‘Cork is losing such a gem’
09:10, 26 Sep 2026Updated 09:25, 26 Sep 2026
Soul in Cork city centre
Leesiders are saying one Cork restaurant will be ‘desperately missed’ as staff are set to serve their final meals next week.
The team at Southern American fusion restaurant Soul have confirmed their last day of service will be on Sunday, 4th October. The location opened during summer last year under Head Chef Dan-Jo Relihan, serving US-inspired breakfast and brunch dishes with an Irish twist.
One of their most popular meals was ‘The Creamy Beamy Soul Rib’ – slow-cooked beef, smothered in house-made honey and Beamish glaze, all packed in a corn bread loaf. Now however, customers only have one more week to try their grub again before they close their doors.
The good news, however, is that this isn’t the last we’ll see of the Soul team. In a heartfelt post about their closure on social media, they shared that they are “already working on something new.” The owners said to stay tuned for the latest update – you can check out their restaurant’s Instagram here.
The restaurant’s exterior on Washington Street(Image: Chloe Barrett)
They added: “We are so proud of everything we created at Soul and the incredible customers and friends who visited us. While this current chapter is coming to an end, we are deeply grateful for every customer, supplier, and everyone who supported us along the way. This isn’t goodbye for good…”
Leesiders have shared plenty of kind messages to the Soul team, thanking them for their service and saying they “can’t wait” to see what they do next.
One wrote: “Sorry to hear it. Cork is losing such a gem. Great people and great food. You’ll be missed.”
Another said: “Ah now my mam will be sad that we won’t get to have the most amazing brunch. Best of luck.”
And one more added: “Ohh no… We are losing one of the best souther sytle restaurants in Cork… I’m really sorry to hear this.”
And one more said: “You will be desperately missed. Best brisket in town.”
Sadly, this isn’t the only bad news Cork city‘s thriving food scene has gotten in recent days. The team at Dukes café on Carey’s Lane are also bidding farewell as their location is due to change hands.
But that’s not the end for the business. Dukes’ other outlet in City Gate, Mahon, is expanding, with increased opening hours, while the catering side of the biz is getting a relaunch.
Founder Aiden Duke told Cork Beo: “4 Carey’s Lane has a big history, and we were honoured to be custodians of it for 21 years. It’s been amazing, we’ve really enjoyed trading in there – but it’s time to focus on the City Gate store and our catering.”
Aidan added that the lease will be going to “a big player in cork food beverage scene,” so an exciting new future is in store for the busy Carey’s Lane café: “We really hope the next people in there have same success.”