Going into Parnell Street Bakery is taking a step off of the overwhelming, grim street and into a bright, cosy pocket. Except when you collect your coffee from the window, on that same street, it now seems like it was never that grim to begin with (a good coffee and pastry tend to have that effect). My visit to Parnell Street Bakery was a wonderful way to start off the day. The warm ambience created by the autumnal orange and yellow decor, combined with the scent – and visual – of freshly baking pastries made me feel immediately welcomed, at home, and hungry. This homey feeling was constant throughout my visit, as we were greeted with big smiles and the service was quick and friendly. The prices are student friendly too and are competitive for Dublin. I ordered a mocha and an almond croissant, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed.I also bought a potato, garlic, and rosemary focaccia for lunch, which was a pleasant flavour explosion on my taste buds.
My almond croissant, which according to an employee, Mario, is the bakery’s most popular purchase as well as his personal favourite option, was delicious. The almond paste was not too rich, and the pastry itself was crispy and light. It was filling, not at all dense and the toasted almonds on top are a crunchy, tasty addition! My friend Erin got the chocolate croissant, and she described the croissant as having a “good pastry to chocolate ratio” as well as being “fresh and crunchy”. Most importantly, neither of the croissants were soggy underneath. The focaccia was a great choice for lunch; it was not too ‘bready’ and it had lots of toppings on top. There is such a variety of pastries, and gelato, so if croissants are not your jam – there are plenty of other options: from Pistachio and Raspberry Mouse to Vanilla Parisian Flan, to Caprese baguettes and chicken and bacon croissants. The coffee flavor in my mocha came through more strongly than the chocolate. Nevertheless, it still left the rich chocolate taste lingering in my mouth after each sip. Erin’s cappuccino was good, very strong, and she was impressed that it was only €3.9 at such a decent size. The pastries range in price but the croissants were under four euros each, which makes a coffee and basic pastry under €10 total. Whilst that is pricey, I genuinely felt like I received full value for money – and in comparison to other Dublin bakery prices, this is a good deal.
The actual bakery is lovable. Although right on Parnell St, it feels tucked away as the building hushes the bustling street noise. Upon entering I take in the view: the coffee machine immediately to the left with a smiling, busy barista attending it. The coffee menu lettered up on the wall behind him. The clean glass displayed an immense variety of pastries and sweet treats, gelato, and straight ahead is the magic place where it all happens – the kitchen. The ability to see the kitchen felt very intimate, witnessing the passion behind creating decadent pastries. When asked, “What sets you apart from other bakeries?” Mario answered, “first, passion; then quality and consistency”. I go back outside to collect my mocha, and it is quite fun to be handed your coffee through the window! Admittedly, it would be nice if there were tables and chairs so that you could sit down, but its entire set up is that it is “on the go”, and their set up for that function works incredibly. It is one of the best, most efficient on-the-go bakeries that I have been to; if you are ever in need of a quick coffee and pastry, Parnell Street Bakery is a very good shout.
There are two ethical aspects to Parnell Street Bakery that enhanced my experience. The first is that all their ingredients are sourced from local sustainable producers. Their milk is supplied by Killadoon Milk, which is a single source dairy farm that engages in sustainable farming in Celbridge. Their coffee beans are from Imbibe coffee – a local coffee roasting company which donates generously to various nonprofit organizations such as Women’s Aid, as well as gifting weekly coffee to the doctors at St James Hospital during the Covid pandemic. Secondly, they joined the Coffee for Palestine movement in June 2025, where the price of ten coffees every day for one week was donated to supporting children in Gaza. Parnell Street bakery clearly is involved with the community, and it reminds me to support the local shops rather than the big franchises.
The lovely place is filled with lovely people. From the moment I stepped inside I was greeted with smiles and offered friendly, professional service. One of the employees, Mario, was so kind as to take a few minutes to answer my questions about the bakery during their busy morning rush! I will definitely be escaping into the pocket on Parnell again, and again… and again. I suppose you could say that this bakery is un-parnel-elled to others!
