Cork people please advise!

[SunnivaGunne]

I will be passing by/through Cork on my way to the ferry on Friday evening. Would it be madness to think we would find parking and go for dinner on a Friday evening (arriving c.6:30pm)

If you are local where would you park and where would you eat (4 of us, 2 not very fussy dc)? Or would you stay on the outskirts?

We tend to park in the Black Ash Park & Ride but not sure how late in the evening it operates. My other choice would be the City Hall multi storey car park. Not sure what time parking restrictions are in place for on-street parking. The South Mall might be ok?

Most streets in the city centre are pay parking until 6:30pm. So you'd either pay by text or put up a parking disc. Some are 8pm so you would want to check street signage just in case.

What kind of food do ye like? Lots of places to eat in the city centre.

What time do you need to be at the ferry? If traffic isn't awful, you could come off at the Kinsale Road roundabout and park at Q Park City Hall as another poster suggested - you should be able to avoid driving around the whole city looking for on-street parking that way. I like Market Lane on Oliver Plunkett St, which isn't too far of a walk.

Alternatively, you could head into Douglas which is literally on your way (same exit as Ringaskiddy). Some good restaurants there - Eco is good, Haveli (Indian) also good. Parking in one of the shopping centre car parks would be better than trying to find on-street parking in Douglas. Traffic tends to be bad in the town, but time-wise I don't think it would cost you any more time than driving into the city and parking.

Paul st. Car park is open til 12am.

The Cornstore, Coqbull, Luigi Malones and Strasbourg Goose restaurants are all within a few minutes walk of the car park.

Can’t advise about the parking but go to Casanova Gelato and have a bubble waffle for dessert!!

Oh thanks all. I'm tempted by Haveli. An Indian would start off our French holiday perfectly!