Place on a Plate; Cafe Culture
Sit back, relax and soak up some café culture in the Boyne Valley this Summer. Is there anything nicer than a finding a few minutes in your day to sit down with a good coffee and maybe a nice treat?
Here in Boyne Valley Flavours one of our goals is to encourage chefs and hospitality providers to use more locally grown or created food and drink on their menus. The Boyne Valley is a veritable treasure chest of some of the best food & drink in the world and we believe it should take centre stage on menus across the region. With this in mind we launched our Place on a Plate initiative in 2019 which encourages businesses to adopt an ethos of offering fresh, locally sourced, seasonal food on their menu and to ensure this is highlighted to the customer.
The past 18 months have been heartbreaking for the global hospitality industry and only now are hospitality businesses beginning to reopen for outdoor dining. At this time of year we would also normally see an huge influx of overseas tourists flocking to our shores to experience the famous Irish hospitality and unfortunately this year once more they are still unable to visit so it is more important than ever that we get out and support our local eateries.
All our members pledge to use seasonal, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible on their menus so you know when you eat in one of them you are in turn supporting local food & drink producers too.
In this blog we wanted to introduce you to our café members who are all passionate about using locally produced food and drink to give their customers the best possible experience.
Earl’s Kitchen
Earl’s Kitchen is a bustling little café in the centre of Navan. Owned and run by award winning chef, Sandra Earl, their mission has always been to serve fresh and delicious high quality food.
In their cafe you will also find a large shelf packed full of lots of local food & drink including Bee Wise Honey, McEntee’s Fine Teas, Stameen Farm Apple Juice & lots more.
Simply Honest Cafe
Simply Honest Café is located on Kennedy Road, Navan and was launched in November 2019.The team in Simply Honest Cafe aim to produce healthy nutritious affordable quality food, from local ingredients and suppliers. Make sure to watch out for their daily special their freshly baked cakes and treats which are all baked in house.
Five Good Things Cafe
Located on Saint Lawrence’ Street in the centre of Drogheda this cafe serves delicious brunch and speciality Coffee with an emphasis on seasonal and local produce. While you are there a visit to the Highlanes Gallery next door is a must and on the first Saturday of each month check out The Cottage Market in St.Peter’s Church yard.
Ariosa Cafe’s Laytown & Drogheda
Established in 2003, Ariosa Coffee is one of Ireland's first Speciality Micro Coffee Roasting Company. Ariosa's values are pretty simple, to bring the very best single origin speciality coffees from around the world to their customers without any compromises.
They buy directly and ethically from growers ensuring that the care and passion that they take in producing speciality graded beans is emulated by us through our roasting method and delivery process.
They opened their first cafe on Lawrence Street in Drogheda centred followed by their new cafe in Laytown and when you visit you will be hit with the most gorgeous aroma of freshly roasted coffee as soon as you step in the door.
Teltown House
Teltown House located in Donaghpatrick just outside Navan recently opened "Cafe Tailtiú" in the courtyard. This family run business, serves barista coffee, delicious sweet and savoury treats including award winning ice-cream. In the cafe you will also find some local food & drinks on sale to bring home.
While you visit make sure to check out the extensive grounds and gardens that include Ancient ruins, burial grounds and a mystical tree. You can walk on the ancient Queen Maeve Road, and enjoy a complimentary walk around the grounds of this 17th Century Heritage home. Currently open Sat/Sun and Bank Holidays from 10am-5pm with free parking and no entrance fee.
Hogan’s Farm Café
Hogan’s Farm & Shop. “The Fresh Turkey Specialists” brother’s Fintan and Paul Hogan are 2nd generation turkey farmers, based in Kells, Co. Meath. Hogan’s Farm have been rearing turkeys for over 50 years and on their scenic farm they have run a popular Farm Shop offering their own products as well as lots more locally produced food and drink.
This year they have opened a brand new cafe set in their stunning old courtyard. Serving McEntee’s Fine Tea and barista coffee along with a selection of sandwiches and cakes all prepared on site.
Open Shop Hours Wed- Fri 10am -5pm. Sat 10am-4pm.
Scholars Townhouse Hotel Coffee Van
Pick up a coffee or iced drink and maybe some lunch or some ice cream this summer from the Coffee Van at Scholars Townhouse Hotel in the centre of Drogheda.
Headfort Arms Hotel Coffee
This summer the ever popular Headfort Arms Hotel in the center of the heritage town of Kells has opened up a new space to enjoy a coffee or delicious ice cream at the front of their historic hotel. Sit back & relax.
Sage & Stone
Sage & Stone is an award winning family owned restaurant, take away serving great tasting hearty food using the best of local ingredients in the stunning setting of a renovated farmyard.
Whilst visiting their farmyard you can sit in and be served your breakfast or lunch in their outdoor seating area of their cafe/restaurant which uses locally produced ingredients wherever possible.
Sage & Stone is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am-5pm.
Harvest Home Bakery
Harvest Home Bakery is a family-run business in Trim, Co. Meath. They bake breads, pastries, occasion cakes, homemade jams, local honey and they also stock local produce from many Boyne Valley producers.
Merlyn and James Mahon run the Bakery and are passionate about providing delicious baked goods, celebration cakes along with a sandwich bar and takeout coffee. A great place to pick up a yummy picnic to enjoy in Trim Castle grounds or along the banks of the River Boyne.
MacNamee's Tea Rooms
MacNamee's Tea Rooms are a place where you can sit, relax and enjoy a selection off over 300 loose leaf teas along with gourmet handmade sandwiches, soup, pastries, salads and light snacks. In their store you will also find lots of locally produced foods and drinks to bring home with you.
Afternoon tea is very important in MacNamees and they serve this in the traditional way. MacNamee's Tea Rooms are a small family run business where attention to detail and customer service is paramount.
Slane Castle Food Truck
Slane Castle, set in the heart of Boyne Valley, Ireland has been home to the Conyngham family since 1701. Now also home to Slane Castle Irish Whiskey, the Castle is world renowned for its world famous annual concerts and exclusive weddings & events.
This summer Slane Castle has opened a new Airstream Food Truck offering delicious takeaway specialty coffee from Moyee Coffee, yummy baked goods, sausage rolls, and amazing sandwiches!
Open Thursdays - Sundays from 10am - 4pm (Gates Close 4.30pm)
Silly Sids @ Rock Farm Market
Each Thursday at the Rock Farm weekly market you will find the unmissable Silly Sids trailers. Enjoy a delicious Boyne Valley Bán toastie or some freshly rolled Slane Whiskey Ice cream. They work closely with local producers to create new ice cream flavours so make sure to check them out.
