McKernan's verdict on the capital's coffee houses

BEST ESPRESSO:  The Bald Barista, Aungier Street:"The crema is deep, creamy, slightly brownish-reddish - that is a superb espresso!"

Insomnia:"A very good espresso, very nutty and mild."

WORST ESPRESSO:

Starbucks:"Bland."

BEST CAPPUCCINO:

Butlers, Wicklow Street: "Beautiful latte art, and the texture of the milk is superb." Dunne and Crescenzi, South Frederick Street.

WORST CAPPUCCINO:

Starbucks:"I can't get to the milk, and I don't want to go down into it because I'll never come back."

Shelbourne Hotel:"It looks like a burnt bun."

BEST AMERICANO:

Bewley's, Grafton Street:"Very good crema."

Avoca, Suffolk Street:"It's smooth, it's nutty and it's sweet."

WORST AMERICANO:

O'Brien's:"The Americano has no crema and is too hot. The bowls are too big, it makes it watery."

BEST SERVICE:

Leon, Exchequer Street:"Service is absolutely essential. This was professional, and they brought us water."

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY:

Insomnia:At €7 for an espresso, a cappuccino and an Americano, this came in as the cheapest of the 11 cafes visited.

WORST VALUE FOR MONEY:

Shelbourne Hotel: At €13 for the three drinks in question, the coffee would have to be perfect. As it is, "they're using good coffee, they're just not presenting it right".

BEST COFFEE CUPS:

Dunne and Crescenzi, Shelbourne Hotel

BEST COFFEE TREAT:

Shelbourne Hotel, for its hand-made biscuits (which don't quite make up for the price), or Butlers, for a free delicious chocolate with every coffee.