The Liberties is one of my favourite parts of Dublin, especially when it comes to food. With the Fumbally, Scéal Bakery, Hen’s Teeth, Ground State and Two Pups all nearby, there really is something for everyone. A new addition to this area is Søren & Son, a café serving up specialty coffee and located on Dean’s St.
I visited Søren & Son on an early Thursday afternoon on its third day of opening. Stepping into the cafe, I felt as though I was entering an oasis of calm amongst the Dublin city bustle. There was an air of serenity inside that even the cars on the busy road outside couldn’t penetrate.
The design has a distinct Scandinavian influence and makes impressive use of natural light and space. Everything feels considered and of premium quality. A window bench was filled with people chattering and sipping their coffees. A central communal style table had many different people sitting around it, enjoying the company of strangers, while three two-seater tables looked out from the back.
When ordering a coffee, my server firstly asked me if I preferred filter or espresso (opt for espresso if you like a milky coffee). I opted for filter and he then asked if I would prefer the Costa Rica or El Salvador blend, explaining that the Costa Rican has rich chocolate and caramel tones, whereas the El Salvador has fruitier notes. I chose the Costa Rican and received the follow up question of whether I would prefer chemex or v60 brew – a question which may be baffling to most. He explained that the chemex is lighter and more tea-like than the v60. Having had a late night and a nine a.m. lecture, the v60 sounded like the better option for me. Their range of pastries and snacks also looked tempting – an ensemble of cruffins, sausage rolls, almond croissants and savoury danishes all wrapped in buttery flaky pastry.
I sat at one of the back tables with my book and was served my coffee on a sleek wooden tray with my own personal decanter and in a beautiful ceramic cup by Melisa Dora ceramics. The coffee was deliciously full-bodied with honey tones and served at the perfect temperature. They use Stiller Coffee, a Danish brand, which is in keeping with their Scandi-aesthetic. With almost every café in Dublin serving either 3FE, Imbibe or Cloud Picker, it was refreshing to try something new.
Søren & Son really is the coffee nerd’s dream, they even have a whole wall of shelving dedicated to coffee paraphernalia– ceramic filters, drip kettles, chemex coffee makers, bags of Stiller beans, keep cups and more, (I won’t lie, some of the equipment gave me nightmarish throwbacks to leaving certificate science labs).
This new spot is a lovely addition to the Liberties and illustrates Ireland’s growing appetite for more than just an Insomnia coffee. Pop by and chat to the staff about their coffee – they are incredibly well versed and passionate. Having visited, I got to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee, while also feeling one step closer to being part of the elite group of coffee aficionados.
