By Iliana Kuntelia
These are my favourite cafes in Dublin at the moment. However, there are many that I’ve been meaning to try and haven’t gotten the chance yet.
My current favourite has to be Copper and Straw, specifically the one on Arran Quay.
I always get a drink from their specials menu. Last week I ran in from the rain, and tried the Earl Grey Matcha. I sat down and read Sinead O’Connor as it poured outside. The hustle and bustle of the café was perfect. Not too loud, not too quiet. The staff are friendly. To have a big warm drink with a perfect book in hand was amazing.
They have some beautiful cakes and sandwiches I’ve been meaning to try.
Elliotts
I love Elliot’s. My go to is a cortado paired with their pain Suisse. However I wouldn’t be shy to try their other goodies, as this isn’t the place to be timid. Their signature large green tables, and bookshelf filled with coffee books and some decent speakers. Theres a sense of community made in here, with the small communal space, forcing people to sit next to each other, squish by each other, share a table. That’s been lost since covid, I like the sense of discomfort.
Mish Mash
Another beautiful café located on Capel Street. I come in here when I’m looking for a soul-hug. The warm, moody lighting and cakes that remind me of my grandmothers baking, it’s perfect for that pick me up needed on a rough day. It’s usually not loud in here, and it’s more of a sit down kind of place. My current fave is a chai with a slice of carrot cake.
Bread 41
On a summers day, one of my favourite things to do is to pop into bread 41, grab a few baked goods and find a bench in Stephens green or Merrion square to enjoy them. Sometimes I resort to finding a nice piece of grass on the busy sunny days. I usually get a savoury and sweet treat. I love the potato pastry, how strange it may sound, the soft potatoes and flaky pastry is the perfect bite. My sweet treat changes up, the current favourite is the cinnamon bun. Its topped with orange zest which gives it a brightness, I haven’t seen before.
I have to mention the morning bakery, gone but not forgotten. One of Dublin’s favourite bakeries. Dearly missed, but the Dublin bakery boom is booming! There are many more amazing cafes/bakeries in Dublin that I’ve been meaning to try, such as Scéal. I’ve also heard great things about the flat whites in Proper Order, located in Smithfield.
Sip up!