My partner and my daughter and our son were in Cork for a weekend away, himself and I had visited the Farmgate in the English Market before and loved it, so I knew my seven year old foodie in the making would love it too. We went for a lovely fried Irish breakfast before heading off to Fota for the day (with bags of goodies from the market for a picnic) the breakfast was exactly what we wanted, friendly service, even with having to get a bulky buggy up the steps! I go here whenever I am in Cork it is fanastic, as another reviewer said, good quality food simply cooked! Perfect!

A budding Irish food producer asked a more experienced operator if he should make something new and spectacular. “No,” was the reply. “Do something simple and do it well!” The wise head must have had Cork’s Farmgate Cafe in mind. They buy the fresh ingredients downstairs in the English Market, cook it well and then present it on the tables upstairs. Just brilliant. And yes, I know, one needs a great deal of training and expertise to get the simple things so right. Like many restaurants around town, they are using the occasional Irish word (mainly heading) on the menu. Perhaps with more justification than others as the food here has always been the best of Irish, ingredients and dishes. A multi-national group next to my table (maybe the IMF) were guided through the menu and most went for the Shepherd’s Pie. They could have had Tripe and Drisheen or Irish Stew. I picked the Lamb’s Liver and Bacon with potatoes and seasonal vegetables (13.50) and we also got Grilled Lemon and Thyme Free Range Chicken, also with spud and veg and also 13.50. Both combinations were absolutely spot-on, not a thing out of place. And the high standard was maintained for Milseog: Fruit Crumble for me, Apple Tart for her, each 4.50. Oh yeah, just to round it off, they made us a perfect pot of Barry’s Tea. I mean perfect and sad to say you don't get that everywhere! Just goes to show: do it simple, do it well! And before I finish, just to let you know the Farmgate is in two sections. The informal Balcony and the Dining Room which is hardly more formal but does offer table service and in which tables may be reserved. Service is considerate (but not fussy), friendly and efficient. Get all your info here before you go. But do go.

The best chowder that I have had to date in Munster. Always make a visit when in Cork. Very reliable quality, busy, loud and casual (I love it).

Stopped in here for lunch on the bank holiday weekend of the jazz festival. Naturally the place was packed with a queue winding down the stairs but we weren't waiting too long and the staff seemed to be doing a great job despite the slightly cramped space. The food looked great going to the tables, even the sandwiches and cakes at the till looked fantastic. We went for the spicy chicken sandwich which was just what we needed after a night out. Will be going back for another one soon. Delicious home made ciabatta style roll with garlic oil rub, cajun roasted chicken breast, tomato, lettuce and the most amazing garlic style yoghurt sauce served with pickled cucumber. Didn't feel too heavy and tasted wonderful. At about €7.50 they're not cheap but would recommend trying one. The best thing about it was the view down into the market while eating your lunch and the guy playing the piano on the top floor. Really enjoyable spot to drop in for lunch at the weekend while everyone is busy shopping in the market below.

I went here with my parents at lunch time, we booked ahead, knowing it would be busy. Service was very prompt and accomadating. I had the two courses and tea/ coffee for 16 euro, which I found was good value. To start I had seafood chowder, which was delicious, and I had Smoked salmon salad for mains. Its fantastic to see that the restaurant has stuck to its roots, offering traditional irish dishes like liver,drisheen and tripe. I thought the busy market atmosphere was fantastic. I will definately return.

Met up with 6 friends for lunch, in the Restaurant section of the Farmgate, we got a very good welcome and the seating arrangements were as expected as we knew it would be very busy. Let me say firstly that the food was superb, as it always is. However the service was so bad it ruined what should have been a lovely get together. Our order was taken quickly enough, but then when the food came, some orders were forgotten, so everyone didnt get to eat together. This wouldnt have been so bad, but they were so long getting back to us in order for us to ask for the bill. We decided to go to the till and ask if we could settle up separately. Now instead of being politely told that this was not accepted, we were treated to a tirade of what I can only call abuse for the till staff. In between the 'oh for god sakes' and the 'tut tuting' there was a stage where she put her hands on her head and went ahhhh, all this may I add whle we were standing there gob smacked. Funny maybe, but really not on. So the outcome is they have lost 7 customers, which I'm sure cannot be a good thing these days.

