Best Traditional Irish breakfast
1. JOY OF CHA
WHERE: 10 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 | 2 minutes walk from the apartment | WHAT: Gourmet Cafe | € | TIMES: 9am-8.30pm, 7 days | RESERVATIONS: Walk-ins only | WEBSITE: joyofcha.ie
Unusual in Dublin, the Joy of Cha serves breakfast all day - especially useful if you're jetlagged! Popular among tourists and locals alike, the 'Full Irish' traditional breakfast (free-range eggs, bacon, artisan sausage, white pudding, black pudding, grilled tomato, pan fried baby potatoes and toast) is great value at €9.50. If that doesn't appeal, there are lots of other choices on the menu, including an American breakfast (pancakes, syrup, eggs and bacon), breakfast nachos, eggs and avocado on toast, Frenchy breakfast, porridge, muesli and more.
**The Joy of Cha is also a specialised tea shop, selling premium tea and coffee in the cafe and online**
2. LEMON JELLY CAFE
WHERE: Millennium Walkway, Dublin 1 | 7 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Cafe | € | TIMES: 7am-6pm, Monday to Friday; 7am-7pm, Saturday and Sunday | ONLINE ORDERING: Can order for collection here | WEBSITE: lemonjelly.ie
Serving breakfast from 7am to 1.30pm, Lemon Jelly Cafe does a great Full Irish breakfast (sausages, bacon, pudding, eggs, beans, mushrooms, hash browns, tomato and sourdough toast) for €14, as well as a vegetarian version (€13) and a smaller option (€12). There's a lot more to do the menu, though, including crepes, omelets, ciabatta and more.
3. BOXTY HOUSE
WHERE: 20-21 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, D02ET66 | 6 minutes walk from the apartment | WHAT: Irish restaurant | €€ | TIMES: 9am-10pm, Monday to Saturday; 10am-10pm, Sunday | RESERVATIONS: Book online here or just walk in; contact by email at info@boxtyhouse.ie or phone on +35316772762 | WEBSITE: boxtyhouse.ie
At €16 for the Full Irish breakfast (sausages, pudding, bacon, tomato, eggs, mushrooms and boxty), this isn't the cheapest option around - but the boxty (done in the time-honored, traditional way) makes it a unique experience! There are lots of other options on the menu too. Breakfast is available until 2pm.
4. KEOGH'S CAFE
WHERE: 1-2 Trinity Street, Dublin 2, D02A440 | 7 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Cafe | €€ | TIMES: 6.30am-6.30pm, Monday to Saturday; 8.30am-6.30pm, Sundays | RESERVATIONS: Just walk-ins | WEBSITE: keoghscafe.ie
Keogh's Cafe has been in business forever on Trinity Street in the heart of the city - and you'll often see queues waiting for a table, which indicates just how popular it is among Dubliners and visitors. As well as its all-day Full Irish breakfast (and a vegetarian option), there are omelets, porridge, pastries, croissants and so on. Keogh's is perhaps the earliest-opening cafe in the city so a good option if you're arriving or departing early in the morning.
5. BEWLEY'S CAFE
WHERE: 78 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, D02KO33 | 13 minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Cafe | €€ | TIMES: 8.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday; 8.30am-6.30pm, Saturdays; 9am-6pm, Sundays | RESERVATIONS: Can book a table here or just walk in | WEBSITE: bewleysgraftonstreet.com
More than just a cafe, Bewley's has played an iconic part in Dublin's social and literary history for almost a hundred years - it's been around since 1927, right in the centre of Grafton Street. Once described by the poet Brendan Kennelly as "the heart and hearth if Dublin", the original design was based on the great European cafes of Paris and Vienna. You can still see the art deco influences throughout, while the six stained-glass windows by the Dublin artist Harry Clarke are regarded as national treasures. This is all to say that a visit to Bewley's is more than just breakfast! But that part is good, too. There are dozens of breakfast options on the menu aside from the Full Irish (€18.50), including a two-person sharing breakfast for €59.95 if you can handle it! There is also a full bakery and patisserie section.
