Service was friendly and attentive but not overpowering. our meal was very good and the food was interesting and tasty, good wine was was reasonably priced. A very pleasant evening and I would definitely return.

**ALERT FOR VEGETARIANS**. My experience of this restaurant was terrible. On reading the menu I noted on the list of vegetarian option they mentioned double cream and parmesan cheese. The waiter who served us asked the chefs to check if my assumptions were correct before I informed the management and yes it was true, the products they were using for the vegetarian meals did contain gelatine and animal fats. The management was very rude to me when I informed them that double cream and parmesan cheese both contain animal products and its false advertising to call those dishes vegetarian. My friend and I were intimidated so much during this conversation we decided to leave. They told us they didn't run a vegetarian restaurant. I think as a diner it's important to let an establishment know about dietary needs but when met with hostility and intimidation it never makes for a great experience.

I love Il Padrinos...the food is amazing and the atmosphere is relaxed and romantic. Definitely more couple orientated as the table settings are quite intimate but a fantastic restaurant

Went here for dinner on monday evening - just a main course. There is a new room added to the restaurant and it is very nice - but there was a bit of a smell there though, like drainage or something. It was quiet in there but that wasn't an issue. Ordered 2 pasta dishes, I liked the garlic flat-bread that came with it -sauce was tasty but the pasta was overdone, mine broke apart when putting the fork in it. Also I ordered the dish because it came with vegetables - peppers, sweet corn and I think something else. The sweet corn I think I found 2, and very few peppers. Also i thought the chicken was quite dry. For the price I didn't think this was acceptable - €17.95. I ordered a glass of Spanish Reuda wine - it was lovely but it was €7.90 - I didn't notice this when ordering. The bottle was €25.95. I think €7.80 is too steep for a glass of wine. Also a sparkling wine was €2.60 - it didn't even come in a bottle - just a glass so most likely either from a large bottle that costs €1 for the entire bottle in supermarket or splash which costwise is even less. Its a nice restaurant but its not worth €45.50 for 2 mains and 2 drinks (one non-alcoholic).

Have only dined here twice but have enjoyed both visits. I can not fault the food, service or atmosphere of the restaurant. If I am in the area again, I will call in.

Myself and my girlfriend are regular visitors to this restaurant. The service is good and the setting is ideal for couples or groups. The food is amazing; I have tried a lot of the menu and have never been disappointed! Their pizzas in particular are delicious! The sauces that they use for their pasta dishes are also superb! I would highly recommend trying the garlic bread for starters also!

Myself and my boyfriend went here for a meal and we loved it. I would highly recommend here, and we will definitely be going back here ourselves again. The staff were very friendly, helpful and professional. The food was excellent, the best i'd had since being in venice last year. It was really gorgeous food. The atmosphere was great too. The backround mucic and the way the lighting was in the place was lovely and you really felt relaxed while enjoying a gorgeous meal with a bottle of wine.

My boyfriend and I regularly visit Il padrinos beginning last september. The staff are very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed meal and for couples looking for a romantic evening meal. But it is the food especially that keeps us coming to il padrinos our favourite main courses are the cannelloni and the il padrinos fillet steak. On our last visit the food was just as good as the first and as we are both quite picky eaters the staff are extremely obliging when we wish to make changes to dishes. The introductory of the cellar ensures a great wine selection and the staff are always helpful when picking the wine. Overall I cannot fault il padrinos and will be one of the main things ill miss about Cork when I leave. Brilliant place you have to try it!

I had been to this restaurant a number of times and always enjoyed it. However, the last time I went I was disappointed with the service and the dessert did not taste as good as I remembered it. Firstly, there was a slight delay in finding us a table although the restaurant was not full and we had made a reservation. There was not much of an atmosphere at all, I did not feel relaxed or at ease while I was there. Secondly, There was some confusion in relation to what was actually available on the menu and thirdly, my dessert order was completely forgotten about. My boyfriend was given his dessert and when mine still hadn't arrived a few minutes later I asked for mine again! I then got it a minute later. All in all the food was good but not great and the poor service and lack of atmosphere did not make it an enjoyable evening. Furthermore, we had to remind the waitress to give us the change from the bill!! This, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable. I will not be returning anytime soon.

