Caffeine addict Mairead Willis, our UCC Ambassador from the United States, goes in search of the best coffee that Cork has to offer.
Ireland has a reputation as an island of tea-drinkers, and I’m not one to turn up my nose at a decent breakfast blend. Over my first month in Cork though, the number of great coffee shops I’ve stumbled into has struck me. Whether you’re looking for a place to spend an afternoon working or just a quick pick-me-up, this city has you covered. In today’s post, I’ll take you on a virtual tour of a couple of my favourite spots.
Tesco Gold Blend (My kitchen)
Okay — so I’m kind of joking here — but if you’re from the States, you’ve probably never made yourself coffee from a container of freeze-dried crystals before. The quality isn’t good, so I would avoid this option if you are a coffee snob. But what can I say? It’s a cheap way to get caffeine in the morning.
Bean and Leaf (Grand Parade)
The key here is location, location, location. If you want to quickly head downtown and get some work done, Bean and Leaf is the spot for you. The coffee is Starbucks quality, but the food is good too and there’s plenty of space. Spend an afternoon here and see if you don’t end up with a chapter of that novel you’ve been meaning to write.
Filter (Georges Quay)
This place is a winner, and not just because of the incredible coffee. The barista here washed out my reusable cup for me, and they serve the only vegetarian sausage rolls I’ve seen in Ireland. There’s not a tonne of space to hang around and do work, but from a food, coffee, and service perspective, it doesn’t get better than Filter.
That’s all for now, folks! I look forward to meeting you over a cappuccino someday soon.