Lacto
Beer/Wine
European
Breakfast
Irish
Veggie food restaurant opened since 1993. Offers set menus as well a la carte. Cheese is used but some dishes can be made vegan upon request. Offers bed and breakfast guestrooms upstairs. Open Tue-Sat 17:00-22:00. Closed Sun-Mon.
38 Reviews
First Review by Saddler
livinlavidavegan
Points +666
Delicious fine dining plant based - Edit
This was my second time eating at Paradiso, with a gap of 5 years. The first time I ate here I was vegetarian, and I knew at that time by reputation that vegans were not made very welcome. This time returning as a vegan, I am glad that they now have a separate vegan menu. One of our party was vegetarian so I can say that only minor alterations were made for vegan dishes from the vegetarian counterparts, and seemed to be mostly cheese substitutes. How I wish for the future that Paradiso would be 100% vegan! In terms of the food, the tastes and the presentation cannot be faulted. It is a set menu (expensive at €68) with no options until the dessert (choice of two on the vegan menu, more on the vegetarian one). My highlight was the exquisite lemon and blackberry posset, with unbelievably amazing flavours. The staff were friendly and explained each course. I have to say though that it left a bad taste in my mouth when a waiter handed us the bill informing us of a 'discretionary' 10% tip for parties over four people - meanwhile the tip was already printed and totalled with the rest on the receipt! Not so discretionary tipping... Overall though, it was a very enjoyable experience, as a once in a blue moon celebratory treat. Great that it is in business now 30 years, here's to 30 more.
Read morePros: Delicious thoughtful plant-based food, Friendly staff , Beautiful presentation
Cons: Enforced 10% tip on parties over four, Expensive set menu and wines, Menu could be made completely vegan
Guest
dd99
Points +28
Exciting and innovative - Edit
A real treat - great to go to for special occasions of any type. I love bringing my non-vegan friends here to show them a whole ‘nother level of delicious food (especially those that think vegan is boring and tasteless) . Love that the tasting mmenu lets you try everything, rather thanhaing to make one choice.
Read morePros: fabulous, local, fresh & organic
Guest
lauraakingg
Points +659
Brilliant - Edit
Definitely worth the price, nice atmosphere and gorgeous dishes. I got the vegan menu, photos shown are the veggie option
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-09
Guest
TaliLulu
Points +19
Great Chef Restaurant: A Real Experience - Edit
The food, the presentation, the service - everything was great.
Read moreIf you are in Cork you have to go here. The fixed menu is a little expensive for a vegetarian restaurant (65€) but worth every euro.
It is absolutely necessary to make a reservation in advance if you want to eat here.
The six courses ard very filling and we just had enough room for desert. I recommend the chocolate tart although my spouse also enjoyed the marscopone.
Pros: All the courses were unique , Each dish was not something I could make at home
Cons: None!
Guest
Paperclip
Points +108
packed with flavour but slightly precious - Edit
They helpfully fitted me in at short notice when i phoned to book. The menu was the 6 course taster with recommended wine pairings. Fine dining isn’t really me. I’m more bistro but I was interested to see what high end veggie food tastes like. There was a vegan option but I thought I’d try it exactly as intended. It was packed with flavour.
Read moreAll of the portions were quite small. But the gazpacho and beetroot starters were very flavoursome. The next two courses - tomato and then cauliflower - were both very good although I had to look at the photo to check whether I’d had any samphire. The potato and aubergine dishes were good, but a potato is still just a potato. My favourite course was the sweet. I chose the raspberry mascarpone with almond snap.
I’m glad I went although it could be considered as slightly precious.
Guest
AllyLane
Points +274
Best food in the city! - Edit
Had the 6 course set vegan menu. It was unbelievable and so tasty. Every course was unique and seasonal. Delicious wine and really nice and knowledgeable staff. Can't miss for anyone vegan.
Read moreGuest
DeirdreF
Points +316
Definitely worth a try! - Edit
Great experience at Cafe Paradisio. Full vegan menu, excellent service and friendly staff. Food was gorgeous, amazing combinations and flavours. Probably a bit too much sauce in some courses and could have added more veg or bread instead would be the only comment I’d have. Overall, a great experience and would highly recommend.
