The best coffee shops in Dublin, according to the IMAGE staffers
Our daily caffeine fix is something we take very seriously at IMAGE HQ. The team share their go-to coffee spots in Dublin city.
Dearbhla Lovett, IMAGE First Activations Freelancer
I wholeheartedly believe that Dublin has the best coffee on the planet. Anytime I go abroad the coffee just doesn’t compare. Now I am not claiming to be a coffee expert, so please don’t judge my choices, but as someone who spends an absurd amount of my monthly salary on a wee coconut latte (and no, this is not the reason I cannot afford a house), one of my favourites is Marlowe & Co. in Dublin 8. This is one of my favourite local coffee spots, the staff are fab, the coffee is divine and the artisanal shop bits are gorgeous.
Boom Coffee, Francis St — Can you tell I live in Dublin 8? Boom has been a longtime favourite of mine. Again, the staff are just the best. Lotts & Co. in Terenure is one of my ‘feeling boujee on a budget’ coffee stops. So we do our food shop in Lidl in Terenure, then go for a wander around Lotts & Co, grab a coffee (I think they use Cloud Picker beans), and feel very boujee with our coffee and occasional sweet treat!
If, like me, you can’t drink more than one coffee a day, an afternoon matcha hits the spot perfectly. Some of my favourites in the city include Mr French and The Matcha Bar in Powerscourt! If I’m in the city centre, I love Fallon & Byrne, Cornucopia and Ku.fee inside Dylan Bradshaw’s hair salon.
Helen Conway, Event Manager
Russell Street Bakery: My weekday morning walks are not complete without a trip to Russell Street, the friendliest bakery in Dublin. Now that the mornings are warmer and brighter, their outside benches are the perfect spot to perch in the sun and enjoy one of their irresistible pastries and a coffee, complete with an up-close view of Croke Park.
Proper Order Coffee Co.: I’m an American girl at heart, and nobody does a black coffee like Proper Order in Smithfield. Their scandi-style setup inside No Messin’ Bakery is perfect for group hangs, solo working or catching up on a good book. If you fancy a treat to complement your Americano, I highly recommend the cardi-b – a sweet and sticky cardamom bun.
Emily O’Neill, Branded Content Account Manager
The number one thought that consumes my brain when I’m in Dublin is, “Where will I get my coffee today?” and it’s always a tough decision to make. When I am in the office I rotate between One Kinda Folk (a side of their banana bread is always essential), Mister Magpie, and Gerard’s Deli. A coconut or oat flat white is always my go to order and they all serve a great one!
I also spend way too much time thinking about the coffee from Volume[s], which recently opened on Georges Quay. It might just be one of the coolest spots in Dublin which comes as no surprise when Paddy Kirk is behind it! I adore his @dublinstreetcafe page on IG and his gorgeous book, The Dublin Coffee Guide, which is full of amazing cafes and stunning photography!
Ellen Ince, Event Manager
My favorite coffee shop has to be Brew Lab. Based on Aungier Street, it has an amazing team of award winning baristas. At Brew Lab, drinking coffee is a whole experience. Arvind and Renata’s story of how they built their business, and their passion for coffee and hospitality is truly inspiring.
Meghan Killalea, Senior Marketing Account Executive
My number one go-to coffee shop in Dublin is Melo in Castleknock. An absolute gem in the heart of the town, you will not find a nicer iced matcha, acai bowl or focaccia sandwich anywhere else. It’s always packed to the rafters and is dog friendly so you’re always sure to get a cuddly welcome. They also stock an array of Irish products, and have started selling fresh loaves of bread!
In terms of coffee shops in the centre of town, I adore both Mister Magpie on Leeson Street and Cornucopia on Wicklow Street. What I love the most about Mister Magpie is their gluten free and vegan pistachio and chocolate cookie – it’s honestly heaven in a biscuit. However, Cornucopia takes the cake (pun intended) for the best vegan coffee shop treats, with their banana bread top of my list. They also don’t charge extra for alternative milks which makes their delicious coconut vanilla matcha all the sweeter.
Hannah Stapleton, Freelance Junior Marketing Executive
East Village Coffee Clondalkin: To know me is to know my love for an almond flat white, and nobody understands that better than my local, East Village Coffee. Whether it be a lunchtime walk, a weekend stroll or anything in between, I’m at my happiest with my flat white in hand.
Ku.fee: Whenever I’m in town, which can be quite often, I will always stop off in ku.fee on South William Street. The perfect spot to grab a coffee, and explore! Their matcha is also to die for!
This year, I’m trying to do more things that don’t involve stopping for a pint or another alcoholic beverage. I love getting coffee in Park Lane Deli, then heading for a walk in the Phoenix Park – especially now that the weather is nice. Next on my list is a trip to Dun Laoghaire for a walk and a coffee in Happy Out. Get me a sunny day, and I will be there first thing!
Hannah Monaghan, Art Designer
My favourite coffee spot is Strand Fare in Sandymount, where the coffee is always spot on and the Bread 41 pastries are very hard to pass up! It also doubles as a lovely neighbourhood grocery, which is so handy for picking up items on the go, whether for dinner or a few treats for later. From there, it’s an easy stroll into Sandymount village, which is perfect for a wander, with plenty of lovely shops to dip in and out of. I always recommend stopping into Cobbler’s Wardrobe for some great fashion finds, and being so close to Sandymount Beach makes the whole experience even better. It’s definitely a must-visit!
Another favourite of mine is Foodgame in Beggars Bush, which has such a relaxed, easy-going feel to it. The coffee is consistently good, and it’s the kind of place I find myself returning to for a really tasty breakfast or an easy lunch that never disappoints.
Megan Burns, Editor, IMAGE Interiors; Managing Editor, IMAGE
I love Clement & Pekoe on South William Street. There’s lots of great coffee shops in the city centre, but it has been such a reliable mainstay for so long, and for me it gets bonus points for also having an incredible tea selection, all loose leaf and properly brewed – tea lovers are an afterthought in so many places. Bonus points for the excellent people watching spots at the window, or on the outside bench.
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