As September comes around, so does that new school year, and after a long summer of taking care of the kids, cleaning up all of their messes (God knows they won’t do it themselves) and all of the other work that parents have on their plate, a 6 hour break to yourself every week-day is warmly welcomed.
Getting the most out of the September reset is not the easiest task, so here are our ideas on how to get recharged and relaxed in the city centre. With hidden gems, peaceful places and many sweet treat stores, we hope this list has all that you need to relax and get in some self care.
So without further ado, Here’s where and how to savour a moment of peace in the heart of Dublin.
The Best Coffee Spots for a Calm Catch-Up or Solo Sip:
Mish Mash:
- Mish Mash is a quaint little coffee shop at the end of Capel Street.
- There is a very calm and peaceful vibe as soon as you walk in, whether your greeted by a warm smile or a “how are you?” you won’t find a better little coffee shop for your September reset.
- The inside is quiet, they have frequent book clubs, outdoor seating and a prime location make Mish Mash a must-do.
Póg Café:
- Póg Café is a healthy eating spot that you can find on Bachelors Walk.
- Póg has a relaxed and simple vibe to it, excellent coffees, a selection of gorgeous pancakes, and stunning lunch options, not to mention the outdoor seating Póg has for you (if it’s sunny)
- Located right on the river side, the view from Póg is beautiful, getting to see the hustle and bustle of local Dubliners is quite peaceful.
Keogh’s Café:
- Keoghs is a cute little café on Trinity Street.
- They are a single family run business, so the inside is quite relaxed, with various artworks lining the walls, different ornaments scattered around, and a beautiful sweet treat display.
- They also have outdoor seating and a loyalty programme, and if you’re anything like me, you love a loyalty programme.
Be Sweet Café:
- Be Sweet Café can be found on Clarendon Street.
- Be Sweet is arguably Dublin’s most unique café—in the best way. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere, delicious coffee, and a brilliantly idiosyncratic experience, it’s a place that truly stands out.
Quick Bites & Calm Corners: Lunchtime Retreats Near You:
Cookieboy:
- Cookieboy is a delicious bakery and café that can be found on Stephen’s Street Lower.
- The atmosphere in Cookieboy is quite relaxed, it is perfect for a quick coffee and a superb cookie.
- Their aforementioned cookies are homemade Korean cookies which are baked fresh everyday.
MANI Pizza:
- MANI is a delicious roman style pizzeria that sells pizza by the slice.
- No matter your preference in pizza, MANI has a slice for you. Not to mention the awesome cannoli that you can get for a decadent dessert.
- For all the super fans of pizza out there, you’ll be happy to know that MANI has a loyalty programme, all you need to do is ask for a card.
Le Centreville:
- Le Centreville is a café and patisserie that can be found in the Stephens Green Shopping Centre.
- If you are looking for a quick and easy bite to eat, there’s no better place than le Centreville, with wraps, sandwiches and delicious baked goods.
- They use the Java Republic to create their coffees, so you know you’ll be getting a perfect cup o’ Joe if you come here.
The Rolling Donut:
- The Rolling Donut is an Irish owned business that has been serving its customers since the 1970’s, and you can find their store on O’Connell Street lower.
- This Irish donut giant first got its start by being a travelling kiosk of some of the best donuts around, and maintained that reputation by maintaining perfection, and if you don’t believe me, I just have to ask you to see for yourself.
- The Rolling Donut also has a wide selection of vegan donuts to choose from thanks to the founders daughter.
Need More Than Coffee? Try These ‘Me-Time’ Mini Escapes:
Self care is absolutely vital, and I can’t think of a better, more classic form of self care than going to the spa and getting a nice relaxing massage.
Buff Day Spa:
- The Buff Day Spa can be found on South King Street, where you will get possibly the best massage of your life.
- They have a plethora of different treatments that you can pick, from facials to deep tissue massages to LED therapy.
- There are also plenty of package options to pick from, they have his and hers packages, bridal packages and couples packages too.
Good Place Clinic & Spa:
- You know what they say, it’s always a good time at Good Place. They are located on South Williams Street.
- Whether you’re looking to get a laser hair removal, combat cellulite, or just a regular old massage, Good Place clinic has all bases covered.
Your Back-to-School Me-Time Ritual, Mapped Out:
As I said before, self care is absolutely vital for everyone, but can sometimes feel like a bit of a challenge or task, so to help, here is a basic schedule that you could follow if you struggle to fit self care into your routine. And if you’re still nervous, all of these self care options are local to Town and won’t break the bank either.
Week 1:
- Monday- Walking along the Liffey is a personal favourite, the atmosphere is always serene, and being able to look at the river as you walk along is also very therapeutic.
- Wednesday- Head out and get yourself a nice lunch, our suggestions would be Tang (Dawson ST.), Bagel Bar Coffee (Liffey Street) and Supermac’s (O’Connell Street).
- Friday- To give yourself a bit of a boost, why not check out these cafés? Kay’s Kitchen (Jervis SC) The Coffee Bean (Mary St.) and Java Republic Café (Molesworth St).
Week 2:
- Monday- Once the kids are gone and out of the house, we think it might be fun to head out to grab a bit of breakfast from either Griolladh (One Central Plaza) or Bewley’s (Grafton).
- Wednesday- Even just sitting and watching can be therapeutic, and what better place to sit ad watch than Stephen’s Green.
- Friday- Once again, we think it might be a nice way to have a little self care by getting a bit of lunch, so our other suggestions are Hong Kong Wonton (Fade St) or Lemon Crepe & Coffee Co. (Williams St).
FAQ’S:
Where can I get a quick coffee in Dublin after school drop-off?
If speed and ease of access is what you’re looking for, then Insomnia on Abbey Street is unbeatable.
What are the best lunch spots for solo parents in the city centre?
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we’d have to say either Griolladh or Lisboa Pasteleria are the best lunch spots in town.
Are there fast wellness treatments near Grafton Street?
Yes! The 5th Avenue Beauty Emporium Dublin on Wicklow Street is a fantastic place to go for some fast wellness.
We wish for endless lie ins, no stained clothes and no lost stationery this school year. And remember , it is more than okay to feel rundown and need a break, you’re only human after all.
I don’t know many places in town that are quiet or peaceful, which is why its important that if you do find one, you take the time to enjoy it.
