The Arts Cafe, UCD

Had the most pathetic machine made cappuccino here as I was in a rush and I was then charged € 2.60 for it. Same price as the Starbucks on campus. I paid extra for a ‘large’ which would have fit in the small cup as it was primarily foam which all disappeared after about 5 seconds. The milk was also not fresh and possibly burnt. Most horrendous machine coffee I think I’ve even had and what’s more is that I was totally ripped off for it. Considering its on a college campus isn’t everything cheaper? Clearly not. Rip off merchants ripping into students is a joke. In the photo I have attached I hadn’t drank any yet.

The Arts Café is probably the main meeting point for any Arts student at UCD. It’s quite hard to find a reason for the attraction of this place because the selection of food isn’t that great, the sandwiches are better in 911, the coffee better and cheaper in the SU shop and the staff aren’t very friendly either but still students– and staff– keep coming here.
Well on the plus side there are a lot of seats in the Arts café and the smoothies are good. The soups are quite nice as well and they do have lovely cookies that you can’t get anywhere else on campus– a personal favorite is the macademia chocolate one. And it is pretty much in the middle of the campus, making a perfect for your study break.

This will always be called Hilpers to me, always! you couldalways figure out the new student by what they called this place, the arts café? sheesh your such a newbie! (not that there is anything wrong with newbies!
I would love toknow how much of my life i have spent in this little café, in between lectures, after the day of lectures isdone, in between studying in may (anywhere for a break from that library) i sat here wondering why i procrastinated so much with my thesis, i have gossiped in here about everything, i have skipped lectures in here on hungover mornings, Hilpers is just part of any UCD students life!
i always thought it was the most expensive option on campus and not a venue that i ever willingly chose for lunch but its still has a fond place in my heart !

The Arts Café (AKA Finnegan’s Break, AKA Hilpers) has the benefit of being at the centre of things on campus. Unfortunately that’s also it’s main drawback making it very full from the 11am coffee break until well after lunch. It’s undergone a revamp of late and now has booths as well as tables.
In addition to it’s previous provision of soups and sandwiches they’ve lately added a juice and smoothie bar, toastie sandwiches, and even a line of sushi. Sandwiches are prepacked, but they will toast them for you at the soup/​juice counter on request. Soups are generally quite good — I have a soft spot for the Tomato and Basil one, although I think I might be sick of the prepacked sandwiches by now.
Staff sometimes appear a bit grumpy, but I can’t really blame them for that what with the dealing with students all day! If you ask for anything they’re generally very accommodating. They will even let you have hot water for free if you’re buying something else.

The Arts café, located in the Newman Building in UCD is usually full of students looking for that caffeine rush to keep them awake. It has a range of hot drinks, sandwiches and snacks, all quite expensive. This café is full of coloured comfy chairs and wooden floors. It stays open late at night, and the staff are very friendly, so it makes a great place to go for coffee with friends at anytime.