Review
The Sunshine Cafe in Dun Laoghaire is just down from St. Michael’s hospital on Lower Georges Street. From the outside it looks like a sunburst, painted in sunflower yellow, and it's cheery on a cold Dublin day. Inside it’s homely and comfy, with tongue and groove running around the walls to waist height and pale yellow walls above.
Gilt mirrors and plants add atmosphere, and a display cabinet does just that with the food, not least of which is a large raspberry roulade that’s visible from across the room. As well as the seating downstairs there is an upstairs mezzanine from where you can see the rest of the cafe, and if reviewing get a bird’s eye view of the dishes as they go to the tables. They have also opened the rear terrace, and for a spot of al fresco dining on a cllement day, it's a lovely oasis.
Owner’s Siobhan Martin and Faycal Cheblie are a husband and wife team that have been here seven years and have created a strong following with their honest food and friendly atmosphere. There are goodies available from breakfast, and each lunchtime there are daily specials, as well as the daily offerings of homemade lasagne or cannelloni, a choice of quiches and an array of sandwiches, rolls and Panini. Prices are reasonable throughout, with brekkie running from €4 to €7, and lunch mostly under a tenner.
On our last visit I had a lovely piece of sea trout, simply cooked with lemon, dill and butter, some homemade sautéed potatoes and a nice green salad. The fish was perfectly cooked and a lighter tastier lunch I haven’t had in a while.
Peter had the homemade cannelloni, and this fussy adman was suitably impressed. Homemade is always best and especially when it's pasta, which by it's nature doesn't do well hanging around.
I then succumbed to a slice of the chocolate cake, while thee more abstemious chap had a scone with tea. The cake was delicious and I finished with a good coffee.
Sunshine is now open in the evenings; from 6pm until 10 pm Friday and Saturday they serve a menu based on what they have been doing best. You will find ataters such as tiger prawns pan fried with garlic, a grilled Goat's cheese salad or smoked salmon with chopped onion and lemon served with himemade soda bread. All the starters are around €6 or €7 and are nicely made and presented.
Main courses continue with the great value, and traditional fish and chips vie for attention alongside a hoome made burger, an 8oz sirloin steak (ridiculous value at €13.50) grilled salmon or spaghetti with seafood. Nothing here goes over €15, and there is a short wine list starting at €21.50, or some craft beers and cider.
The Sunshine Café does exactly what it says on the tin; good café food in a cheery setting. There are several really good cafes dotted around the suburbs, it’s just a pity there aren’t more places like The Sunshine Café in the city; I know they’d brighten up my day.
