Coffee addicts anonymous: Independent cafes in Dublin

Let 2020 be the year of supporting local green businesses by taking a peek at our list of some of the best independent cafes in Dublin.

Independent cafes in Dublin are a dime a dozen. It seems every week there are new artisan roasters and eco-friendly cafes opening up all over the city. However, international chains, such as Starbucks, Costa and Cafe Nero among others, are drowning out some of Dublin’s best, sustainable independent cafes. Let 2020 be the year to time to start supporting local green businesses by taking a peek at our list of some of Dublin’s best independent cafes. That way you can enjoy your morning cup of joe guilt-free.

Coffee is essential to many of our mornings. If you’re like me, you can barely function before 9am without it. That doesn’t mean that any old coffee will do. Whether you’re a fan of your lattes, filter coffee, or a nitro brew, Dublin is absolutely teaming with gorgeous and cost effective cafes that’ll help you ditch your Stabucks habit. What’s more, many of the independent cafes in Dublin are riddled with electrical sockets and offer free Wi-Fi excellent for those of you who need to get a bit of work done in the off-hours!

 

The Music Cafe Dublin

A quaint, rustic joint with a bohemian vibe, The Music Cafe Dublin is known throughout Dublin for its friendly staff, laid back atmosphere, and excellent espresso. Coffee is not all that’s on offer at this quayside establishment. With a vast list of loose leaf teas, beer, wine, soft drinks and more, there’s no such thing as a thirsty customer at The Music Cafe. In addition to beverages, there are plenty of tasty treats to tuck into including breakfast options till 3pm, sandwiches, soups, salads, cakes, and pastries. What’s more, there are regular DJ performances, as well as Jazz and Blues nights, it’s not called The ‘Music’ Cafe for nothing, so you can have dinner and a show!

Address: 1 Wellington Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 DY95 

Opening hours: Mon: 8am-7pm; Tues-Thurs: 8am-10pm; Fri-Sat: 8am-11pm; Sun: 9am-10pm

Price: €-€€

Is tea more your jam? Check out the best tea rooms in Ireland!

Free Wi-Fi: Yes

 

The Art Cafe Dublin

Tucked away near Busaras bus station is one of Dublin’s coziest cafes, The Art Cafe. This quirky little joint takes particular interest in ‘introducing tasteful art and music into your daily life’ all while you chow down on some excellent and very moderately priced food. With exhibitions from local artists adorning the walls as well as live music every Saturday evening, The Art Cafe is the perfect spot to sit back and relax with a coffee and take in some culture. The cafe’s menu is fairly comprehensive, with a ‘Mega Irish Breakfast’ coming in at just under €10 as well as sandwiches and omelettes for under €7. With food, entertainment and ambiance, you could spend all day at The Art Cafe and not even notice the clock ticking.

Address: 1 Frenchman’s Ln, Mountjoy, Dublin 1

Opening hours: Sun-Fri: 8am-8pm; Sat: 8:30-8pm

Price:

Free Wi-Fi: Yes

 

Kaph

Coffee and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In the wake of the single use plastics debacle, Kaph has established itself as a green hub for coffee lovers in the heart of Dublin. Since they opened their doors in 2013, Kaph’s main focus has been on ‘excellent coffee, great dairy free options, tasty cakes and creating an environment that welcomes one and all’. Since 2017, the Drury Street cafe has transitioned to completely compostable takeaway cups and are dedicated to purging themselves of single use plastics. As of May 2019, everything from straws to iced coffee cups are completely compostable or recyclable. Next time you’re in town, pop by Kaph for a guilt-free, eco-friendly espresso. 

Address:  31 Drury St, Dublin 2

Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 8am-7pm; Sun: 11am-6pm

Price: €€

Wi-Fi: Yes

 

Love Supreme Coffee

A little bit outside the hustle and bustle of Dublin’s city centre lies the cafe of any trendy nordic minimalist’s dreams. Love Supreme Coffee is a fresh and elegant Stoneybatter gem that any coffee snob would love to spend an afternoon in. A multi roaster coffee shop with a variety of beans from around the world as well as fresh cakes, cookies, sausage rolls, and pies made on site, it’s no wonder that Love Supreme Coffee is a local favourite. Reviewers rave about the excellent selection of espresso, the warm and welcoming staff, as well as some of the best pear and walnut sausage rolls in the city. To see more of Love Supreme Coffee, check out their facebook page here.

Address:  57 Manor St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7

Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm; Sat-Sun: 9am-4pm

Price: €€

Wi-Fi: Yes

 

Two Pups

The epitome of a cool, hip, and, dare I say, off the beaten path coffee shop is hidden in Christchurch just off of Thomas Street. Two Pups Coffee is an instagram foodies dream. They offer a vibrant and fresh menu year round and the dining area is flooded with natural light, perfect for posting those gramable brunches. The exertant baristas at Two Pups are more than happy to suggest a brew from their extensive selection of coffee which includes espresso drinks, filter coffees and batch brews. Bonus: as in the name, Two Pups is dog friendly so you can bring your own pup along for a lovely afternoon coffee paired with one of their unbelievable cakes! 

Address: 74 Francis St, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 KA43

Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun: 9:30am-4pm

Price: €-€€

Wi-fi: Yes

 

Tang

Local produce crafted with a Middle Eastern influence is the life and soul of Tang. With locations on both Dawson Street and Abbey Street, you can find dishes like Wexford strawberries with homemade labneh and date syrup or North Wicklow carrots roasted in z’ataar with tahini and dukkah. Culinary creativity and high quality ingredients are front and centre at Tang, and with locations right in the centre of both north and south Dublin it’s the perfect stop for a bite and bevy on your weekend shopping excursions. They also offer an extensive brunch menu on Saturdays featuring treats like shakshuka, hummus eggs, and buckwheat pancakes that are to die for. To check out more of their menu click here

Address:

23C Dawson St, Dublin 2

9a Abbey Street Lower, North City, Dublin, D01 A0W2

Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5pm; Sat: 10am-4pm

Price: €-€€

Wi-Fi: Yes

So start 2020 right by supporting some amazing independent cafes in Dublin! These are just some of the many amazing coffee spots that this city has to offer. Do you have a favourite local cafe? Mention it in the comments below!

Photo Credits:

Featured image: Photo by Jeff Sheldon

 

Emma Grove
Emma Grove

Emma is a Californian-native, a food lover, and a Journalist for Babylon Radio. With a MA(Hons) from the University of Glasgow, Emma is interested in everything musical and cultural going on in Ireland!

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