The Best Bakeries & Coffee Spots in Dublin (Your Mornings Just Got Better)

I'm Courtney, Founder of Dublin Heritage Tours, and I have a confession: most of my research mornings involve a flat white and something made of at least 40% butter. It's a hard job but somebody has to do it. Dublin's bakery scene has gone properly mad over the last few years, in the best way, and these five are the spots I send people to when they ask where a good morning starts. Bring an appetite - and maybe a second stomach.

1. Banco (Stoneybatter)

The newest kid on the block (opened June 2026) and already the worst-kept secret in Dublin. Banco is the bakery and coffee counter from the legendary team behind Dublin's best Italian restaurant - Grano, built around the Italian idea of grabbing an espresso and a pastry al banco, meaning standing at the counter. Expect biscotti and pistachio pastries that look almost too good to ruin, plus decadent focaccia and pizza bianca sandwiches at lunch. They open early (7:30 AM) for the breakfast crowd, so this is your spot before a morning wander around the city.

Don't miss: A crumbly sbrisolona (one of my favourite sweets from the Veneto region in Italy) and an espresso macchiato taken standing up, as nature intended.

Local tip: Go early. Stoneybatter locals watched this place being built for months and they'll be there before you. Click here to view the location. Closed on Mondays.

2. Elliot's (Arran Street East)

The cleverest bakery in the city, no notes. Elliot's is the little sibling of Oxmantown, named after the founders' son, and the menu changes with whatever the bakers feel like conjuring up for the season. There's always cracking sourdough and a Basque cheesecake worth crossing town for, but I highly recommend ordering the seasonal specials - like this recent fig & honeycomb pastry I devoured below. The coffee's excellent and there are a few tables here, unlike the original Phibsborough spot.

Don't miss: The almond croissant might be the best in the city. If you like matcha, they make a proper ceremonial grade matcha latte, usually with delicious seasonal syrups.

Local tip: They sell out fast, especially weekends. Treat 10am as the last bell, not the start of the day. Click here to view the location.

3. Bread 41 (Pearse Street)

The granddaddy of Dublin's bread boom, going since 2018 and arguably the reason half this list exists. Head baker Eoin Cluskey works with organic flour, and you'll walk in to a wall of crusty brown boules: country white, whole wheat, malt loaf, oat porridge, the lot. The morning buns have a cult following and the queue is part of the experience, so just accept it and chat to whoever's beside you.

Don't miss: A morning bun while it's still warm. Life-changing is a strong word, but I'm using it.

Local tip: Pop in on your way to or from a city centre walk. It's a five-minute stroll from Trinity.

Click here to view the location.

4. Scéal (Dublin 8)

Scéal means "story" in Irish, and theirs is a good one: it started as a humble market stall in the Fumbally Stables and grew into one of the most exciting names in Irish baking. They're now back in their home patch with a permanent spot on the South Circular Road (right around the corner from me!) turning out pastries so pretty they belong in a gallery. This is the Dublin 8 stop that makes you feel like you've found something before every other visitor did.

Don't miss: They don't put a foot wrong with any of their offerings, but I am desperately addicted to their everything cruffin (pictured above - for a savoury option) and their cinnamon morning bun (for a sweet option).

Local tip: Pair it with a stroll around the Liberties. You're in the oldest, most characterful part of town here!

Click here to view the location.

5. No Messin' (at Proper Order Coffee Co, Smithfield)

The sibling of Proper Order Coffee, sitting in a bright, roomy space just off Smithfield Square. The coffee takes top billing, with a rotating cast of beans, but the pastries hold their own: morning buns, blood orange Danishes, sun-dried tomato and hot honey focaccia. There's almost always room to sit and linger.

Don't miss: Their focaccia is truly world-class, and I'm married to an Italian so I have good authority. If you're here around winter, their buttery mince pies are legendary.

Local tip: Smithfield is one of the city's most underrated squares. People usually drop in for the Jameson tour and leave, but the Light House Cinema is wonderful if you want to catch a film and the Irish Linen House is one of my favourite shops for visitors looking for unique gifts.

Click here to view the location.

Happy munching!

If you want to walk off the pastries afterwards, that's literally my whole job. Come find me on a tour and I'll show you the rest of the city, snack stops included.

xx Courtney