Bhí dúil mhór agam i mo chathair i gcónaí, ach chuir borradh tobann na siopaí caifé neamhspleácha trasna shráideanna clochach Bhaile Átha Cliath mo chroí ag fás fiúntach. Le déanaí tháinig méadú mór ar an éileamh atá ar chultúr caife in Éirinn, i dtéarmaí tomhaltais caife tá Éire sa 9ú háit san AE! Cén fáth a bhfuil an oiread sin tóir air? Ceannaíonn tú do bhialann caiféin, glacann tú suíochán i suíomh compordach aisteach, ansin tarraingíonn tú amach leabhar, do ríomhaire glúine nó bíonn comhrá agat le cara. Meilte caife druma go bog sa chúlra agus do timpeallaithe ag an boladh de pastries úra. Cad nach bhfuil le grá? Tá siopaí caife neamhspleácha go mall ach is cinnte go bhfuil siad níos mó ná brandaí slabhra mar Starbucks agus Costa ach leis an oiread sin spotaí scaipthe ar fud na cathrach is féidir go mbeadh sé deacair cinneadh a dhéanamh maidir le cá háit le dul i mbun do chéad eispéireas caife eile. Seo chugaibh 5 cinn de na caiféanna neamhspleácha is fearr liom agus iad ar fad laistigh d’achar siúil ó Choláiste na Tríonóide.
Ar dtús, ‘Beanhive’ atá suite ar shráid Dawson
Cé gur tharla an chuid is mó de mo chuid fionnachtana ó thuisle go spontáineach ar an mbealach chuig agus ó léachtaí, fuair mé amach go deimhin an siopa caife beag neamhspleách seo ó Instagram. Seachtain amháin bhí mo Instagram tuilte le ealaín latte dochreidte. Dearadh na caifeanna le híomhánna dúsachtach ó bhláthanna go rothair go foirgnimh. Bhí na móitífeanna curách seo i bhfad ó dhearadh traidisiúnta duille nó croí Bewley’s. Nuair a cuireadh in iúl dom gurbh é ‘Beanhive’ an áit a bhí freagrach as cur i láthair iontach den sórt sin bhí orm a fhiosrú arbh fhiú an caife a chaitheamh. Bí ag súil le scuaine, ach a thuiscint go bhfuil ceann ann ar chúis. In ainneoin taobh istigh beag bídeach agus roinnt táblaí breactha lasmuigh, más féidir leat suíochán a scóráil is é an t-eispéireas caife idéalach é. Cuireann siad éagsúlacht leathan de chumaisc ar fáil, ní splanc-rósta chun táirgí a bhrú amach agus chun díolacháin a dhéanamh mar an oiread sin caiféanna malartacha. Cinntíonn an cumasc ‘Beanhive’ go bhfuil do sip dheireanach chomh híogair is atá an chéad cheann.
‘Network’ atá suite i sráid Augnier
Is rud nua é an tseam folaithe seo agus cuireann sé rósta andúileach ar fáil duit ar féidir é a sheachadadh chuig do dhoras. Tar éis cuairt amháin ar an neamh seo ar domhan beidh tú ag cur seachadta chomh luath agus is féidir. Cruthaíonn toin chic liath agus bán an dearadh intí vibe infallible táirgiúlachta. Nuair a théann tú isteach ‘Network’ le do ríomhaire glúine ar láimh agus d’ord caife san áireamh ní féidir leat cur i gcoinne an áiteamh chun búcla a dhéanamh. Is é ‘Network’ an áit iontach chun do thascanna a dhéanamh ag ól americano i ndiaidh Americano nó chun dul ar aghaidh leis an tionscadal sin arna spreagadh ag espresso dána. Ciallaíonn stad caife anseo gnó tromchúiseach.
‘itsatrap’ suite i sráid Augnier
Admhaím go náire an chéad uair a chuaigh mé go ‘itsa’ go raibh sé cúig nóiméad roimh dhúnadh. Aineolach air seo go dtí go bhfaca mé na baristas áille ag scuabadh ar shiúl, rith mé ar an mbealach amach, áfach, dúirt siad go fial flaithiúil liom nach raibh aon deacracht ann fanacht. Go gairid ina dhiaidh sin, d’ól mé an cnó coill latte oighrithe is fearr de mo shaol. Go dtí an lá atá inniu ann is ansa pearsanta é. Tá an t-ainm ‘itsatrap’ spreagtha ag cultúr plandaí-bhunaithe an chaifé. Breathnaíonn agus blasann gach rud chomh maith sin nach mbeadh buille faoi thuairim agat choíche, agus is é sin an chaoi a ‘gaisteann’ siad custaiméirí de gach féiniúlacht chothaithe. Bhí a gcaifé eisceachtúil, an taispeántas tarraingteach laethúil de shóiteáin agus an fhoireann is milse ar fad gafa liom ón gcéad chuairt sin.
‘Bear Market’ suite i ndeisceart Shráid Sheoirse Mhór
Díreach os coinne Gay Spar, is áit í seo do leannán caife ar bith. Comhlánaítear an maisiúchán rustic ag málaí maisiúla a gcuid pónairí dochoigeartaithe. Gach uair a théim anseo ní theipeann orthu dul i bhfeidhm go deo; freastalaíonn an fhoireann le gáire agus bíonn an caife le feiceáil gach uair. Mar gheall ar an atmaisféar suaimhneach agus an taobh istigh taibhseach, is áit iontach é an ‘Bear Market’ le haghaidh caifé cluthar a ghabháil suas nó mar rogha air sin mioncheistiú náireach a dhéanamh ar imeachtaí na hoíche aréir. (Rud a bheith macánta, is dócha a tharla i Gay Spar agus ní cibé club a ndeachaigh tú.)