Read morePros: Full vegan menu
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Kittybiscuit
Points +7551
Wow, the food and the staff!! - Edit
I booked some time ago (it was busy so I would recommend a reservation) and mentioned I was vegan. Within seconds of sitting down, they had provided the vegan menu to me. It was a 6 course meal. Every course is explained to you and all of them were delicious. The combinations worked well and the portion sizes were good. I really could taste all the ingredients. It’s a really well thought out menu.
Read moreAlso, I was reading a book and they got things to prop it up so I didn’t need to strain my neck to read it. The staff were so thoughtful.
Finally dessert was just incredible. Such a creamy sorbet.
I’d you’re in Cork, don’t miss it
Guest
🌱Leon🌱
Points +1234
What an experience! - Edit
Fantastic 6 course vegan menu. Tons of love and creativity went into every single course. It‘s a fine dining experience and thus on the expensive side, but it is worth every cent. Lovely staff, great place, highly recommend!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-02-05
Pros: Vegan six course menu, Fine dining event
Guest
ClaraGarcíaParra
Points +118
Amazing 9 course meal - Edit
Unlike most vegetarian places, Café Paradiso is a beautiful mix of cozy, formal and relaxed - and the food is gorgeous. The only vegan option is a taster menu for 2, and it's worth it. The ingredients are beautifully cooked and presented, and the wine selection is great. We had a wonderful evening!
Read morePros: Great vegan tasting menu , Friendly staff, Cozy atmosphere
Cons: None
Guest
watcools
Points +20
Superb vegan fine dining - Edit
They have a seperate vegan menu. Everything was wonderfull and complete. Unforgetable dining experience!
Read morePros: Fine dining
Cons: Book far ahead
Guest
InesGlasner
Points +31
Just WOW - Edit
An experience I will never forget!
Read morePros: Whole 3 course à 3 plates menu, Beautifully constructed plates with a story, Lovely and very friendly service
Guest
mikedawsonmd
Points +79
Just the BEST - Edit
I’ve been several times this year and it’s amazing. So accommodating for vegans, they can usually make all the vegetarian dishes vegan. The staff are excellent, so knowledgeable and friendly. The wine selection is also ridiculously good. Top marks, going to make another booking soon and can’t wait.
Read morePros: Friendly, knowledgeable staff, Wine selection, Affordable and well located
Cons: Con? , Forget about it!
Guest
CatCavan
Points +539
Vegan Paradise - Edit
Had the most delicious vegan meal here! 8 of the 9 tapas were available as vegan options, so we had them all! What an explosion of tastes and flavours!! Staff were lovely and helpful. Delicious wine and a light vegan mousse as dessert. Will be back for another amazing vegan experience
Read moreGuest
Wes2
Points +38
Great Veg / Vegan - Edit
Even though it is mainly veg I have found they will tweek for vegan when asked, all food Ive had has been so well thought out.
Read moreAlways love visiting when in Cork a bit pricey but worth it every now and then.
Pros: well thought out dishes, happy to accomodate if vegan
Cons: can be costly
Guest
katefall48
Points +282
Delicious Vegetarian Dishes - Edit
The food here is fantastic but they don't indicate which, if any, dishes are vegan. It would be fantastic if they had more vegan options.
Read morePros: delicious food
Cons: few vegan options
Guest
SlimAndSlam
Points +119
A fancy sit-down dinner place - Edit
This is where you go in Cork for fancy 3-course meals. It's all vegan and vegetarian but mostly vegetarian the night we went. My main course had to be modified to make it vegan.
Read morePros: Fancy meals, Good wine menu, Excellent service
Cons: More vegetarian than vegan, Pricey but also fancy
Guest
girasolita
Points +121
awesome culinart - Edit
not (yet :)) fully vegan, but already amazing food!
Read morecharming ambience with lovely and passionate cooking and service.
look for the vegan options on the menu or just let them surprise you.
make sure, you book a table in advance.
Guest
UnionRoger
Points +60
Fantastic food and great vibe - Edit
We were blown away by the excellent veggie and and the great vibe in the restaurant. Impressed by the attention to detail and the attentive but non intrusive staff. Excellent!
Read moreGuest
Frochan
Points +96
Fabulous food - Edit
Exquisite food, beautifully presented - a really lovely treat from time to time.
Read moreTalented chefs who care about the ingredients and present really delicious food that is also a feast for the eye.
