best-cafes-dublin
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Life is brewtiful in these 5 best cafes in Dublin!

Hey, café aficionados! Looking for the perfect spot for your caffeine fix in Dublin? Or are you on the hunt for a cozy little corner in the city to go people watching?

Whether you’re searching for that perfect morning brew or your next go-to brunch destination, you’ll find your cup of tea (or coffee) in Dublin’s vibrant coffee scene! 

Don’t be latte to the party! See what’s brewing on our picks of the best cafes in Dublin! 

What’s the average cost of dining at a cafe in Dublin?

The average cost of dining at a cafe in Dublin can vary depending on the type of cafe and the items you order. But you can generally expect to pay around €10 – €20 for a meal and a drink.
Meals or light bites typically cost around €5 – €15, while a cup of coffee would generally cost €2.50 – €4, depending on the type of coffee. 

How We Chose the Best Cafes in Dublin

Menu Selection: We chose cafes that offer a wide menu selection that cater to those looking for breakfast, lunch, light bites, coffee, and other beverages. 
Ambience: The cafe should have an overall pleasant ambience with ample natural lighting, clean tables and chairs, and relaxing atmosphere. 
Quality of Food and Beverage: We reviewed the quality of their offerings based on taste, serving quantity, and ingredients used. 
Location: It’s great to have a cafe that’s located in areas that are easily accessible by walking and biking, and are situated close to areas of interest.
Customer Service: We assessed cafes based on the quality of their customer service. These include the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff, efficiency of service, and responsiveness to customers’ requests. 
Pricing: We evaluated the price points of menu items based on the quality of products being offered. 

1. Shoe Lane Coffee

shoe-lane-coffee
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://shoelanecoffee.ie/
ADDRESS7 Tara St, Dublin 2, D02 Y662
CONTACT DETAILS(01) 588 5303

OPERATING HOURSMonday - Friday, 6:30am - 6:30pm

Saturday & Sunday, 8am - 6:30pm

If you’re looking for a cozy little stop for coffee in Dublin, Shoe Lane Coffee is a gem! The best part is, it’s conveniently located near a DART stop on Tara Street, making it easily accessible. 

Apart from the accessible location, we appreciate that it’s bicycle and dog-friendly as well.

Their menu looks to be only good for a quick breakfast or light bites in the afternoon. They offer a selection of pastries, hot toasties, and sausage rolls that you can pair with their beverage options that include coffee, espresso, freshly squeezed juice, and tea. 

We also love that they have coffee beans, filters, and some cute merch available for purchase. We particularly love their insulated cup which you can reuse when ordering your coffee. 

Their pastries are quite good and we love pairing them with their freshly brewed coffee. 

Although we noticed that the size of the cups are quite tiny especially if you’re ordering takeaway cappuccino. 

Also, while the overall atmosphere is cozy and inviting, the limited seating can be a bit of a drawback, especially during peak hours. 

But overall, Shoe Lane Coffee is a great spot for a quick bite and a cup of coffee in Dublin. Just be prepared for a potentially crowded space and limited menu options.

Pros

  • Accessible location
  • Bicycle-friendly
  • Dog-friendly
  • Outdoor seating options
  • Coffee beans, filter, and other merch available for purchase

Cons

  • Food items are limited
  • Coffee cups come in small sizes

Customer Reviews

A small cosy coffee shop just beside the Tara Street DART Station. They serve very good matcha latte which the Mrs really liked. She is a matcha addict. Quite expensive but I suppose that would be the standard price to get a cup of coffee around Dublin these days. Welcoming atmosphere and staff. Would highly recommend  this little coffee shop. – Fazrul Asimi, Google Reviews

Lovely environment and nice people here. Good place to chill and enjoy the slow tempo of the city. – CJ Li

2. Two Boys Brew

two-boys-brew
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://twoboysbrew.ie/
ADDRESS375 N Circular Rd, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, D07 FWY1
CONTACT DETAILS

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/twoboysbrew/

OPERATING HOURSMonday - Friday, 7:30am - 3:30pm

Saturday & Sunday, 9am - 4pm

Thinking of hitting up a friend for brunch? Two Boys Brew is a perfect place for catching up over a scrumptious brunch and great coffee. 

