It’s time to give your pots and pans a rest.

January is long enough as it is without a never-ending Level 5 lockdown making every day feel like Groundhog Day, especially if you’ve been relying on your usual rotation of pasta bakes and casseroles since March.

If you’re looking for a treat (and yes, you definitely deserve one) it’ll need to be in the form of food that you don’t have to prepare yourself.

Happily, you’re in the right spot. The restaurants might be closed to sit-down visitors, but Cork’s kitchens are alive with takeout and collection activity,

Here are five excellent things to eat now: 

1. IYER’S REOPENS ON POPE’S QUAY

One of Cork’s best veggie spots, Iyer’s Cafe is back in business for takeaway from Friday to Sunday, 12.30pm to 7.30pm.

There’s Samosa Chaat (€7), Aloo Tikki Chaat (€7), Chilli Cassava Kati Roll (€10) and a Jackfruit Pulao Pappadam on the menu this weekend, while the €15 meal deal gets you a tasty selection of goodies to enjoy, from Basmati rice and dahl to sambar, roti, green pea masala and channa masala to pappadam and pickles.

Call 087 640 90 79 to place an order for collection this weekend.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by iyer’s (@iyerscafe)

2. ORDER A DOORSTEP DROP FROM LALA’S LASAGNE 

There are few things as comforting as a heaving plate of lasagne on a winter’s evening. The problem is they take some time to put together. Now a new Cork business will do all the layering for you; based in Douglas, Lala’s Lasagne deliver their meaty and meat-free lasagnes all over the city.

The Vegan looks especially tasty, combining Lala’s signature tomato sauce, deep-fried gram flour eggplant, beluga lentils, Theo’s cheesy cashew sauce and a sumac and white pepper topping. A six-person tray is €40 and orders are taken via Instagram on Sundays and Mondays.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LaLa’s Lasagne Cork (@lala.s.lasagne.cork)

3. LEAVE SUNDAY DINNER TO SPITJACK

Give the chef a day off and order the Spitjack’s Crispy Rotisserie Roasted Pork Belly Porchetta for Saturday or Sunday dinner. At €12.90 per person, it’s served with creamy mashed potato, homemade slaw and rotisserie gravy.

Available on Click & Collect and Deliveroo (Cork only), it’s also on their enormous Meat Lovers Platter (€60 here). You can call the Washington Street restaurant on 021 239 0613 to discuss your order and collection.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The SpitJack – Cork & Limerick (@thespitjack)

4. AN ITALIAN FEAST FOR TWO FROM DA MIRCO

Your turn to cook? Panic not; Da Mirco on Bridge Street happens to be serving up an Italian Feast for two this weekend. Reserve your meal now and you can collect three delicious courses for €40 all-in, available from Thursday- Saturday 3.30pm-7pm.

This weekend’s menu includes a fresh pizza stuffed with Italian sausage and provolone, handmade pasta in a cannellini bean casserole and a decadent tiramisu to finish. All you need to do is open the wine.

Check out the website for more details.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Da Mirco (@damircocork)

5. SOBER LANE IS BACK

If you’ve been experiencing chicken goujon withdrawals for the past couple of weeks, you’ll be glad to hear Sober Lane is reopening this evening for orders via their website, Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo.

There’s a good selection of cocktails, cans and wine on the menu too.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sober Lane (@soberlane)