Cupan Tae

Such a lovely spot for tea and a sandwich! You know with a name like Cupán Tae that it’s going to be serious about tea and serious about its place in Irish culture. The sad thing about many tea-​houses in Ireland is, you can get the more sophisticated stuff but there’s a very definite move away from the Irishness of the experience. Whereas here in Cupán Tae, not only can you get a wide selection of fancy tea, you can also get a good pot of Irish tea (black, rough, needs boiling water to draw the flavour out properly) AND get a rasher sandwich. The service was lovely, really friendly and efficient. I wish it wasn’t so far away from where I live… but if I’m in Kerry, I will certainly be making a detour to Kenmare for a cuppa and a sandwich.

This new café offers a wide selection of teas but it is the vast selection of homemade deserts which steal the show. Offering everything sweet from heavenly chocolate cake to Victoria sponge, this is the place to go if you’ve got a sweet tooth (like me!). Every table is decorated with different table cloths and cups and saucers but the overly girly décor may be off putting for males!!! This quaint tea room is the perfect place for a treat and a gossip with the girls. On the down side, Cupan Tae is a small bit more expensive than other places in Kenmare.