Café Java
South Anne Street,
Dublin 2
The Café Java chain
has five branches around Dublin: Donnybrook (just opened in
early 2005), Sandymount, Ballsbridge and Leeson Street as well
as this, the South Anne Street coffeehouse. Originally set up
by an ex-Bewley's manager it is now a popular and bustling modern
café. This branch underwent a successful refurbishment
a few years ago and now features attractive artwork and bright,
comfortable seating in the long, narrow three-storey building.
With so many places to grab a cup of coffee now a café
needs to be good to garner return visits. Staff can make a visit
memorable for many reasons, good and bad, and it is this quality
that has made my many trips to the South Anne Street branch
very pleasant. Any restaurant in Dublin seems to have a wide
range of nationalities serving and Café Java is no exception
with, currently, Australian, Scandinavian, Oriental and even
some Irish! All are pleasant and helpful, some chatty, some
less so but all efficient. Sounds simple, but there are plenty
of locations around the city where the staff are less enthusiastic
and even unhelpful.
The current menu features a wide range of breakfasts, from simple
porridge and continental to more exotic poached eggs, bacon
and relish on brown bread. Until recently the portions of some
of the breakfasts have have been quite miserly, a tiny croissant
with a single slice of melted cheese and two slices of tomato
for €6 is very pricey indeed. But the past couple of trips
have been better: perhaps someone said something? Lunches vary
from homemade soups to extravagant salads with cheeses or various
meats and there are the usual desserts to tempt afterwards.
Wine is available as well as juices, soft drinks and of course
a wide range of coffee varieties, lattes, cappuccinos and straight
freshly ground. Prices are quite reasonable, a standard mug
of coffee being the average Dublin price. The coffee used is
Matthew Algie, a mild variety; the previous brand was Lavazzo
which some customers found a little too sharp.
There is a regular clientele from the nearby offices and shops,
as well as a large amount of tourists. Early morning, lunchtime
and afternoon are usually quite busy, but it can vary according
to the day and weather. Sunday mornings are entertaining with
a lot of families present and a selection of motor bike enthusiasts
who park their impressive machines across the road from the
café.
Gripes: The toilets - three cubicles are fitted in a tiny space,
and the handbasins are ridiculously small. And there's no mirror!
Overall the restaurant is very welcoming and well worth a visit.
Make sure to check out the artwork on the walls!
Review updated: 30/12/05
