant located on the second floor of a health food store but has an upscale feel. Parking can be tricky but we got a spot on the street near the restaurant and then you can purchase a parking pass for 2 euro at the food shop on the first floor. Service **** Great service and relaxed. Also bathrooms available. Price $$ Dishes were around 15 euro each.

Their market with all organic options is simply awesome! Really good €1.00 options for those short in cash (like me :)). Their restaurant offers tasty options as well, although a little pricey. The environment is cozy. Attendants are very attentive. I want to go again.

It's a beautiful place, the service and the food are incredible, if you want to eat healthy and delicious food and also have a beautiful view of the river.

Lovely spot upstairs for a vegetarian lunch with windows overlooking the river. Friendly staff and good for gluten free options too. Highly recommend it.

Affordable vegetarian food in nice café surroundings (5/5 green stars) The Quay Co-op store has a small deli counter that at first we thought was the restaurant, but they directed us to go two doors down and upstairs to the main restaurant. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just want to have some cheap healthy food, I’d say it’s well worth a visit. It’s a very cheerful space with some great art on the walls, friendly staff, and a good selection of main courses and desserts (and a few wines too). It’s quite like Cornucopia in Dublin in terms of ordering process, atmosphere, and food selection. I had a lentil patty with tomato sauce and two sides for €7 and my brother had a tofu green curry (€11) which also came with two sides. Mine was tasty, although I wasn’t crazy about the tomato sauce, while the green curry was a better choice – it tasted fairly authentic. For dessert I took a trip down memory lane with an apple sponge, which came with a little dish of soy custard – it tasted like 1982 (in a good way!). I’m giving them 5/5 “green stars” for social and environmental impact. It’s a workers’ cooperative that focuses on using healthy vegetarian and vegan ingredients. I believe that many ingredients are organic (they are a member of the Organic Trust) although it would be nice if they provided more information on their ingredient sourcing on their menu and website. They cook their food on-site daily and also have an in-house bakery. The Quay Co-op has long supported the LGBT community in Cork, from the Pride parades to the resource center (The Other Place) to the book launch of Queer Republic of Cork last month. They have a space that’s also used for community events like music and yoga. The Quay Co-op was founded in 1982 as a radical/alternative community project by a collective effort of feminist, lesbian & gay, environmental and other alternative groups and individuals. “A central aim of the Co-op therefore is to ensure that space is provided for minority groupings working for change, who would otherwise have difficulty in organising in the city because of isolation and lack of the necessary support structures.” Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, contact me! (greenstarsproject)

Delighted we stumbled across this gorgeous restaurant. Situated in a beautiful and historic building right on the bank of the Lee with delicious vegan food (Cornucopia in Dublin could learn a lot from these guys). Lovely views from a table by the window. Top class experience

Amazing, fresh and healthy food. Lovely place, quick service, good location. I love it

Healthy organic vegetarian/vegan food in Cork Hidden gem! Food **** Absolutely delicious. We got the special which was a Malaysian vegetable curry with spicy apple chutney. We also ordered the Nut loaf which was an absolute must - one of the best dishes we've had in a while - comes with roasted potatoes and roasted root vegetables. SO GOOD! Atmosphere **** Very cute restaurant located on the second floor of a health food store but has an upscale feel. Parking can be tricky but we got a spot on the street near the restaurant and then you can purchase a parking pass for 2 euro at the food shop on the first floor. Service **** Great service and relaxed. Also bathrooms available. Price $$ Dishes were around 15 euro each.

3.5 stars** Came here for dinner with some lads and we split the gourmet nut burger and Shepherd's pie. As for the sides, we had chick peas, beets, and pasta salad. I couldn't help but to notice the portion differences for the sides. Ours was much less..but anyways, I loved the burger. The coolest thing about veggie burgers is that it is always different. No veggie burger will ever taste the same unless it's not homemade. The choice of toppings and bun was grand too. It seemed like a multi-grain bun. The patty was so rich in flavor. I was not impressed with the Shepherd's pie. It was just a mush of grains. I was expecting something similar to a veggie pot pie. It was good but it was a dish I usually make at home minus the top. The sides were quite natural - quick toss to cook them with minimal seasoning. If you are feeling healthy and not up for extreme flavor, this is a safe choice. Portions are filling and staff are friendly. The restrooms are located upstairs.

