Best Cafes in Kinsale

kinsale ireland beautiful town blue buildings

Kinsale, Ireland is a quaint seaside town boasting some of the country’s best food. Along with award winning restaurants, pubs, colorful buildings, and historic attractions, the town has a great selection of cafes. 

Cosy Cafe

cosy cafe soup kinsale ireland where to eat
Courtesy of Kinsale Tourism



In the heart of Kinsale is Cosy Cafe. It has a homey and welcoming atmosphere offering both indoor seating with a view of the open kitchen and outdoor seating for warm days. The cafe is open 7 days a week, all year round serving their innovative seasonal menu for breakfast, lunch and brunch. 

Cosy Cafe sources their ingredients from local farms and fish distributors. The owners, Edyta and Sebastian Perey, post images on their supplier wall so visitors can see how fresh the ingredients really are. 

During the summer months, delicious salads, sandwiches and local monkfish dishes are popular menu items. As the weather gets colder, stews and hearty dishes make their way to the menu. Throughout the year, visitors can find tasty pastries, coffee, and treats to bring back to your hotel and enjoy. 

Lemon Leaf Cafe

lemon leaf cafe strawberry tart kinsale ireland
Courtesy of Kinsale Tourism

The Lemon Leaf Cafe’s all day breakfast menu is sure to please all guests. The menu is full of mouthwatering options. Choices range from The Complete Kinsale Breakfast, which is their take on a full Irish breakfast, to the Ooh La La Sweet French Toast. For lunch, you cannot go wrong with any of their healthy salads, burgers or fish dishes. 

The Lemon Leaf Cafe’s glass ceiling and comfortable seating makes it the perfect place for a relaxing bite. The homey yet modern feel lends itself nicely to an afternoon scone with cream and jam, and tea after a day of exploring the town. On nice days, you can enjoy your meal on their greenery filled back patio or under the umbrellas by the entrance. 

Milk Market Cafe

Courtesy of Milk Market Cafe

The Milk Market Cafe has been serving their homemade food in Kinsale for over 20 years. On a street lined with brightly painted pubs and shops, the Milk Market Cafe’s blue exterior fits in perfectly. 

The cafe’s menu offers healthy smoothies made with fresh fruit, milkshakes and ice cream for those with a sweet tooth. Milk Market Cafe also serves some of the most delicious crepes around. They offer a variety of flavors like lemon and sugar, and banana and dark chocolate. 

For lunch, you can find anything from pizza made with homemade dough to local fish and chips. The Milk Market Cafe prides itself in offering vegan, vegetarian and keto-friendly options throughout the menu. 

The Flying Poet

The flying poet Kinsale
Credit: The Flying Poet

Bookworms and coffee lovers alike will surely feel right at home at The Flying Poet. This is the only cafe in Ireland where you can enjoy a bite while you read, buy and exchange books. No matter if you bring your own book, or are looking for a new read, The Flying Poet is the best place to indulge yourself in your current story while enjoying a sweet treat. 

All of The Flying Poet’s pastries are handcrafted by nearby bakeries. Their salads are made with ingredients from a local farm and served with the cafe’s homemade dressing. Enjoy delicious sandwiches like the Poet’s Sandwich, made with sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and salami, or order one of their boiled egg breakfast dishes.

Be sure to check the menu when you’re ordering because some of the menu items include a book from the book exchange shelf.

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