Ar deireadh, ach ní ar a laghad ar bith tá ‘The bald barista’ againn suite ar shráid Augnier freisin
An áit seo admhóidh mé nach grá a bhí ann ar an gcéad amharc. Ní raibh an t-ainm ag cur as agus ní raibh mé ag dul i léig go díreach faoi scéim dathanna oráiste agus donn an taobh amuigh. Chuir sé seo cosc orm a gcuid caife a thriail ar feadh míonna ach bhí mé ag dul thar an gcaifé seo gach maidin agus bhí sé i gcónaí fuadar. Ar deireadh ag tabhairt isteach chuaigh mé isteach sa joint hipster rustic agus tá áthas orm go ndearna mé é. Ní hamháin go dtugann siad caife iced dÚsachtach ach tá roghanna éagsúla bricfeasta sáithithe acu nach mbeifeá ag súil leo. Cé nár scuab aeistéitiúil mo chosa mé ar an gcéad amharc ní féidir liom a shéanadh go bhfuil pearsantacht agus atmaisféar groovy ag ‘The bald barista’ a chuirfidh suaimhneas ort ar maidineacha fuadrach.
As Bearla/ In English
The top 5 independent coffee spots in Dublin
I’ve always loved my city, but the sudden boom of independent coffee shops across the cobbled streets of Dublin has made my heart grow even fonder. Recently the popularity of coffee culture in Ireland has snowballed, in terms of coffee consumption Ireland ranks 9th in the EU! Why is it so popular? You buy your caffeinated treat, you take a seat in a quirky comfortable setting, then pull out a book, your laptop or have a chat with a friend. Coffee grinders softly buzz in the background while your surrounded by the scent of fresh pastries. What’s not to love? Independent coffee shops are slowly but surely outnumbering chain brands like Starbucks and Costa but with so many spots scattered across the city it can be difficult to decide where to venture for your next coffee experience. Here are 5 of my favourite independent cafés all within walking distance of Trinity College.
First up, ‘Beanhive’ located on Dawson street
While most of my discoveries have resulted from spontaneous stumbles on the way to and from lectures, I actually discovered this small independent coffee shop from Instagram. One week my feed was flooded with incredible latte art. The coffees were designed with insane images from flowers to bikes to buildings. These frothy motifs were a far-cry from the traditional leaf or heart design of Bewley’s. Once I was informed that ‘Beanhive’ was the place responsible for such stunning presentation I had to investigate if the coffee was worth the hype. Expect a queue, but understand that there is one for a reason. Despite a tiny interior and a few tables dotted outside, if you can manage to score a seat it’s the ideal coffee experience. They offer a vast variety of blends, not flash roasted to push out products and make sales like so many alternative cafés. The ‘Beanhive’ blend ensures that your last sip is as delectable as the first.
‘Network’ located in Augnier street
This hidden gem is new to the scene offering an addictive roast which you can get delivered to your door. After one visit to this heaven on earth you will be placing a delivery asap. The chic grey and white tones of the interior design create an infallible vibe of productivity. When you enter ‘Network’ with your laptop in hand and coffee order in mind you cannot resist the urge to buckle down. ‘Network’ is the perfect spot to nail your assignments by necking americano after americano or to get ahead on that project fuelled by a bold espresso. A coffee stop here, means serious business.
‘itsatrap’ located in Augnier street
Shamefully I admit that the first time I went to ‘itsa’ it was five minutes before close. Unaware of this until I spotted the lovely baristas sweeping away, I dashed for the exit, however, they generously and genuinely told me it was no trouble to stay. Shortly after, I consumed the best iced hazelnut latte of my life. To this day it’s a personal favourite. The name ‘itsatrap’ is inspired by the plant-based culture of the café. Everything looks and tastes so good you would never guess, which is how they ‘trap’ customers of all dietic identities. Their exceptional coffee, the attractive daily display of treats and the sweetest staff all had me trapped from that first visit.
‘Bear market located in south great Georges Street
Directly opposite Gay Spar, this is a go-to spot for any coffee lover. The rustic decor is complimented by decorative bags of their irresistible beans. Each time I go here they never fail to impress; the staff serve with a smile and the coffee is spot on every time. The relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous interior make ‘Bear market’ the perfect place for a cosy coffee catch up or alternatively a shameful hungover debrief of last night’s events. (Which let’s be honest, probably happened in Gay Spar and not whatever club you went to.)
Last but by no means least we have ‘The bald barista’ also located on Augnier street
This place I’ll admit was not love at first sight. The name was off putting and I wasn’t exactly swooning at the orange and brown colour scheme of the exterior. This prevented me from trying their coffee for months but I was passing this café every morning and it was constantly bustling. Finally giving in I entered the rustic hipster joint and I’m delighted I did. Not only do they offer an insane iced coffee but they have a variety of satiating breakfast options which you wouldn’t expect. Although it’s aesthetic didn’t sweep me off my feet at first glance I cannot deny that ‘The bald barista’ has personality and a groovy atmosphere which will soothe you on hectic mornings.
These quaint hipster coffee joints cater to people of all lifestyles, supporting students on their coffee runs between classes, providing busy parents with their daily fix and allowing business runners and academics use these cosy locations as personal offices and hideaways. So now that you know the best spots to go, why are you still reading? Wake up, smell the coffee, and get out there!