Apart from the 40 minute wait to get the table (despite booking) it was a good experience - nice food & wine and reasonable value. I thought my mozarella starter was a bit stingy - there can only have been half a ball of mozarella in it & the olives were cheap and briney. However, all mains were excellent - my seafood risotto was full of mussels and prawns and the 3 pasta dishes the others had all looked great. Service was good and overall it's recommended.

Our table was a bit cramped and obviously in the middle of everyone's way. For starter we had focaccia and mussels with garlic bread and the focaccia was not what I would describe as focaccia. Main course arrived very quickly, not leaving any breathing time inbetween and when it arrived both the pasta and the risotto were overcooked. The sauce for the pasta was not as described on the menu, a basket of bread would have been nice. The wine list, I have to say, was one of the best I have seen in Cork although the food left a lot to be desired. Overall we felt a bit rushed through our meal and were a little disappointed that we had to tell the waitress how to make our coffees but the wine list would bring us back again.

I really like the atmosphere created as you first put one foot inside the door it looks so authentic. The smell of the pizzas are amazing and they are so thin and wonderful to eat. Also good value for your money!!!!

one of the best italian places in cork, the value is so good the staff are very helpful i would bring anyone there *****

I really like this restaurant as it has a great Italian atmosphere and the staff are very helpful but not over the top. I brought some American guests of mine to this restaurant and they really enjoyed it. I had the Fusilli Alla Campagnola and it was mouth watering. My companions had a mixture of pizzas and salads and they all looked excellent. The pizzas can be made to order and were a very good size, maybe too big for some appetites! Overall this restaurant offers great value, service and most importantly great food.

Went here for a quick bite to eat. A lovely Italian feeling about the place-fab atmosphere,lovely friendly staff.I had the lasagne & husband had a pizza. Really enjoyed, well def go back

I love this place and went there regularly when I lived in Cork. Now that I'm not living there anymore, I still make time to eat there when I'm in Cork. The food is great as is the service. There's always a buzz to the atmosphere and it's fantastic value for money. There's loads of choice on the menu. Be warned that the portions are generous so you might be struggling to find room for dessert. If you haven't been there yet, rectify that right away!

Garlic bread with cheese followed by a hawaiian pizza cant be beaten. great for an early dinner and I always try to get the table by the window so I can watch the world go by. My boyfriend loves his pasta and if he ever wants pasta there is no where else he will go. He is very fussy so this is a huge compliment to Il Padrino.

We had a family reunion here last Friday night. There was 11 of us in the group. We have eaten here before but this visit surpassed our previous experiences which were all good. The food was fantastic - We all had starters and I think we sampled everything from the menu - "clean plates were returned to the kitchen" Our main courses were spot on - not a single complaint. The portions were big - so big only a few of us had desert. I had the Creme Brulee - believe me it was to die for - the best I've ever had. We drank loads of wine with some sparkly added in. The staff were so attentive - filling our glasses - watching our reactions and asked us many times if everything was to our satisfaction. One thing that made my night was when I requested an item that was not normally available - the Manager/Owner (not sure) got it for me with no fuss and no drama. Lads ye made our special reunion - extra special and we all thank you for it. Well done.

i love this resturant. last time i was there i had the meatballs and they were fantastic. i went there the night after the flooding in cork city in Nov, and still the service was great. Food was on time and theres a really laid back atomsphere. you feel like your the only one dining there in a good way. never had such a great hearty italian food. a most if your visiting cork city! Location is just off st. patrick street and near many pubs and clubs

I love this restuarant and eat here on a very regular basis. The pasta dishes are amongst the best in Cork. I can't comment on their other dishes as I always go for the pasta. There is a lovely Italian feel to the restaurant and is quiet a romantic place to have a meal. The staff are always very nice to us - however they know us at this stage. My only problem with this restaurant is that they use to have a 7:00pm or 9:00pm sitting and would rush you a lot as you got close to 9:00 sitting. This practice appears to have stopped the last fews times I ate there.

A real Italian experience-great atmosphere,nice lighting and pleasant staff.I recommend all the salads and the risotto is delicious,as is the lasagne!very filling food so iv never had dessert!

