The Rainy Day Cafes of County Clare

Weather-wise, this winter has been a nightmare. With all the rain flooding our little island, it’s been almost impossible to get out and about to enjoy beautiful Clare. Thankfully, there are some great spots all over the county to dry off and enjoy a hot cup of coffee, a bite to eat and even a sneaky glass of vino! Here are six of our fave Coffee Stops around Co. Clare.

Killaloe

Let’s start in Duck Egg and Lime’s neck of the woods; East Clare, and the picturesque village of Killaloe. Killaloe is a beautiful hill top village, right on the banks of the river Shannon. For anyone travelling south on the M7 on their way to explore Clare, this is an ideal pit-stop. We’d recommend two places to enjoy a coffee for different reasons…

Ponte Vecchio

The instant you step inside Ponte Vecchio’s doors it feels like you’re home. This is not just a charming cafe, but also a wine-store, pizzeria and a second hand bookstore! Find yourself a corner in the main cafe area or in the living room and sit back with a book sipping your coffee, just letting the world pass you by. Plenty of items to nibble on too – wonderful traditional Italian style minestrone soup with plenty of fresh ciabatta, antipasti plates and of course pizzas.

The Wooden Spoon

For me ‘Irish Country Shabby Chic’ best describes this busy place. The friendly bright interior, coupled with The Wooden Spoon’s lively atmosphere makes this place all the more heart warming on a drizzly day. Brimming with artisan grub, it’s a great place to catch up with a friend for a wholesome lunch or simply to enjoy a coffee and a slice of homemade cake.

Ennis

At the heart of County Clare is Ennis, the self titled boutique capital of Ireland. If you find yourself exploring these boutiques or even wandering around the narrow medieval streets on a damp afternoon, you’ll need to take a well earned coffee break in one of the many nice spots around town. This summer, the Fleadh Cheoil festival descends upon Ennis, so below are two spots we’d definitely recommend for a ‘sos beag’.

Suas Coffee House

Suas Coffee House officially serves the ‘best cup of coffee in Ireland‘. They take great pride in serving you the perfect cup of coffee on every occasion. They serve up a brew you’d only expect from a bohemian New York coffee joint, but with the Irish charm of course! Suas are also known for having the odd trad session, especially during the Ennis Trad Fest, so no doubt, you will catch one or two during the Fleadh Cheoil 2016!

Ennis Gourmet Store

France is one of my most treasured countries, with Paris being hands down my favorite city to visit. This is why I love to visit Ennis’s pretty little Bistro and soak up the french ambiance. The Ennis Gourmet Store’s tapas board would be our pick of their tasty menu, washed down with a house wine or craft beer. There’s always a friendly atmosphere here – it’s the kind of place you could find yourself deep in chat with people you’ve never met before… and often from all corners of the world. Despite the weather, Andy (hubby) and I enjoy sitting out with AJ (our dog), under the shop front canopy and wrap up with the blankets provided to watch the world go by.

Lahinch

Heading west from Ennis, you’ll end up in Ireland’s famed surf town of Lahinch on the Wild Atlantic Way. If there is a break in the driving drizzle, enjoy a takeaway coffee and go for a walk on the golden sandy beach (provided the tide is out!). Alternatively, to warm up after a body numbing surf there are a number of really cozy pubs and restaurants scattered around the village.

Greens Takeaway

Just off the Lahinch promenade and leading out to the beach front, this is the ideal spot to pick up a quick hot coffee to go and a sweet treat, before, or after getting caught in a shower. If you’re just waiting for a rain cloud to blow off, there’s generally a couple of spare seats to get comfy on and wave watch while sipping on your coffee. If you are lucky enough to be visiting during our rare summer days, then grab yourself a delicious ’99!

Joe’s Cafe

This has to be the ‘go to’ spot after a day’s surf. The cafe’s colourful interior, decorated with photos of the rugged Clare coastline, oozes a cool surf shack vibe which the whole family can enjoy. It’s a super cozy place to sip a mug of coffee and shelter from the ever changing Irish climate. If you are feeling the hunger from the great outdoors, we would highly recommend their pizzas.

We hope you get out and about to enjoy these great places around Clare. Next time we’ll be offering tips on catering for a party on a budget. It may be especially useful for households with a Communion, Confirmation or even both, just around the corner. Or you could simply hire the services of Duck Egg & Lime to do all the hard work for you!