15 of the best coffee shops in Ireland
Ireland's coffee scene is booming and winning acclaim on a global scale. Here, food and travel content creator Éadaoin Fitzmaurice shares her pick of the top 15 coffee shops around Ireland, so you not only have new places to visit, but delicious drinks waiting for you there.
There's nothing quite like arriving in a new town or county during a staycation and tracking down the best coffee around - a place that will become a daily ritual for the duration of your stay.
Grá Linn, Fethard on Sea, Wexford
Grá Linn, located in the coastal village of Fethard-on-Sea, has become a gathering place for locals, weekend wanderers and those tracing the quieter corners of Wexford.
Here you’ll find a speciality coffee culture with genuine small-town warmth, as well as great seasonal brunch dishes and pastries. Large windows frame the rhythm of village life outside, while inside the focus is on quality ingredients and thoughtful service.
Whether you're fuelling up before exploring the Hook Peninsula, or returning from a sea swim at Baginbun Beach, Grá Linn is the perfect stop.
Hey Darling, Kildare
Hey Darling has brought a distinctly modern energy to Kildare's coffee scene. With three branches across Sallins, Naas and Kill, this stylish coffee shop blends excellent coffee with a sharp eye for design, creating a space that feels as considered as the drinks being served.
The atmosphere is bright, welcoming and effortlessly cool, drawing a crowd that comes as much for the experience as the caffeine. I also highly recommend their bagels if you intend on sitting in and staying for a little longer.
Sojourn, Armagh
Located in the heart of Armagh, with another branch in Belfast, Sojourn is a beautiful, bright space made for lingering over a perfectly poured flat white. I sat at the window whilst here, with a tiny little table to the side of it - just big enough to fit my coffee and cinnamon bun. The coffee gave me that instant caffeine hit and the sweetness of the bun balanced the bitter coffee flavours.
They opened their doors in 2022, and founder Harry McNeely spent years working across the specialty coffee industry, learning the craft and saving towards his goal. Sojourn became the culmination of those experiences: a café shaped by a belief that great coffee is ultimately about people and connection.
Coffeewerk + Press, Galway
CoffeeWerk + Press occupies a unique place in Galway's café scene. The space has a unique energy to it - part café, part creative hub - making it as popular with remote workers and artists as it is with locals seeking their daily brew.
The coffee itself is approached with the same attention to detail. Carefully sourced beans, skilled baristas, and a commitment to quality ensure every cup lives up to Galway's growing reputation as one of Ireland's most exciting coffee destinations. Yet what makes CoffeeWerks + Press stand out is its ability to create a sense of place. It reflects Galway at its best: creative, welcoming and slightly unconventional.
The Fat Fox, Wicklow
With locations in Delgany and Greystones - as well as its own roastery - The Fat Fox is one of the most well-known coffee shops in all of Wicklow, and for good reason. Coffee is at the heart of everything it does, from ethically sourcing beans from producers around the world to roasting them with precision and care in Wicklow.
Whether you're stopping by after a walk along the Wicklow coast, grabbing a coffee from the drive-thru or seeking out one of its carefully roasted blends, The Fat Fox represents the modern face of Irish coffee culture: quality-driven, community-focused and proudly independent.
Sean Nós, Doolin
Few coffee shops can claim a setting quite as memorable as Sean Nós. Perched in Doolin, the café pays subtle homage to the area's rich cultural heritage while embracing the contemporary craft of speciality coffee.
The atmosphere feels distinctly local, with long tables in the centre of the room always filled with chatter. There’s also a cosy nook to the right-hand side with an all-Irish vinyl collection and comfy chairs - my favourite place to enjoy a coffee.
Milligram, Sligo
Milligram is a small space with a big heart, with endless passion for expert brews. I will always pop in here when I’m in Sligo town, and it never disappoints.
The space embodies the modern, independent spirit that has come to define Sligo in recent years - a county recognised for its thriving food, surf and creative scenes. Bright, contemporary and welcoming, it attracts everyone from early-morning regulars to visitors exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, each drawn by a reputation built on consistency and care.
