Out with the old…

It’s almost spring and now is the perfect time to be adventurous with your food choices, especially when it comes to picking a spot for lunch.

Cold weather calls for nutritious meals with plenty of ‘flu-fighting veggies.

Happily, many of Cork’s most popular lunch spots have been busy whipping up new dishes to satisfy our hunger pangs without destroying our still-kinda-new commitment to healthy eating.

Here’s a new dish to try for every day of the week:

1. ALCHEMY

Barrack Street, Cork 

Not only do they dish up the goods when it comes to caffeine, but they also do a mean Buddha Bowl, jam-packed with all the good stuff you’re supposed to be eating in January.

 

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A post shared by Alchemy Coffee (@alchemycoffeecork) on Jan 11, 2020 at 5:15am PST

2. NATURALLY NOURISHED

Park Place, City Gate, Mahon

There’s plenty to keep you on the straight and narrow in this cult favourite. Try the Paneer Makhani, a warming Indian dish served with turmeric spiced cauliflower and toasted cashews.

 

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A post shared by Yvonne and Kevin (@naturally_nourished_cafe) on Jan 9, 2020 at 3:56am PST

3. ORSO

Pembroke Street, Cork

Even the healthy option feels like a major indulgence at this casual Pembroke Street eatery. The chicken shawarma is served with hum­mus, za’atar flat­bread, apri­cot chut­ney, and red cab­bage slaw.

 

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A post shared by ORSO (@orsokitchen) on Sep 23, 2019 at 5:47am PDT

4. IZZ CAFE

14 George’s Quay, Cork

Going meat-free in 2020? Treat yourself to a falafel manoosheh at Izz Café. This decadent Palestinian dish is completely vegan and packed with flavour.

 

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A post shared by Izz Cafe (@cafeizz) on Jan 10, 2020 at 12:27pm PST

5. ROCKET MAN

Princes Street, Farmer’s markets

The Rocket Man has introduced three new Winter Warmers, all of which you can pick up at Mahon Point and Douglas Farmer’s Market. There’s an Ahern’s Organic Farm Chicken Bone Broth, a Brazilian Sweet Potato and Chickpea Hot Pot and a surprise daily special to choose from.

 

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A post shared by Rocket Man (@therocketmancork) on Jan 14, 2020 at 5:43am PST

6. THE CASTLE CAFÉ

Blackrock Castle, Blackrock

Working on increasing your fish intake? Head for The Castle Café and order the Samke Harra fish pie, served with winter squash gratin, gruyere, pomegranate and pea salsa.

 

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A post shared by Castle Cafe (@castlecafecork) on Jan 13, 2020 at 5:01am PST

7. GOOD DAY DELI

Nano Nagle Place, Douglas Street

The Brunch Bruschetta tastes just as pretty as it looks; organic smoked salmon and beetroot with pickled egg and fennel on sourdough toast with whipped lemon labneh, a type of yoghurty cheese.

 

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A post shared by Good Day Deli (@gooddaydeli) on Jan 16, 2020 at 5:40am PST