Bewley's - Best Grafton Street Café Since 1840

On my first trip to Ireland, my mum and I decided to pop into Bewley’s and buy two desserts to bring home and eat after dinner. While waiting for the bus, we decided to take a teeny little bite of one of the desserts, and… well, let’s just say neither of the two desserts even lasted until the bus came to pick us up!

Are Bewley’s desserts that good…? Yes!

Their desserts are not the only thing worth mentioning, however. The coffee and tea is also notable. A long-standing installation on Grafton Street with over 175 years of experience, Bewley’s clearly has mastered its craft. Inside a recently renovated space with stained-class windows and luxurious mahogany furniture, patrons can practically taste the charm of the establishment and as much as the rich flavours in their coffees or teas.

Need more convincing? Not only are their desserts, coffees, and teas delicious, but they were the first company in Ireland that imported Fairtrade coffee, and the first Carbon Neutral coffee roastery in the entire country. Delicious and ethical. Who can fault that?

Oh, and before I forget, did I mention they cater to gluten-sensitive diets? Thanks, Samuel and Charles Bewley. Sign me up!

My absolute favourite item is The Mary Cake, which the café has been serving since 1940. A item made without flour, those who are gluten-intolerant can focus their attention on the wonderful flavour of the chocolate mousse with an apricot centre atop of an almond and hazelnut sponge base, instead of whether or not they might get a reaction from indulging in the dessert. Their Blueberry Cheesecake is also gluten-free, and although I am not a big cheesecake fan, I must admit it is very good.

(N.B. I do encourage all patrons with any dietary restrictions to view their Allergens Menu. Your individual health is always of the utmost importance, so if in doubt, check it out!)

If you are not in the mood for a pâtisserie or a viennoiserie, might I suggest the delectable Hot Chocolate? I must confess I did not expect to receive such a beautifully laid out dish with so many great toppings when I ordered it, so I was pleasantly surprised when this arrived at my table.

It tasted fantastic, and the added art was a cute touch (fun fact: Bewley’s were the first company in Ireland to introduce latte art - I appreciate that. Yes. More art, my friends).

In case it wasn’t clear, I sincerely believe Bewley’s is worth a visit from a historical, architectural, and culinarily delightful standpoint. At least, I adore it. Maybe I’m biased because I love chocolate, but then again, a vast many of us do, too!

Location:
78- 79 Grafton Street