Myself and my partner arrived at Il Padrino's on a rainy Sunday evening with no reservation. I had been to this restaurant a year previously with a friend and been quite shocked when we ordered a coffee at around 9 o clock and were informed that the coffee machine had been turned off and so it was too late. Despite this I decided to give Il Padrino's another chance. Firstly, the waiting staff were very frosty and uninterested, and my starter was wrong when it arrived out. As mistakes happen I was not put out by this, just unsurprised as I knew when the waitress was taking the order that she did not understand everything we were saying. I had a prawn and avocado starter while my partner had soggy and rubbery calamari. He only ate one or two of these and was not given any response when he informed the waiter about this. The main courses arrived very soon after; we both had risotto - mine mixed seafood and his a fillet steak and pea. The seafood risotto was so so dry, the rice extremely overcooked (microwaved I suspected), and the seafood mix strange with the odd addition of tuna. I couldn't eat much of it, informed the one friendly waitress (as no staff checked whether our food was ok, despite the half-eaten starter) and was then informed by the manager that seafood risotto was dry in general and that they don't do al dente rice as Irish people don't like it that way!!!! I was both shocked and very offended. I was offered complimentary dessert and coffee, however the bought-in desserts were hardly going to tempt me, so opted for a coffee. In the end my bill was docked only the terrible calamari starter and our two coffees, and so I had paid around 17 euro for the worst risotto I have ever tasted. Terrible customer service - why can't a restaurant simpy admit that a sub-standard dish has been served? - and poor quality of food. Would not recommend and will not be returning.

I went here for a work lunch one Friday and I wasn't very impressed. I had one of the risotto dishes and I thought it was well below standard. There was no real harmony of flavours - it was like a dish of leftovers - and the rice was undercooked. The staff were quite patient and attentive though, especially considering we were a big group and the restaurant was quite busy.

In september, I gave it 5 out of 5 stars, going back this evening, it was a very different story! Tonight, we were 6 adults and 2 children and to be honest, we were ignored the whole night! The food was awful. Ate my main but wasn't impressed. Could have gotten that sauce out of a jar. And the desert? Good god! Italian cheese cake? More like gelatin cake! It looked as awful as it tasted! As an Italian woman cooking italian meals at home, this was "fast food" Italian and not what I expected or have tasted before haven eaten at this place. The service was terrible. The ladies that served us were rude, curt and through the whole meal, we felt as if we were an inconvenience! The atmosphere was weird. Not like I remembered before. I did not feel welcome because we had kids. The value was the only thing that was positive- under €190 for the whole meal. I suppose you get what you paid for! I will never return to Il Padrino's.

I cannot count the amount of times I have been to Il Padrinos. I was here last Saturday night again as a treat. The food is delicious and very very reasonable. The atmosphere is next to none, and the service is fantastic. I would recommend this as a romantic setting or ever if you wanted a night out with your friends. Good food, drink and service, what more would you want!

The food was delicious. Ordered the lasagne and chips and salad. Service excellent. The waiter was a lovely person. The service was excellent but I found the place very cramped and uncomfortable which was a pity because everything else was excellent.

the service here was pretty good, food was nice, good value, nice atmosphere but was a bit cramped, tables were too close together for private conversation but overall was a pretty ok place

The pasta with italian sausage is the nicest pasta dish i have ever eaten in Cork. All the staff are italina and give the place the feel that you are in Italy. I certainly would recommend this restaurant and i will certainly return.

What a huge disappointment Il Padrino was when 7 of us visited on Dec. 28, 2009. Have you ever had an excellent experience somewhere only to go back (in my case 18 months later) and find standards have dipped considerably? Maybe the festive season excused this shabby performance but the high prices were unchanged so I would expect the high standards they deserve. Apart from the cramped seating (the poor couple behind us were so close to our table, I had to take my coat off before I could squeeze into my seat and several times had waiters leaning over me with no “excuse me” from any of them), the food was a major disappointment. This was summed up by a friend we met later who, on hearing complaints, asked “Could you have cooked better yourself?” to which the cooks among us said “Yes”. Firstly was a very ordinary starter, then it was only when a friend asked for his “Fillet Steak” blue that the waiter informed us it actually comes in strips; the menu itself also did not warn of this. What was dished up to me as steak for 22 euro was a glorified beef curry, meat strips drowned in pepper sauce and accompanied by poor chips that looked like the came from a packet. All around the table was a similar story with no-one finding their food anything special. The dessert menu, incredibly, was photographs of those pre-prepared, bought-in desserts! And I had to send my coffee back as the cup was half full on a night that was very much of a glass half-empty variety. On top of this they added 10% service charge even before we got the bill (isn’t this only for parties of 8 or more?). And as we were last out at 11pm, as they would not sit us before 9pm, the kitchen staff sat in the same room as us during dessert, chatting, waiting for us to finish. Everyone at our table thought for the high prices that this was a very poor night and not a penny was added to the 10% service charge even by the most generous of us. A sad decline in standards for a once excellent restaurant.

