Alchemy Coffee and Bookstore in Cork

Hello! This review will be written in Italian, but you can also translate it into English. This review will be written in Italian, but you can also translate it into English. Being foreigners, we didn't know that the locals around here took it so easy on Sunday mornings! So we desperately searched for a place to stay before checking in, and luckily, we found this truly unique bar. As soon as we entered, I must say we immediately noticed that the place is quite small and that it's a bit difficult to navigate, especially when it's crowded. Despite this, I didn't find it bad at all; on the contrary, once we were seated, the atmosphere was truly cozy and welcoming. We looked at the menu, which is actually a simple slip with the list and prices of the sandwiches. The price is €10 for each sandwich, and I must admit, that price initially made my hair turn grey! But the moment I received my sandwich, I fully understood the price. It's huge, so much so that it makes perfect sense that they even bring cutlery to eat it! And, above all, it was truly delicious. I don't know if it was my tiredness, my hunger, or simply the quality of the food that made the sandwich even more special, but I have to say it was one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten in my life. In the end, I considered the €10 worth it. The girls who work there were very kind and helpful. Plus, you can buy books and paintings inside, which makes the place even more special. I also appreciated the fact that it's LGBTQ+ friendly. I also really liked the logo, which I find truly original and in keeping with the atmosphere of the place. In conclusion, I think it's a very unique, characteristic place, and absolutely worth trying if you're passing through. We stumbled upon it almost by chance, and it was a very pleasant surprise!

Such a cute cafe! Great ambience and delicious sandwiches

While making our way across to the other side of Cork for a day of exploring, we stopped by Alchemy for a quick morning pick me up. It ended up being my favourite café in the city. It was a sunny weekend morning, so the place was absolutely buzzing. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by a cosy, homey interior, lively music, and genuinely friendly people behind the counter. It sounds simple, but that warmth really set the tone for the rest of the day and honestly made our morning. The food selection is fairly limited, but we were mainly there for coffee anyway. Every coffee that arrived at our table was excellent. As someone who drinks a lot of coffee, I always have respect for cafés that can make a standard iced latte taste great. On paper it’s just espresso and milk, but getting that balance right requires good coffee, thoughtful extraction, and an understanding of how the espresso profile interacts with the sweetness and texture of the milk. The coffee here was well executed, clean, balanced, and easy to drink, exactly what you want from a neighbourhood café. There are plenty of great coffee spots in Cork, but this was the one that stood out to me the most. Between the atmosphere, the hospitality, and the quality of the coffee, Alchemy is an easy recommendation and a must-visit if you’re in the city.

Great coffee and interesting venue, many books to brouse through.

Great café with some outdoor seating. Excellent coffee, delicious pastries. Very friendly service!

Both scones and coffee were outstanding. Real neighborhood feel.

You can order your coffee in Irish here, fair play to you!

My favorite in Cork--so far, anyway. After I try all the coffee shops in South Parish, I'll let you know if I find one that's better than this.

Cozy place, the coffee is very good, and the croissant was delicious. Lovely place

Cozy spot with several tables. Cortado was delicious and the sausage roll was the best I've had in my visit