Look no more, this IS IT! Need healthy? Gluten Free? Vegan? Vegetarian? Going on Yelp and it better than the reviews. The food was deliciously flavored. We both got the nut seed burger minus the bap (bun). It came with 2 sides. Two people could easily share-huge portions. It was so tasty that I'll always remember this meal.

Lovely people. Great selection. We ate in the coop great vegan and gluten free options! We plan to return!

Affordable vegetarian food in nice café surroundings (5/5 green stars) The Quay Co-op store has a small deli counter that at first we thought was the restaurant, but they directed us to go two doors down and upstairs to the main restaurant. Whether you're vegetarian, vegan, or just want to have some cheap healthy food, I'd say it's well worth a visit. It's a very cheerful space with some great art on the walls, friendly staff, and a good selection of main courses and desserts (and a few wines too). It's quite like Cornucopia in Dublin in terms of ordering process, atmosphere, and food selection. I had a lentil patty with tomato sauce and two sides for €7 and my brother had a tofu green curry (€11) which also came with two sides. Mine was tasty, although I wasn't crazy about the tomato sauce, while the green curry was a better choice - it tasted fairly authentic. For dessert I took a trip down memory lane with an apple sponge, which came with a little dish of soy custard - it tasted like 1982 (in a good way!). I'm giving them 5/5 "green stars" for social and environmental impact. It's a workers' cooperative that focuses on using healthy vegetarian and vegan ingredients. I believe that many ingredients are organic (they are a member of the Organic Trust) although it would be nice if they provided more information on their ingredient sourcing on their menu and website. They cook their food on-site daily and also have an in-house bakery. The Quay Co-op has long supported the LGBT community in Cork, from the Pride parades to the resource center (The Other Place) to the book launch of Queer Republic of Cork last month. They have a space that's also used for community events like music and yoga. The Quay Co-op was founded in 1982 as a radical/alternative community project by a collective effort of feminist, lesbian & gay, environmental and other alternative groups and individuals. "A central aim of the Co-op therefore is to ensure that space is provided for minority groupings working for change, who would otherwise have difficulty in organising in the city because of isolation and lack of the necessary support structures." Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, contact me! (greenstarsproject)

I have been 1 week in Cork and this is my 3rd visit here - I am in love. Such delicious vegan food. Great staff and nice ambiance, my favorite spot is next to the coal stove with a window overlooking the flower box and river below. Everything I tried was delicious, but my favorites are the patties and the avocado chocolate torte. ::food gasm::

As a gen x child who came of age in the 1970s, this place rang all my nostalgia bells. Downstairs store with that ubiquitous cumin-sourdough- odd essential oil smell? Yep. Lentils in dishes never intended for lentils? You betcha. Absolutely fantastic carrot cake? Oh my, yes. If you want a knock-your-pants-off gourmet veg dinner, go to Paradiso. If you want veg comfort food & a nice glass of wine in an attractive woodcuts'n'macrame kind of space, this is for you. I loved it. My sister loved it. My dad, who used to volunteer in our local soap opera of a health food co-op, loved it. And of course I had the vegan shepherds pie. With lentils. How could I not. Never change, Quay Co-Op Restaurant, never change.

I've always loved this place, their food is top tier. However, I was there recently and the prices had gone up, which I wouldn't mind except for the fact the portions are so small. If you're really hungry, don't order the enchiladas, that's all I'll say. It would just about pass for an appetiser. I was disappointed but food is great.

The Quay Co-op, now in its fourth decade, is a perfect example of what it takes to become an "institution". So many places are described as this, but it's rarely appropriate. The Quay Co-op though, is a byword for good food in Cork, and probably one of the places that has contributed to Cork's foodie reputation. Over the years, it's expanded into a serious enterprise, consisting of a handful of shops across Cork, a restaurant, bakery and all-round community amenity. If you're on any sort of wholefood diet, the co-op will cater, and cater well for you. We were looking for gluten-free food, and have already become disillusioned with the selections in most health food stores. The co-op is different though, with an entire section of the store given over to their gluten-free selection. There's something liberating about being able to just pluck items from the shelves without having to check everything in your basket. All in all, an amazing place, and one I can't wait to get back to!

5 stars over 15+ years! This has been a place in my life for the last age. And it just keeps getting better! The restaurant is just great - salads, warm mains, desserts, coffee are all great. The shop is my bible - the place I go to when trying to source the oddest of things. The staff are always great and not bothered with me wandering around. Love, love, love the Quay co-op!

