Cafes
Alpha Cafe , first floor, corner of Clarendon and Wicklow streets. Traditional fare at a great price served by waitresses that remind you of your favourite auntie. Aya , 48 Clarendon St. Next door to the Alpha , but miles away both gastronomically and socially, is this temple of urban cool. The first revolving sushi bar in the city with traditional Japanese food available (excellent yakitori ), this is one of the chicest eateries in the city. If all the self-reverence of the other diners is too much, grab one of the excellent bentos (lunch boxes) and head for nearby St Stephen's Green. Bad Ass Cafe , 9 Crown Alley, Temple Bar (tel 671 2596). Once the hippest of Dublin's pizza joints. Sinead O'Connor was waitressing here when she cut her first disc with Ton Ton Macoute ; now distinctly unhip for adults, but great fun for kids. Daily 11am-11pm. Beshoff Ocean Foods , 14 Westmoreland St and 7 Upper O'Connell St. Superior fish and chips, with bistro-type decor. Daily 11am-3am. Bewley's , 78 Grafton St (daily 7.30am-7pm); 12 Westmoreland St (daily 7.30am-7pm). A Dublin institution, serving everything from drinks to sticky buns and full meals, and its delicious, renowned potato soup, in an elegant ambience. The Bite of Life , corner of Patrick Street and Bull's Alley. Small cafe with great toasted ciabatta sandwiches. Caviston's , Food Court, Liffey St. A new outlet for the Caviston family, this is a modern seafood bar which serves delicious and generous helpings of chowder. Cafe Irie , Fownes St. Possibly the best sandwiches in Dublin served by staff so laid back, they're virtually horizontal. Cobalt Cafe , North Great George's St. Good food in a cafe-cum-gallery. The space is light, the displays are exemplary, all of which makes this one of the most pleasant places to enjoy a coffee in the city. If you visit the James Joyce centre or stay in the MEC Hostel opposite, this cafe is a must. Cornucopia Wholefoods , 21 Wicklow St (tel 677 7583). Vegetarian shop and cafe. For anyone who has pigged out on one traditional Irish breakfast too many, Cornucopia offers a vegetarian alternative, including vegetarian sausages, between 8am and 11am. Cafe open daily until 9pm. The Globe , 11 South Great George's St. A bar by night , this is a buzzing cafe by day, serving cappuccinos and herbal teas. Govinda's , 4 Aungier St. Vegetarian restaurant featuring mostly Indian-inspired veggie fare; plenty of dhal with heavenly lassis at down-to-earth prices. Mon-Sat 11am-9pm. Harveys , 14 Moira House, Trinity St. Good-value breakfast, excellent coffee and exceptional if pricey sandwiches: including the decadent avocado and mozzarella bagel. Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm. The Hugh Lane Gallery , Parnell Square. A decent cafe, good for relaxing in after the delights of the gallery. Juice , South Great George's St. This chic vegetarian eatery serves imaginative macrobiotic food blending oriental and Californian cuisine. Daily 8am-11pm. Leo Burdock's , 2 Werburgh St. Dublin's legendary fish-and-chip shop, now modestly wondering whether its fish and chips are the best not only in Dublin, but maybe in the world. Carry-out only. Mon-Fri 12.30-11pm, Sat 2-11pm. Odessa , 13-14 Dame Court. Exotic snacks and outre decor make this one of the trendiest new cafes; downstairs is good for gossiping on big squashy sofas. Noon-midnight daily; breakfast served noon-4pm. Panem , 21 Lower Ormond Quay/Anglesea St. Dubliners' famous loquacity has meant that what was once the city's best-kept secret is now one of its most talked-about subjects. Panem deserves all the attention it gets, and if you manage to find a space between the barristers and their Irish Times newspapers you will be treated to the finest, filled focaccia and savoury croissants in town. Simon's Place , South Great George's St beside George's Arcade. With possibly the friendliest staff in the city, this is a great hang-out serving cheap but substantial sandwiches to a loyal clientele. Steps of Rome , Chatham Court, Chatham St. Tiny cafe serving, by far, the best pizzas in town. Tri D , Dawson St. Irish-speaking cafe run by Gael Linn, an organization that promotes the use of the ancient tongue. West Coast Coffee Company , 20 Lower Ormond Quay. Opposite the new millennium footbridge this is a bright, relaxed place with large windows and sumptuous sofas, offering a good choice of healthy, reasonably priced sandwiches with good vegetarian options. Winding Stair Cafe , 40 Lower Ormond Quay. This vast, secondhand book emporium also has a cafe serving soup, salads, sandwiches and cakes. Sit by the window and watch the Liffey ooze by. Open daily till 6pm only.
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