As I find them, and in no particular order - here are my favourite coffee shops in Ireland. If you have any suggestions send them in or just use the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Coffee of course is important for the photographer, keeping us alert and active and that shutter finger working fast while allowing a few moments for relaxation. I am an espresso drinker myself, usually a double so that is what is mostly going to get reviewed here, but a place that does a good espresso will usually cater well to those who like their cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos.
Kaph, Drury Street, Dublin, Ireland
Located on Drury Street in the hip new quarter of Dublin City, this new coffee dispensary is a popular place, with good coffee on the ground floor and various artists in residence on the upper floor. Located close to St. George's Market and designers' colonies such as the Irish Design Shop. Kaph is a good spot for a rejuvenating coffee. The espresso here was strong and flavoursome with bitter notes.
Greenbean, Banbridge, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
Located in a quiet backstreet in the bustling market town of Banbridge in Co. Down it would be easy to miss this place, but I have to say that the £1.80 for my double espresso was well worth the effort of walking off the Main Street. Without asking it was brought to my table with a large glass of water - something that I have only ever been offered in Italy. The coffee itself was smooth and delicious and service came with a smile. I will definitely be heading back through Banbridge on my way to the Mourne Mountains or the Co. Down coast. Greenbean roast their own beans.
Nick's Coffee Company, Ranelagh, Dublin, Ireland
Out of Dublin city centre near the Luas line in Ranelagh, Nick's Coffee Company is a small place with outdoor, covered seating but the focus here is on coffee, and the espresso is great. Nick is the kind of guy who cares about his customers, and regularly organises events such as poetry readings that get packed out. Ranelagh is one of the best places to live in Dublin, and that is due to places like Nick's who also roasts his own beans.
Ground Espresso Bar, Portrush
This one is part of a chain, but they are a local chain to the north of Northern Ireland with locations in Coleraine, Portrush and Belfast. I called into Ground after a beautifully blustery morning photographing seascapes at the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland, see my blog post here.
It was 10:00 and very quiet, and I ordered a double espresso when I arrived and also took a biscuitty thing, like a mars bar cornflakes square. Nice. Espresso was smooth and easy drinking. But I decided to stay and have an americano as well while editing some images from the morning. Ground Espresso Bar also has wifi, just ask for the password when ordering your coffee.
By the time I was leaving the place was heaving and I had some good images ready to go, some well-needed caffeine in my system and Ground Espresso is definitely a coffee shop that I will go back to especially with handy power sockets dotted around to plug the laptop, pictured, into. Lightroom and Photoshop are pretty heavy on the battery.
Coco Cafe, Salthill Co. Galway
On a cold and breezy morning, amidst the storms of the start of 2014 Coco Cafe provided a much needed break.
The place is always packed and serves food but it also has a big hatch onto the street where you can just walk up, get a coffee and either brave the winds or enjoy the sunshine.
No picture, but the double espresso that I got here was lovely and creamy with a great crema. Next time that I am photographing the diving tower at Blackrock, just a bit up the road, I will head back to Coco Cafe.
9th Degree Coffee, Dublin
One of my current crop of favourite coffee spots in Dublin, 9th Degree sits beside the Luas stop on Dublin's Westmoreland Street. The owners also operate Dublin Barista School and in addition to the fine coffee that they roast in Dublin they also serve one of the finest chocolate brownies to be found in a coffee shop in Ireland.
Big tables, lots of sockets and writing on the wall make 9th Degree a good place for working on the laptop - image editing for instance.
**Note** As of the end of January 2020, 9th Degree has closed permanently so I'll have to recommend another Dublin coffee shop soon.
Cafe Depeche, Cork
The first coffee shop I found in Cork and surely one of its finest.
This small coffee shop is located in Cork's Mardyke, and although I have photographed in many other Cork coffee shops (for the New York Times and Eater), I have never photographed here.
Music is of course by the 80s synth-pop rockers Depeche Mode, no Marilyn Manson covers either.
Coffee is smooth and tasty but those caramel things (pictured below) are my favourite here. Sandwiches and wraps are really good too.
