A cold November morning called for a coffee and a sweet treat, so I headed with some friends to One Kinda Folk on Leeson St. A short walk from the Charlemont Luas stop, this cosy café offers a plethora of options. The exterior was adorned with seasonal decorations, the large window giving a glimpse of the rustic and inviting interior.
The space inside the front door was small and charming, a large display case stacked with pastries, baked goods and topped focaccia. After a period of internal debate, I ordered a dirty chai latte, and shared a cinnamon roll, focaccia topped ricotta and a warm sausage roll with my group in an effort to sample a variety of what was to offer. The iced lavender matcha also arrived, and we settled in for a well-earned study break.
Where this spot shines is the drinks. The matcha was lightly flavoured, and as someone who usually thinks matcha tastes like my dad served me the contents of his lawnmover, it was not offensive to my palate. My two friends, both avid matcha drinkers, commented that the matcha was a solid option and would come back for another. At €4.20 for a speciality drink with a unique flavour, it was not unreasonably priced. The coffee menu is extensive, myself opting for a dirty chai, with a strong cinnamon flavour, for €5.50. A bit on the expensive side, however, it was hot and comforting, everything I was looking for. The edible flowers on the top were probably a bit much in all honesty, adding unneeded texture. Nevertheless, it was a dirty chai that didn’t simply taste like warm milk, which is often what can be found in the city centre. A flat white can be purchased for €3.80, which, for Dublin prices, is not too eye-watering. In sum, good coffee, good(ish) prices.
Now for the food, the cinnamon roll was large, soaked in sugar and presented nicely. A tad difficult to eat, and lacking a consistent flavour throughout the entire pastry, it was on the underwhelming side. For €3.50, better dispersed filling would’ve vastly improved an otherwise average sweet treat. On the savoury side of things, the sausage roll was warmed and served with a relish of some kind. With flaky pastry and a well-seasoned interior, this was a solid order. My only note was that it lacked a bit of spice, that would’ve made it a ten out of ten. For €5.50, it was a decent enough portion, enough to share amongst the table. The topped focaccia was the highlight of the food we ordered. A huge chunk of bread arrived, topped with ricotta, courgette, shallot, and chives, which cost a reasonable €6.50. The focaccia was soft, and the flavours were well balanced. Yet again, a touch of chilli would’ve been a vast improvement. Still, I’d say it was good value and a comforting bite to eat. Overall, the food was well-priced, with good portions, but a touch more flavour would earn it a second visit.
One major drawback of One Kinda Folk was the lack of seating. Our group of three was left with the option of sitting at two different tables in a walkway. We ended up facing outwards, as if we were sitting at a church pew, which hindered conversation somewhat. Granted, it was a busy Friday morning, yet it did make the experience a tad uncomfortable, and it wouldn’t be somewhere I’d venture with my laptop. There is complimentary mint water on offer, as well as a variety of merchandise and coffee for purchase. The place was alive with chatter, adorned with plants and artwork, creating a cosy atmosphere.
Overall, the cafe is inviting and warm, with decent prices. I’d go back for the drinks, but maybe order a different selection of food to see if the lack of flavour is a universal issue. The staff were friendly, and the food and drinks came out quickly. With a bit more space, this place would be a must-visit, but if you’re in the area, I would still drop in for a quick and good-quality coffee.
