If I wake up and look out my window, and there are blue skies as far as the eye can see, I always pack my umbrella.
That’s just part of Dublin weather – clouds sweep in from the west and just as quickly can be gone out to sea. If you forget your umbrella, a sudden burst of rain can leave you uncomfortable and drenched for the day – unless you find a cozy place for a coffee and a sweet pick me up.
Here are my favorite places to grab a table by the window, and watch the rain pass while keeping your hands warm around a cup of coffee.
1. Metro Café: Just a 5-minute walk from Grafton Street is an affordable café where they never chase you from a table. If possible – avoid the lunchtime rush around 1pm – this café is popular with local business people who come for the quick service, affordable sandwiches, and homemade soups. Newspapers on the tables, a silky cappuccino, and big windows for some people watching make this an ideal rainy day destination.
Address: 43 South William Street, Dublin 2. (map)
2. Boulevard Café: Another popular lunch spot is Boulevard Café. There are two of these cafés in Dublin, but I prefer the smaller one on Baggot Street. Avoiding the lunch rush means you might get the table in the bay window. Coffee is never burned and they have different fresh-baked muffins and desserts every day.
Address: 132 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. (map)
3. Avoca: Located very close to Trinity College, Avoca Café isn’t a well kept secret, but is worth a trip anyway. The downstairs food hall has wicker baskets full of fresh baked scones and bread. My favorite is the mixed berry, and if you choose to sit down at one of the tables with a coffee, your scone will be served with jam and fresh whipped cream.
Address: 11 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2. (map)
4. Leon: This French-pastry café is always packed – and for good reason. It may be the priciest option on this list, but if you’re looking for a treat that is as pretty as it is delicious, head straight for Leon. Coffee connoisseurs will love the extensive coffee menu.
Address: 33 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2. (map)
Photo Credit: Jessica Colley
No Comments
Permalink |
Dublin is a great city to blow your budget. Gourmet restaurants, theater, concerts, wine bars, spas, and luxury hotels are all temptations during any visit to the Irish capital. I must say, in my experience, Dublin 5-star hotels are really something special – and worth the price tag.
For a 5-star...
April 2nd, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: featuredarticle, hotels, Luxury
Dublin has a reputation for being an expensive city, and in some ways, this reputation is well-deserved. It is easy to pay premium prices on hotels, restaurants, and even a coffee in the Irish capital. Shopping is no exception to the rule – which makes vintage shopping a girl’s best friend.
Here’s...
March 29th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: fashion, featuredarticle, Shopping
What better way to explore a new city than from a bicycle? In the past, renting bikes has been expensive and difficult to find. A new initiative in Dublin premiered in September 2009 and has provided bike stations in 40 locations throughout the center of the city. Say goodbye to expensive taxis and hop...
March 28th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: featuredarticle, parks, transportation
Is it overkill to go out for a 3-course meal every night for a week? If my wallet and calories weren’t a consideration I’d be there in a heartbeat – but this time around – I made just one reservation for Dublin’s Restaurant Week.
My 30 euro / 3 course experience at Fallon...
March 26th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: deals, Restaurants
Who can argue with a 3-course meal for a fixed price? The formula for restaurant week guarantees success for everybody involved – and ‘Dine in Dublin’ is no exception. Twice a year some of the most interesting restaurants in town create a 25 or 30 euro dinner menu that draws big crowds....
March 24th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: annual events, dining, Restaurants
The sounds of Ireland are almost just as important as the sights. During any trip to Ireland – try and squeeze in some music to your itinerary.
Tonight, I’m going to the National Concert Hall. Many visitors don’t even think about getting tickets because they hear ‘symphony’...
March 22nd, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Attractions, featuredarticle, music
One of the best parts of living in Dublin is the ability to be outside of the city and deep into the countryside within 30 minutes. In just half an hour, the traffic lights and city buses are replaced with green rolling hills and small villages. On a sunny Sunday morning I thought it would be a great...
March 22nd, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: featuredarticle, outdoor recreation
‘Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.’
- WB Yeats from ‘Easter 1916′
As a poet living in Dublin, it should be very surprising that only last weekend did I make it to the National Library for the first time. This...
March 19th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Attractions, literature, museums
Not all pints are created equal in Dublin. After drinking a few pints of Ireland’s famous stout in pubs across the city – I realized that some pubs simply pour a better pint than others.
So what makes the perfect pint? First of all – the bartender needs to allow proper time to pour...
March 17th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 8
Filed under: food and drink, nightlife, pubs, top-feature
Where else but Dublin would the St Patrick’s Day celebrations go on for days?
The St Patrick’s Festival in the capital city is on from 12 – 17 March this year. Anticipation for the big day has been growing since the weekend – with events for family, comedy, music, and even film....
March 15th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: featuredarticle, festivals, holidays, St. Patrick's Day
An Irish friend recently told me that the only thing that gets him through the last couple months of winter is the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament.
Today is Game Day in Dublin – Ireland are playing Wales. Last year, Ireland defeated Wales in the last moments of the game to become 6 Nations Champions....
March 13th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: featuredarticle, pubs, rugby, sports
Ha'Penny Bridge, River Liffey, Dublin
Where to begin blogging about Dublin? I debated writing about the best live music, the best pint of Guinness, and where to find a good cup of coffee (no small task!) But after careful consideration I thought I should start with a literary landmark that has recently...
March 12th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: featuredarticle, food and wine, literary attractions, Restaurants
Clonmacnoise Abbey, County Offaly, Ireland
What is it about the Irish?
Even after living in Dublin for two years – it is difficult to answer this question. Is it their charm? A welcoming nature? A focus on music, laughter, and good craic? The way they still smile even when the sun doesn’t shine (literally!)...
March 10th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: featuredarticle
If I wake up and look out my window, and there are blue skies as far as the eye can see, I always pack my umbrella.
