These are tough times for restaurants.

According to The Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI), an average of two food businesses are closing every day this winter. Still, the government refuses to drop the 13.5 per cent hospitality VAT rate.

But despite the challenges faced by Cork’s hard working chefs, staff and business owners, there’s still plenty of excellent value to be found in Leeside eateries. Yes, prices have had to be increased for survival, but you’ll still enjoy plenty of bang(er) for your buck and now is the time to book a table and support your local spots.

This week we asked Yay Cork readers to share their tips on the top-notch, great-value meals they’d recommend to a friend.

To kick things off, we shared one of our favourite finds: we dropped by Seventy Seven on the Grand Parade for a large bowl of superb O’Connell’s seafood chowder (including some huge prawns) with two slices of brown bread – all for just over a tenner at lunchtime.

Here are 15 more tips from Yay Cork readers:

“Value for money: 12 of us went to Bacco in Ballincollig last week, starters and mains all round and six bottles of wine, cost €600 even!! I had to ask was it correct!”

-K McCarthy

“Every Friday night at the Courtyard Bar Clonakilty all starters are €10 and a choice of seven different burger including fries €10 each.”

-Niamh Walsh

“Has to be Luigi Malone’s Restaurant (Emmet Place, Cork City) with their €15 lunch menu. A starter, main course (lots to choose from) and a mineral.”

-Ellen Walsh

“Probys Kitchen (Proby’s Quay, Cork City) are doing an amazing menu at the moment. €30 for a starter and a main. Seven of us ate there recently and the food was amazing and the service excellent. Plenty of choice and decent portions with sides of fresh veg and potatoes for the table. Best value ever!”

-Elaine Buckley

The roast butternut squash, labneh, peanut rayu & watercress oil starter at Proby’s Kitchen

“Thomond Bar (2 Marlboro Street, Cork City). The breakfast sets you up for three days. Two sausage, Two rasher, Two eggs, black and white pudding, hash brown, beans, chips, toast – €13”

-Frank Walsh

“The Viaduct a couple of months ago, their Chicken Supreme was the best I ever tasted, plenty on the plate, loads of veg and potatoes, simply delicious.”

-Anne Murphy

“There is a small cafe in Kinsale Road Industrial Estate called CoMix Cafe –  probably the best food I’ve tasted in a long time, definitely worth a visit.

– Todd O’Sullivan

One of the €13.95 daily specials at CoMix Café, Kinsale Road

“The Lodge Bar & Kitchen in Myrtleville serve excellent food, small plates are more like generous portion and average  about €10-€12 – a lot better price than I’ve seen around town for small plates. The food is outstanding. They always switch up the menu and have good authentic Indian cuisine. Fab location, fab atmosphere.”

-Aisling Punch

“Cork and Fork on Maylor Street (Cork City)… gorgeous food and service, great value.”  (Cork & Fork main course pictured above)

-Janet Keating

“Bocelli Kitchen & Wine Bar (1-2 Maylor Street, Cork City), I go there all the time. Highly recommend.”

The Mushroom Arancini starter at Bocelli

-Elena Canty

“We had amazing service and an afternoon tea we couldn’t finish there was so much at the Imperial Hotel (South Mall, Cork City) on Sunday. The gingerbread scones were a highlight.”

-Louise Kane Buckley

“South County, Douglas. Amazing food, the nicest of staff and excellent value for your money.”

-Dolores Barry

The Top of the Hill ( Gurranbraher) bar food is amazing. I’ve had breakfast, lunch and dinner here and wouldnt fault a thing… and kids eat free on certain days as well. The turkey and ham is divine.”

-Tanya Burke

Burgers, fish and chips and chicken wings at The Top of the Hill

“No one beats Dunnes Stores. A five item breakfast, plus tea and toast and butter with jam or marmalade. All for €5.50. Cant even get it for that in Spain.”

-Gerald Griffin

“Roastie Midleton fantastic food and massive portions. The burgers are to die for!”

-Ais McCarthy

Main image: Cork and Fork, Maylor Street