They have a selection of breakfast and lunch items available. Our favorite is their avo toast and pork benny, and of course, we like to save some room for a sweet treat as well. 

Apart from their savory bites, they also have an array of pastries available that you can pair with one of their specialty coffees. We recommend choosing the bigger size, especially for the milky and iced options, as you’ll likely want to ask for more.  

We also like that you can order in advance through their Click and Collect option, which we find very convenient. Just order through their website so it’ll be ready once you arrive to pick it up. 

While Two Boys Brew offers a delightful brunch experience, it’s worth noting that their seating can be limited, especially during peak hours on weekends (which means it’s really a go-to brunch spot for many). 

Additionally, their prices might be slightly higher compared to some other brunch places in Dublin.

To conclude, Two Boys Brew is a great choice for a satisfying brunch with friends or family. With its delicious food, convenient online ordering, and pleasant atmosphere, it’s a place worth visiting when in Dublin.       

Pros

  • Good selection of food and drinks
  • Great place for brunch
  • Quality coffee and pastries
  • Offers Click and Collect option

Cons

  • A bit pricier compared to other cafes
  • Limited seating during peak hours

Customer Reviews

Busy on Sat and Sun during Brunch time because everyone flocks here for a good meal. I had the avocado toast once and then Benny Pork on sourdough another time. Food excellent and very filling. The Bakewell slice GF with almonds was the best I’ve had! Iced latte was nice though small in size. Sitting outside is easier for conversations since it gets noisy inside. Thanks TBB! – Skye Nguyen, Google Reviews

Absolutely brilliant, probably our new #1 brunch in all of Dublin. We ordered the Avocado Toast and the Chicken & Stuffed Sandwich. Both mouthwatering. – SGJ, Google Reviews

3. Lemon Jelly Cafe

lemon-jelly-cafe
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://www.lemonjelly.ie/
ADDRESSMillennium Walkway, North City, Dublin 1, D01 Y027
CONTACT DETAILS01 8735161

OPERATING HOURSMonday - Friday, 7am - 6pm

Saturday & Sunday, 7:30am - 7pm

Lemon Jelly Cafe is one of the best cafes to try in the heart of Dublin. It’s easy to spot as it’s located along a lovely pedestrian walkway and it’s just a 5-minute walk from the bustling Temple Bar. 

If you’re looking for a more quiet and cozy spot in the city center, then this cafe is the perfect spot. Even better, they can accommodate more customers as they have ample seating available both indoors and outdoors as compared to other local cafes. 

They serve a wide selection of all-day breakfast and lunch meals which are available until 7pm. They also have an array of beverages available such as coffee, tea, juices, and milkshakes. 

It’s a perfect place to enjoy a scrumptious and comforting meal with their selection of savory and sweet crepes, omelets, ciabatta, salads, and soup. 

While Lemon Jelly Cafe offers a delightful dining experience, it’s worth noting that their prices might be slightly higher compared to some other cafes in the area. Additionally, their service can sometimes be slow, especially during peak hours.

To sum it up, Lemon Jelly Cafe is a great choice for those seeking a cozy and inviting atmosphere with a wide variety of delicious food and drinks.

Pros

  • Wide selection of all-day breakfast and lunch
  • Ample seating indoors and outdoors
  • Located in the city center but in a more quiet and secluded area
  • Open until 6 or 7pm

Cons

  • Service may be slow especially during peak hours
  • Pricing is a bit higher compared to other cafes

Customer Reviews

Had a lovely breakfast here. Location was nice and secluded away from the hustle and bustle. I had the full Irish and a lemon crepe along with a chai latte. Everything was great! The environment was clean, the food was delicious, and the wait staff was very kind and friendly. I would definitely come back here again! – Rebecca Morgan, Google Reviews

A very quick queue for a Monday morning in September. Extremely friendly staff and a menu that is varied enough for all. The goat cheese, spinach and pesto omelette was scrumptious as was the cappuccino. – Dawn Fernandez, Google Reviews

4. Beanhive Cafe

beanhive-cafe
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://www.beanhive.ie/
ADDRESS26 Dawson St, Dublin 2, D02 FY28
CONTACT DETAILS01 677 4685

OPERATING HOURSMonday - Friday, 7:15am - 6pm

Saturday, 8:30am - 6:30pm

Sunday, 9am - 6pm

Beanhive Coffee deserves a lot of buzz as it’s one of the most charming cafes that you’ll find in Dublin! This is primarily because of their amazing coffee art! 

