

Spilling the tea
Walking around Ireland’s towns, villages and cities, you’ll quickly realise that coffee is a big deal here. There’s a huge indie scene with vibey third-wave coffee shops and fragrant roasteries serving up excellent blends and brews. But one thing you can’t fail to notice when you visit Ireland is that an obsession with tea still dominates. Tea is part of our cultural DNA; it’s a source of pleasure, comfort and connection, and around the island, you’ll find a myriad of super-cute little tea rooms and cafés, where the tea is mighty, the cake game is strong and the surroundings are seriously charming. From traditional thatched beauties on wild Atlantic islands to vintage-style tea rooms in heritage towns, these are some of Ireland’s best places to soak up authentic Irish tea culture.


Ruby Ellen's Tea Rooms, County Louth


If you like to enjoy your tea in quaint, old-fashioned surroundings, then Ruby Ellen’s is the place to go. Located within the charming medieval town of Carlingford in County Louth, this busy spot is a favourite with locals and has made a name for itself thanks to a mix of charming vintage crockery, superb baking and pretty tablecloths. There’s a lovely outdoor terrace for sunny summer days, but our favourite spot is indoors on a cold winter’s day with tea and cake beside the fire.


Coffee Time, County Donegal
Yes, it does have coffee in the title, but don’t let that put you off as Coffee Time in Donegal is also a great place for tea. More of a breakfast and lunch destination than a café per se, this stunning little spot is open all day so if you’re just after tea and cake, you can drop in mid-afternoon and enjoy the peace and quiet. Best of all, with its traditional thatched cottage surrounds and beautiful location, this gorgeous County Donegal favourite is as beautiful outside as inside.


Townhouse Doneraile, County Cork
The refined Georgian surroundings of Café Townhouse make a super-pleasant place to while away an afternoon over a pot of tea and sumptuous bakes. High ceilings, period detailing and gracious décor ensure an atmosphere of gentility, but it’s the cakes that keep locals coming back to this popular spot. Choose from a delectable selection of tasty treats including classic cheesecake, chocolate torte, bread and butter pudding and fresh fruit pavlova.


Bewley’s, Dublin city


Dublin boasts some great tea experiences, including the Cake Café and Vintage Tea Trips, but if you’re looking for an iconic tea experience in the capital, it doesn’t get better than Bewley’s on Grafton Street. This elegant tea room has been a meeting place for intellectuals for over 100 years, with past customers including James Joyce and WB Yeats. Inside, the interior boasts original tiled flooring and stained-glass artworks from famous glass artist Harry Clarke. Today the café does a great afternoon tea, with sandwiches, scones and delicate patisserie.


Teach Nan Phaidi, County Galway
A thatched cottage café set at the base of an ancient prehistoric fort on a wild Atlantic island off the coast of County Galway – it might sound like Teach Nan Phaidi is too good to be true, but visit the island of Inis Mór, and you’ll find out this fantastic little café is the real thing. After a walk around this stunning, windswept island, nothing feels better than cosying up inside this whitewashed little gem with a cup of tea and a scone. It’s a stunner.


The Lamppost Café, Belfast
Like Narnia? You’re going to love this… Inspired by Belfast-native CS Lewis’s masterpiece The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this quirky little café is perfect for surrounding yourself with all things Aslan. Vintage crockery, tea-shop décor and a lovely afternoon tea seal the deal. It’s a little bit outside the city centre (just a five-minute bus ride), but if you’re taking a tour of CS Lewis Square, then it makes an ideal place to refresh.


The Cottage, Craft Village, Derry~Londonderry
Often, finding a thatched cottage to hang out in means heading into rural areas, but this spot in Derry~Londonderry is pure cottage-core right in the heart of the city. Aptly titled The Cottage, you can expect a super-cosy interior and some of the best cakes and scones in town! The Cottage is also an arts and crafts store, so make sure to leave some time for a browse.


Cakeface, County Kilkenny


If you’re wondering what this café in Kilkenny specialises in – the clue is in the title. Cakeface is run by pastry chefs Laura and Rory Gannon and has a fantastic location right in the heart of Kilkenny city’s Medieval Mile. The interior is simple and bright with exposed stonework, fairy lights and artworks, but it’s the exquisite cakes and pastry goods that have earned this place a reputation as one of the best patisseries on the island. Come hungry!


Brownlow Castle, County Armagh
Brownlow Castle is a spectacular place – an architectural masterpiece that dates to 1833 and was designed by William Playfair, a prominent Scottish architect of the 19th-century. The venue is most often used for weddings, but the tea rooms, within the castle’s drawing room, offer a perfect opportunity to experience this space even if you’re not planning to tie the knot. There’s no better place in which to enjoy either afternoon tea or just some tea and cake.