The cobbled streets of Dublin, with its rich tapestry of history, literature, and culture, offer more than just an exploration of Ireland’s past. As the early morning mist rises over the River Liffey, and the hum of the city begins, a culinary adventure awaits eager travellers.
Dublin is not just about the iconic stout beer or tales of James Joyce, but a gastronomic experience that tantalizes the palate with its vibrant local food and aromatic coffee scenes. As I wandered through this ancient city, I embarked on a delightful journey to taste the essence of Dublin, one bite and sip at a time. Of all the awesome places in Ireland you should visit on your next trip, Dublin is certainly one of them!
Join me, as I relive these culinary escapades, and maybe you’ll find yourself inspired to embark on your own Dublin discovery.
Even though I have been to Dublin a couple of times already, it’s always a pleasure to be back in Ireland’s capital city. On this occasion, I travelled to attend a press trip organised by Lovin Dublin and Visit Dublin.
It’s a short flight from London to Dublin and so by late morning I was already checking into my bedroom at Kellys Hotel in the city centre. This boutique hotel is in a great location to explore the city on foot and my room was quiet and comfortable.
The hotel is in a charming neighbourhood full of independent shops, restaurants and cafés. Our first stop was Coppinger Row where I had the most delicious Open Meatball Sandwich. So good, I went back a few years later to eat it again!
Next up was a speciality coffee shop – Dublin has a vibrant coffee community – called Kaph.
In the afternoon, I was invited to join a history and food tour of the city centre with Fab Food Trails. Our guide was fantastic and I loved learning about Irish cuisine and culture through a local.
I recommend visiting Fallon & Byrne food hall and The Pepper Pot café inside Powercourts Centre (try the bagels!).
Also part of our 2-day trip to Dublin was a guided tour of the Little Museum of Dublin: a three-floor townhouse with a collection of over 5,000 artefacts that tell the story of Dublin throughout the 20th Century. It was very interesting and I would recommend a visit to anyone!
After the museum visit we had a great dinner at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill, after which we were escorted to the new, big and quite impressive Bord Gais Energy Theatre for the Lovin Dublin Live Show.
The show featured interviews and speeches of Irish personalities from the different industries. It was very interesting for a foreigner like me to hear about many small and independent businesses doing well in Dublin, especially after the 2008 economic crisis. The show ended with the Lovin Dublin Food Awards announcements and I was really excited when 3FE took the prize for best coffee shop in Dublin!
3FE is a specialty coffee shop and roastery founded in 2009 by Colin Harmon (three-time Irish Barista Champion and a World Barista Championship finalist – among other achievements). In 2011 Colin opened their first stand-alone cafe on Lower Grand Canal Street (pictured here) and in 2014 they began roasting with a refurbed 50-year-old Probat UG22 and with the help of Steve from Hasbean (co-owner of the business).
Today 3FE is a coffee supplier to more than 50 businesses all over Ireland (for example Fallon and Byrne is one of them)!
I couldn’t leave Dublin without a visit to this coffee shop, so on the second (and last day) of my trip I woke up early, booked a taxi with Hailo (much more popular in Dublin than Uber) and arrived at 3FE. I loved this coffee shop so much, that two years later I went back when I was in town to work at the Dublin World of Coffee Festival!
My friend Craig Walsh, whom I met at Barista Camp in Greece last summer and is a barista and manager at 3FE, was already pulling shots at the espresso machine.
Craig made me a flat white and also suggested I tried the porridge for breakfast – it was delicious served warm with the addition of muesli and apple sauce.
I spent about an hour there between 8:00 and 9:00 on a Tuesday morning, watching the regular stream of customers going in and out with their takeaway cups (off to their office jobs in one of many Dublin’s startups and tech companies I guess). The shop wasn’t full, but definitely busy for a week day.
I also tasted one of the filter coffees and bought a bag of coffee beans to take back home, which my husband and I really enjoyed brewed on our AeroPress.
3FE was started by Colin with an ethos of “make nice coffee, be nice to people and they’ll probably come back”. And for sure he was right!
My visit to Dublin only lasted 30 hours and too soon I was back on a plane flying over the Irish Sea. I wish I had more time to visit the city’s best restaurants and bars, but also time to explore the rest of the country. Ireland is definitely on my dream list and I would love to take my husband who has never been before. So Dublin you might see me again soon!
Disclaimer: I visited Dublin as a guest of Lovin Dublin and Visit Dublin. All opinions are my own.
3fe Coffee sounds like a must-visit spot for coffee lovers in Dublin. It’s great to see a focus on quality and experience. A well-written review that makes you want to stop by for a cup!
[…] My tour of Dublin couldn’t of course be complete without a visit to 3fe‘s coffee shop on Grand Canal Street Lower. I have already blogged about 3fe and you can read more about it here. […]
[…] Ireland and certainly the best spot to drink coffee in the city. Their coffee is roasted by 3FE in Dublin, another personal favourite coffee shop / […]
I’m going to visit Dublin in two weeks and can’t wait to visit 3FE and the Fallon & Byrne food hall! Thank you for the tips and lovely pictures as always, Giulia! :)
There are many food places worth trying in Dublin, I just wish I had more time there! Have a great trip!
I had a fantastic time in Dublin when I went three years ago (before ST P’Day!) and I was very pleased with the coffee at 3FE – made multiple pit stops there during our stay!