Bear Market, Dublin
Few cafés have had as significant an impact on Dublin's coffee culture as Bear Market. What began as a small speciality coffee venture has grown into one of the capital's most recognisable names.
With multiple branches across the city from George’s Street to Stillorgan, carefully sourced beans, skilled brewing techniques, and a focus on consistency are what keep people coming back for more - that and the insanely talented latte art. I once got a bunny rabbit on my flat white!
Evalynn, Louth
Evalynn is an independently owned cafe with branches in Drogheda and Clogherhead.
The Drogheda branch is super beautiful in the mornings as the light spills into the long glass building and pretty cakes line counter tops. The coffee is treated like an art form here, with each cup being carefully poured by expert baristas.
The Kitchen, Omagh, Tyrone
The Kitchen has become one of Omagh's most beloved gathering places. Combining speciality coffee, quality food and genuine hospitality, it always draws a crowd. Inside you’ll find colourful boho interiors and a brunch menu that’s hard to beat. All the dishes are bursting with colour, flavour, and seasonal ingredients.
What makes The Kitchen particularly noteworthy is how it reflects the evolving food and coffee culture in Northern Ireland. It stands as an example of how local cafés can combine ambition with authenticity. Warm, community-focused and quietly confident in what it does, The Kitchen is the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression long after the coffee cup is empty.
The Good Life, Wicklow
From the moment you step inside The Good Life in Wicklow Town, there's a sense that every detail has been thoughtfully considered, creating a space that feels both contemporary and welcoming.
Coffee sits at the heart of the experience, with a focus on quality ingredients, skilled preparation and consistency in every cup. Yet The Good Life understands that cafés have become modern community spaces as much as places to grab a coffee. Its relaxed atmosphere encourages people to linger, whether they're catching up with friends, working remotely or refuelling after a day exploring Wicklow's coastline and mountains.
By night, coffee cups are swapped for wine glasses, and pastries for charcuterie - adding another element to the space.
Good Day Deli, Cork
Set within the beautiful grounds of Nano Nagle Place, Good Day Deli has built a reputation as one of Ireland's most thoughtful and forward-thinking café destinations. Exceptional coffee is a cornerstone of the experience, as well as sustainability and seasonality.
The setting plays no small part in its appeal. Overlooking one of Cork City's most beloved green spaces, Good Day Deli offers a sense of calm rarely found in urban cafés. Visitors can move seamlessly from a walk through the gardens to a carefully brewed coffee. The bright, welcoming space has become a favourite among locals and visitors alike, drawn by its combination of quality and conscience.
Two Boys Brew, Dublin
Few cafés have influenced Dublin's brunch and coffee culture quite like Two Boys Brew. Since opening its doors, it has become a benchmark for modern Irish cafés, combining exceptional speciality coffee with a strong menu. It’s also dog-friendly; my pooch loves coming here because they always give him homemade treats.
At its heart, Two Boys Brew is driven by a commitment to craft. Coffee is treated with the same level of care as the food, with expertly sourced beans, skilled baristas and an attention to detail that shines through in every cup. Their coffee is truly hard to beat.
Fetch, Tipperary
Fetch has community at its core and has earned a reputation for serving exceptional coffee and making a space for people to gather in. Warm, welcoming and unpretentious, it embodies the idea that great cafés are as much about people as they are about what’s in the cup.
Coffee is approached with care and precision, reflecting the standards of Ireland’s thriving speciality coffee movement with something to suit everyone, from seasoned coffee enthusiasts to casual visitors. Every drink is crafted with attention to detail, showcasing a commitment to quality that runs through every aspect of the business.
Mo Chlann, Donegal
On a recent trip to Donegal for five days, Mo Chlann became my daily ritual. Nestled in the town, the café takes its name from the Irish phrase for "my family", a fitting reflection of the warmth and sense of belonging that greets visitors from the moment they arrive.
Coffee is treated with serious care here: thoughtfully sourced beans, skilled preparation, and an emphasis on quality ensure that every cup stands up to the best of Ireland's speciality coffee scene.
