Scoozi's, Winthrop Avenue

We arrived at Scoozi's, one of Cork's longest-serving restaurants dating back to the 90s, and the experience didn't disappoint. When a place lasts this long in a competitive city centre, it's usually for good reason, and Scoozi's shows you exactly why.

The Menu

This is an Italian restaurant blended with some Irish options, so you can get everything from pizzas to lasagne to burgers to chicken tenders. The menu looks decent with plenty of range, so whether you're after a proper Italian feed or something more familiar, there's something for everyone at the table.

Location

Scoozi's is located at 2/5 Winthrop Avenue, just off Oliver Plunkett Street, so it's very central and easy to get to. It's a short walk from Boojum, which we've already reviewed. You can read our Boojum Cork review here. The location is one of its strengths, slap bang in the heart of the city.

Service and Atmosphere

We sat down to a decent atmosphere and the staff were on their A game. Water arrived to the table within minutes and the drinks orders were taken at the same time. The drinks then arrived quickly. That slick, well-drilled service is clearly one of the reasons the place has lasted so long. The staff procedure is spot on.

The place was quite busy when we visited, and it's spacious with plenty of seating and a lively but not overly noisy atmosphere. It strikes that balance well. Buzzing enough to feel alive, calm enough to actually hear the person across the table.

The Food

We ordered the Hawaiian pizza and the lasagne, with a couple of cokes. The food was quite good. The lasagne used good quality beef, and the pizza was definitely my style. Thin and crispy with strong cheese and plenty of sauce and juice.

Overall it's hard to fault Scoozi's on most metrics. One slight complaint would be that the pizza was a little small. It's not a 16-inch Domino's job. It'll feed one person max, not two. So order accordingly if you're hungry.

The Verdict

Scoozi's has earned its place as a Cork institution. Central location, slick service, a varied menu and good quality food make it an easy recommend. The pizza being on the smaller side is the only minor gripe, but it's a genuinely good central spot that's stood the test of time for a reason.

Cork Xtra Scorecard

• Location: 8.5/10
• Facility: 8.0/10
• Staff: 8.0/10
• Food: 7.5/10
• Overall: 8.0/10

A proper Cork institution. Just don't expect to share the pizza.

How to Find Scoozi's

• Address: 2/5 Winthrop Avenue, Cork City
• Phone: 021 427 5077
• Website: scoozis.ie