All we wanted was a simple, good-tasting pastry with coffee. By chance, we stopped here, trying to…read moresalvage a purchase we made a few doors down. Initially, we simply purchased a coffee here at The Butlers Pantry where we were greeted and efficiently served. A few minutes before, we stopped at the Thunder bay Bakery, literally a few doors down, and purchased what was the most awful pastry -- Dry, tasteless and served with a side of Awful Service. So, we figured if we purchased coffee here (The Butlers Pantry) we could try to wash down the lunk of a pastry we purchased at the other bakery. Dunking food usually makes it at least palatable. Alas, it was no use, we ended up tossing the nasty pastry and getting 2 more coffees here and the pastries! *************** BEST CHOICE EVER. The chocolate Croissants were delish, and fresh. The croissants were baked to perfection. There were a lot of fresh choices there and we are happy we found this to indulge in a pastry as we walked to Dollymount Strand. We still talk about the pastries here months later! They were that good and we will return when we holiday in Dublin soon!

The Butler's Pantry does have an air of the upmarket about it, so I don't shop there as a general…read morerule, but every now and then I poke my head in for a bit of a look. Sometimes this can be well rewarded - like the day I managed to pick up a delish pre-packaged but gourmet baked salmon and potato salad for half price (which made it around 3.50 and cheaper than buying a sambo). Other times it's not so great, like when you order a cute looking vanilla cupcake and bite into it expectantly, only to discover it's actually icky lemon flavour... Coffee and tea are served here, as are some delectable sweet treats, but on the downside there are no chairs and tables to eat them at. The Butler's Pantry would do well to invest in a couple of outdoor tables, to attract more bassers-by away from the neighbouring cafes in Clontarf village.

We were staying at Castle ( a few months back) and we decided to take a walk. When we came upon the…read moreThunders Home Bakery and we went inside to get a pastry or 2. The outside looks so inviting, but, from the service to the pastry, it was so awful. We needed to be served, the lady was on the phone and more occupied with the call than US. After waiting a few minutes and because we were famished and wanted to be served and continue on our walk, we turned around and headed for the door. Just as we were walking out the door, she decided to offer to help us. Not wanting to be ignorant, we turned around. We ordered, and selected 2 pastries that were cream filled in a long doughnut like crawler, having berry jam atop? We paid and then it happened.....we each took a bite and tossed it out because it was NOT at all good. YUCK is all I can say. The filling was not sweet, the dough was dry. What looked like a decadent, sumptuous pastry actually was stale and so far from savory, not even coffee could help it! Save your money really. Go a few doors down and get delicious coffee and pastries at the Butler's Pantry. The Chocolate Filled Croissants are amazing!

I would like to say that I like this bakery, as on the surface, everything about it is absolutely…read morecharming. Situated at the end of Vernon Avenue, across the road from the sea front, Thunders' setting is simply picturesque. And the shop is unbelievably quaint too - but then again, by their natures most bakeries are. However, Thunders' quaintness can be a bit cloying, as it detracts somewhat from the quality of the service. I went in there one afternoon to pick up a dessert of some description to bring to a dinner party. There were three ladies behind the counter, and I was the only customer in the shop. When I made a very simple request, one asked the other to do it, who delegated to the other, who asked the first if she could possibly... Jesus H. Christ, there's three of you, one of yez do it, for feck sake. And even though it was fairly early in the day when I went in, there wasn't a huge selection, and the stuff that was there looked a wee bit wizened (anything with whipped cream as an ingredient looked distinctly worse for wear). I don't think that I shall be patronising them in the future, thank you very much.

Awesome family-owned shop with great tasting deli sandwiches and breakfast. The owners are all…read moresuper nice and inviting.

This shouldn't be anything more than your average small newsagents, stuck in the middle of nowhere,…read moreselling fags, sweets and papers. Instead, on a sunny day it doubles up as a cosy deli and coffee shop where you can sit outside and enjoy the sun and coffee. It still has a fairly basic/Spartan fee inside, but there's something lovely about it, I very much enjoy going, even if it is just for the paper.

Great restaurant, they always make great breakfast items here…read more Range is about €11-13 for breakfast And €9 - 11 for lunch Super popular, so it's often crowded, but they are super good with their breakfast items and menu. Super recommend. They have pastries and some of them are nice, like the raspberry scone, eclair, lemon tart and lemon slice.. I enjoyed those. Their chocolate chip cookie is ok, a bit dry. They have coffee too, but il be honest, mediocre, I go for their breakfast.

Ambience. A Service. A…read moreFood. A Price. A What a lovely gem of a bistro found in the middle of St Anne's Park Raheny in the Red Stables building. Service was friendly in letting me try the soup of day as it was Apple, pear and leek soup. Very delicious and light. A varied menu with sandwiches, tarts, fresh veggie variations, desserts - hot and cold drinks as well as wine ! I had the cup of apple pear leek soup with side brown bread. Delicious on a cold day! A cup of hot chocolate made with dark chocolate cocoa as I didn't want too sweet. Perfectly prepared. And the Medley veggie salad. Of housemade beets, potatoes and cucumber red peppers. All was delicious. I tried to sit outside, just a tad too cold. So sat in the warm living room. Nicely appointed and clean. I'm a fan. I'll be back again when I'm in my strolls in this lovely park!