Afternoon in Wicklow

Instead of our usual Saturday routine of going into the City Centre we decided to go towards the coast and head south to Greystones.

The weather was fab - Ireland really is beautiful in the sun! If you've ever done the Bray to Greystones cliff walk you'll know that this is a stunning part of the country. Here's a reminder though... 

This weekend though we drove to Greystones instead of being that energetic.

We had been to The Happy Pear (www.thehappypear.ie) after doing the cliff walk previously and loved it! 

They've an incredible healthy organic food shop and a lovely restaurant / cafe serving up lots of healthy treats. I have to be honest though I've only had cake and coffee here. Well I say "only" their coffee is nicely made and their sweet treats are just yum! I chose a chocolate tart on the last visit and Sean had their lemon and lime cake (I think it was courgette cake but can't remember for sure!) 

This time I went with a macaroon. Sean just had a mango smoothie (he's on soft food diet after a wisdom tooth removal) Was sooo nice sitting outside in the sunshine enjoying my coffee and macaroon listening to the tunes belting out of their festive kart. 

It's definitely worth making this your go to spot after the cliff walk (plus it's not too far from the DART station if you're not feeling the return walk!) 

After leaving The Happy Pear we then headed to Avoca in Kilmacanogue... I love coming here. They've two cafes (one is more formal sit down in their conservatory and the other is a self service type) I can't fault the food here at all. My firm favourite has got to be their plain scone with jam and cream. Be prepared to end up looking messy if you choose this :-) 

Since they revamped their store they now have a James Whelan butchers, Poulet Bonne Femme rotisserie, Mitchell's wines shop, Michie Sushi, a fresh food counter (I think it's by Roberts?) as well as the same great choice of fresh produce and sweet treats. 

Picked up some mashed potato, lemon posset and a Sprout pressed juice drink -Vit ABC (carrot, apple, passion fruit and orange) I got myself a Poulet Bonne Femme roast chicken sandwich with everything. These sandwiches are made on sourdough with rotisserie chicken, salad and whole grain mustard. They're just delicious!!! 

Coffee!!!

(Picture taken at The Coffee Shot, Sandyford) 

This post is about my favourite coffee places but seeing as it is usually accompanied by cake I figure it's relevant here... 

I know Starbucks are popping up all over Dublin. In fact we have a Starbucks in the building I work in outside of the city centre and at last count there are another four of them in or around the shopping centre that's across the road from the building!!! My caffeine habit runs to two grande Americanos with extra shots a day - it does the job but doesn't remotely compare to any of the following places!! 

Avoca 

I've been to almost all of the Avocas in Ireland at this stage. Belfast and Molls Gap are the only two left to visit. Favourite Avoca for coffee has to be Kilmacanogue (I think I must have over 30 Facebook checkins at this location!) 

I love their breakfasts (particularly their French toast or bacon baps!) but their pancakes in Suffolk St are pretty damn good! 

I do have a terribly sweet tooth so their scones and cheesecakes are most definitely my ideal accompaniment to their coffee... 

Fallon and Byrne 

Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 and People's Park, Dun Laoghaire

Only had take away at People's Park on a very miserable day. Must return to try the restaurant out properly! 

Have eaten at all three floors at Exchequer Street by now. No matter where we went to have dinner in 2014 we nearly always found ourselves at the 

ground floor at Exchequer St for dessert!! 

Love the wine cellar for the charcuterie boards or the house chicken liver pate followed by some fab desserts and coffee!!

3fe

Lr Grand Canal St, Dublin 2 

Was that keen to try there that we sat outside in the rain barely covered by their canopy!! Got the espresso tastings and I can tell you it was bloody worth almost getting a cold for :) 

Roasted brown

Filmbase, Temple Bar

Don't let the fact that it's right in the centre of touristville put you off this lovely airy spot. Great gourmet (!) coffee and cake. They also have great brunch and lunch menus that includes breakfast burritos, pulled pork sandwich and a Reuben! 

But for our first visit we stuck with cake.. 

Two Fifty Square Coffee

Williams Park, Rathmines. Not in the city centre and parking can be tricky but this place does really great coffee & cookies. Be adventurous and get the aeropress! 

Their cookies are perfect for sharing (if you feel generous!!) 

Queen of Tarts 

Pretty sure this is a Dublin institution that needs no introduction or too much reviewing!! Amazing tarts anytime we've visited. Last visit - warm chocolate pecan tart and a lemon meringue tart. 

Kaph

Yes this is hipster central on Drury St but that should take nothing away from the cakes and the 3fe coffee they serve! 

The Happy Pear

Main Street, Greystones 

OK so it is a bit of a trek to get to but if you ever do fancy caffeine heating and healthy cake after completing the Bray to Greystones walk this is definitely the place to visit! 

Hope you enjoy discovering that there is coffee in Dublin other than Starbucks!