Hung-over from lack of sleep on my overnight flight from California to Dublin, I stumbled into my hotel, stashed my luggage, and headed immediately to one of my favorite breakfast spots, The Queen of Tarts.
Only about two blocks from my hotel and nestled in the unassuming Cows Lane, lies The Queen of Tarts which I discovered on my first Dublin visit.
On each trip to Dublin, a typical day begins with enormous scone, overly stuffed with raspberries (sometimes blueberries or chocolate). The scone, of course, is slathered with cream and raspberry jam… accompanied by a caffeine kick-start of a pot of Irish Breakfast Tea.
The Queen also serves amazing-looking full breakfasts that I admire from afar, as I’m always satisfied with my scone. It’s not just the yummy food, the Queen of Tarts has a charming atmosphere. The cozy, country restaurant is designed to perfection and makes you want to just hang out and relax.
But make no mistake, The Queen of Tarts is buzzy and popular – especially for weekend brunch. I find my favorite times to go so that I don’t feel rushed is for a late morning breakfast or afternoon tea, once things have settled down. Staff are friendly, but can get distracted with the bustling scene.
The Queen of Tarts doesn’t promote lingering – probably due to their huge popularity – and it is one of the few places throughout Ireland I found that did not offer its guests free wifi.
The Queen of Tarts has plenty of temptations, as exhibited on its counter packed with a multitude of desserts. And while it’s difficult to choose, I’m always happy with whatever I end up with.
The Queen of Tarts is tucked into petite Cows Lane pedestrian street, one of my favorite spots in this up and coming Arts District just west of rowdy Temple Bar. With each new trip I find new artisan shops popping up in the area.
My favorite Cows Lane Designer Studio, an artists’ collective, is just around the corner, along with a number of media galleries and theaters that dot the surrounding blocks. When the Cows Lane Designer Mart sets up on Saturdays in front of The Queen of Tarts, shopping and lounging is conveniently merged.
The Queen of Tarts also has pleasant outdoor seating for great people watching along Cows Lane. The cafe’s quaint ambiance is charming. And while the service can be hit-or-miss, staff is generally friendly. More importantly, the food is delicious. But I’m addicted to those decadent scones.
