Nash 19

Verdict

Nash 19 permanently closed in January 2024, ending a long run as one of Cork city centre's most dependable all-day spots. If you're planning a visit to Princes Street or the area around it, you'll need to redirect your booking elsewhere. The good news: Cork's restaurant scene has enough strong alternatives that you won't struggle to find a comparable or better experience for whatever occasion you had in mind. See the comparisons below for where to go instead.

What Nash 19 Was

Nash 19 occupied a direct daytime-to-early-evening slot on Princes Street in Cork city centre, operating as a cafe-restaurant with a focus on Irish produce and a service style that leaned warm and informal. For a special occasion, it was the kind of place that worked better for a relaxed celebratory lunch than a formal dinner — the room was approachable, the service unhurried, the price point accessible enough that you weren't paying for ceremony you didn't want. That combination of ease and quality made it a reliable local choice for years, which is precisely why its closure left a noticeable gap in the city's mid-market daytime dining options.

The venue's longevity owed a lot to its service philosophy: attentive without being formal, grounded in the kind of hospitality that makes a room feel worth returning to. At the price point it operated at, that consistency was its clearest point of difference from competitors who either pushed upmarket or felt perfunctory. If you were booking for a birthday lunch, a relaxed business meal, or a celebration that didn't require white tablecloths, Nash 19 delivered that reliably. That positioning is now vacant in the Cork mid-market, the venues below each fill part of it — though none replicates it exactly.

Booking and Practical Notes

Nash 19 is no longer accepting reservations and the premises are closed. Do not attempt to book via third-party platforms that may still list it, those listings are outdated. For current Cork city centre restaurant availability, our full Cork restaurants guide lists what's open and bookable now. If you're also planning where to stay or what to do around your meal, see our Cork hotels guide, our Cork bars guide, and our Cork experiences guide for current options.

Where to Eat in Cork Instead

For a special occasion lunch in the city centre, 51 Cornmarket is the closest current match in terms of tone and accessibility. For something more focused and ingredient-led, Goldie delivers a tighter seafood-focused menu at a similar price tier, is easier to book than its reputation might suggest. If you're looking for a daytime or early-evening option with a lighter format, Good Day Deli covers that ground well.

For a more ambitious special occasion dinner in Cork or the surrounding region, the range extends considerably. Terre in Castlemartyr is the strongest fine-dining option within reach of the city, while Bastion in Kinsale offers a tasting menu format that justifies the short drive south. Further afield, dede in Baltimore is worth planning a trip around if you're willing to go west. For context on what Ireland's leading table looks like at the far end of the scale, Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin and Liath in Blackrock set the benchmark nationally.