Elbow Lane

Restaurateur Conrad Howard keeps driving standards higher and higher at his quartet of Cork city destinations – Orso; Market Lane; Elbow Lane and The Castle. But, by dint of its quirkiness, its individuality, and especially its funky beers, Elbow Lane edges out its sister restaurants to keep its Cork city slot in the 100 Best. The cooking takes no chances, and pretty much takes no prisoners, so there is grilled ox tongue with mushroom kimchi, and t-bone steak with a smoked cascade butter, and even the honey parfait is awash with smoky lapsang souchong. Paired with the house beers – everything from a lager to an American-style amber ale – and the welcoming murkiness of the little room with its waft of smoke and char, it all adds up to a powerful city destination. Only problem is getting a table.