Metro Cafe

Metro Cafe has been holding down the corner of South William Street since 1996, and it's the sort of place that feels woven into the fabric of Dublin. The idea was to create a café with the atmosphere of a Dublin pub in a bistro setting, and they've nailed it — there's a hum to the room that's hard to manufacture, especially on weekends when every seat is taken. The all-day brunch is the main draw: the Mighty Metro breakfast is the thing to order if you're hungry, and the buttermilk pancakes get name-checked again and again by regulars. The menu is broad enough that you can come for a quick coffee and granola or settle in for a proper dinner with wine.

What makes Metro work is that it doesn't try too hard. The building — a former coach house from the mid-18th century — has character without being precious about it. You sit at small tables, look out the window at South William Street's fine architecture and passing crowds, and it just feels like Dublin. On a sunny day, grab one of the outdoor tables in the shade; they're tiny and there are only a couple, but that's part of the charm. With nearly 1,800 Google reviews at 4.3 stars, this isn't a secret — expect a wait at peak times, especially weekend brunch. Go early or go late, but go.