Dublin Coffee Culture – The Fumbally and Tamp & Stitch

Dublin coffee culture is changing. I’m an avid coffee lover and although i don’t know everything about it i know what i like and spent a bit of time in Australia working as a barista.

I have two new favourite places for coffee in dublin. And i think they’re getting busier all the time so they probably don’t need me writing about them, but just in case you haven’t been yet.

The first is the Fumbally. Located near St patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin 8 (not as far from the city centre as it sounds) it’s the biggest surprise to walk into. On the outside it’s a run of the mill new apartment block type building. I walked and cycled past so many times before i ever went in. I always thought ‘Oh they picked out a great mix of tables and chairs’, but that’s as much of an impression as i had of it.

When you walk in you are greeted with wonderful wholesome food smells and the scent of fresh nicely made coffee. it’s warmer than it looks like it’s going to be and walking down the steps, as it’s kind of sunk into the ground, you feel wonderfully welcome. They’ve made it cosy without going over the top. It’s interesting without feeling pretentious and there’s lots of space and light and chair and table types to sink into something comfy or work away at a big table.

My other new favourite is Tamp & Stitch. It’s located at Scarlet Row, Essex street west which is just around the corner from Cow’s lane – home of the great markets and the famous Queen of Tart’s. Paul who runs it makes some of the best coffee in Dublin and he’s passioante about the place. They sell clothes and jewellery too. The jewellery is freaking amazing. I do tend to run in, get coffee and leave quickly. But mostly because i’m scared i’ll buy too many things i can’t afford if i stay browsing! It’s so worth a trip in. Go out of your way to go there. Won’t regret it and excellent stuff for christmas gifts to boot.

Best Places To Eat in Dublin – La Dolce Vita

The Queen of Tarts in Dublin, which has two locations, has become famous for their good food, amazing cakes, beautiful atmosphere and sweet atmosphere. But next door the the Cow’s Lane Queen of Tarts is an inconspicuous looking restaurant called La Dolce Vita. There is nothing striking about it’s exterior next to the bright red busy-ness of Queen of Tarts, but as soon as you walk in the door it smells like great Italian cheese and home and it’s laid back, the staff are chilled out in a way that makes you feel totally at home there and you will wonder how you weren’t always here.

Things To Do in Ireland: Day Trip to Kilkenny

Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s oldest cities and thus settled comfortable home to culture, history and a great arts scene. It is definitely more a crafts arts scene than a contemporary arts scene but it has it’s moments for that too, especially at the Kikenny Arts Festival which runs every August and is well worth checking out. (Bring / borrow / rent a car if you’re going to this as there’s usually stuff all over Kilkenny county as well as in the town centre and it can be a great adventure.)

Badger & Dodo – Loyalty Coffee

My sister came home laughing but very disappointed last week after attempting to order a flat white somewhere.

“A flat white….?”, was the response to her order, wondering what it was that she wanted flat and white. A table? A plate? She didn’t order a coffee here, knowing that if they didn’t even know what it was, there was no way they were going to get it right.

Random Day Trip / Things to Do / Surf & Coffee / Tramore Secrets

Tramore has a reputation for being tacky and rundown. I love the tack. Those flaking neon rusting paints may look crap in the summer but in the lonely, cold, rainy greys of winter the flashing slot machine lights and folded up rollercoasters look like magic hibernating. Still with a pulse, but not making noise for a while. A sleeping beast.

In recent years Tramore has also become somewhat magic when it comes to coffee too.