WHETHER YOU FAVOUR a coffee to wake you up or get you through the afternoon slump, that first sip of a fresh brew is always something special. And if you happen to be sitting at your favourite café while you savour your drink, all the better.
In the third instalment of our Social Spots series with N26, we’re asking people around the country to share the cafés and takeaway spots they can’t resist when they need a caffeine (and pastry) fix.
With N26, you’ll get free contactless and mobile payments as standard, making it simple to grab a coffee on the go. And if friends are joining you, save hassle with N26′s new bill-splitting feature – just select the friends you want to pay with and choose an even or custom split.
Dublin
Meet Me In The Morning, 50 Pleasants St, Dublin 8: Meet Me in the Morning is right between Portobello and Camden Street so the bench outside is an ideal people and dog watching spot. The coffee is always good, all the food is house made – the focaccia and a cinnamon bun will set you up for the day – and the staff are mega sound. - Ellen
Open Monday – Friday from 8am, Saturdays from 8.30am and Sundays from 9am, with takeaway drinks and fresh baked goods daily.
Lilliput Stores, 5 Arbour Hill, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7: This will always be my local go-to for a flat white and a massive almond croissant. They make a really decent cup of coffee, and they’re one of the few places that ask you if you want sugar in it while they’re making it, which to me is heroic. The staff are all generally good natured, there’s a queer vibe and everyone in there feels like part of the community. If you can’t grab a seat outside on the window ledge, there’s the beautiful painted bench across the road – a local community initiative that is simply called Bench. - Dave
Open Monday – Saturday from 8.30am to 5pm, and Sundays from 10am – 5pm. Step inside to order takeaway food and coffees, and to browse the selection of locally sourced produce, including Lilliput’s own oils and vinegars.
Groundstate, 48-50 James’s St, Dublin 8: This little café is just up the road from me and it has a real Dublin 8 feel to it thanks to the great selection of locally produced products you can buy while you’re in there. It’s my go-to spot to replenish my stock of Harry’s Nut Butter. The staff are super and you can always tell they have a warm smile behind their masks! I love when I can bag a seat outside as it’s a great spot for people watching over an oat milk latte (my usual). - Orlagh
Open Monday – Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm, and weekends 10am to 3.30pm. Grab a takeaway or a seat under one of the parasols outside.
Kildare
Ubh, 2 George’s St, Newbridge, Kildare: This place is such a gem: a small cafe where they roast their own beans and use local produce. Ubh’s a great place to bump into friends and it’s dog friendly too! There’s always a brilliant atmosphere, driven by a community of coffee, food and music lovers. Pro tip: leave room for their delicious French toast. - Anna
Open 8.30 – 4.30pm weekdays, and 10am to 4.30pm on weekends, with the kitchen open for (fresh, vibrant and often vegan) food from 10am – 3pm daily.
Cork
The Bookshelf, 78 South Mall, Cork: The upstairs seating area here was always one of my favourite places in the city to sit with a coffee, but the outdoor seating they have currently is a close second. The coffee’s great, and if you’re feeling fancy then buy a jar of their amazing in-house raspberry jam or some coffee beans from The Barn to take home too. - Sam
Open Monday – Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. As well as its original location in the old Cork Library building, Bookshelf has a second location at The Elysian on Eglinton St.
Filter, 19 George’s Quay, Cork: Cork is blessed with great coffee spots, but I really love this one. Since it opened in 2012, it’s been a hub for people in the arts scene in particular, as you could see in pre-Covid times by all the gig posters inside. I’m more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker, so I like that it offers excellent teas (and superb filter when I’m in the mood – this is a coffee nerd’s paradise). But it’s the desserts that always tempt me – none of your reheated croissants here! The staff are always friendly, and even doing takeaway only, it still has a lovely atmosphere. - Aoife
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm and weekends 10am to 3pm. Filter sells a range of take-home coffee beans too, from the likes of 3fe, Cloud Picker and Sweet Bloom.
Alchemy, 123 Barrack St, Cork: There’s usually a queue outside Alchemy which is a bit of a people-watching spot in itself… you’ll always get some fashion inspiration while you wait! The coffee is 3fe so is always reliable, but Alchemy is also a great spot for the following: vegan cakes, incredibly fluffy doughnuts and sweet potato samosas. You won’t go hungry! You can eat at the tables outside or have a wander around colourful Barrack St. - Maria
Open from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm and weekends 10am to 6pm.
Galway
Coffeewerk + Press, 4 Quay St, Galway: This is the central hub for coffee in the City of the Tribes. The stylish interior and very knowledgeable and sound staff mean that whether you are having a classic Americano or a fancy nitro coffee, you’re going to have a superior experience. There are plenty of seats outside so you can watch the world go by while you enjoy your coffee. - Lisa
Open from 9am to 6pm daily. As well as coffee and pastries, Coffeewerk + Press sells sustainable homewares, art and clothing.
Urban Grind, 8 William St West, Galway: We stopped in here at the end of a weekend trip to Galway and wished we’d discovered it sooner. The courtyard out the back is such a find for brunch, and they do wine and cheese in the evenings. The place was full so we grabbed a takeaway (iced Americano, green smoothie, lemon drizzle cake… all delicious) and ate it sitting at Small Crane, which is a little square just around the corner. - Liz
Open for coffee, pastries and brunch Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, and weekends from 9am to 4pm. Make a booking for small bites in the evening from Thursday to Saturday, 5pm to 11pm.
Belfast
Output Espresso, 479 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7EZ: This place is an Instagrammer’s paradise with its fresh and funky decor, but it also has an extensive coffee menu (that includes espresso martinis) and a brunch menu that’s to die for. I love chowing down on their delicious Bacon Jam Lost Bread, washed down with an iced coffee, or grabbing a long black and a gourmet scone. You can eat inside, or go for take-out and enjoy your treats in the nearby Botanic Gardens. - Victoria
Open from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm and Sundays 9am to 5pm. Walk-ins only for tables, or grab your coffee (or cocktail) to go.
So, which of these coffee spots gets your vote? Choose the one you’d like to visit most here…
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