Ah, coffee: the water of champions. Despite being the capital of a tea nation, Dublin has established a fascinating coffee culture that has seemed to weave itself into the very fabric of the city’s inhabitants and streets. Here at Trinity we are spoiled for choice with some of the finest brews right at our doorstep. And so, I present to you a guide to getting your caffeine fix in the city.
As many of you coffee connoisseurs will know, a good coffee shop must do a lot more than just have great tasting coffee. There are many more factors to consider, such as price, location, sustainability and of course, aesthetics.
In recent years, cafes can be seen prioritising sustainability more and more in terms of both sourcing and serving their coffee. However much of this responsibility lies with the consumer, which is why it is so important to carry a reusable cup with you. It’s really not as much of a hassle as you might think, often gets you a discount and can actually relieve some of the guilt attached to buying that daily €4 coffee.
A general rule of thumb to truly becoming immersed in Dublin’s coffee culture is to avoid large chain coffee shops. This is of course due to boycott and sustainability concerns but also because supporting local, independent cafes is such a great way to show love to our city.
Finally, the last factor to caffeinating correctly in Dublin is to take advantage of any and all loyalty schemes on offer. If you haven’t already downloaded the SQUID app on your phone, this is your sign to do so. It’s a digital loyalty program that is used by most coffee shops in the city – and fortunately for us it works for OffBeat donuts too!
SU Cafe, Pearse St.
Before even looking beyond the front gates, allow me to direct your attention to our Student Union cafe; the epitome of good coffee at affordable prices. Run by students, for students, the SU cafe has such a friendly, warm atmosphere – making it my number one pick for a good cup of joe in the city for students.
Price of latte – €3
Alternative milk charge – none
Walk from campus – one minute
Reusable cup discount – 20c
Soren & Son, Dean St.
With stunning Scandinavian-inspired interiors this corner coffee shop scores full marks on aesthetics. Their sweet treat selection is impressive to say the least and their beetroot ‘pink’ latte looks so beautiful that it feels wrong to take a sip. Definitely worth the 20 minute walk from campus!
Price of latte – €3.90
Alternative milk charge – none
Walk from campus – 20 minutes
Reusable cup discount – give a free chocolate bar to every reusable cup user during certain periods.
Kaph, Drury St.
Kaph is a classic and cosy coffee spot located a six minute walk from campus. Their ambient interiors and decadent sweet treat selection is part of the reason why Kaph is considered a staple of coffee culture in Dublin.
Price of latte – €4.40
Alternative milk charge – 50c
Walk from campus – six minutes
The Heartbreak Social, Drury St.
The Heartbreak Social is one of Dublin’s most iconic hidden gems. Nestled within a tattoo and piercing shop on Drury Street is a vibrant cafe selling coffee for only two euro a pop. This cafe takes the number one spot for value – with prices unmatched by anywhere else. For those of you coffee connoisseurs who love a novelty latte – their coffee specials are a must-try, with latte flavours including pumpkin spice, biscoff and churro on the menu.
Price of latte – €2
Alternative milk charge – 40c
Walk from campus – six minutes
KC Peaches, Nassau St.
Considering my usual aversion to chain coffee, KC Peaches is a welcomed exception to the rule. Located mere steps from campus, this establishment is the perfect place for a quick-fix before a lecture on a cold winter’s morning. Brownie points (literally) for their comprehensive sweet treat selection and their 10% discount for students and reusable cup users.
Price of latte – €3.95
Alternative milk charge – 50c
Walk from campus – one minute
Reusable cup discount – 10%
Fable, Dawson St.
Another next door neighbour to Trinity, Fable is home to delicious grab and go coffee. Not to mention their wide array of pastries and baked goods, all of which are baked fresh in house every morning.
Price of latte – €3.95
Alternative milk charge – none
Walk from campus – one minute
Butlers, Dawson Street
Butlers; the founding father of Dublin’s coffee culture. Butlers ran so speciality coffee establishments in Dublin could walk. There’s something about walking into Butlers on a crisp winter’s morning that instantly sets you up to have a great day. Yes Butlers is at a higher price point than other cafes on this list, but the complimentary artisan chocolate that comes alongside every drink makes this detail incredibly easy to overlook.
Price of latte – €4.10
Alternative milk charge – 60c
Walk from campus – two minutes
Reusable cup discount – 20c
So there we have it folks, a review of some of the establishments at the heart of Dublin’s coffee culture. Of course, the seven cafes mentioned here do not even scratch the surface of the vast selection of coffee that this city has to offer, however if you’re new to Dublin, it’s a good place to start! I wish you all the very best in your future caffeinating endeavours…
