I had heard a lot about Brother Hubbard a café on Dublin’s Capel Street, all of it good, but I had not sampled even a cup of coffee there before this weekend
The café’s location is a little west of Dublin’s central axis, however Brother Hubbard is, I think, so worth a detour if you have no other reason to visit the Capel Street area. I drove into the centre of Dublin on Saturday and when I arrived the city, which was on bank holiday time, was still and was just starting to spark to life. I parked in Ely Place, a spot where incidentally I always find a parking space no matter what time of the day I seek it, and from there I walked to Brother Hubbard. It’s a pleasant walk past some of Dublin’s iconic buildings and I arrived at ten just as Brother Hubbard opened, so I had the place to myself but only for the briefest time because by ten fifteen the café was thronged, surely a good sign.
When I went through the door my first thought was: oh what a cool and stylish space. The café had a recent revamp by Designgoat and it’s modish in a restrained and tasteful way, it has: a high ceiling; deep-ish grey walls; chic wooden tables and stools; a wooden floor in a between dark and light tone; enlivening shots of primary colours here and there; stylish lighting; and an outdoor courtyard space which doubles as a seating and food growing area.
Brother Hubbard is and independent owner-run café and its website says: ‘Our focus is to do a good job, serving people simple, good food and drinks that they can enjoy, and that we can enjoy making and serving. Our menu is simple and small – so we can try and make things the best they can be.’ That sounds to me like a pretty good food philosophy and a sure-fire recipe for success.
I ordered from the brunch menu which is served from ten to four thirty on Saturdays and I feasted on Moroccan-style semolina pancakes served with a sweet ricotta crème, summer berry & rose compote and topped with a hazelnut-almond praline. I enjoyed the pancakes hugely, I didn’t try to analyze the individual elements but the flavours melded together beautifully and the whole was divinely delicious. The flat white with soya milk that I had after the pancakes was also excellent.
Breakfast at Brother Hubbard is by far and way the best morning meal I have had for some time: I have mentally bookmarked the café as a must-return-to spot.
Brother Hubbard is at 153 Capel Street: web address – http://brotherhubbard.ie/
Just Add Attitude 
Sounds like a delightful place for breakfast or brunch! The baked items look to die for 🙂
Yes, it is a good spot. I didn’t sample any of the baked items when I was there but they did look good. Next time! 😉
Everything looks and sounds wonderful, especially those pancakes. What a great find.
The pancakes were so good, I hadn’t eaten Moroccan-style pancakes before so I looked up some recipes when I got home and I might make a batch. 😉
Delicious. I like the look of those pancakes.
They were so good. I am often disappointed when I order pancakes for breakfast but these were special. 😉
I love the space and… the pastries! 🙂
Very nice reporting as always complemented by pleasing illustrative photography.
Hope all is well, dear B 🙂
Have a nice week!
Thank you so much Stefano. 😉
All is well thanks and I hope it is too with you and the gang and that you all have a great week. 😉
The more I read on your blog about Dublin the more I want to visit!
Thank you and I hope you get to visit Dublin sometime soon. 😉
I like their sign, this is the cafe you’ve been looking for…clever.
I like their sign too! It’s a great strap line ….
That mouth watering pancake makes me nostalgic for the wonderful breakfasts cooked by John Sheedy in Sheedy’s Lisdoonvarna!!
G xxx
Hi G, hopefully you will get back to Lisdoonvarna soon to sample again the breakfast you like so much. Breakfast/brunch is my favorite meal to eat out. B xxx
Lovely place. I’ve never been to Dublin. One day…
I hope you make it ‘over the water’ one day. Thanks so much for your comment.
Looks like a really lovely little place. We need more of those and less of Starbucks…
So true. I love independent coffee shops and I try to avoid Starbucks when possible.
What a charming looking place — and the food looks truly drool-worthy! 🙂
So true those pancakes were drool-inducing before I tasted a single bite. 😉
I must make it to Dublin, for all that’s sacred. *blaming myself*
I very much hope you make it Dublin one day. 😉