The Pig and Heifer

You'll find this spot tucked along Pearse Street, where the city centre meets the Grand Canal Dock area. The name might sound like a gastropub, but this is very much a proper café that takes its coffee seriously and doesn't mess about with overly fussy brunch fare. The menu leans into hearty, satisfying plates that actually fill you up – think proper rashers and black pudding rather than tiny Instagram portions. Their coffee game is strong too, with beans that taste like they've been chosen by people who actually drink the stuff. The weekend opening hours (10am starts) show they understand their clientele: this isn't about grabbing a quick espresso on the way to work, it's about settling in for a proper weekend feed.