It’s that time of year when, armed with an extensive gift list, you head into town to tackle the Christmas shopping. Thankfully, with the festive lights turned on and the streets buzzing with seasonal cheer it’s very easy to get into the spirit.
Though hours spent on your feet trawling the wonderful variety of stores Dublin City has to choose from can be very tiring, and more than likely you’ll come to a point where you’ll need to sit down, take stock of how much of dent you’ve made in that list, and give your limbs (and credit card) a break.
Here are the top spots to stop into, relax with a cuppa and zone out from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas shopping madness.
Bewley’s
Known as one of Ireland’s best tea and coffee houses, Bewley’s on Grafton Street reopened this Winter to the delight of many shoppers, the ideal location for a rest, a cappuccino and a sticky bun.
78-79 Grafton Street
The Restaurant by Johnnie Cooke
On the top floor of the iconic Brown Thomas this Grafton Street store, this spot couldn’t be perfectly placed to indulge in a coffee and a cake, or go for an Afternoon Tea if your time allows.
Brown Thomas, 88-95 Grafton Street
Butlers Chocolate Café
Renowned for their chocolate treats and frothy coffees, step away from the hustle and bustle and into the warm atmosphere of the sit-down Butlers café, a short walk away from Grafton Street and Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.
6 Chatham Street
Krüst Bakery
An alternative coffee shop to the chain cafés, head to Krüst for your caffeine fix where you can also delight in one of the many indulgent cronuts on offer.
5/6 South Great Georges Street
Café en Seine
With its sublime decor, bright lights and idyllic setting, Café en Seine is little utopia in the city that’s a gem to relax within. Irish Coffees or pots of tea and a selection of flavoursome eats await.
40 Dawson Street
The Bailey
The Bailey is a wonderful choice in which to break away from Grafton Street’s busy shopping scene, where you’ll have your pick of teas and coffees, and perhaps even a serving of scampi, salad or just a lovely little dessert.
2 Duke Street
Metro Café
Though South William Street has cafés in abundance, with tables both inside and outdoors Metro Café is one of the best spots to enjoy a hot chocolate, soup and sandwich or just a good cuppa.
43 South William Street
The Fitzwilliam Hotel
One of the most special places to visit during Christmas is the Fitzwilliam Hotel. The five star hotel will cater to all your coffee break, and perhaps Champagne, needs.
127-128 St. Stephen’s Green
www.fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com
Dunne and Crescenzi
Enjoy a piccola pausa away from the shopping craziness, with an choice selection of Italian coffees, pastries, and vino that are perfect for a festive pick me up.
16 South Frederick Street
Drury Buildings
A modern venue with plenty to offer during your Christmas shopping break, top yourself up with a flavoursome coffee or why not treat yourself to a Bellini or Espresso Martini.
55 Drury Street
Ladurée
One of the most luxurious cafés the capital has to offer, at Ladurée you can indulge in stunning selection of macarons, French pastries and miniature cakes, as well as their silky smooth hot chocolate.
1-3 South William Street
Gino’s
Gelato, waffles, crepes and hot coffee, Gino’s Gelato has all you’ll need to take that well-deserved break at their newly remodeled sit down café.
90 South George’s Street
KC Peaches
Known for their generous display of delicious cakes, sandwiches and salads, KC Peaches has four city centre locations to take your break in, plus its large dining rooms should mean you’ll find a good seat without hassle.
27-29 Nassau Street / 35-37 St Stephens Green / 54 Dame Street / Unit 10A Trinity Enterprise Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 2
Le Petit Partisien
For a French fancy, head to Le Petit Partisien where it’s cakes and coffee galore. Here, you can definitely have your cake and eat it too.
17 Wicklow Street
The Woollen Mills
A great spot to delve into Irish cuisine within an iconic location, The Woollen Mills’ kitchen serves freshly made sandwiches with hearty soups as well as pastries to go with your coffee or tea.
42 Ormond Quay Lower
The Bakehouse
Give in to your sweet cravings and head over to The Bakehouse where a plethora of cakes and pastries await you, alongside a variety of coffees, tea and hot chocolates.
6 Bachelors Walk
Butlers Chocolate Café
Hidden away from the busy shopping streets on the North Side, just like its South side counterpart, Butlers is a chocolate wonderland for you to relax in with a rich hot chocolate or frothy coffee.
4 Liffey Street Lower
Panem
Deemed as having he best croissants in Dublin, this petite café is a perfect spot to take a break from the shopping and revitalise yourself.
21 Ormond Quay Lower
Bewley’s
Refresh yourself in Bewley’s, located in the Arnotts corner of Abbey Street, that serves hot coffee and tea all day long as well as a selection of light bites.
Arnotts, Abbey Street entrance
The Church Bar & Restaurant
At the end of Henry Street, take shelter from the crowds in The Church, and enjoy one of their many caffeinated concotions, including the Espresso Martini that’s sure to give you a shot of energy.
Junction of Mary Street & Jervis Street
Dundrum Town Centre is full of the festivities too, and its cafés are also in abundance. When you get up early to head in before the weekend’s shopping rush hour, it’s great relax in a café with a good cuppa and a well-deserved pastry or light bite.
Douglas & Kaldi
Hidden away from the busyness of the shopping centre, take a well-deserved break at Douglas & Kaldi and enjoy one, or more, of their luscious cakes or a savoury bites form the vast menu.
Level 2, Dundrum Town Centre
L’Officina Dunne & Crescenzi
Take an Italian break from the shopping, where you can enjoy a well-brewed coffee and perhaps a slice of traditional Panettone, with seats also available to look out onto the Christmas village.
Town Square, Dundrum Town Centre
Butlers Chocolate Café
Famous for its chocolates, the Dundrum café offers its customers delicious coffees, hot chocolates and of course tea, with each order served alongside a complimentary chocolate of your choice.
Level 1, Dundrum Town Centre
Baked
Given its name, the Baked café is full of gloriously fresh-baked goods that are ideal for enjoying with a hot cuppa.
Level 3, Dundrum Town Centre
If you’re heading towards Kildare Village for your shopping spree this Christmas season, take a break in one of their many lovely eateries to reenergise, with a tasty coffee and possibly a sweet treat or freshly made sandwich.
Joe’s Coffee
A hot spot for coffee, refuel with one of the many food offerings at Joe’s Coffee, from coffee using beans from Barn Berlin Roasters, to nutritious salads and juices from Alchemy.
Le Pain Quotidien
Every item this café restaurant offers combines their ethos of just-baked breads with thoughtful, seasonal ingredients alongside traditional coffees.
Crêperie Angélie
A treat for all the family, both sweet and savoury French-style crepes are aplenty on the menu here, the former of which can be served with one of their dozen ice cream flavours.
Winter Delights
Located beside Jack Wills, fill up on the delicious festive treats at Winter Delights Horsebox, from sweet and savoury waffles, gingerbread, pastries, as well as classic tea, coffee and hot chocolate, or indulge in one of the mulled winter glow drinks.
An enthusiastic foodie with a sweet tooth and love for spices, Nirina is open to a lot of food from many different cultures. A mixed background from Ireland and Madagascar, she loves tweaking recipes, dining at new restaurants, tasting new cuisines, or just a good glass of wine. Basically she really, really loves her food. Coming from a family of avid cooks, learning how to whip up the perfect tiramisu, spice up Indian curries or serve homemade samosa was a given.
