We’ve heard it our whole lives – breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Starting off your day with a delicious meal will guarantee that you’ll have a great day – it’s science. With that in mind, if you’re planning on heading out for your first meal of the day, choose one of these spots for a tasty breakfast in Dublin.
Green Bench Café
This little cafe tucked away on Montague Street is best known for its lunchtime sandwiches, but their breakfast menu is just as delicious. They bake all their own pastries every morning (apart from their sourdough bread which comes from Bretzel Bakery). Brekkie includes porridge, bircher muesli, avocado on toast and various scrambled egg combos, plus their take on the iconic Irish breakfast sandwich which is packed with bacon, sausage, eggs, relish and rocket.
Top tip: swing by here on Fridays for their legendary sausage rolls.
Dunne & Crescenzi
While you might only think of Dunne & Crescenzi when it comes to the evening time for authentic Italian dishes and wine, their breakfast menu is a delightful badly kept secret in the city centre. Freshly baked Italian pastries, aromatic coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice, creamy organic scrambled eggs with smoked Irish salmon or Italian cured meats and dainty pots of Mrs Gee’s jam to finish off any crusts – this is a feast that will transport you to Rome.
Alma
Starting off your day with pancakes can only be a good thing, and at Alma, you’ll be getting some delectable Dulce de Leche pancakes to make it that much better. This spot serves Argentinian-style breakfast in Dublin, and if you don’t have much of a sweet-tooth in the morning, they’ve got you covered with their many other flavoursome dishes. Their Choripan Argento is a favourite, and we also love their Sweet Potato & Harrisa Eggs. If you’re lucky to pop in on a sunny day, bask in the rays outdoors as you enjoy a tasty breakfast, served all week long.
Bibi’s
A much-loved neighbourhood spot, Bibi’s menu is small but mighty. It’s a quaint café based in Dublin 8, so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a cosy breakfast. They are famous for their squash eggs, which is their take on Turkish eggs, though they do serve the latter as well, paired with some crusty sourdough. They’ve also got some great sandwiches and pastries, and their coffee is always a pleasure to enjoy alongside your meal. They have a location in Dun Laoghaire too, if you’d like some sea views with your breakfast.
Brother Hubbard
Brother Hubbard is dotted around the city, so you’re never too far from an amazing, unique breakfast in Dublin. Inspired by the flavours of the Middle East, you won’t find any boring dishes around here. The have something for those who love sweet or savoury, with The Frenchie being a fan-favourite – French toast, with a twist – and the Brunchy eggs suited perfectly for the savoury lovers. Hummus, squash, leeks, mushrooms, burnt butter & sage dressing, walnut Dukkah and poached eggs… drooling. They also have a lamb shawarma plate if you’re up for it, but you cannot leave without trying one of their brownies or babkas – they are the definition of indulgence.
Eathos
If you want to enjoy your favourite brunch dishes at any time of day, Eathos is the place for you. You’ll feel refreshed just stepping into any of their locations, especially after ordering a coffee. Delicious granola, beautiful avocado toast, and pancakes with fresh berries – what more could you want? With weekly specials, there’s always something new if you want to switch it up, so no two visits to Eathos have to be the same.
Tang
Tang certainly proves that healthy, hearty meals do not have to be boring and bland – all of their dishes are packed full of flavour and deliciousness, and you’ll always feel good after a meal here. Famous for their Shakshuka, this is tangy, warm and an absolute winner of a breakfast to start your day. If you’re feeling more veg-heavy, their mushrooms on toast are unbeatable – they are marinated in tamari and ginger, then served on sourdough with a crispy fried egg, zesty lemon yogurt, herb oil and dukkah.
Balfes
If you really want to treat yourself to a pre-work breakfast, you should head to Balfes. This bright and beautiful spot is located underneath the Westbury, serving delectable dishes that you’ll be coming back for again and again. Of course, if you’re trying to stay a little healthy but still want to head out for breakfast, they offer a BodyByrne menu, which gives you all the tasty breakfast options you could want but with the health conscious diner in mind. You can still enjoy your favourite breakfast items, like smashed avocado on sourdough and a full Irish breakfast, their way. Of course, you can always go the regular route, with our personal favourite being Balfes’ buttermilk pancakes with honeycomb butter.
