Plan a day trip to one of Ireland’s great garden centres – and make sure to stay for lunch …
The sun may be persistently shy this summer, but we are used to finding small pockets of joy whatever the weather. One way to brighten up a dull afternoon is a visit to one of Ireland’s great garden centres – and one with a kaleidoscopic variety of excellent food at that. Below explore a selection of garden centres with cafés around Ireland to visit this summer …
The Garden House, Malahide, Co Dublin
There are plenty of reasons to take a day trip to Malahide over the summer months and a visit to The Garden House is top of that list. From garden furniture and barbecues to pots, planters, plants, bulbs and so much more, you could easily while away an afternoon here, so luckily the in-house café offers seating both inside and out and has a great selection of both savoury and sweet, cakes and bakes for breakfast, brunch and lunch for a post-browsing pick-me-up. There are homemade soups served with freshly baked breads, meats, fish and salads all prepared with seasonal ingredients from local suppliers, plus good coffees and herbal teas. www.thegardenhouse.ie
Woodfield Café and Garden Centre, Co Offaly
They take their food seriously at Woodfield Café in Birr, Co Offaly. A place that serves dishes such as Woodfield tomatoes on Durrow mills organic sourdough with harissa hummus, pan fried kale and toasted nuts is a place that knows its food. The word on the street is that the homemade lemon cake is worth a visit in itself, so once you’ve picked up your garden supplies be sure to stop for coffee and cake. There are also pizza evenings and the café caters for customers who require gluten free dishes. @woodfieldcafe_and_gardencentre
The Orchard, Co Kildare
Another lifestyle emporium, The Orchard has not one but two on-site cafés to cater to weary shoppers. The larger of the two, The Eden Café serves all-day brunch with a selection of sandwiches available from 12-4pm. The menu consists of the usual brunch suspects (French toast, pancakes) done well, but there are also mushrooms on toast, quiche of the day and croque monsieur. The adjacent coffee bar is ideal if you want to swerve the crowds and just need a pick-me-up in caffeine form as you pick up some plants and garden supplies. www.theorchard.ie
Strandfield, Co Louth
A café? A florist? A bakery? A garden centre or a grocer? Strandfield has it all, and in spades. Go for the idyllic ambiance, the stunning floral displays, the ‘cute as a button’ farm animals or the (hush hush) foraging opportunities. But most of all, go for lunch. Go for the new potatoes, the leek and parmesan scones, the pizza or the quinoa salad with wood fire roasted vegetables. Just go. And tell no one. www.strandfield.com
Carewswood Garden Centre and Café, Co Cork
Whether you’re planning a vegetable patch, looking to fill out some sparse-looking borders or are hoping to invest in some new garden tools, the staff at Carewswood are ready and willing to share their expert knowledge. Once you’ve filled the car boot with all the supplies required, take a pause for breakfast or lunch. In its own words, the café at Carewswood is a ‘homely café’ that offers a range of freshly baked treats each day plus dishes such as homemade nutty granola and eggs benedict for breakfast. Lunch options include sandwiches with pulled ham and cheddar with onion chutney or Portobello mushroom with fire roasted peppers and gremolata. Delicious. www.carewswood.ie
The Village Deli and Café at Ravenscourt Garden Centre, Co Cork
Lunch inside or outside, The Village Deli & Café at Ravenscourt Garden Centre in Kerry Pike, Co Cork, does it all. Sweet or savoury, sandwiches in the café, cake in the outdoor area, or a take away breakfast box to enjoy at home as you tend to the garden, the options are endless. @villagedeli_ltd
Arboretum Home & Garden, various locations
With locations in Dublin (at Chapters Bookshop), Carlow and Wicklow, Arboretum is fast becoming a lifestyle destination experience in its own right. Rachel’s Garden Cafés at Arboretum Leighlinbridge and Kilquade are named for Arboretum founder, Rachel Doyle, a champion of home-cooked food. At both cafés, you’ll find delicious food cooked from scratch using, where possible, home grown herbs and seasonal vegetables. Worth a trip! www.arboretum.ie
The Plant Collector, Co Kildare
Something of a find, The Plant Collector is a production nursery (open to trade and public alike) in a stunning location that stocks everything from mature trees to shrubs, perennials and indoor plants, garden furniture, fire pits and more. Set on six acres filled with local wildlife, there is also a feature pond and a range of indoor and outdoor seating areas. The café, which is hidden amongst the plants, is an idyllic spot to enjoy some specialty coffee, gourmet food and treats while surrounded by nature and wildlife. www.theplantcollector.com
Newlands Garden Centre, Clondalkin, Co Dublin
Boasting a spacious 100 seater café and bakery that is now at the heart of the garden centre, along with lots of outdoor seating, a visit to Newlands Garden Centre is a great way to spend an afternoon browsing the vast array of plants, shrubs, bulbs and trees. In addition to the café and the garden collection, there is furniture, giftware and clothing to peruse, plus, there is a great aquatic and pet department which children will enjoy. www.newlands.ie
D&M Garden Centre, Co Limerick
With a dedicated food hall and café, D&M Garden Centre in the village of Croagh, near Adare in Co Limerick has been feeding gardening gurus for over 25 years. The dishes at this café are deeply rooted in tradition and made with fresh produce sourced from Irish suppliers, and small scale market gardeners. Inside the food hall, you will find a great selection of artisan food and wine. Plus, it’s dog friendly, so everyone can enjoy a day out. www.dandmgardencentre.ie