Cafe Bell

Entering The Bell Café is like entering a time morph. Morphing in to an era of when a café was a coffee shop and it was ruled by granny and her mates sipping tea, eating buns and gossiping about the neighbours.
The layout is also inspired by this generation with the rounded wooden tables covered in pensioner chic table cloths, lace curtains and vintage cutlery sets even Queen Victoria would have been proud of.
Not all is vintage though. Even the grandparents have adapted to the now. A wide range of coffees, teas and tasty treats are on offer here along with a full delicatessen. Price wise it is average to its competitors. The mood is however relaxed and friendly which makes it a good place for a quite cuppa!!!

Café Bell is a beautiful, tranquil place right in the bustling centre of Dublin. Annie is right in saying that it’s well hidden and most people walk right past it without noticing it so maybe it’s a bad idea to advertise this place… but it needs to be done. The café has a nice, relaxed atmosphere and nobody cares if you sit here on your own with a book enjoying your cup of coffee. During the summer months the outdoor seating is quite nice as well and you can catch a few rays. Their coffee is pretty good as well and goes well with a nice scone. They also do soups, salads and sandwiches.

It does not surprise me one iota that I am the first to review this place, I do not mean that to be conceited! The real reason that is, is very simple; it’s hidden and you walk by it. I have been walking by it for years until last month.
I can only equate the discovery to when Mary finds the key to ‘The Secret Garden,’ you know that giddy child like feeling when you are on an adventure and have found something that only a few know about? Well this place is that.
You walk under an archway which opens up into a courtyard, Shakespearian even! I frequent this spot for my break most days.
The cliental is mainly the blue rinse brigade (senior citizens). That is because there is a church that opens up from Johnson Court into it. I don’t go here to enjoy culinary delights, I stick to tea and a scone most days. I go here because it’s hidden and it’s a time warp. Inside is a large room that is akin to your Granny’s best room that she only uses for guests. Polished chestnut floors, frilly curtains, round tables with tables cloths. The name is due to the church bell awaking every hour and adding more to it’s timeless atmosphere. It’s like the roaring twenties but obviously the roar has now been replaced with docile mumble.
A great spot to listen to silence, to chat with a good friend or perhaps to write a paper. I love the feeling of being hidden away whilst on the other side of the wall people are bustling, rushing and drowning out what’s in front of their eyes due to being in a trance from their i-pod’s… I can say that because I was that. But I found that key.