The Bookshelf Coffee House

Basic coffee shop serving the usual mix of coffee, scones, sausage rolls etc. Table service, polite staff. Coffee is good quality. I give this 3/5 because it's relatively expensive and most of all because the seating is uncomfortable, cramped and in need of renovation. A cafe shop should be a place you are comfortable spending time in. I understand furniture needs to be robust especially in Ireland, but a couple of cushions would make a big difference.

Food came out cold despite having to wait for it. The cheese in the stuffed croissant wasn’t melted and way too much pickle on. The table was dirty and when asked for it to be cleaned, the guy got a napkin and tried to wipe the stock jam off the table and left a mark. The cutlery was sticky. The coffee was tepid so not all that enjoyable after the long wait for food. Cramped seating also.

I sincerely value the Bookshelf. The Bookshelf in of itself is a bit of a rebel. They buy German roasted beans from the Barn. Their espresso machine "The Black Eagle," makes a consistent cup of coffee throughout the day. The staff do their best to insure that you have a memorable experience. Each time that I visit I am greeted with the same warm smiles and welcoming. They know that I have an espresso and that I am willing and eager to learn about coffee. Their brunches are amazing. The new renovations have really brightened up the place.

Atmosphere was amazing and cozy. Coffee tasted bad and burnt. Avocado toast was pricey and taste wasn’t good, the bread was so hard.. would go back just for the atmosphere.

This restaurant is a beautiful place to eat in the heart of Cork city, either if you just want to enjoy a weekend brunch or have a nice dinner out. Their menu is extremely varied and caters for most people. And every week they have a lunch special that usually brings the taste from Asia, Thailand, China, etc to Ireland. They have a great brunch menu with lovely homemade pancakes, omelettes, and avocado toast among other delicious choices. They have also the option to order homemade granola and porridge for take away so you can enjoy a healthy and tasteful breakfast while in the office or on your way to work. We are regular customers as we love the coffee and brunch there, but this time we wanted to try the new evening tapas menu. We were very impressed with the selection as there were plenty options to choose from Mexican tortilla chips with Vegan dips option to garlic prawns or jackfruit burgers. For two people I would recommend to ask for 4 to 5 tapas, and that will be plenty food. You will definitely feel full. As for the desserts the photos speak for themselves, amazing. They were so lovely we didn't know if to eat them or contemplate them. The Head chef Eli has magical hands. The price is a little higher than the previous evening menu they had, but it is worthy if you want to try something different and food was beautiful. If you want to get an idea of the food they serve, have a look at its Instagram account @thebookshelfcoffee as they are ver active there, and everything you will see it is honestly what you will find in the restaurant. The staff is so friendly you will feel like home, and they welcome you with a smile. Always. The atmosphere is cozy and warm, perfect for a date or to enjoy a casual dinner with friends.

One of my local favourites. The staff is pleasant and nice! All of them are into their coffees and when asking for recommendations they are extremely helpful and have great knowledge. You need help with your brewing? Ask the staff for some tips and tricks :)

I had their coconut porridge which was INCREDIBLE. I went back for it. It is extremely filling for me, so don't underestimate it as a breakfast option. I haven't tried their other food yet (soon I hope). Staff is nice and quick. Cute atmosphere, no overwhelmingly loud music. I like that there is seating upstairs as well, it helps divide the noise since the place is small. This is not the best place to go open a laptop and do some work for a long time, but it is a nice place to do some reading.

Super legit third wave coffee shop. Excellent latte, delicious pastries, and kind and friendly crew. No books, unfortunately. ;-) Roksana was especially helpful, and barista dude—my man, Callum—was good fun. We shall return. Thanks, guys.

The Bookshelf Coffee House in Cork offers a cozy, charming atmosphere with books lining the shelves. The staff are friendly, and the coffee is excellent. It's a perfect spot to relax, enjoy a warm beverage, and unwind. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a peaceful café experience.

Porridge was very good! Nice little place for breakfast and coffee. Hope to be back tomorrow

i loved the vibes it was a great place to sit and chill for a minute. and my cold brew in a jar was adorable

Really enjoyed my time at The Bookshelf. The chai latte was beautiful and delicious. The staff (I believe their name was Eda) was very kind and went out of their way for me by bringing my drink to me and helping me get some water. The place is super cute and great for meeting with friends or just reading a book by yourself.

I wouldn't say it's a must-visit coffeeshop but it is rather cozy. I assume it's a wonderful spot to visit on a cool, rainy day. They offer an array of coffee and teas, as well as scones and other Irish eats. I was a fan of my tea. There are a bunch of couches but it's a popular spot so you may not be able to grab one. I sat at a bar seat in the back (near the windows toward South Mall). I was comfortable but didn't stay all too long. After my tea, I was ready for a nap!

Fantastic coffee and a great bite! The porridge bowl was amazing and we can't say enough about the staff--so friendly and such beautiful service. We will be back!