We were in Cork for the weekend and had to visit the Farmgate in the English Market - we went for lunch. the place had a great atmosphere and you can look down on all the comings and goings in the market below. The service was great and the fod tased lovely, we had a variety of open sandwiches, but nothing beats the cakes. A really nice place to go for lunch in Cork and when you're finished you can pop downstairs and pick up the best of meats, fish and cheese

Despite never knowing if you'll get a table or spot to sit, this place is always busy. I know why... there is nowhere in cork city to get a 'nice cup of tea and some cake'. The food here is delicious but a little over prices. I had a bacon, cheddar and onion toasted sandwich, while there was nothing wrong with the food( ok, the rasher could have been a little crisper) it was only a toasted sandwich and 6.50 is a lot when the side it comes with is a tablespoon of pickled cucumber, and a teaspoon of relish. my friend ordered a 'spicy' chicken baguette, again a little overpriced at 7.50. The service here is superb on the floor, at the till not so friendly. The farmgate is famous for the fab cake, and it never fails... these girls know their stuff and perhaps the cost is drowned out by the tinkling of the ivories across the way. There are never going to be prams and screming children, so maybe a peaceful lunch is worth it, while watching the world of the English Market go by!

Had always wanted to try tripe and drisheen and thought what better place..... While the drisheen was not to my taste the presentation, sauce (milk and onion) were very nice, and the tripe was nice enough but not something I would eat on a regular basis. My husband had a much safer open sandwich which was really nice. The atmosphere was really good, all the food looked great and I would really love to try the bread and butter pudding. Will definately go back but will give the local delicacies a miss!

Fab place for breakfast or lunch, right in the heart of Cork City and the historic English Market. Great atmosphere at lunchtime with locals enjoying their lunch break in this much-loved restaurant. Sit at a table and gossip with friends over a reasonable and delicious soup or baguette or sip a coffee and treat yourself to one of the homemade cakes and watch the people milling about below in the Market. Also an excellent place for breakfast with a wide selection all at superb value. A must-visit in Cork!

Had a really delicious meal here. Really loved it there. Although it was quite busy there was a nice chilled out atmosphere there. Service was efficient and friendly. It was late in the evening and they were out of what I ordered, but they were so helpful and patient in suggesting aternatives to me from the menu that I didn't mind. Had one of the salads and it was great. Really filling with beautiful fresh ingredients. Would definitely recommend to anyone. Perhaps a little more expensive than the average, but a great quality meal and generous portions.

Went here for a coffee which was really nice! Maybe a tiny bit too expencive but very nice atmosphere though looking over the english Market! Nice for a relaxed coffee or a snack after shopping!

This is my absolute favourite place to go on a day off for a leisurely breakfast..such a treat..I love to just go in her for lunch too and watch the passers by below..the food is always good, a small bit pricey but justifiably so. The only problem is that it does get packed fairly quickly at lunch and you might be standing tray in hand with nowhere to sit!!

The Farm Gate is a very nice place but it does have some flaws but some of these even could be doen to particular taste. I had the shepards pie which was beautiful but i thought that it did not fill me. Everything was tasty but just not enough of it. For what your paying a little more would be appropriate. Not too keen on ordering at the counter, paying and then sitting down. Would prefer to order at the table but thats just me. Overall good.

I think it is the perfect spot after walking around town. I prefer to sit at the counters and watch the world go by underneath. I love their food, the desserts are simple and wholesome and this is very nice for a change. Good food - good price - good setting.

Went there for lunch, a colleague had made reservations for the restaurant/glass section. Seating was tight, service was only OK but the food was good as usual, very fresh. I had the seafood chowder which is reliably good. My colleagues both had dessert which I tasted, the crumble was quite bland I thought but the banoffi pie was divine. The BIG let down was the toilets which hadn't been cleaned properly and were simply disgusting.

I love The Farmgate for lunch especially if you can get a seat in the glass part. They serve such good wholesome food and their cakes are great. It is one of the best places to go for a bite to eat in Cork.

Basic food done well, nice spot, but a little cold during winter.

Great place to have lunch in town. Brilliant quality food. (the Farmgate in Middleton is as good). the Only bad point is that it's a bit messy when it's busy.