House of Read

4 Parliament St, Temple Bar, Dublin, D02 DP28, Ireland
+353 87 737 1690
$$$ Cafe
(207 Reviews)
Price Range €1–10

House of Read sits quietly on Parliament Street in the heart of Temple Bar, offering a classic Dublin café experience that blends cozy charm with a touch of vintage flair. This petite spot attracts a mix of locals and curious visitors who appreciate its unhurried, intimate atmosphere—a place where you can easily recharge whether you’re between errands or settling in with a book.

The café’s interior feels thoughtfully put together, with decor that nods to its historic surroundings without overwhelming the senses. A small selection of outdoor seating lets you watch the lively Temple Bar streets while enjoying your drink, making it a pleasant stop especially on sunny afternoons.

What stands out here is the attention to coffee craft, paired with tempting pastries and sweets. The cappuccinos and lattes come with a well-balanced roast, while snacks like the honey cake, macarons, and scones offer a nice complement to the drinks. It’s the kind of place where the caramel squares and peach iced tea feel like little treats to brighten your day. For those who prefer something savory, the spicy chicken baguette with mozzarella and pesto offers a more substantial bite without losing the casual café vibe.

Service is relaxed yet attentive, with friendly baristas who listen carefully to requests, making each cup just right. The subtle background hum includes soft, old-school tunes that match the vintage feel and add to the atmosphere without competing with conversation or quiet moments. The clean, well-kept restroom adds a practical plus for those who might pop in during a busy day out.

House of Read fits well into the daily rhythm of Dublin’s Temple Bar district—not the fastest place to grab a takeaway coffee, but an inviting spot to pause and soak in the neighborhood's character. It suits coffee lovers looking for quality and a bit of calm, as well as visitors keen to enjoy a cup with a sense of place. Morning or early afternoon visits seem best to catch the café at its most relaxed and less crowded.

Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Solo dining
What they serve
Coffee
Quick bite
Best for
Breakfast
Dessert
Seating
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

207 Reviews
Moira Donovan

19 Dec 2025

I stopped in off the cuff, and I grabbed a caramel square and a peach iced tea. Both were delicious. The chocolate on the caramel square was incredible. Inside, it is very cute, the decor is clearly intentional and thematic. There are also chairs outside. It’s a small place, but perfect for a quick stop, and it’s a very cute place to recharge! They also have gift items such as tea cups

Mery Grassi (Coffee shop hopper)

14 Dec 2025

What more can you ask for besides amazing coffee and scones, a truly amazing service and a chill and very coffee shoppy atmosphere? Well the oldest store in Dublin with the historical elements on a beautiful display would do the trick for me. I am returning to this city and when I do, I will go back to this amazing little coffee shop. As everyone should do!

Leona Brzezinska

10 Dec 2025

I had a coffee there(frappe) and man serving me, made it exactly how I asked him. The taste was great. Inside was really vintage alike -beautifull(as outside!) Atmosphere pleasureable and nice oldschool music was playing. Man with curly hair is a lovely and kind person and is doing a great job. I highly reccomend this place

Stefan Dosanu

19 Nov 2025

Review for The House of Read Café, Dublin I recently visited “The House of Read” in the heart of Dublin with a friend, and we loved it so much that we returned the very next day! This cozy, welcoming spot quickly became a highlight of our trip. The ambiance is perfectly set for a relaxing coffee or meal, with beautiful decor that makes you feel right at home. On both days, we tried the soup of the day served with freshly baked soda bread—so flavorful and hearty, it was just what we needed on a chilly Dublin afternoon. We paired it with their teas and a cinnamon roll that was, hands down, one of the best we’ve had. Everything was so fresh, and you could taste the quality in every bite. The staff were exceptional. On our second visit, the barista (whose name I sadly didn’t catch) surprised us with some complimentary chocolate, which was such a sweet touch and made us feel even more welcomed. The service was consistently warm, attentive, and professional, which made our experience all the more memorable. If you’re in Dublin, I can’t recommend “The House of Read” enough. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’ve found a little hidden gem, and you’ll leave with both a happy stomach and a big smile!

Brett Van Deren

07 Nov 2025

A wonderful place to grab a bite to eat and a delicious coffee. Had the spicy chicken baguette, mozzarella and pesto. Both were fantastic. Chicken was a good spicy! Service was great and a nice clean washroom.

Yourlocalveganhipster

31 Oct 2025

Very cute and surprisingly many vegan options with! The vegan Sausage roll was so good and well seasoned the only problem was the tea was labelled as loose leaved and instead we got tea bag . Still recommended for some tea and snacks

Iwona Swisulska

01 Oct 2025

Lovely cafe with amazing atmosphere. Very delicious, home made cakes. Great choice of craft pottery ,good as a gift. Very friendly and professional staff. Highly recommended

Thomas

16 Sep 2025

Very beautiful little café place in the middle of the Temple Bar district. Just a few tables, so it's quite a calm atmosphere, and the food is great. I only had two of their savory snacks so far, but they tasted great, and more than anything, the staff who took my order today was the sweetest person I've met in Dublin so far. Big smile, radiating positivity, even shared some grandma wisdom with me, definitely the type of service that makes me want to come again.

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