6 Cosy Cafés in Dublin to Warm You Up This Winter

Winter has arrived, and Dublin is getting chilly. To fight the frost, we’ve rounded up six of the city’s cosiest cafés, all within 20 minutes of our English Centre.

Sometimes, after a long round of grammar practice, all you need is a hot drink and a few fluffed-up pillows. So, pull on your favourite jumper, order a hot chocolate, and get cosy this Winter. 🔥

Books Upstairs 📚

What’s more inviting than an armchair and a great big pile of books? Perched above Dublin’s oldest bookshop, the Books Upstairs Café is beloved by students and anyone who loves to stare dreamily out of a stained-glass window for a while. The space mixes old-world charm with a light, airy atmosphere perfect for laptop-free relaxation. On your way out, pick up a blind date with a book and take some cosiness home with you.

The Fumbally ☕

Part-café, part-artisan grocer, The Fumbally is a Dublin institution. With rustic wooden furniture, fairy lights, and an abundance of plants (both on and off the menu), it’s like stumbling upon a cottage in the woods – only with more cold-press cool. Expect wholesome brunches, like hearty Tuscan beans on sourdough or a big bowl of oats smothered in salted caramel and tea-soaked fruit. Whatever you do, don’t leave without a jar of spiced pumpkin seed nut butter.

Mish Mash 🎨

Mish Mash is a – well, mish mash – of life’s cosiest joys: art, food, wine, music, coffee, chess, meditation, and even a silent book club. Stop by for a latte and you might leave with a new painting, a few new friends, and if you’re lucky, a slightly renewed faith in humanity. Plus, the cake is pretty good, too.

Keogh’s Café 🕰️

It may be a little touristy, but Keogh’s has earned its place among Dublin’s cosiest cafés thanks to its historic charm and hearty, no-fuss menu. Overlooking Trinity Street, it’s the perfect perch for people-watching, with plenty of window seats and outdoor tables for bundling up with a hot Americano. If you haven’t already tried one of the city’s best full Irish Breakfasts, this is your chance – and if you have, the muffins alone are worth a return trip.

Hugh Lane Gallery Café 🏛️

There are those who visit museums for the art, and there are those who go for the café and gift shop. If you’re the latter (no shame, we understand), you’ll love Failte Le Gra: a little gem hidden away in Hugh Lane Gallery’s basement, just minutes from our English Centre. The warm lighting, creative toasties, and fresh pastries make it a perfect post-museum hideaway. Try the aloo-potato-cheese toastie with caramelised onions; it might sound unusual, but it’s a flavour combination made in heaven.

Mannings Bakery 🧁

Dublin has no shortage of bakeries, but Mannings might just take the cake for that homely, baked-by-your-grandma feeling. Family-run since the 1950s, they’re still serving golden sausage rolls, cream éclairs, and red velvet cupcakes – best enjoyed immediately in a toasty room by the window, with a side of people-watching and a mug of tea. Chef’s kiss.

Warm Up Your Winter in Dublin

Whether you’re an English student in need of a break or simply exploring the city, Dublin’s cafés are the perfect places to unwind and practise your conversation skills.

Want to make the most of your time in Dublin?

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