Great atmosphere in two upstairs dining rooms overlooking the river. Espressos were excellent as was the lunch. Would recommend to any vegetarian. The only problem is that you have to pay for parking. Be careful not to park in the spots that require placards--you have to buy the placard first or they will boot your car. But WELL WORTH THE 2 EUROS to park on the side streets.

Cork is a walking city, however it's important to remember your map or directions! We got totally lost trying to find this place, but what a joy when we did. I was especially nervous as they advertised "early dinner". What is an early dinner? We wouldn't get there until after 8 PM. Please let them still be open! Thankfully they were and we had one of the best meals of our whole trip. I had a Spinach and Cottage Cheese Quiche with cole slaw and a green salad. Yum! My sister had the lentil burger (which didn't come with a bun) with a Satay sauce. Very good. Pick up a can of Elderflower soda for a refreshing and only mildly flowery drink. We couldn't resist desert and had a slice of double chocolate cake with soy whipped cream. Heaven! Quay Co-Op was the best thing about Cork City!

Ohhh man.... SO nice to have a non-meat haven, when often the only choice is ordering chips and the "standard" Irish veggie patty. The vegetarian breakfast was ordered, and very enjoyable overall. Thumbs up to the veg sausage, although my boyfriend wasn't quite impressed. Carnivore that he is. The poached egg was less than thrilling (although when is it ever?) Fairly rubbery, and the yolk had that old grey tint to it like it was sitting about for a few days. Admittedly, I don't remember EVER eating a good egg in an Irish restaurant. However, they are free-range...and I trust the Irish version much more than I trust American "free-range". The thick slices of bread, were wonderful. I would've eaten 5 of them if humanly possible. Perfect texture, and gorgeous! Especially with butter all over it. We also ordered a leek/cheese tart for the road, which had a nice crust that would've been made even better by a warm-up in the oven. The atmosphere was very comfortable, and there was a good view of the quay next to the window. A cute and cozy place, I wish I had snapped a photo to remember it better. Grocery shopping in the attached store/bakery was fantastic too. A little pricey, but completely worth it. Bought an excellent brown loaf that didn't last long. Organic & veg options, supplements, beauty supplies, etc... much, much better than going to supervalu! Parking blows, but isn't impossible. Disc street parking is available. That doesn't mean I'm ever driving in Cork again. Healthy options, vegetables, and deliciousness... this is it, people.

Lovely casual setting with many healthy vegetarian options! I could see eating here quite a lot if I lived here... I had a variety of salads for lunch - a "small plate" is a choice of 3 salads and it was quite a substantial portion. A nice casual place to sit and read the paper with some healthy foods and a good coffee. Seems like an easy place to eat alone, or meet up with friends, with a nice city view from its location above the street.

Quay Co-Op What? Quay Co-op Qu'est ce que c'est-op? A vegatarian restaurant Where? In Cork Is it any good? It is! How many Yelpstars? Four That's it? Jeps Thank you for this review. No problem.

Really great place to read a magazine, do work on your laptop, or have a cozy conversation. The menu is unique and the food is comforting and fresh. The soup of the day is always fantastic.

We came by here several times while on our vacation because of the abundance of vegan options they offered (from delicious lattes and sandwiches to the wonderful take away options). A great place to sit for a meal or to stop in for groceries.

One of Cork's best vegetarian restaurants. Its radical history is intriguing, its ethical stance is admirable, but really the food is why I come here. Gorgeous salads, beautiful breads, lovely main courses. Great for a quick healthy lunch. Perfect place in the evening for a relaxed, no fuss meal without feeling like a big night on the town.

I really don't like this place. The food is overpriced and pretty bland-tasting: I can't remember exact prices but I remember being charged over a tenner for a very small falafel "burger" which seemed to have been sitting there for hours. Unless you will only eat vegetarian food, I'd steer clear.

Love this place so much.! Nicest salads in cork and freshly baked scones. Staff are so nice and everything is so healthy, one of my favourite places in cork

Nice staff. Plenty of delicious plant-based food. The shop of the first floor has a great supply of products for a vegan lifestyle.

Oooh it is so good to have a good veggie restaurant in Cork.It not only looks good but the food is excellent too. I have always had problems eating out, as Im a darn good cook, and I have found that there's not much that lives up to my expectation of veggie cooking. But these guys are good thank Goodness.Its so nice to have a treat there . They could do with a good coffee machine though.

Love this place! One of my favorite spots we ate during our honeymoon in Ireland. The food is fresh, delicious and a great find for vegetarians. I love the ambience of the upper dining room that looks down on the river, where we were amused watching loaves of bread - baguette, sandwich, everything - floating downstream in the black waters. We got an individual baked lasagna which was wonderful on a chilly day, and enjoyed the side vegetables as well.

