Mathews Tea Room

Ireland is supposed to be quaint and charming, right? It’s like the Midwest of Europe, where everyone is polite and friendly and things move a little more slowly because life shouldn’t be rushed.
This little café was exactly what I expected from Ireland. We sat outside enjoying some unseasonable warmth while a perky young woman took our breakfast order with a smile. Our coffee was strong and jolting and the simple sunny side up eggs and toast were a delicious throwback to some pre-​Starbucksian era when breakfast was an institution and not an afterthought.
If you’re wandering around Kilkenny some morning with your stomach rumbling, find this place and have a seat, you won’t regret it.