10 cafes worth the trip across Ireland, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Ireland guides.
3fe Grand Canal ★ 4.7 · Dublin
docklands · 32-34 Grand Canal Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 TD58
3fe Grand Canal in Dublin 2, the flagship of Colin Harmon's roastery, the city's most polished filter coffee on the south side of Pearse Street's tech corridor.
Tip: Eight 3fe cafes across Dublin; the Grand Canal flagship has the most seating and serves food until 15:00.
3fe Sussex Terrace ★ 4.5 · Dublin
ranelagh-ballsbridge · 7 Sussex Terrace, Dublin 4, D04 NP78
3fe on Sussex Terrace in Dublin 4, the small Forest Avenue neighbour, four-seat counter, the morning 3fe espresso for the southside before work commute.
Tip: Counter only; arrive 09:00 to 10:00 weekdays. The bun pastry case empties by 11:00 on Saturdays.
Brother Hubbard North ★ 4.5 · Dublin
north-inner-city · 153 Capel Street, Dublin 1, D01 V9V0
Brother Hubbard North on Capel Street in Dublin 1, Garrett FitzGerald and James Boland's original Middle Eastern brunch room, the Capel Street weekend anchor.
Tip: Walk-in only Saturday and Sunday from 09:30; the queue starts before doors. Wednesday breakfast is the calm window.
Two Pups Coffee ★ 4.5 · Dublin
the-liberties · 74 Francis Street, Dublin 8, D08 KA43
Two Pups Coffee on Francis Street in Dublin 8, a Liberties counter and brunch room, the southside's strongest cortado and one of the city's brunch references.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive 09:30 Saturday before the queue. Two long tables share with strangers; the window stools turn fast.
The Fumbally Cafe ★ 4.5 · Dublin
the-liberties · Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8, D08 HFF2
The Fumbally cafe on Fumbally Lane in Dublin 8, Aisling Rogerson's open-plan day cafe inside a fermentation hub, the kitchen the Liberties learned on for years.
Tip: Communal tables; walk-in only and bag check at the door. Open 08:00 Tuesday to Saturday; Sunday 10:00 to 15:00.
Vice Coffee Inc ★ 4.4 · Dublin
north-inner-city · 54 Abbey Street Middle, Dublin 1, D01 E2X4
Vice Coffee Inc on Middle Abbey Street in Dublin 1, inside the Wigwam bar and venue, the small-batch specialty roaster pouring espresso and filter for the Northside.
Tip: Counter inside Wigwam; the bar's coffee bar runs daytime hours. Closes 17:00 weekdays.
Network Cafe ★ 4.4 · Dublin
south-city-centre · 39 Aungier Street, Dublin 2, D02 HP86
Network on Aungier Street in Dublin 2, a Heaney coffee roastery offshoot pouring Origin coffees, the city's most considered specialty pour with proper seating.
Tip: The basement is the work-friendly room; the ground floor is takeaway. Plug sockets at the back tables; quiet hours 14:30 to 16:30.
Kaph ★ 4.3 · Dublin
south-city-centre · 31 Drury Street, Dublin 2, D02 Y684
Kaph on Drury Street in Dublin 2, an upstairs flat-white room over a Drury Street boutique, the southside's go-to specialty espresso bar with quiet booths.
Tip: Two floors of stools; the upstairs window seat has the best Drury Street people-watching. Closes 17:30 weekdays.
Queen of Tarts ★ 4.3 · Dublin
south-city-centre · 4 Cork Hill, Dublin 2, D02 E096
Queen of Tarts on Cork Hill in Dublin 2, the Fallon sisters' 1998 patisserie steps from City Hall, now under Il Valentino owners and the city's reference for a Sunday tart.
Tip: Two locations on Dame Street; the Cork Hill original sits twenty. Saturday brunch fills before 10:30.
Bewley's Cafe Grafton Street ★ 4.0 · Dublin
south-city-centre · 78-79 Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Bewley's Cafe on Grafton Street in Dublin, the Ernest Bewley grand cafe since 1927, restored across three floors, the city's heritage tea-room and lunch room.
Tip: Three floors; the first floor is the historic Harry Clarke window room. The basement Theatre cafe runs lunchtime plays.