Catherine's Cafe & Bakery

You'll smell the bread before you see the shopfront on Meath Street – that's how you know you're onto something good. Catherine's sits right in the heart of The Liberties, drawing a steady stream of locals who've cottoned onto what might be Dublin's most honest bakery. The sourdough here is the real deal, with that proper tang and chewy crust that's become increasingly rare. Their pastries change with the seasons, but expect flaky croissants that actually taste French and scones that don't crumble into dust. The coffee's decent too, though it's clearly playing second fiddle to the baking. The space itself is unpretentious – a few tables, some counter seating, and the kind of atmosphere where you can actually read the paper without feeling rushed. Fair play to them for keeping it simple and doing it well.