Weekend Eats: These Are The Best Places To Eat Brunch In Leinster Right Now

As part of our Weekend Eats series, we’ve scoured the country’s best eateries and created an exhaustive – and extensive – list of Ireland’s best brunch spots.

In this week’s edition, we’re finding out the best places to chow down in Leinster.

Ashbourne

The Donkey Shed

Newbarn Farm, Ashbourne, Co Meath

newbarnfarm.ie

Be there before 12pm, because that’s when brunch is dunzo at this open farm outside Ashbourne. Local produce is used to create menu items like the Newbarn Mini Grill, laid-on-the-farm eggs , French toast and the Donkey Club Special, a breakfast sandwich with the works.

Athlone

Beans and Leaves

Lloyds Lane, Athlone

facebook.com/beans.leaves

Soakage is the name of the game at this Athlone cafe: all-day short and tall pancake stacks, southern fried chicken sandwiches, smoked haddock fish cakes, waffles, wings, the full Irish and lots more are on its weekend menu.

The Corner House Bistro

Dublingate St, Athlone

cornerhousebistro.ie

Saturdays only and the menu says breakfast, but relax, there’s enough here to satisfy a dedicated follower of brunch, like sweet or savoury crepes, portobello mushrooms and of course, the requisite full Irish. Phewsies.

Drogheda

Eastern Seaboard Bar & Grill

No1 Bryanstown Centre, Drogheda

glasgow-diaz.com

Brunch is on offer both weekend days from 11am to around 1.30pm, and given the Eastern Seaboard’s foodie rep, it’s raved about. Eggs Benedict with ham hock or smoked salmon, apple monkey bread and moreish cocktails are all on tempting offer.

Kilkenny

Mug Shot Cafe

25 James Street, Kilkenny

mugshotcafe.ie

The Sunday Brunch Club takes place weekly from 11am – 4pm and means indulging in meaty offerings as well as vegan and vegetarian-friendly choices like the wholesome vegetarian breakfast, organic porridge with apple syrup, granola and the Power Loaf, a seed and fruit bread.

Portlaoise

Forty Main Street

40 Main St, Portlaoise

facebook.com/FORTY-Main-Street

Unless you’re a very early riser, it’s pretty much breakfast at Forty Main St, as service ends on weekends at 12pm. Expect eggs Benedict, great big fry-ups and pancake stacks. STELLAR readers rave about it, so the next time you’re passing through, go!

Mullingar

Miller & Cooke

50 Pearse Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

millerandcook.ie

Acai bowls make the offering different here and there’s also a bakery and speciality food hall on site. Traditionalists, relax: all the on-the-reg options including a veggie plate are on offer too. Warning: brunch ends at 1pm on Sundays.

This article first appeared in our September issue. The November issue is on shelves now! 

• brunch
• eat
• food
• Restaurants
• Weekend Eats