Coming here would truly be a memorable experience because of their signature coffee designs and one of the main reasons why people keep coming back. 

But apart from that, cafe goers also enjoy their tasty fare of all-day breakfast, sandwiches, and wraps that come in generous servings, too. 

We particularly love getting their Queen Bee which you can order in a wrap or ciabatta, or the Irish Breakfast that’s also served in huge portions. It’s great that they have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options as well. 

Since it’s a popular spot and the space inside is limited, the cafe is usually crowded especially during peak hours and on weekends. So if you wish to grab a seat, you may have to wait in line. 

It’s worth noting that they actually have two locations, so it’s good that you can have options especially if one location is too crowded. The other cafe is on Baggot Street which is just a 10-minute walk from the Dawson Street branch. 

Beanhive Coffee is a must-visit for coffee lovers and a great place to bring the family for those seeking a delightful dining experience with a great cup of coffee. 

Pros

  • Popular for its coffee art
  • All-day breakfast served in generous portions
  • Hast 2 locations within a 10-minute walk from each other
  • Offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options

Cons

  • Space is limited
  • Typically crowded during peak hours and weekends

Customer Reviews

Finally got to try this place today. We were so happy – Only just went for the coffee art. Went on 3 different occasions, and they were completely full. Amazing and very polite staff. Thank you. Coffees are amazing and the element of surprise is just fabulous… Thank You. – Marriyam Hussain, Google Reviews

Lovely cafe with fun coffee art and delicious food! The baristas were very friendly and welcoming. Terrific vegan and vegetarian food options! This is the best coffee cafe we’ve been to in 3+ weeks of traveling across Europe and the UK!! – Lauren Hartman, Google Reviews

5. The Fumbally

the-fumbally
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://thefumbally.ie/
ADDRESSFumbally Ln, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 HFF2
CONTACT DETAILS01 529 8732

OPERATING HOURSTuesday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

Saturday, 9am - 5pm

The Fumbally is one of the coolest cafes in Dublin as the space is very versatile with an open-floor plan, high ceilings and large windows that welcome the light in. 

Their space is one of the things that sets them apart from other cafes that typically feel a bit cramped. This is because they have high ceilings that make the place feel more spacious and airy, which is a huge plus. 

Another thing that makes them unique is that they have a little deli and bakery where customers can shop. 

It’s worth noting that they use locally grown, fresh ingredients and they work with local farmers that practice organic and regenerative farming. This is good to know as you are ensured of the quality, fresh, and sustainably sourced ingredients available. 

There’s just so much to love about this cafe, we haven’t even gotten to the food yet! But as expected, the food quality and menu selection doesn’t disappoint. 

It’s a great spot for brunch and we particularly love their Fumbally Eggs and Arancini Plate. They also offer coffee, tea, fermented drinks, juices, and wine. 

Although the drinks are slightly more expensive, the food is well-priced, especially considering the quality. 

The Fumbally is definitely a must-visit cafe in Dublin if you’re into that hipster and boho vibe. Just take note that they’re closed on Sundays and Mondays. 

Pros

  • Bright and airy space with high ceilings and ample seating
  • Has a deli and bakery where customers can shop
  • Uses fresh, high quality, organic ingredients
  • Affordable food pricing given the quality

Cons

  • Pricing for coffee and other drinks are a bit steeper
  • Closed on Sundays and Mondays

Customer Reviews

I absolutely adore this place. Definitely my new favourite spot for coffee and chill. It’s a combination of deli market, food and coffee spot. Just fab! Live the cozy ethnic-boho atmosphere. Highly recommended! – Sissy Dimitrakidou, Google Reviews

Ultimate food spot in Dublin. Everything is homemade, super fresh, super delicious. They have fun with food and experiment with ferments… cool shop to browse around also. The staff are so nice too 🙂 Coffee is also so good. – Jer Long, Google Reviews