Nothing pleases me more than a good brunch spot, and one that does so with unexpected flavors and cozy atmosphere. Dublin is full of great independent cafes, but every now and again, you come across one that is an outright winner. This series of blogs is all about one local favorite, which keeps popping up on everybody’s schedules: Brother Hubbard.
You see… to me, brunch isn’t just about the food; it’s about finding that perfect space to relax and reconnect. I’ve heard countless stories about Brother Hubbard’s unique Middle Eastern-inspired menu and its reputation for flawless hospitality. It feels like they’ve managed to capture that cozy, home-cooked feel while serving up restaurant-quality dishes. I’m finally venturing out to their different branches to find out if this much-loved café truly does justice to all the hype and if the hype is justified. Here’s hoping that this café might just be my new favorite haunt in the city.
Brother Hubbard Dublin
Brother Hubbard North
My friend and I did end up visiting Brother Hubbard’s Northside shop at 153 Capel Street, and it was great. We actually came across this place while waiting to go into the Leprechaun Museum right across the street. Holding a great Google rating of 4.3 (3,956 reviews) and a 4.3 on TripAdvisor (1,364 reviews), safe to say it’s one of the best places, and those five stars are well-earned.
Despite having a queue, it was not long, and we were greeted very well and seated at a table by the lovely patio area straight away. The atmosphere is beautiful, and the restaurant as a whole is gorgeous. I also saw a man with a huge smile on his face working there, and later knew that he was on the front cover of a book. It would be nice if the staff were in uniforms, just so they were easier to spot, but that is a small thing. The service was still great; the waitress was very friendly and helpful.
The food was the clear standout. We caught sight of the menu outside and knew the menemen dish from a recent episode of Somebody Feed Phil, which was enough to get us inside! We had the vegan plate, and I have to say, even though I’m not vegan, it was the most flavorful thing I’ve ever had. The bean purée is incredible. We also had the eggs Benedict with pulled pork, and we talked about that meal all day. The homemade cola is beautiful, which tastes like bonfire toffee. My only thing I would mention is that the Mimosa was a bit too strong at 11 o’clock in the morning, which brought some laughter!
Price-wise, it’s super, super cheap considering the quality of food is amazing. We were seated, served, and out the door in 50 minutes. This was probably the best part of our trip to Dublin. I more than highly, highly recommend this restaurant! You can call them at +35314411112 or email hello@brotherhubbard.ie.
Brother Hubbard South
For my second trip to the Brother Hubbard Dublin world, I went south to the Portobello branch at 46 Harrington Street. This branch has a well-deserved 4.4-star Google ranking (1,220 reviews) and a 4.0 on TripAdvisor (269 reviews). I must say, the experience here solidified why this cafe is well-loved by the locals.
The atmosphere is great. It’s more relaxed and quiet during the week, and it’s a great no-frills, tasty meal destination. The overall atmosphere is wonderful, and the patrons, who appear to be largely locals, were very friendly; we even had a couple of them break into a conversation at the table! It’s a great lunch and brunch venue. They even have a dog welcome, and that is a super nice touch… to me at least!
I was tempted to just go round taking photos of everyone’s food for the blog, but I didn’t think that would be quite weird! We ordered straight into the big savory plates. We had the lamb dish and the brunch eggs with extra chorizo. Both were good, with really well-tasting ingredients, but the lamb was something special, absolutely delicious. The food was brought fairly quickly, and the coffee was perfect.
For dessert, we had ordered the cheesecake. Albeit on its own, it may have been dull, but the way they serve it, with blueberry jam spread over it and nuts or pistachios sprinkled around it, really makes a difference. While the cream was a bit too powdery, the overall impression and taste were just perfect. Service was excellent as well. I will definitely be back again to have a stab at some of the other dishes on the menu. If you are intending to go, booking is recommended, especially on a weekend! You can ring them on +35314411112.
Arnotts Branch
For my third stop on this Brother Hubbard Dublin tour, I went to the concession at Arnotts on Liffey Street Lower. While it has a bit more of a quick-bite feel, the quality was still top-notch. Reviews are slightly lower here, at a 3.7 on Google (70 reviews) and a 2.7 on TripAdvisor (3 reviews), but for a cup of coffee and a pastry to go, this place is absolutely great.
The staff here is just the best. They are completely chill, nice, and really friendly. A special shout-out must go to Juan and the lovely lady who instructed him on the matcha lattes; they were so warm that the experience was all the better. I don’t even live in Dublin, but every time I’m in town, I make a visit just for one of their amazing matcha lattes. They are the best I’ve had in all of Ireland!
The food here is fast, tasty, and flavorful. The coffee is excellent, but I have to recommend that you also order the peanut protein bar. It is the best ever; it is so good and even scented, actually rivaling the high-quality flavor of their coffee. If you are to come early in the morning, their walnut cinnamon rolls are simply great! I also tried the Bourek (potato, spinach, feta in filo) and the Babka (chocolate and hazelnut twist), and they were both great.
I am certainly going back to this little establishment. The food is simply wonderful, and the staff is so friendly that it is a five-star experience every time. It is also very reasonably priced (€1–10). Contact them on +35314411112.
Ranelagh Branch
For my final stop on my food tour, I went to Brother Hubbard Dublin in Ranelagh, located at 29A Ranelagh. This address is well-rated on Google (225 reviews) and has a 4.4-star rating, as well as a 3.6 on TripAdvisor (7 reviews). This restaurant was a pleasure, featuring not only a great brunch but also a great evening meal at “Yves.”
I feel so fortunate to have discovered this venue. The staff and ambience here are always top-notch. It is busy and noisy at times, especially on the weekend, but the staff is very welcoming, and there is always a good atmosphere. The great thing is that the menu changes all the time, and there is always something new to sample. I loved their French toast and their iced chocolate.
On the brunch menu, I enjoyed the Eggs Senemen, a very unorthodox dish as the savory tastes mix with a pleasant sweetness from the tomatoes… a flavor explosion! I would definitely recommend it. I would also recommend having the accordion potato side, crispy outside and soft inside, and perfectly complemented with sour cream and hot sauce. The restaurant is highly vegetarian-friendly, and I never leave in a frown.
After wonderful recommendations, we got an evening reservation at Yves with friends. The food was excellent and the service top-notch. Our waiter, Will Fielding, was top-notch, guiding us through the various combinations. We liked their BYOB facility (€10 corkage), which was an excellent evening with great friends, outstanding food, and massive portions. I would highly recommend it and return in an instant.
Verdict of The Day!
After visiting four excellent branches, the Brother Hubbard Dublin judgment is in: this is a consistently superb cafe and restaurant chain that deserves all the hype.
From the creative international flavors and first-rate hospitality of the North branch and South branch, to the perfect quick bite in Arnotts, to the seamless transition from brunch to sophisticated evening dining in Ranelagh, Brother Hubbard delivers an unforgettable experience every time. If you’re looking for creative, delicious food with a welcoming atmosphere, this is your new go-to.
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