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.


Venue map for Paradiso
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38 Reviews

First Review by Saddler

livinlavidavegan

Points +666

Vegan
04 Dec 2023

Delicious fine dining plant based

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.

Pros: 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

dd99

Points +28

Vegan
13 Sep 2023

Exciting and innovative

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.

Pros: fabulous, local, fresh & organic

lauraakingg

Points +659

Vegan
09 Sep 2023

Brilliant

Definitely worth the price, nice atmosphere and gorgeous dishes. I got the vegan menu, photos shown are the veggie option

Updated from previous review on 2023-09-09

TaliLulu

Points +19

Vegetarian
29 Aug 2023

Great Chef Restaurant: A Real Experience

The food, the presentation, the service - everything was great.
If 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!

Paperclip

Points +108

Vegetarian
13 Jul 2023

packed with flavour but slightly precious

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.
All 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.

AllyLane

Points +274

Vegan
16 Jun 2023

Best food in the city!

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.

DeirdreF

Points +316

Vegan
15 Apr 2023

Definitely worth a try!

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.

Pros: Full vegan menu

Cons: Expensive

Kittybiscuit

Points +7551

Vegan
02 Mar 2023

Wow, the food and the staff!!

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.
Also, 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

🌱Leon🌱

Points +1234

Vegan
05 Feb 2023

What an experience!

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!

Updated from previous review on 2023-02-05

Pros: Vegan six course menu, Fine dining event

ClaraGarcíaParra

Points +118

Vegan
03 Sep 2022

Amazing 9 course meal

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!

Pros: Great vegan tasting menu , Friendly staff, Cozy atmosphere

Cons: None

watcools

Points +20

Vegan
06 Aug 2022

Superb vegan fine dining

They have a seperate vegan menu. Everything was wonderfull and complete. Unforgetable dining experience!

Pros: Fine dining

Cons: Book far ahead

InesGlasner

Points +31

Vegan
01 Jun 2022

Just WOW

An experience I will never forget!

Pros: Whole 3 course à 3 plates menu, Beautifully constructed plates with a story, Lovely and very friendly service

mikedawsonmd

Points +79

Vegan
15 Nov 2021

Just the BEST

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.

Pros: Friendly, knowledgeable staff, Wine selection, Affordable and well located

Cons: Con? , Forget about it!

CatCavan

Points +539

Vegan
29 Jul 2021

Vegan Paradise

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

Wes2

Points +38

Vegan
13 Aug 2020

Great Veg / Vegan

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.
Always 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

katefall48

Points +282

Vegan
16 Sep 2019

Delicious Vegetarian Dishes

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.

Pros: delicious food

Cons: few vegan options

SlimAndSlam

Points +119

Vegan
18 Jul 2019

A fancy sit-down dinner place

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.

Pros: Fancy meals, Good wine menu, Excellent service

Cons: More vegetarian than vegan, Pricey but also fancy

girasolita

Points +121

Vegan
06 Jul 2019

awesome culinart

not (yet :)) fully vegan, but already amazing food!
charming 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.

UnionRoger

Points +60

Vegan
03 Feb 2019

Fantastic food and great vibe

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!

Frochan

Points +96

Vegetarian
01 Dec 2018

Fabulous food

Exquisite food, beautifully presented - a really lovely treat from time to time.

Talented 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

milcheto

Points +1447

Vegan
26 Nov 2018

Amazing food

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!

Pros: Great food, Helpful staff

Cons: No vegan options, A bit expensive

zoutzout

Points +29

Vegetarian
29 Aug 2018

Choices

High quality vegetarian restaurant. Lots of choices to pick from. Extensive wine selection.

veganpride

Points +28

Vegan
03 Apr 2018

Great Vegetarian Food

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.
While 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

EmilySuttonTaylor

Points +153

Vegan
25 Aug 2017

over priced, no options

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.

PaulSomers

07 Mar 2018

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.

Tamasin

Points +93

Vegan
15 May 2017

Cafe Paradiso

Good for Vegetarians, not so great for vegans, which is a little strange for a vegetarian restaurant

Pros: open for years, near big hotel

Cons: very poor vegan options, "options can be vegan if necessary"

lisaz3349

Points +282

Vegan
27 Apr 2017

So overpriced

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.

Tamasin

15 May 2017

HappyEmma

Points +175

Vegan
23 Apr 2017

Nice Experience

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.

Pros: Friendly and helpful staff, Delicious quality food, A nice fancy vibe

Cons: Not enough vegan options




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