My Favourite Places for an injection of coffee!

There are probably so many other places I could write about but these are the places I came across that I really enjoyed.  I would say that most of these places are very obvious to people who live locally but if they are not then perhaps it will give you a new place to go some afternoon you want a coffee and you can go by yourself and/or take the babies/kids.

If there are other places I need to try please let me know.  I love a new place to go!

1)  Montys – Midleton– I love to go here by myself if I can escape for a lovely Badger and Dodo Coffee but I do also love to bring my eldest little girl.  She likes her Babychino and cake and I like to sit and have some time with her on her own while also enjoying a much needed coffee!   Love the style of this little vintage coffee shop, great coffee and tasty food. We love looking through the old books and the new supply of magazines they have.  It’s not huge inside so during the busier times it can be hard with a buggy but the coffee is worth the manoeuvring and always a friendly face serving you coffee. Its good in the summer to role up the buggy to the lovely outside area or take away works great too.

2) Granary – Midleton– I went religiously here after Baby Pilates on a Tuesday at East Cork Pilates Studio with Lindsay.  Baby pilates times available on the Baby/Toddler Meet up page. Although Lindsay very kindly always provided the tea/coffee and chats after class a few of us or all of us depending on the day would have a crispy chicken wrap craving (It is delicious!)  The buggy brigade would tear down Midleton Main Street and into the Granary.  Sometimes we entered with 6 or 7 buggies and the staff there were always so nice, never turned us away,  never minded the fact that we practically took over the place for a couple of hours.   I also love the free coffee top ups!  Always a bonus when you haven’t slept much the night before!  Few toys also down the back so it is handy for entertainment when on your own with the kids and trying to horse down a crispy chicken wrap!

3) Bluebells – Castlemartyr – I did Baby Massage in the Castlemartyr Holistic Centre with Collete. Classes listed on the Baby/Toddler Meet up Page and her website is http://www.allfirstaid.ie/baby-massage/  There was only 4 of us in the class and even though Colette always provided tea and coffee and scones afterwards we continued our catch up in Bluebells and it was the start of a lovely friendship between us and we have been invited to one of the girls weddings so very excited.   You can really bond over a mammy rant or 2 and cup of coffee and toasted cheese and ham sandwich!

4) SAGE – Midleton Courtyard -We moved home shortly before the Midleton Food Festival of 2015 and after walking down the Main Street on a fabulous afternoon we heard the bustle of the Courtyard and took a walk down.  The music and food and drinks were flowing and it was an amazing atmosphere.   Our families called to see where we were in no time we had family and friends sitting around with the kids enjoying the sunshine food, drinks and music.  I got that fuzzy feeling and I was so happy to be Home!  The 2016 Midleton Food Festival didn’t let us down and we spent most of the day with friends and family and babies/toddlers coming and going in the Sage courtyard enjoying the prosecco/wine/coffee and burgers.

I like this place on so many different levels.    A) It is lovely to go for a special meal from the 12 mile menu with your friend/boyfriend/partner/husband to the main restaurant B) I love it for a quick catch up with friends in the less formal but just as yummy Greenroom.  C)  The greenroom also has a kids menu so we recently enjoyed a Friday night treat under the heaters outside with the 2 girls.  D) It reminds me of some places we frequented in London and sometimes I need a bit of that even though I love being home.

5) Market Cafe – Cloyne – I have only been here once but I will definitely be back.  They have started a Wednesday morning Toddler morning which I found lovely.  Reasonable menu for toddlers and nice coffee and scones for adults!   Great little play area and my 2 really enjoyed it.  You also get a loyalty card and stamps so in time you can get a free coffee!

6) Kilkenny Shop and Cafe – Shanagarry – Nice place to sit down with babies and toddlers/kids and has space with a toy corner.  It is a is great for a browse in the shop and downstairs there is the Design Centre which is lovely for a wander.  Anne also does Ecopáistíarts Art classes which we have been to which my little one really enjoyed.  The times are listed on my Baby/Toddler Meet up page.

7) Bitesize Cafe and Bakery – Midleton – It is hard to get past here on Midleton Main street without my daughter wanting to go in for a Ginger Bread man cookie.   They are very enticing to a toddler for a treat!   Cappuccinos are tasty and so are all the lovely cakes.  It is across from Midleton library so it is handy to run across after story time on a Wednesday @ 10.  Not massive for buggies but if you can make your way around its nice for a sit down.