Cork's old Customs House (built in 1724) is now home to the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery - one of the city's prime tourist attractions. The café is at the end of the main corridor and it styles itself as a smart modern Irish bistro rather than simply a re-fuelling point for footsore visitors.

The set-up couldn't be simpler: breakfast and afternoon tea attract the crowds, and they frame a weekly-changing lunch menu which works its way through soups, salads, pasta and appetising homespun desserts. Typical dishes have included salmon fishcakes with herb mayonnaise, spicy sausage and lentil stew, spinach and mushroom pancakes and chocolate and pear tart. The short wine list does its job admirably. Note: no bookings.

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Modern Irish / European

Sinéad Doran

Breakfast: 8.30am (11.00am Sun) through until
Lunch: 4.00pm (3.00pm Sun)

Visa, Master Card, American Express

• Disabled access
• Vegetarian menu
• 60 covers