Taking over the former location of a much-loved food spot
15:13, 24 Aug 2026Updated 17:41, 24 Aug 2026
Roa Robata Grill – opening on Cook Street
Leesiders can look forward to another great dining option soon as a first-of-its-kind restaurant is set to open its doors.
Roa Robata Grill on Cook Street will bring an exciting new type of cuisine to Cork city, serving barbecue-style Japanese food. Cork Beo understands the establishment is set to launch late next month, with offerings including meats cooked to perfection over a specialised grill. The restaurant will be able to seat approximately 50 people.
‘Robata’ cooking – coming from the Japanese word robatayaki, meaning ‘fireside-cooking’ – is very popular in restaurants across Japan and abroad. Chefs making food in this style use a long grill, sometimes with multiple layers, which is often kept in full view of customers so they can watch as their meals are prepared.
Roa Robata Grill is being opened at the location of the former Les Gourmandises establishment, which closed in 2019 after 18 successful years. The new grill spot is owned by Song Ye, who is also behind the popular Cork Chinese chain Noodlee.
The planned opening comes as a number of new Eastern food locations are popping up across Co. Cork. Over the weekend, the family team behind the award-winning Delhi2Cork Marina Market stall launched a new offering at the popular Leeside market. The Coromandel food spot launched at the bustling indoor market on Saturday, bringing a fresh menu packed with South Indian delicacies.
Its menu has a big focus on ‘dosas’ – savoury, crispy pancakes made from a fermented rice and lentil batter, that are usually served as street food.
Meanwhile, Japanese restaurant Kyoto is also set to open in Mallow very soon. This location will be restaurateur Sam Zhuang will be launching his seventh restaurant in Ireland, taking over the town’s former Four Star Pizza takeaway on Thomas Davis Street. His new establishment will be a part of a chain of restaurants which already have award-winning spots in Clonmel and Tralee.