Updated from previous review on 2018-12-01
Pros: Amazing food, Nice atmosphere
Cons: They should do more dishes that are 100% vegan
Guest
milcheto
Points +1447
Amazing food - Edit
The menu is vegetarian, but the staff is super friendly and helpful and ready to customize the dish for your personal needs. And the tempeh was simply amazing!
Read morePros: Great food, Helpful staff
Cons: No vegan options, A bit expensive
Guest
zoutzout
Points +29
Choices - Edit
High quality vegetarian restaurant. Lots of choices to pick from. Extensive wine selection.
Read moreGuest
veganpride
Points +28
Great Vegetarian Food - Edit
Having been a vegetarian in Cork for the last 7 years, Cafe Paradiso has always been my favourite restaurant. The food is fresh, seasonal and always delicious. Beautiful interior and friendly staff adds to its appeal not only for the veggie community but also curious carnivores. My reluctance to go there in recent times only reflects on my decision to go Vegan.
Read moreWhile some items on the menu such as salads can be altered to be served as a vegan, the whole menu is geared towards a vegetarian lifestyle which relies heavily on dairy and egg produce. Many of the dishes are cheesy and therefore not suitable for Vegans like myself.
I would not fault the restaurant for this as the producers of local vegetables and artisan cheeses influence their primary style. However, when looking for vegan food in cork, Cafe Paradiso would not be my first choice anymore. Vegetarians, on the other hand, will marvel at the presentation and wonderful favours exhibited by the crew of talented chefs.
2018 Update: I have continued supporting Cafe Paradiso ( Now just called Paradiso) over the years as the quality of food and attention to detail is superb. The staff there are more than happy to tell you which dishes are vegan or the ones that can be altered to make it so including the desserts. I love the food here and find it truly is in a league of its own as I haven't found an Irish restaurant that prepares vegan food with the same level of flavour, quality and creativity as Paradiso does without fail. Saying that, I hope with the rise of veganism in the city and across the globe that they will one day make the restaurant fully vegan.💚
Pros: Excellent vegetarian and vegan food, Friendly Staff, Stylish interior
Cons: prices can seem expensive but quality is excellent, not as vegan friendly as it could be
Guest
EmilySuttonTaylor
Points +153
over priced, no options - Edit
There is hardly anything for actual vegans, maybe one or two dishes. The staff kind of huffs about it when you ask, so it's more ideal for vegetarians. I just wasn't impressed by the food, especially for the price. I have no problem paying a high price if the food is worth it, but it wasn't. Service was very unfriendly as well, which is strange because everywhere else I visited in Cork was great.
Read morePaulSomers
As a young Vegan, you must relish the thought that people like your opinion (I don't). Whenever I am in Cork, I grab a quick bite to eat in Cafe Paradiso, and have done so since 2001. Yes Vegetarian, they do not claim to be Vegan.... It would be the same as going to a Steak House and asking for a Vegetarian.
Read moreGuest
Tamasin
Points +93
Cafe Paradiso - Edit
Good for Vegetarians, not so great for vegans, which is a little strange for a vegetarian restaurant
Read morePros: open for years, near big hotel
Cons: very poor vegan options, "options can be vegan if necessary"
Guest
lisaz3349
Points +282
So overpriced - Edit
I feel like this place you either love or you dont. Personally I would never go back. It was 80 euros for two plates 1 starter and wine and we were both hungry after. I realise thats part of the territory with fine dinning but Jacobs on the mall is a far better deal.
Read moreTamasin
Yup, I'd agree with that :)
Read moreGuest
HappyEmma
Points +175
Nice Experience - Edit
Took my mother here for here birthday a couple of years ago and we had a really nice time. Yes the price was higher but I find that is the standard when you go out for full meals with beverages and I found the experience was worth it. As a vegan you definitely must call ahead to be safe. Then they will guide you through the menu to let you know what is or can be made vegan. I enjoyed a chocolate soup :) I knew that if it sounded weird they had to be good at it. This place is an evening cafe. Cork vegans and veggies still have to explore this place as our meetups are usually daytime and closer to a budget. We look forward to going some day this year though.
Read morePros: Friendly and helpful staff, Delicious quality food, A nice fancy vibe
Cons: Not enough vegan options
Guest
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