Top 5 Brunch Places in Athlone

Located on the Right Bank of Athlone, Beans & Leaves Café dishes are simple and fresh and make a great choice for brunch, if you are wanting a hearty meal. The staff are attentive and requests for extra bread to go with crispy bacon or more hot milk for the extremely smooth coffee are no problem. Be prepared to be walking out of the door with a couple of loaves of their fabulous bread. There are vegetarian options too, including sausages but also a delicious falafel and plenty of gluten free food.

Beans & Leaves Café also has an outside seating area which welcomes your four-legged friend, so if you want a coffee in the company of Fido. With amazing views, on a warm day you could be anywhere in the world.

Close to Athlone castle, Loaves and Fishes offers great Irish cuisine including nicely cooked salmon, sandwiches and minestrone if you are hungry as well as great tasting scones and cupcakes.

This local gem is not the easiest to find, but it is just walking a short walk up Pearse Steer from the castle, then take a left under the archway before the bicycle shop into Left Bank Mall. It is a café bustling with locals, which is always a good sign. Forgo your hotel breakfast for a lovely brunch here, including as much coffee or tea as you can drink.

Service is very friendly and efficient without feeling rushed. As with other brunch places, the homemade bread is a delight, whether you have this with poached eggs or a full Irish breakfast.

This ethical, organic, community-based deli and café in Athlone is run by Lynda, a nutritional therapist and chef who cooks in a traditional way, in both style and food offering. She and partner Eddie cook what is in season and ferment, pickle, and preserve any surplus fruit and vegetables.

The upstairs cafe serves organic produce in the form of cakes, sandwiches and other goodies, which like the downstairs deli supports fair-trade and compassionate farming.

With story-telling events and acoustic gigs by local musicians, visit the café at 8 O'Connell Street, Open 10:00 to 18:00 daily except Sundays.

A classic full Irish breakfast is as classic an Irish dish as stew, coddle and colcannon. Whilst not the healthiest choice on the menu, the extensive breakfast is the perfect brunch if you’re looking for a hangover cure or if you want to fuel up for an action-packed day exploring Athlone.

At 16 Church Street, Craft Bistro is a modern and inviting establishment with welcoming and friendly staff. Craft Bistro’s full Irish includes potato farls and free-range eggs, with a vegetarian option bulked up with house greens and perfectly grilled halloumi cheese. If you don’t want the full-Irish, try its home-baked sausage rolls or fluffy American pancakes.