Café€ranelagh-ballsbridgeMon-Fri 07:30-16:00; Sat-Sun 09:00-16:00Wifi
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.
Signature drink: Espresso
Order: Double espresso with a cardamom bun, on the move.
Tip: Counter only; arrive 09:00-10:00 weekdays. The bun pastry case empties by 11:00 on Saturdays.
Café€north-inner-cityMon-Tue 07:30-17:00; Wed-Fri 07:30-22:00; Sat 09:30-22:00; Sun 09:30-17:00Work-friendlyWifi
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.
Signature drink: Flat white
Order: Shakshuka with house bread; a cardamom French toast and a flat white to follow.
Tip: Walk-in only Saturday and Sunday from 09:30; the queue starts before doors. Wednesday breakfast is the calm window.
Café€the-libertiesMon-Fri 08:00-15:30; Sat-Sun 09:00-15:30Work-friendly
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.
Signature drink: Cortado
Order: Cortado on the house roast; the eggs Florentine with house hollandaise at brunch.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive 09:30 Saturday before the queue. Two long tables share with strangers; the window stools turn fast.
Café€north-inner-cityDaily 11:00-19:00
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.
Signature drink: Espresso tonic
Order: Espresso tonic in summer, the seasonal filter in winter.
Tip: Counter inside Wigwam; the bar's coffee bar runs daytime hours. Closes 17:00 weekdays.
Café€south-city-centreMon-Thu 06:00-20:00; Fri 06:00-19:00; Sat 08:00-18:00; Sun 09:00-16:00Work-friendlyWifi
The Bald Barista on Aungier Street in Dublin 2, a two-floor specialty espresso bar with sweet treats and upstairs seating, the south-city centre's reliable.
Signature drink: Flat white
Order: Flat white on the house espresso blend; a slice from the bakery counter.
Tip: Counter on the ground floor; the seating and toilet are upstairs. Outdoor tables at the front. Closed on Saturday and Sunday in most weeks.
Café€south-city-centreMon-Wed 07:30-19:00; Thu 07:30-21:00; Fri 07:30-20:00; Sat 08:00-20:00; Sun 09:00-20:00Wifi
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.
Signature drink: Bewley's coffee blend
Order: The Bewley's house blend coffee and a sticky bun; an afternoon cream tea upstairs.
Tip: Three floors; the first floor is the historic Harry Clarke window room. The basement Theatre cafe runs lunchtime plays.