The Dublin cafe scene continues to be a force to reckoned with. In no particular order, here are our favourite places to grab some quality food, with top coffee and service. If you have any further suggestions, leave a comment below. All of the cafes mentioned on this list offer plated food and seating.
Two Fifty Square, Rathmines, D6
A Melbourne-inspired cafe, in a converted warehouse, which roasts its own coffee! Brunch portions are decent and sandwiches are well worth a look.
Go for the brunch burrito – Bacon, sausage, avocado and scrambled eggs with relish, wrapped up in a 12-inch tortilla.
Two Pups, Liberties, D8
Dishes are based on seasonal veg from McNally’s Organic Farm. James Hoffman’s Square mile coffee is served in a bohemian surrounds.
Certainly one of the most unusual dishes around, the Avocado Toast with garlic peanut butter, pickled onions, coriander and fresh chillis has become a best seller.
Network, Augier St, D2
An Aungier St gem that opened in the summer 2016 and became a hit with DIT students, local office workers and residents. Initially gaining a following for its specialty coffee, delicious cakes and sandwiches, Network now offers a concise but varied brunch menu.
Try their Brunch Bap – free range egg, avocado salsa, pancetta, relish and mayo in a brioche bun.
LEGIT, Meath St, D8
A cosy little cafe in a former butchers shop on Meath St. As renowned for its grab-and-go food as it’s in-house menu. Pastries with French and Brazilian influences are a speciality.
If you fancy a hearty feed grab yourself the Baked Eggs with Moroccan Berber tomato sauce, chorizo, free-range eggs, ricotta, sourdough toast.
Little Bird, South Circular Road, D8
Coffee and Yoga housed in a converted pet shop. The menu focuses on healthy foods and caters to most dietary requirements and allergies.
The Little Bird Salad is a winner – nutty red rice with miso dressing, turmeric hummus, courgette, pickled pink onion, organic leaves, pumpkin seeds, roast sweet potato, radish and herbs.
Urbun, Cabinteely, D18
Urbun started life as a market stall run by two school friends. When they opened the first cafe of its kind in Cabinteely, in 2011, their philosophy was to provide a welcoming hub for the locals – somewhere to grab a good coffee and catch up with friends over no-fuss food.
Be sure to try the Mushrooms on Toast with sweet fried onions and gruyere cheese.
No doubt, the coolest cafe in town. Food is mostly vegetarian and showcases the best of Irish produce alongside homemade pickles, ferments and baked goods.
Best try the Fumbally Eggs – Scrambled with olive oil, Gubbeen cheese, garlic and tomatoes on toasted brioche with added Gubbeen hot smoked ham.
Two Boys Brew, Phibsbourough, D7
Inspired by a round-the-world trip visiting the world’s coolest cafes, this Phibsbourough favourite serves a tasty brunch along with Belfast’s Root and Branch coffee.
Try their ‘Brew Boys Benny’ crunchy potato cake, slow cooked beef cheek, garlic cavolo nero, free-range soft poached eggs and hollandaise.
Urbanity, Smithfield, D7
Ultra stylish décor and food that’s big on flavour at his Smithfield cafe/ roastery – yes, coffee is roasted in-house.
If you’re on a healthy buzz, grab an acai bowl. If you’re feeling hungover, it’s the Ham Hock and Potato Hash all the way.
Pot Bellied Pig, Rathmines, D6
Bacon and Coffee – two of the most intoxicating smells and two of the things that PBP does best. A spacious cafe with a cute garden at the back. Coffee is by Cloudpicker.
There are many brunch favourites to try. If you can’t decide, go for the ‘Whole Hog’ – an Irish breakfast that uses only the best produce.
Bibi’s, Portobello, D8
Named after their Tanazinian grandmother, this Portobello fav is owned by a brother/ sister duo, Geoff and Maisha. Expect some middle eastern influenced dishes in cosy surrounds (a former boutique).
Their best seller is the acclaimed ‘Squash Eggs’ – two poached eggs, roast squash, garlic yoghurt, chilli butter, coriander and Tartine sourdough.
Meet Me In The Morning, Portobello, D8
A cosy converted townhouse with minimalist décor. Tasty food and friendly service are to be expected.
The menu changes frequently, as dishes are created around whatever organic vegetables are available from McNally’s farm. Expect lots of herbs, spices, garlic, yoghurt and truckloads of flavour.
The LoCal Kitchen, Castleknock, D15
You might recognise the Lo-Cal Kitchen branding from the raw juices they supply to shops all over Ireland. But alas, they also have a stylish cafe, just a short stroll from the Phoenix Park.
There aren’t many places where you can grab a ‘Full Irish’ (style) breakfast with only 369 calories, 376-calorie Huevos Rancheros, or Eggs Royal smothered in skinny hollandaise.
Storyboard, Islandbridge, D8
A recent addition to the Dublin dining scene and has landed with a bang – Storyboard has filled a big cafe shaped gap in city’s inner west.
The menu changes regularly but the Eggs on Toast and Rice Bowl make regular appearances. The latter is a black rice porridge served with date caramel, coconut, fresh fruit and crystallised ginger.
Fia, Rathgar, D6
A small neighbourhood cafe located in Rathgar. The team are big on seasonality both in terms of coffee and food.
Specials change regularly but their Gubbeen toasties with burnt apple and green tomato sauce and pretty special too.
Brother Hubbard, Capel St and South Circular Rd
Professional and reliable – BH has a varied menu with mostly middle-eastern influences. There are two venues – ‘North’ and ‘South’ and a snazzy cookbook to match. 3FE do the coffee.
Highly recommended is the ‘Turkish Eggs Menemen – lightly scrambled eggs with Turkish çemen, folded with roast peppers, whipped feta & kalamata olives, topped with chilli, red onion & herb salsa and toasted Georgian bread.
*** If we’ve missed your favourite cafe for lunch or brunch in Dublin, please leave us a comment. Follow us on social media to gain insights into where to eat in Dublin’s fair city. Happy eatin’
Great list, guys, and thanks for including us! We will share it on our Facebook page this week. Jason, Urbanity