Lab 82 Coffee — Restaurant in Cork

If you want to go a place for brunch and feel safe in the environment, do not go here. None of the staff wear face masks/PPE, customers are not socially distanced (especially the “waiting area” that’s at a windowsill between and close to two tables), sanister dispensers were empty for customers except for a small bottle at the till. Nobody in the building wore face masks except for myself and my boyfriend, we had more in the two masks on our faces than the whole staff put together. When I asked a member of staff why nobody was wearing face masks/PPE, I was told “the owner doesn’t want us wearing face masks. We’re waiting on visors” when I asked why they didn’t wear any protection at all in the mean time I was told the same thing, owner doesn’t want any staff wearing face masks. The employee I spoke to did not seem happy about this situation either. In comparison to other places The staff PPE was poor

The lack of PPE wasn’t even the worst part. The food and service was appalling. My boyfriend and I lined up for brunch and there was one couple in front of us in the queue with a child. We were given menus and were sat on a windowsill inside right next to/in between two tables. I was wearing a dress and was feeling awkward to be sat here as the floor at this spot is glass and see through looking down onto the kitchen staff below and they can look up. I was wearing a dress. including the lack of distance between myself and my boyfriend and the two tables either side of us. We sat here for 25 minutes with the menu so we knew what we wanted. No problems waiting, the place looked busy.

When we were sat down at a table in the corner, we watched as the people who were in the queue behind us get served before us. We sat a further 20 minutes at this table with our menus waiting for service. All staff walked by and didn’t ask if we needed anything, as did the owner. I caught the attention of I’m presuming who is the owner and asked if I could place an order.

We got our orders in but didn’t get half our drinks order. I got the ultimate eggs benedict (14.90€) and paid for poor food. The toast, hollaindaise sauce with a thick skin, potatoes were all cold. The only thing hot on my plate was the pudding, which oddly enough I think was deep fired. The white pudding was brown and hard on the outside and a little white in the centre Not to mention tasteless. Nobody asked if our food was okay or if we needed anything felt rather impersonal.

This whole experience for 40€ was disappointing. We had wanted to try their brownies and get another coffee but as we were already there for almost an hour and a half and the service and PPE was so poor we just wanted to leave and didn’t want to spend anymore money there. My boyfriend and I were so excited to go as due to COVID it’s rare that we’ve had he chance to go out and enjoy a meal together and this place looked amazing online but the , disappointing service, and questionable COVID safety measures will mean i will not be returning and I can’t recommend this...

Lovely deserts, lovely food! Visited few times already and always left happy and content. Reccomend!

UPDATE: Lab82 has solidified it's status of our favorite place to eat in the city since I left my review 3 months ago.

Food is consistently scrumptious and packed with flavor, no matter what we ordered it was both a lovely visual experience and a pleasure for the taste buds! Savory or sweet - you can't go wrong - their brownies, cookies and cakes are dangerously good (their sweet selection tastes just decadent) and their egg dishes are my favorite ones in the city. They have vegetarian dishes on the menu as well if you'd like to change things up a bit! If you are into coffee, you should definitely visit and try their delicious blends from around the world (which you can also buy and enjoy at home!), one of the silkiest coffee I had enjoyed was in the Lab.

Located across the Kent railway station it is a perfect breakfast/brunch stop before a trip or after returning from one.

The interior is eclectic and fun, offering you a chance to see what's cooking in the kitchen through a glass panel in the floor - nice touch for both adults and kids!

They do have a website (you can order sweet goodies, cookies, brownies and cakes in their online bakery) and a QR code at the table (if coming with a group and wishing to pay through the app it can be handy). Staff is lovely, attentive and gives nice reccomendation if you're not sure what to go for. I like the fact the owner is interacting with everyone, ensuring we're getting the best experience and really makes you feel welcome, and adds a nice personal touch.

Overall, this place is a 10/10 - both for locals and visitors. You'll enjoy gorgeous food, eat decadent deserts, drink really good coffee in a fun environment and feel welcome and tempted to return every day!

Added photos of Eggs Florentine and Let's get smashed...

I'm a bit late writing this review as I ordered a brownie slab for Valentines online and just remembered i forgot to do this! I saw an ad for brownies with naughty/nice messages on them for Valentines(I chose naughty which is sooooo out of character for me, which made it even better and which is why I don't have a picture for you all 🤣). There was an issue with posting which wasn't Lab82's fault at all but their customer service was incredible! I reached out to ask about it and I got a phone call from Richie who was extremely apologetic, explained the issue and offered a refund!!! I didn't push or expect a refund at all but they were upset it missed Valentines and I truly appreciate them for that! The brownie did arrive a little late but it was no harm and when I tell you it was the best brownie I've ever had, I'm not lying and I've eaten many brownies 🤣 it was absolutely delicious! I ordered the regular brownie with white chocolate hearts and lettering and kinder bueno sauce. We had it cold and warm and I can't pick which was better. We've even put the leftovers in the freezer because it was too good to throw away! I'll be going to Lab82 for any event in future for cakes and be sure to tell family and friends the same! Incredible and the customer service was really amazing, I just wish I ordered from here sooner! Next time I'll get a cake with a less naughty message so I can share it with my whole family🤣 but myself and my boyfriend got a great kick out of it and enjoyed our secret brownie together ❤️ 🤣 thank you so so much Lab82, you're amazing and I really appreciate you all and your kindness, and please never change the brownie recipe, its...