When I die,this is what I want heaven to be. I love the food. The service and atmosphere feels as if you are on holiday and the mouthwatering aromas when you walk in makes it all too difficult to choose something, Even the mocha coffee I had for dessert was exquisite. Can seem pricey but I have paid a lot more for a lot less. this is worth it.

Great atmosphere, excellent food at Il Padrino. Went here for lunch, and ordered the fusilli alla campagnola, a pasta dish with sausage, mushroom and broccoli in a sundried tomato cream sauce. It was served with two slices of garlic bread, and was the best plate of pasta I’ve had in a while. My companion had a carbonara, which was equally tasty, and again served with two slices of garlic bread. Prices are high enough however, with both dishes at €15.50 for lunch. Great food, authentic flavours, attentive staff – but steep prices for lunch. I’ll be back though.

Delicious Italian! Was looking for simple good Italian food in Cork city and stumbled across Il Padrino on Menupages so we decided to give it a try. Menu had a huge selection of pasta and pizza. The restaurant itself is a little Italian kitch but very pleasent and it all added to a lovely and welcoming atmosphere. Service was very friendly and efficient. Food was delicious. I had a pasta dish with a spicy tomato based sauce with chicken and my boyfriend had a pizza. Both were fantastic and very tasty. We shared a garlic bread to start and a dessert and all for €40! So dissappointed I live in Dublin and won't be able to visit regularly!

I won't be heading back here in a hurry. They had a good lunch deal and the atmosphere was nice for a romantic meal but I ordered a pizza and it came out burnt and hard! The waitress was efficient but rude .Why go here when the food is very average, nothing special and the waitress was abrupt. Won't be making a return visit.

Have had dinner here many times and it was always lovely, the only exception was the last time when it wasn't as nice as usual but it was still fine, just the sauces were a little watery and not as tasty. I love their vegetarian pasta dishes and the salmon tagliatelle, and their desserts are nice too. Wine list is ok. Its good value too and usually very busy, and has a lovely atmosphere.

Yum!! My boyfriend and I went for dinner and had a gorgeous risotto and a tasty fish pasta dish. Lovely starters, ok wine but all very affordable and a lovely casual atmosphere. We are definately going back I would highly recommend it. Great place for a chat with friends or a romantic meal.

I don't understand the (few) bad reviews that this place got - i absolutely love it! It is, in my opinion, the only genuine italian restaurant in Cork City. I have been there about 5 or 6 times now and have never been disappointed. The last time i went had the garlic bread and cheese starter and it was like half a pizza - just devine. Then for main course had penne pasta dish with italian sausage, broccolli and a mushroon cream sauce - it was to die for! Then dessert - I was stuffed at this stage so i struggled! but i had chocolate dome which is like a chocolate pavlova - it was GORGEOUS! Don't let the bad reviews put you off - this place is really good value for great food plus you can see them cooking it which is nice also. The staff are friendly but not overly so and they let you have your meal in peace but at the same time are very attentive.

Average and not very memorable. Went here with a group for dinner, based on the good reviews on menupages. I was expecting a fantastic Italian and while the pizzas were good, everything else (the starters, meat and chicken dishes) were very very bland. I don't think I would return.

Love, love, love Il Padrino! My boyfriend and I eat there at least once a month. The service is always excellent, the staff are very friendly and you are never sitting waiting to have your order taken. We nearly always have the same thing...the lasagne which is delicious but I often go for a pizza too and they are really good. The starters and desserts are not the best but I would recommend the mozarella and tomato starter with olives which is very tasty! All in all we love it and the atmosphere is always great with a touch of romance in the air!!

