Seeing art is thirsty work, and there’s nothing like a spot of museum-going to give you a case of the munchies. More seriously, it’s lovely to sit down in a gorgeous gallery or museum cafe to (literally) digest the exhibitions, and chew them over with your companions.
Unfortunately, many museum, gallery and visitor centre cafes can be on the forgettable side, offered out to soulless franchises for variations on the themes of chewy muffins and microwaved pies. It’s probably got something to do with the theory of the captive audience but, on the other hand, there are some real gems out there. We’ve rounded up some of the best. Opening hours may vary seasonally, so check websites, or phone ahead to make sure you don’t go hungry.
Silk Road Cafe at the Chester Beatty, Dublin
Location alone would make the Silk Road special. On sunny days sit on the terrace overlooking the gardens at Dublin Castle. Inside you can soak up the atrium atmosphere of the Chester Beatty. In keeping with the museum’s vibe, food is Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired. It’s all cooked on-site, and while the tagines, falafel and hummus are pretty special, you’ll definitely want to save space for the sweets – especially the baklava. Try bite sizes for Afternoon Tea, Thursdays-Saturdays (booking essential), and if you’re smitten, they also have a selection of recipes online. silkroadcafe.ie
Five Good Things at Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, Co Louth
Turlach McKeown and Aoife Fogarty’s cafe became so popular that it moved to the Highlanes for extra space. From their own blend of coffee to all-day breakfast, to brunch, lunch and sweet treats, the menu prioritises locally-grown Boyne Valley ingredients. Go-to plates include mushroom toast, avocado toast and breakfast burrito. It’s food with heart and there are vegan and gluten-free options on offer too. fivegoodthings.ie
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Good Day Deli at Nano Nagle Place, Cork
Another delicious location, the Good Day Deli is set in beautiful gardens, adjacent to the award-winning museum and heritage centre dedicated to the life and legacy of Nano Nagle, a pioneer in education for young girls. Food is local, organic, seasonal and fair trade, with tasty influences from New Zealand and the Cook Islands courtesy of co-owner Kristin Makirere. Check out kai moana fish tacos, buddha bowls, and their customer-favourite: Beamish stout and chocolate cake. gooddaydeli.ie
Muse Coffee + Food at the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny city
When the Butler Gallery moved from Kilkenny Castle to its latest location at the former Evans Home, it also added a lovely cafe, with outside seating and little greenhouse-style gazebos for al fresco shelter. They’re justly proud of their coffee, which is good, as the cakes and tarts made in their kitchens are the ideal pairing. Look out too for hot chocolate with marshmallows, salted caramel and cookies. Oh, and they do healthy sandwiches, wraps, quiches and salads of course. musecoffeefood.ie
Fáilte Le Grá at the Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin
Devotees of Jennie Moran’s Luncheonette at the National College of Art and Design, who were delighted when it opened an outpost at the Hugh Lane Gallery, were likewise pretty devastated when Moran went on to (even) artier projects. You can check out her latest news and activities at luncheonettedublin.com. Meanwhile, the Hugh Lane cafe is now in the capable hands of Jenny McMahon, who worked with Moran and has now reincarnated the space as Fáilte Le Grá, which – as the name implies – means a big, warm arty welcome for everyone. The menu changes daily and all dishes are cooked in-house, including savouries, cakes and other sweet treats. There’s also a secret garden spot – a lovely discovery in the heart of the city. hughlane.ie
The Commons at MoLI, Dublin
Run by Peaches and Domini Kemp, The Commons at Dublin’s Museum of Literature Ireland would be worth a visit even if you weren’t nosing round the brilliant literary displays upstairs. It’s a gorgeous space in the original student dining halls of Newman House. Elegantly refurbished, it opens to a courtyard, with steps up to MoLI’s gardens where you can take a selfie under the same ash tree as James Joyce did on his graduation. Look out for all-day breakfast, double-baked eggs, soups, salads, cakes and blaas. Coffee is by Roasted Brown, the wine from WineLab – and why not? Many great works of literature are said to have been inspired by a sip (or two). moli.ie/café-gardens/the-commons
Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow
