As we enter the dog days of July, what better time to wander round some of the many beautiful cultural spots Dublin has to offer, then grab a bite and a glass of something nice at one of the many lovely cafés and restaurants to be found in the city’s museums and art galleries. With that in mind, we’ve compiled an arty roundup of some of our perennial faves for your consideration…
The Silk Road Cafe at The Chester Beatty Library
As the sun traverses slowly westwards, we’ve been whiling away golden summer afternoons in the company of old friends and a cuppa or two on the sunny terrace at the Silk Road Café.
Located in the grounds of The Chester Beatty Library, the fare on offer at the resident Silk Road Café features a fine selection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes reflecting the global antecedents of the library’s fabulous collections. In our opinion, the quality of food available here is second to none, with the café, the foyer and the outside terrace each serving as relaxing, tranquil spaces to unwind and catch up over baclavas, delicious salads and a nice selection of specialty teas, with wine also available.
The Commons at MoLI
For lovers of Irish literature a wander around Dublin’s MoLI is an absolute must, and the Commons is the perfect pit-stop, offering a nice selection of salads, toasties, soups, hot pots and more. Set in the original student dining halls of UCD’s Newman House, the beautifully designed restaurant is run by two of Dublin’s most enduring culinary stalwarts, sisters Domini and Peaches Kemp.
Their gorgeous menu features such hearty breakfast fare as Skillets of Eggs and Toasted Blaas, with lunch time visitors well catered for via a fine selection of hot curries, and toasted sandwiches made on Tartine Sourdough. A sterling array of baked goods, teas and coffees is also available.
The Commons is open seven days a week, and culturally curious visitors will be delighted to learn that the Museum and the Commons are both open late (until 9pm) on First Fridays, an initiative that offers free admission to the Museum on the first Friday of the month. Last admission is at 8pm.
Margadh at The RHA
Café by day, wine bar by night, Margadh opened in the stylish environs of the RHA last summer, with Chef Kilian Durkan overseeing the kitchen there.
A recent addition to their midweek summer lunch menu features a delicious salad of Confit duck salad, cashew, palm sugar vinaigrette, red cabbage & coriander, alongside a lovely summery selection of lunch and dinner options.
The bright, inviting space caters mainly for tables of two or four, with one large table available for parties of six to eight people. The venue can be hired out in its entirety, with walk-ins also welcome.
Wed – Sun, 15 Ely Place, Dublin 2.
Fáilte Le Grá at The Hugh Lane Gallery
The bustling Fáilte Le Grá café welcomes visitors to the Hugh Lane Gallery for a light breakfast, lunch, and a tempting selection of delicious baked goods available throughout the day.
The menu includes a delicious pound cake, made with wild elderflowers and gooseberries, foraged in Wexford by their resident chef. That’s just one of the many delights to be enjoyed in their cafe this summer, which also boasts a cool leafy, outdoor dining area that offers the perfect escape from the bustling city streets outside. The cafe is open daily from from 10.30am to 4pm.
Camarino Bakery at IMMA
The recent arrival of Camarino’s mobile food truck provides an added incentive (as if any was needed) for a visit to IMMA, the iconic modern art gallery in Dublin 8.
We’ve been availing of summer cuppas and treats at Camarino Bakery in the Courtyard there, where you can enjoy a light bite or two while digesting the fantastic range of incredible art the gallery is justifiably noted for.
Words: Martina Murray
