Quay Co-op is a Workers' Co-operative since 1982 founded on radical roots fighting for equality for all genders and for sustainable living. Home to Cork's first Vegetarian restaurant, which also heavily features vegan cuisine - today the restaurant is known as 'Upstairs at The Co-op' and offers table service dine in . A 'Downstairs Deli/Cafe' is open from 8am for takeaway and dine-in veggie sandwiches, salads & snacks. The health and wholefood store features Cork's biggest range of vegetarian food, much of which is made in house in. Open Mon-Fri 08:30-18:00, Sat 08:00-18:00. Shop opens at 8am Mon-Sat. Restaurant opens from 12-9 pm Wed-Sat.
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 10 Apr 2025 by stephenco
Update business info
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75 Reviews
First Review by Stevie
stephenco
Points +427
Excellent cafe and food but their hours are not as advertised!! - Edit
Excellent cafe and food but their hours are not as advertised!!
Read moreWe called on a Monday only to find it closed although they advertised it as open.
Called back the next day at 4pm only to be told they were closing shortly even though they advertised as open to 6pm.
Thankfully when we called the next day at lunch time they were open - it was worth the frustration.
Updated from previous review on 2025-04-09
Guest
AMRAM
Points +641
Great food - Edit
We tried many different options and they were all delicious. The vibe of the place is also quite nice and it’s next to Grand Parade. I only wish more of the food was vegan, which would make the food more accessible to everyone.
Read moreGuest
veganhut28
Points +77
Great vegan and veggie options - Edit
Love the quality of food and the two salad options you can add with your meal make sure to get your veg in. Staff are also very friendly with a cozy atmosphere.
Read moreGuest
kathylee
Points +211
Lunch time trip - Edit
The restaurant is up quite steep steps but there’s lots of vegan items to choose from. I had the tomato and basil soup which was hot and tasty.
Read morePros: Central Cork location, If you have a window seat you can watch the world , Lots of vegan option including cakes
Cons: The steep stairs
Guest
mockingbird
Points +3028
Pinnacle veganism - Edit
I loved this place when I visited, it’s both a mix of classic veggie co-op, health food store, deli and a modern vegan experience. Brilliant food, lovely staff, good atmosphere. Long may it live!
Read moreGuest
Orty
Points +36
Beautiful view, lots of vegan dishes and very kind staff - Edit
I love this restaurant! I've been there several times and it has never disappointed me. There are many delicious vegan options for both lunch and dinner. I also went with omnivorous people and they were also very satisfied with the dishes
Read moreGuest
plositive
Points +110
Full of Flavor & Personality - Edit
Loved the deli set up. Many vegan options and super friendly staff. You can sit and enjoy your food inside the grocery store which adds to the experience. Just lovely.
Read moreGuest
YogiColleen
Points +256
Delicious food - Edit
A lovely spot right by the river! We got our meal from the deli and a couple of prepackaged salads to go (all for €25). We really enjoyed the food- it was delicious!
Read moreWe didn’t get to try the upstairs restaurant (maybe next time).
Customer service was so-so. And there weren’t as many vegan options as I thought there would be.
I would still go back should I find myself in Cork in the future.
Pros: Eat in or to go options, Seating by the river, Zero waste & refill home options
Cons: Not too many vegan options , Customer service was ok
Guest
JsonH
Points +376
Veggie & Vegan Deli - Edit
Had the burger and pastie, both of which were very satisfying and very good value. Staff were friendly and attentive. Will definitely be back again.
Read morePros: Very good value, Healthy Options , Friendly staff
Cons: Restaurant upstairs closed
Guest
RugbyNerd
Points +1509
Großartig - Edit
A little bit expensive from a german perpective but worth it. Good selection and great taste.
Read moreGuest
dwsage
Points +254
Good food for a good price! - Edit
There's a decent selection of vegan options, which we greatly enjoyed. Large portions. Good price. Great place! Definitely worth a visit!
Read morePros: Delicious, Good options, Excelent price
Guest
yumyum22
Points +597
Very filling vegan Tea - Edit
We got vegan tea for two. It was a large array of natural, whole food savoury and sweet snacks. I could not exaggerate how hungry I was before this, so I was prepared to be disappointed with small portions of a tea.
Read moreI was very wrong. It was incredibly filling, and delicious. Loved the deconstructed apple crumble.
I will add that vegan scones and cream were available, which was great!
Staff were very friendly and helpful. Beautiful views out of the window.
For vegans, the tea is well worth it - there's no poor substitute for vegetarian options, but rather full and proper choices from entirely plant based foods.
Updated from previous review on 2023-04-10
Guest
SusanaDuarte
Points +11852
Vegetarian restaurant - Edit
Vegetarian menu, we had a vegetables tempura with mini Buddha bowl, the oven potatoes and the tofu cocktail. Also everyday there is a different soup of the day. The food is tasty, but for the price they're asking is not really worth it.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-02-13
Pros: All vegetarian or vegan, Next to the market, Organic and locally produced
Cons: A bit expensive
Guest
Kittybiscuit
Points +9053
choice for vegans - Edit
2023 March I’ve been back here twice. I had a lunch special of vegetable tempura and salad and then I came here for dinner. The mushroom stroganoff was nice. I couldn’t eat all the rice served with it though. Staff are lovely.
