The real coffee conqueror of Dublin
Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, is known as a city which is full of life and full of luck. Little did you know that it is also known for its extensive coffee scene. 3fe (aka Third Floor Espresso) is a staple of Dublin Coffee Culture and is home to some quirky cafés for caffeine fiends. Whilst on my weekend trip, I decided to go to the source of 3fe – their flagship location at Grand Canal Street, just outside the centre of the city. I’m excited to tell you all about it!
Just to give you a little background information. 3fe was founded in 2009 (on the 5th December to be exact) and it was all started by Colin Harmon at the flagship location which we visited. Colin started out as a business and legal studies graduate and thought a change of career was in order. That’s when the budding coffee lover brought 3fe into existence. Now 3fe has taken over Dublin with seven locations sprawled across the city. Maybe I should take a page from his book!
After that brief history lesson, let’s get on to why you’re here – the coffee of course.
The coffee
Contrary to popular belief, my coffee choices do extend beyond the usual cortado with oat milk. I had seen so many recommendations about the blends served at 3fe and as such, I decided to go all in and grab myself the filter coffee. This is unlimited as well, might I add. 👀
My filter coffee, as well as my friend’s flat white, were served in the most minimalist of white cups, which I think is a perfect way to make the coffee the start of the show. Sometimes, simplicity is key when you want to focus on the taste. I said it in my Weekend in Dublin post, and I’ll say it again here. This is probably one of the best blends of coffee I’ve ever had! Heck, I can’t be the only one to think that either. This coffee is so popular, that you may even see some blends skulking on shelves around the city. 3fe is even the official supplier of coffee for the Irish Rugby Team. I don’t think you can be any more iconic, to be honest.
The food
As I said above simplicity is sometimes the key when it comes to good coffee. I can definitely say that about the food too. Whether you fancy, something sweet or savoury, 3fe has you covered in their own special way. If you’re looking for something savoury, you can order something like the eggs on toast. Eggs any way topped off with the spicy seed granola and 3fe hot sauce on the side. Perfectly warming foods with that extra bit of kick to start the day. My friend demolished this in seconds!
I, myself, opted for something sweeter – the pancakes with 3fe’s own syrup. I also went with the extra seasonal fruit ‘cause why the heck not? It was just good food with no frills or fireworks but still looked (and tasted) amazing.
The vibe
The simplicity of 3fe’s flagship location is fully realised with the vibe/aesthetic too. In my opinion, this café’s aesthetic reminded me of something you would see in The Jetsons but in modern-day form. In essence, 3fe mixes the sleek white minimal aesthetic and funky futuristic lighting with bolder colour blocking that brings in the homey vibes. As you can tell, this isn’t your typical hipster coffee shop with its exposed brick and plethora of plants, and I think that is why it stands out among the rest in the coffee crowd.
If you love this vibe so much, don’t forget to check out their merch, with a collection that just keeps on growing. Don’t worry if you do forget, though. You can always have a gander online.
The verdict
In a nutshell, 3fe is an Irish icon that has already taken over Dublin’s coffee scene. Whether it be for the delicious food or the best coffee, you are surely in for a treat when you visit. If you are a local in Dublin or popping over for a quick visit, this is one spot that should be at the top of your list.
Looking for other coffee conquests in Dublin? You can check out my choices in my Weekend in Dublin!
