Coffee Shops of the World: Dublin
The love between a member of The Attic and our caffeine is perhaps unparalleled. It comforts us and sustains us, and at home nothing gets us going faster in the mornings or brings more easy enjoyment with friends. Traveling, we seek it out religiously, to save us from jet lag and submerge us within the local energy, becoming a home away from home — a place where we gather with friends or fellow travelers and stop to recharge between sights. In this series, we are sharing our favorite independent coffee shops at home and around the world.
When I was in college, I made a point to brag about how I never drank coffee. Tea, yes, but I was adamant that I’d never become a coffee drinker. Once I started a full-time job, however, that quickly changed. Fast forward a few years, and now the majority of the photos on my phone are either of my dog… or coffee.
Dublin is a haven for coffee aficionados, and while I don’t consider myself one, I find great pleasure in in trying new cafes whenever I can. With incredible brands like 3fe and Cloud Picker supplying coffee all over the city, cafes are a dime a dozen, but each has its own place in our vibrant capital. Regardless of what my day entails, whether it’s a workday or the weekend, coffee is a priority. I pop into a local cafe on my way into work simply because they use Cloud Picker beans, and my Saturday morning ritual of yoga class followed by an oat milk latte in Two Pups is sacred to me.
Cloud Picker
42 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Cloud Picker’s brand new cafe is first on my list because their coffee is by far the best I’ve ever tasted in my life. The cafe is small without much seating, but that doesn’t matter. As your drink is being prepared, you really feel like you’re watching an artist at work, and the result is a velvety smooth, utterly delicious coffee unlike any other in Dublin. Before I changed jobs I worked right around the corner from the cafe, and I selfishly hope they expand and open more cafes around the city.
Two Pups
74 Francis St, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 KA43, Ireland
As previously mentioned, Two Pups is a sacred spot to me. I’ve been attending yoga classes at a studio just above it for the better part of this year, and have spent many Saturday mornings feasting on its brunch menu as well as drinking what I imagine must be at least a thousand of their fantastic oat milk lattes by now. Their food is absolutely outstanding, and the vibe inside is just cozy enough to make you feel like you’re in on a well-kept secret. Best of all - dogs are allowed!
Meet Me in the Morning
50 Pleasants St, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 8, Ireland
This is one of the more unique spots on my list. Their coffee is sourced from Reference Coffee next door, and combined with the incredible tarts, French toast, and (my favourite) the eggs and greens bowl, Meet Me in the Morning is the real deal. Their fruit and veg is all locally sourced, which makes you feel good about paying a bit extra, knowing it’s going toward Irish farmers.
River Cafe
11 & 12, Main St, Lucan, Co. Dublin, K78 W0Y6, Ireland
This spot isn’t in central Dublin, so if you fancy a trip out to the suburbs, pay this place a visit. Coffee here is served in what feel like bowls, and on a rainy day, you won’t find a more genuine place to have a spot of breakfast. Its menu is simple, but that’s the beauty of it. Some mornings you just want eggs, toast, and a few good sausages instead of a bowl of overnight oats with edible flowers. Simplicity reigns supreme here, and with twinkly lights, a gorgeous old fireplace, and stone walls, it’s truly a treat.
Shoe Lane Coffee
7 Tara St, Dublin 2, D02 Y662, Ireland
I am just obsessed with Shoe Lane Coffee. The interior of this place is Instagram-worthy, and I find myself snapping shot after shot each time I go in of its gorgeous ceiling, beautiful display of baked goods, and wide storefront windows. Especially great is the disco ball that comes out on Fridays - pop in for a coffee and a boogie on your way to work and you’ll be smiling all day long.
Gertrude
130 Pearse St, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin, D02 AE17, Ireland
Gertrude is a newer entry on my list - it was opened earlier this year by 3fe, one of Dublin’s resident premium roasters. As pictured, the latte art is stunning, and not pictured is the large stack of pancakes shared with a friend that came topped with orchard syrup - maple syrup with an apple twist - and honey butter. It was melt-in-your-mouth good.
Two Boys Brew
375 N Circular Rd, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, D07 FWY1, Ireland
This spot was really my introduction to the Dublin cafe scene. I used to live nearby, and when guests would come to visit we’d walk down on Saturday morning, rain or shine, to sit at the large table in the back underneath the ceiling windows. It’s always jam-packed, which is a good sign, and it’s by far the best cafe north of the River Liffey.
Love Supreme
57 Manor St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, Ireland
I’ve mentioned Love Supreme before as it’s quite a famous coffee spot in Dublin. Its menu is small but its sausage rolls are the stuff of legend. Everything is baked on site, and the surrounding neighbourhood of Stoneybatter is a gem, with gorgeous shops and restaurants just a stroll away.
Dublin is well on its way to becoming a coffee hub of Europe, and it’s easy to see why. Although Ireland is more historically associated with tea, Dublin’s cafes have made me a fully converted coffee drinker, and the coffee community is welcoming and warm, no matter where you stop in for a cup. Whether you’re ordering a latte on the go or have all day to spend people-watching over a few filter coffees, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for here.
Lauren Olmeda holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations. She is a public affairs assistant based in Dublin, Ireland and is Editor-at-Large of the Attic on Eighth.
In our first coffee guide of the new year, new contributor and university student Maria-Lise Dobri takes us on a tour of Toronto, sharing her favorite work and study spots.