Went for lunch here and ordered from their a la carte menu. I ordered cannelloni and watched in horror as, through the open kitchen i watched the chef remove something from the freezer and put it in the microwave. He then proceeded to pop the now microwaved pasta under the grill. Now it was presented to me at the table! It wasn't even hot! An absolute disgrace i complained but they still wanted me to pay! Would never visit this place again! A microwave for goodness sake!! €17 they wanted for it

This was my second visit to Il Padrino's. Our first visit was last summer and a party of 10 of us ate there. Everyone was very happy with their food and the service was excellent that night. My boyfriend raved about his meal for weeks afterwards and on our second visit he ordered exactly the same item on the menu and reported it was just as good as he remembered it. Both times our meals have been lovely, with fresh produce and generous portions. On our second visit service was good although our waitress had difficulty understanding what we were asking for a lot of the time. The value in this restaurant is brilliant. On our recent visit four of us went for dinner. All four had starters and mains with two deserts shared, a bottle of wine, sparkling water, two double espressos and a soft drink for €140 including tip!!!!

Great atmosphere, very authentic. Amazing food, I had the risotto, it was perfect. The tiramisu was the best I have ever tried. Great value for money.

Lovely food at a very reasonable price. Service very efficient if a little hurried. The Chicken lasagne is beautiful. Will definitely be going again.

went here last night with my beau. it was fabulous. had the chicken salad to start, the dressing seems to be their own secret recipe. Had a chicken pasta dish, with basil pesto and muchroom sauce that was gorgeous. pasta comes with garlic bread which is a lovely addition. terrific value two starter, two mains and a bottle of chablis for 70€. Will definately be back. Our waitress was a tad rude, but maybe she was having a bad day!

I love Il Padrinos. It has a very authentic feel to it, as if you're in Italy. They're pizzas are amazing. Sometimes their pastas dishes are a little to saucy - but it depends on what you prefer. It's a very intimate setting, but you wouldnt want to be telling someone your deepest and darkest secrets as you are so close together. Overall its a great find.

Lovely atmosphere. We went in a group so i got to try 4 different dishes. The pizza was gorgeous with a really crispy delicate base. The raviolli was delicious. The risotto was a little bit tough but still tasty. My main complaint was that the staff were too attentive to the point of being intrusive and annoying. Otherwise good atmosphere and great food

the food is very good, the atmosphere is romantic, and has a very authentic feel about it. overall a great experience was had. id highly reccomend it.

I have been for lunch here on many occasions but I didn't enjoy the evening experience half as much. They provide the same service for evening as though it were the lunchtime rush. During lunch you appreciate fast service but in the evening this is very offputting. The staff were lovely but just over zealous! As soon as your fork is down your plates are whisked away and the next course is before you. While trying to read the dessert menu I was asked by 2 different waiters if I was ready although I was clearly still reading the menu. I started to get irritated at that point by the way they were rushing me. The confusing this was there was plenty of tables free so I don't get why they rush their customers so much?? I wouldn't go back again at night as its not a nice relaxed experience where you can chat over a glass of wine and unwind. The food was pretty good and reasonably priced although the dessert was disappointing.

The meatballs on the spagetti were excellent but everything else was mediocre. The caesar salad had too much dressing and the bruschetta with smoked ham was bread with a rasher and cheese melted on top. The pizza wasn't anything to write home about. The desserts were good however my banoffi pie had one slice of banana and the crust was rock hard. Ther service was excellent and the atmosphere is very nice although I wouldn't go back.

the food in il padrino is really nice.had a really tasty chicken lasagne. unfortunately though the staff were all over us like a rash.we didnt have a booking and they told us the table was booked later on.we said no problem we would be finished as we were going to a show. the waitresses hovered over us for the entire meal and everytime we put down our forks they tried to take the plates off us even tho we still had a half an hour on the table.the bill was brought to us before . i felt like i ate my dinner in a panic.

back again a week later for my second visit which was even better than the first! i was with a group of 8 and we were very well looked after, despite a slight mix up with one of the orders where one person asked for gluten-free pasta. the kitchen prepared risotto instead and comped us one meal so we were happy with that!

