At Wild N Happy, we love a good cafe and that’s one of the reasons why we love Killarney, the home of cozy, tasty cafes! Here is a guide to help you manoeuvre your way through the many options Killarney has to offer. There surely is something for everyone.
Killarney Town Center
Noelle’s Retro Cafe
Noelle’s Retro Cafe is a favorite to locals and travellers alike because of its quirky, quaint vibe and delicious coffee and treats. Tucked into a quiet alley, this cafe serves up a delicious variety of homemade goods from artisan sandwiches to decadent cakes. They even make their own butter! With plenty of tables and nooks to read in, Noelle’s provides a cozy welcoming environment. The garden patio in the back adds that extra sugar and spice for those lovely, sunny days.
Jam
Started in 2000 by Jame Mulchrone, this cafe has grown popular by its delicious baked goods and tasty lunches. Every morning the Jam crew starts baking around 5 am to ensure there is fresh, baked-to-perfection goods before the cafe opens at 9 am. The cafe is large and spacious inside and offers reasonable prices on a variety of healthy, quality lunches. They often sell out of their pastries and breads, so be sure to get there while the goods last! This cafe is located on the same alley as Noelle’s in the center of Killarney town.
Petit Delice
Originally started in Cahersiveen, Petit Delice expanded into Killarney and rightfully so because every person needs to experience the brilliance of Petit Delice. Delectable buttery croissants, plush doughnut balls, and rich fruit tarts that add a bit of pizzazz to any tea party. Petit Delice is your answer to every sweet tooth craving you’ve ever had. The bakery was started by the experienced French Patisserie Chef, Monsieur David Aranda. Monsieur Aranda uses the freshest, local ingredients he can find and he even makes his own yeast for his pastries. Aside from the baked goods, Petit Delice also has an international coffee selection that will delight your taste buds, especially the one from Guatemala.
Lir Cafe
This place is almost always bustling with locals meeting up for a chat or tourists stopping for a hot chocolate to warm up. Lir Cafe is what I like to call the “late night” cafe. It stays open until 9 pm and they have wifi making it a wonderful place to do some work on your lap top. Lir specializes in delightful chocolates and a killer iced chocolate drink that is worth it even on a cold day. Right in the center of town across the main roundabout, Lir is super convenient and welcoming place with a “mi casa es su casa” vibe.
Just a hop, skip, and jump away from Killarney
Dinis Cottage Tea Rooms
Dinis Cottage is unique in that it is only reachable by walking, cycling, or rowing. Built over 200 years ago, the cottage was built by the Herbert family of Muckross House as a hunting lodge. Since then, this cottage has taken on a new role as a place to stop for the perfect, tasty treat to add that extra something to your day out in Muckross National Park. This cottage has lots of outdoor seating, a vast array of cakes, and plenty of tea and coffee to keep your energy up. The cottage can either be reached by traveling along the Muckross Lake Loop or for the more adventurous, by rowing across Lough Leane from Ross Castle.
The Strawberry Field
This pancake cottage known as “the biggest little treat in Kerry” packs a lot of punch in its extensive pancake menu. This seems a bit random, but aren’t the best things in a life a bit unexpected? Margaret, the woman behind the pancakes, has her own secret recipe and tops them with the freshest, local ingredients she can find. The cafe is decorated with lovely paintings and strawberry decor and hands down wins the “cafe with the best views” award as it sits overlooking the mountains surrounding Killarney.
Cooky Monster Cafe
As if the name isn’t enticing enough, the Cooky Monster Cafe will live up to everything you are imagining in your head. Located in Bridia Valley in Glencar, this cafe is worth the drive or walk. This hidden gem is run by the lovely Sandy and John and provides a very warm, welcoming environment filled with lots of delicious home-cooked food including to die for chocolate chip cookies, delicious soups, sandwiches, and refreshments both adult and child friendly. Not to mention, the cafe is also coeliac friendly! It is located along the Kerry Way and also offers camping or a B&B stay if so desired. If you are driving, it’s only about a 10 minute drive off the main Glencar Road.
These are just a few of the many wonderful cafes in the Killarney area. Now go experience them for yourself!
~Tara