Since it opened in 1927, Bewley's famous café on Dublin's Grafton Street has been an essential part of the city's life. Boasting a rich cultural and architectural heritage, its distinctive building in the heart of the shopping district has become a cherished landmark.

The Bewleys family opened the first 'Oriental Café' in South Great Georges Street in 1894, followed two years later by Westmoreland Street. With the large, bustling tea-rooms, Bewleys was the perfect place for writers to come in and observe their fellow Dubliners taking a break, meeting friends and lovers and of course, drinking tea and coffee. Brendan Behan, Brian O'Nolan and Patrick Kavanagh were three famous regulars in the '50s, although those three renowned drinkers were probably there to sober up, rather than do any serious work.

The explosion of coffee shops in Dublin over the past few decades has meant a lot of competition for these traditional cafés, and in recent years both the South Great George's Street and the Westmoreland Street branches have closed down. However, there are smaller branches dotted across the suburbs, and Bewleys teas and coffees are widely available in other coffee-shops throughout the country. Bewleys hotels, too, are going strong both in Dublin and throughout England (for more information on Bewleys Hotels, Click Here)

In March 2006, Bewleys on Grafton Street (now Dublin's oldest café) was re-launched under the stewardship of two of the country's most successful and innovative restaurateurs. The interior, including its renowned Harry Clarke stained glass windows, has been carefully restored to its former glory but the business concept has been redesigned. So, as well as a café offering trademark freshly roasted coffee and sticky buns, Bewley's now also houses two award winning restaurants - Mackerel and Café Bar Deli - and a licensed bar. There's also a theatre upstairs, running lunchtime and evening plays as well as regular music gigs and comedy nights, show-casing local Irish talent.

This eating and drinking emporium draws on the best of traditional and modern Irish cuisine, using fresh, local produce. The transformation of Bewley's, Grafton Street has now secured the future of a beloved Dublin institution.

For more information, Click Here

Bewleys,
78 Grafton St.,
Dublin 2.
Tel.: 01-6355470