Marks & Spencer

You're in the middle of a Mary Street shopping marathon when the caffeine withdrawal kicks in. Head upstairs to the M&S café and you'll find yourself in retail therapy recovery mode with a proper cup of tea and a slice of their surprisingly good lemon drizzle cake. The Percy Pig sweets at the counter might be aimed at kids, but let's be honest - you're buying them for yourself. It's not trying to be the coolest spot on the northside, but sometimes you just want reliable comfort food that won't break the bank. Their all-day breakfast hits the spot when you're dealing with Temple Bar aftermath, and the sandwiches are a step up from your average chain café fare. The setting is pure department store functional, but the staff are sound and it does the job when you need fuel between Penneys and the GPO.