Its not horrible and I ate most of what I ordered, but nothing was of high quality and i found it is to noisy and small and the watering staff seems to be always on top of you . My Starter, the "Mozzarella di Bufala" to me it was just an ordinary mozzarella, with a plain taste, nothing special, my friend had the Mussels in tomato sauce, to much garlic, could not taste the mussels, the focaccia bread is just symbolic and if you want more you have to pay for an extra portion, so you have to leave most of the sauce behind. my main course, fettuchine Salmone had an odd slimy texture to it, the pasta was luke warm and over cooked, dry. Beware of this place because the menu mounted outside looks inviting (with decent prices and variety) and the location is nice, its not quality food. also make sure you ask before you sit when you have to leave the table, we were told after we ordered.

A great Italian restaurant. Has an interesting and varied menu, provides good service, the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming and the food tastes authentic. Highly recommended.

Really enjoy my visit to ll Padrino. Went with my friend and I think everyone really enjoyed their meal. They have the nicest tiramisu I've ever tasted.

I know this restaurant very well and eat there quite a bit. Last Sunday was my first visit in a few months, but nothing had changed. Was suffering a bit with a cold was feeling a bit down decided to go there with friends at the last minute ( good decision). I forgot how good it was besides a little mix up with our drinks (very minor problem) I was cheered right up. The food was superb as usual lovely simple friendly atmosphere, it's great value for money. They could charge much more and still do the same business. They are always so nice, helpful and professional. My favourite Italian in Cork by far. It's no wonder they book up so easily.

Started eating here on the opening night many years ago when I was still living in Cork. I now live and work in Wales and make it home to Cork at least twice a year. It's a family joke that when I go home I HAVE to have my "fix" of Padrino's, almost like a junkie!!! In all the years I have been going there myself and with my husband and family and friends, I have never been disapointed. The service, atmosphere, and the food has alway been superb and never failed to impress. I'm already looking forward to my "fix" this weekend when I'm at home. I cant recommend this place enough.

Ate here last week when myself and my husband were on a short break in Cork. All I can say is I wish this restaurant was closed to me (Im in Dublin)!! The food was stunning, had the mixed roast veg with bread to start and hubby had the garlic pizza bread which was out of this world. I had pasta for mains and hubby had pizza both of which were fantastic and excellent value for money. A little gem of a restaurant.

Looked after very well on Patrick's Day. Filled up really quickly and staff looked after everyone really well, were friendly and helpful especially with children. Food was good and there was a good choice among pasta/pizza choices. Coffee not very nice but would certainly recommend it. very compact lovely atmosphere, good Italian cooking. Buono

Best Italian in Cork. Lovely cosy atmosphere.

I went last Saturday with my friends. I had rigatoni; it's a vegetarian pasta dish with goats cheese and spinach covered in a cream sauce - amazing!!! The service is great. the atmosphere is very relaxed. a really nice place to eat.

I ate there last night and I loved everything about it. The food is lovely, there is a wide selection and its not too expensive. The staff are very polite and helpful and the restaurant itself has a lovely cosy atmosphere.

I've eaten here three times in the last few months. Always at the first sitting of 7.30pm (2nd sitting at 9pm). And I have thoroughly enjoyed myself every time. It is great to be able to go out for dinner, and not have to fork out over €100 for two course dinner and wine. The staff are always very courteous and the atmosphere there, whether with a group or just a couple, is relaxed and comfortable. Some say the tables are close together but I've never felt like I was sitting on top of the other diners. Would recommend the bruschetta and the Farfelle Pollo.

Best Italian restaurant in Cork City. Really great food at reasonable prices. So nice and intimate and relaxed!

Definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in town. The food is delicious but not pretentious and the staff is really pleasant. It has a very nice and romantic atmosphere. Try the 4 formaggi pizza. Classic but gorgeous

My favourite place to get a pizza has to be Il Padrinos. I always leave satisfied. It has a really nice, cosy interior and is a great place for a romantic dinner. The staff are pleasant and some of them are Italian which makes it seem more authentic as an Italian restaurant. Good value and they don't rush you, also they give you chocolate mints when the bill comes which is a nice little touch.

It's hard to get a booking on a weekend night & it's for a good reason!!! The food is delicious & the staff are brilliant.