Once the art collection at Russborough House was known more for the works the grand house near the Blessington Lakes in Wicklow didn’t have – its Vermeer and Goya, among others, having been infamously stolen, not once, but twice. Now those works are in the care of the National Gallery but there is still plenty of art, antiques and other objects to see. Plus, you get to have coffee in the refurbished cafe, which spills out into the courtyard on sunny days. Many ingredients come from Russborough’s own walled gardens, so seasonal specialities are pretty special indeed. And lest you think the location might make it a bit highfalutin’, they do a damn good bacon sarnie, with Ballymaloe relish on a Waterford blaa. Been for a nice walk in the large parklands? Have chips with that. russborough.ie
Quails at the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio, Banbridge, Co Down
Born in Banbridge, Frederick Edward McWilliam’s sculptures made him justly famous around the world. The gallery and studio dedicated to his work include a sculpture garden, and have a changing programme of exhibitions. Quails at the Gallery has been there since the centre opened in 2008, and it is a beautiful setting overlooking the sculpture gardens, with wonderful food. The Quails are the fourth generation of butchers so the meat dishes are epic, but your vegetarian friends will also find plenty to tempt – such as the gorgeous goat’s cheese salad. Start in the morning with an Ulster fry (obviously), while lunches include Reubens, daube of beef with black garlic mash and more. Hooked? They’ve just opened the Fifth Quarter, a new steak restaurant, in Banbridge. quailsfinefoods.co.uk
Chez Max, Alliance Française, Dublin
Don’t fancy the airport? Get a slice of la vie Française at Dublin’s alliance, the French Cultural Centre. You don’t have to take classes or browse the library to drop in to this outpost of Chez Max’s charming little Palace Street eatery. The coffee is French (bien sûr), and the menu includes sandwiches, baguettes, salads, soup and classic hot dishes, such as boeuf bourguignon and soup a l’oignon. The afternoon brings sweet treats, and they have just launched an evening selection including cheese platters and finger food, accompanied by remarkably good-value wine. The vibe is unpretentious French bistro, and they also have a grocery where you can stock up on pâte, saucisson, madeleines, biscuits and bonbons. chezmax.com/alliance-francaise
Sharon’s View, Uillinn, Skibbereen, Co Cork
In new hands since September, Sharon’s View is another good spot for warmer weather, with a very nice courtyard at Skibbereen’s flagship arts centre. Don’t worry, there are indoor tables too. The cafe is stocked with home baking made daily, so expect plenty of pastries and cakes. The ploughman’s platter is a savoury favourite, and soup and sandwiches are on offer too. Dogs are welcome, with canine customers opting for the Puppicino – dog biscuits and cream. westcorkartscentre.com/facebook.com/uillinnskib
Skelligs Art Cafe, Cill Rialaig, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry
Seasonal hours vary at the Skelligs Art Cafe, attached to the Ballinskelligs Artists’ Retreat and Gallery. The organic, locally-sourced menu is a destination for beach walkers, sunbathers and swimmers at the end of a long event-filled day come summer, but it’s also open for limited winter hours. Wood-fired pizza is a speciality, with takeaway service available, and there are regular sessions with artists, poets, musicians and storytellers. You’re also surrounded by art works by those who have enjoyed their residencies at the very edge of Europe. Phone ahead to check winter opening hours. cillrialaigartscentre.com
Margadh at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin
Margadh is marvellous. You’re in a lovely contemporary light-filled building, on a quiet lane in the heart of Dublin; with an elegant Georgian view on one side and the art-stuffed delights of the RHA on the other. The cafe here has had various incarnations but its most recent, run by the team who brought you Mamó in Howth, is a lunch spot by day, and wine bar of an evening, Wednesdays-Saturdays. Loved by artists and foodies, highlights include anchovy toast, burrata with figs, mancini truffle linguine and lots of lovely wines. Mouth watering yet? margadh-rha.ie
Would you like some culture with that food?
Honourable mentions should also go to all those lovely craft and design shops with coffee shops alongside. Look out for the likes of the Grey Heron in Bandon, west Cork (greyheronwestcork.ie); and Industry & Co on Dublin’s Drury Street (industryandco.com) to get you going. A Wexford institution, Greenacres is a restaurant and wine emporium, that also finds space for plenty of work by an intriguing selection of Irish artists (greenacres.ie); while Dublin’s Winding Stair has to get a shout out for being both an independent book shop and an exceptional restaurant (winding-stair.com).