Nice space, friendly staff. No sandwiches after 2:30 PM! (4/5 green stars) I wandered into the Bookshelf café around 4 PM and, after perusing their options, decided on an avocado sandwich with smoked Gubeen cheese and sprouts (€5). Alas, it turns out that they don't serve food after 2:30 PM. Plan B: tempted by the small pots of homemade jam I spied behind the counter, I opted for a scone instead. When the scone was brought over, however, it came with a little plastic container of cheap-looking generic jam. What are the pots of homemade jam used for then??!! I asked for a decaf coffee but it turns out they don't serve decaf at all, so I switched to a chai latte. The chai was nicely made, with very good foam and a sprinkling of cinnamon. The latte and scone were €5, combined. The scone, which wasn't warmed up, was decent but not exceptional - I don't think it was completely fresh. So, even though it wasn't my day when it came to food (or decaf) I think it deserves 4/5 stars because of the very friendly staff and the space itself - it has a very relaxed atmosphere, gentle music, armchairs, a sofa, and smaller space upstairs. It's not surprising that The Bookshelf is a popular place for locals to gather, and it's also a good spot to read or work on a laptop - free WiFi is available. I'm giving them 4/5 "green stars" for social and environmental impact. They only seemed to have one vegetarian sandwich option but I like that they used local cheese in it. I was disappointed that they gave me generic jam in plastic packaging when they had pots of homemade jam behind the counter. My chai was made with a mix from Drink Me Chai, a UK company that imports spices from India and in turn supports Pratham, a charity focused on teaching disadvantaged children in India to read. I'd prefer if they used a chai mix that doesn't contain milk powder (so that the final drink contains only local milk or non-dairy milk). The Bookshelf also sells resusable coffee cups with their logo on it, to help wean people off disposable cups and lids. Their main focus of The Bookshelf is coffee, centered on their use of beans from Berlin coffee roasters, "The Barn." The Barn is typical of "third-wave" roasters who take single-origin coffee beans and roasts them lightly. The Barn says they often pay more than 3 time Fair Trade prices for their beans... I do wonder about that "often" clause though. The Barn also say on their site that they don't list any of their coffee as organic because not all of their suppliers are certified organic and they don't want to discriminate against their suppliers that are not organic, but they claim that their coffee growing partners care for the planet. I'd like to see The Barn back up these claims with some more hard facts. The Barn also has odd policies in their Berlin stores (no buggies, no breastfeeding, no sugar, no milk) - they come across like they don't like women/families. Anyhoo, I won't hold that against The Bookshelf in Cork too much - they don't have anything against babies or sugar! You can buy coffee beans to go, which come in fairly eco-friendly packaging. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, contact me! (greenstarsproject)

Good coffee, nice environment, and friendly staff. I thought this place was also well priced (€3 for a nice sized cappuccino/latte). Overall a nice coffee shop to stop in after a day Cork

Bookshelf satisfied the withdrawal we were having after leaving San Diego. Super nice staff, good roast and cool atmosphere. We'll be back.

Went there for a brunch meal on a rainy Saturday morning. It had sufficient seating and the staff was quite pleasant. I had the bookshelf Benedict which consisted of Irish brown bread, shredded meat, and poached eggs with hollandaise sauce. I would say the meal was good but nothing spectacular. That said, the americano I received was quite good and reasonably priced at less than three euro. They also had Wifi which is always a plus for a traveler. The lack luster food was the reason I gave four at of five stars but the environment and the friendly staff made up for this deficit.

Chill place, nice staff, good drinks. My husband and I got one tea each and sat in the cafe until we were hungry for dinner. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. Rooibos tea is amazing. I wish I knew how to take it home, but I have not seen the tea brand (although I have since ordered it again at another restaurant). Fruit trees is quite tart, but once we got used to it, it was fine to sip on. We would definitely be back here for another chill afternoon the next time we're in town.

It was my second time there and I still in love with there chai latte which is one of the best in town ! I tried the paleo cake which was pretty good !

Great scones and really affordable. Never tried their larger breakfasts but they looked really good.

I think this is a great place to grab a coffee and chill out with a book. Good coffee, some food and comfy seats. That's all you really need for a rainy afternoon!

Decent coffee, quick service, but not super coffee or anything. My wife and I didn't have any food - but the drinks were decent.

Great spot to go for a coffee in cork ! really delicious home made blueberry scones and the cakes also looked delicious. There was a lovely cosy couch which made the visit very enjoyable and I appreciated the fact that my friend and I were allowed sit and chat without feeling like we should have left the moment we had finished our coffees!

Good coffee , friendly staff and great for a light meal! Perfect for book reading on a rainy day.

This is my favourite place in Cork so far. Coffee is amazing. But sandwiches even more. You have to try sandwich no 5, it's vegetarian, but even if you're not a vegetarian you won't need meat in it because it's just too perfect.

Little treasure in the heart of the city. Lovely spot for lunch but I love it because of the quality of the coffee. Very hard to find a coffee shop where the coffee is made well no matter who serves it and you'll definitely get this every time here. It's Irish roasted and the sizes are generous. I love the staff, they are so friendly to regulars and it's a cosy spot too, you can sit at the counter and gaze out the window.

Simply the best coffeeshop in Cork serving excellent Irish-roasted arabica coffee. Great sandwiches and pastries too .Free fast wi-fi. The friendliest staff you will ever meet.Cosy armchairs and a great atmosphere..