Excellent quality and variety if you're looking for veg/vegan food. Windows over looking the Quay.

I've been waiting to come here since leaving the United States, and I can officially say it was worth the wait. It's one of the few places I have absolutely no hesitation about spending money. Wonderful restaurant, and excellent selection in the store. This is one of my favorite restaurants on earth!

Was dragged in by my Yogi vegetarian Finance only to be very pleasantly surprised by the variety mouth watering menu. The food was absolutely delicious, colourful and fresh!!

The Quay Co-op felt like a little piece of home in Ireland :). It reminds me a lot of my local co-op (that also has an amazing cafe!), and was nice to visit while in Cork. The food here is delicious! I had some kind of pesto stuffed pizza, and it was quite yummy. I also sampled some of the salads. They give you quite a bit of food, but it isn't TOO ridiculous portion-wise. The actual market part of this store is a bit expensive, but does seem to carry a lot of high-quality items, so maybe the price is worth it? I have no clue. Either way, I'd definitely recommend visiting the co-op for a meal! Delicious vegetarian fare, and not too expensive either!

The restaurant upstairs is amazing! Lots of imaginative healthy salads, hot vegetarian dishes (like chick-pea burgers, moroccan tagine and veg lasagne), delicious filling soups and yummy deserts (try the dairy free, gluten free amazing chocolate cake! I was skeptical about the dairy free part, but it really was amazing). Really cheap for dinner (6-11 euro for a dish), and a very relaxing place to spend your lunchbreak. The atmosphere is lovely in there. I just wish there was a place like this in Dublin!

Love this place! Didn't find many vegan restaurants in Ireland, so this was quite exciting to stumble upon! I would highly recommend stopping in.

I'm one of those annoying meat eaters that resents my friends for pulling me into a vegetarian eatery, but I've gotta say, I enjoyed each & every visit to the Quay Co-Op. The foods were delicious & crackling with live energy & flavour. Definitely one of few options to the vegans & vegetarians of Ireland, but at least you're rewarded with this place.

I'm American, so I had no idea how easy it would be to find vegetarian food in Cork. It turns out, that it's not that hard. Quay Co-op just happens to make it really easy. What I like about this place is that it's fast, reasonably-priced and tasty. I ate here twice during my visit to Cork and each time I had a baked meal (lasagna and a chick pea bake) with two sides of roasted veg and a salad. The food isn't mind-blowing, but it's good and wholesome. They also have free wifi, which was nice.

On holiday for five days (June 2005), we ate here on four evenings, lunch on one occasion and once for breakfast. I thought the breakfasts were expensive, but all meals were excellent with a lot of choice for vegans/vegetarians/gluten-free people and good value for money. The portions were large and the desserts fantastic, particularly the trifle. It was also good to have soya cappuccino. The cafe is attractive with the plants and different colour tablecloths, nice colour schemes, newspapers to read and an airy feel. What let the place down badly was the rude and off-hand staff who seem to dislike their work and their customers! (One young man in particular) It was peculiar that they were so unfriendly because everyone else we met in Cork was wonderful - very warm - and so helpful. On our last day we encountered a different girl behind the counter who made up for the others to a degree - she was delightful and chatty and made us feel welcome for a change - she even gave us a gift of a loaf of freshly baked bread on our last visit, which was very kind! (Of course, all staff may have changed by now as I am talking about three years ago) All in all though, a good place to eat. With an evening meal for two, including coffees, for around 25 Euros, it was pretty good value for the hungry vegan or vegetarian traveller! (The wholefood shop downstairs is superb - we bought a lot of cold food/snacks to take back to our hotel and on picnics)

Food is so tasty, great portion size & value. Lots of vegan options, their cheesecake is the nicest I've ever had in my life anywhere! Love the quirky building, view of the river & lovely staff too.

Great! Perfect, I wonder what would I do without this cosy space when I am hungry in the city centre!

Tasty food, good prices and a warm atmosphere. The lasagne is my favourite with potatoes.

What an amazing experience! great food! good qunatity for the price. My husband, a carnivore who loves to try out vegetarian food, was just as amazed.

This was a wonderfully warm and welcoming place for folks on holiday like us. The food was fresh, very reasonably priced, and great rating. We would go back. It reminded us a lot of some of the best places for vegetarian fare we've been.