The Pepper Pot Cafe
Based in the Powerscourt Centre, this quirky cafe is a staple for breakfast in Dublin. The Pepper Pot has been around for years, serving some of the best soft scrambled eggs around – they are certainly the dish that everyone comes back for. However, their treats and cakes are an absolute delight if you’re in for something sweeter in the morning. A cup of coffee while people-watching at this fabulous spot is always a good idea.
Herbstreet
Get yourself down to the Grand Canal Dock for a taste of Herbstreet. A friendly, neighbourhood spot, Herbstreet is always a good idea for breakfast by the waterfront, especially on a sunny day in Dublin. You can enjoy their buttermilk pancakes or french toast, but if you’re leaning more savoury, their breakfast of champions or their red pepper and chorizo hash are a great shout.
The Fumbally
A jack of all trades, The Fumbally is a café, a shop, and an event space all in one. All about hearty dishes, good coffee and rustic vibes, this is certainly the spot to visit when you just want to chill and have a lovely catch up with a friend in the morning. If you love a bit of fermented food, you must give their kimchi and kraut a try, and of course, the Fumbally eggs are their staple breakfast item which we highly recommend.
As One
As One is the kind of spot you visit when you want some really great quality food, with purpose. Enjoy a simple but wholesome menu for breakfast, with dishes like an Irish yogurt bowl, using elderflower yogurt and topped with berries marinated in lime, or their tofu focaccia with organic kale, spicy coconut yogurt, chickpeas braised in tomato and seasonal pickles. The key thing about As One is that they aim to produce no waste, are plastic free, and support better farming and diversity, so you can feel good while you eat well!
Tír Deli
If you want a breakfast that’s all things Irish, you need to try tír deli. All about using seasonal Irish ingredients, they visit the producers and farmers themselves to ensure that they’re getting their customers the best quality produce, with a focus on sustainability. These qualities shine through their food, serving simple, wholesome dishes that will surely start your day off right. With delicious sandwiches and tasty scrambled eggs, you have to give this spot a visit.
3FE
Coffee lovers already know that 3FE is a must-try spot – come for the caffeine, stay for the fabulous breakfast. With locations dotted around the city, a good cup of Joe and a hearty breakfast are never too far. Their breakfast baps and sandwiches are a must try, but if you’re after something sweet, their yogurt and granola is just as tasty.
Two Pups
If you’re looking for great coffee, a filling breakfast and the very likely chance to see some adorable puppies, you need to add Two Pups to your list for breakfast in Dublin. Based in both Fairview and on Francis Street, you can enjoy a tasty breakfast here to start your day off right. This is no ordinary breakfast – even the simplest dish of eggs on toast comes with their own twists of miso butter for that extra umami hit. You can enjoy their Mexican eggs if you want something filling in the morning, coming on top of a hearty bowl of spiced black bean stew with their own house-made jalapeño hot sauce, feta and more tasty bits. This is a must-visit for breakfast!
Urbanity
Whenever we’re in Smithfield, a visit to Urbanity is a must. The staff are friendly, the smell of delicious food and fragrant coffee wafts in the air, and you will always leave here in a great mood. Kick off your day with breakfast here, with their Çilbir – Turkish eggs – being a firm favourite of ours. They also have their own twist on granola and yogurt, using their house-made granola, spiced with cardamom – this with a cup of their coffee sounds like an absolute dream.
I’m a Palestinian who grew up in Cyprus and moved to Dublin in 2013, so I’ve had a mishmash of different cultures and cuisines surrounding me my whole life. I’m an avid foodie, and after realising that life as a lawyer was not for me, I studied media and became a radio host for Dublin City FM. I’m now writing for TheTaste full time, but I also have my own food blog where you can find a mixture of restaurant reviews and the occasional recipe. I talk a lot about being Palestinian; to be honest, I talk a lot in general. That’s why I did radio!