Read more2015 I was a bit worried I'd starve in Cork but I needn't have worried. There were lots of vegan options and the staff were so friendly and helpful. I had a shepherd's pie which was incredibly tasty. I also had a scone with soy cream. Yum!
Updated from previous review on 2015-12-17
Pros: friendly staff
Guest
Vegan-ista
Points +811
Vegan afternoon tea! New to the fabulous Quay Co-op 💚 - Edit
Tasty, plentiful, special occasion afternoon tea - a new offering of the Quay Co-op. Was presented on a platter instead of the classic tiered stand but still very enjoyable. The organic vegan prosecco was delicious. All in all very good. How I wish they offered vegan scones and cream - available on the vegetarian option - would be so easy to make it vegan. Happy to recommend it, such a nice treat.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-12-26
Pros: Vegan afternoon tea in Cork, Great food, Fabulous building over looking the River Lee
Guest
ElizabethBushby
Points +20
Loved everything about this sweet place - Edit
Found this place on our last night in Cork. Absolutely loved it. Food was amazing, excellent range of cuisines that were well done. The staff were really friendly and helpful as well.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Vegan alcohol options clearly marked, Delicious range, hard to choose
Guest
DeirdreF
Points +390
Great place! - Edit
Loads of vegan options, nice atmosphere, excellent staff, good portions and not too expensive, definitely recommend!
Read moreGuest
julia2415
Points +20
great food + atmosphere - Edit
the menu was very clear about vegan/gf options, and the restaurant upstairs is lovely. the coffee is also delicious, and they offer a range of plant-based milks!
Read moreGuest
dms347
Points +385
Great Value, Cute Shop - Edit
This was my favorite place to eat in Cork. Really well priced, nice staff, lots of options.
Read morePros: Lots of options, Nice staff, Affordable prices
Guest
cpemp
Points +16
Tolles komplett vegetarisches Restaurant in Cork! - Edit
Super leckeres Essen mit vielen vegetarischen und veganen Optionen ☺️😋
Read morePros: Viele tolle Vegane/ Vegetarische Optionen 😋☺️, Sehr leckeres und gesundes Essen , Nette und höfliche Bedienung
Guest
ThatsVegayzing
Points +781
Unique and Delicious Plant-Based Cuisine - Edit
Read moreHealthy 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.
Pros: Delicious options , Hefty servings
LisaLeahy
From all of us at the Quay Co-op, we thank you for this lovely, comprehensive review and hope to see you again soon!
Read moreGuest
Ju'
Points +28
Heart warming restaurant! - Edit
Nice place with lots of vegan options (mains and some desserts), local and fresh products, great choice of drinks as well!
Read morePaid a visit a few days after the reopening in November and had a lovely night there. got a "doggy bag" for my left-over , which is really nice to avoid food waste!
Pros: Lots of vegan options , Nice staff and place , Reasonable prices
Guest
Trishadem
Points +13
CLOSED FOR REFURBISHMENT SEP 2021 - Edit
It's not open to the public at present and it not quite clear when it will reopen. There is no reopening date given on their website.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-09-27
Guest
HealthyLiving
Points +24
Amazing Place - Edit
In a City full of great food - the Quay Co-Op stands out. There is always a great buzz in the place, the food is always top quality. On top of all that, there is an EPIC supermarket/health store downstairs where you can find everything you need.
Read morePros: Great food, Buzz, really good value
Cons: upstairs, might find it hard to get a seat at lunch time, ...
Guest
Veganup
Points +2149
Great food! - Edit
I had the pleasure of eating here twice while in Cork (pre-COVID) once for lunch and again for dinner. For lunch I had the antipasti board which was a combination of bread, olives, hummus and sun dry tomatoes. Sounds simple, right? I have no idea what was up with the sun dry tomatoes but they were fantastic. Not cardboard chewy like others I’ve had in the past, but somehow a flavourful semi dry but still juicy mouthful. For dinner I had a massive plate of some sort of veggie patties with gravy, carrots and parsnips. It was a huge serving and I felt bad that I couldn’t eat it all!
Read morePros: Heart healthy food, Large servings
Guest
risingv*gan
Points +116
good for lunch - Edit
has got a nice variety of sandwichs, rolls and baps, both vegan and vegetarian
Read morethey also have amazing soup in the store
Guest
livinlavidavegan
Points +1817
Great vegetarian and vegan restaurant - Edit
I've been here both as a vegetarian and a vegan and it's been great as both! Most recently, for the first time as a vegan, I got the vegan antipasti board to share which had a selection of bread, humous, pesto, olives and sun-dried tomatoes which was good (although a bit greasy). The best though was the vegan cheesecake which I was very pleasantly surprised to love!
Read morePros: Delicious vegan and vegetarian food, Nice old building with view of river
Cons: Not many vegan options
Guest
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