With its colourful display of fresh local produce around the doorway like gleaming fruits spilling out from a classic cornucopia, Siobhán Lawlor’s tiny shop in the pretty village of Gowran is a treasure trove of good things for food lovers.
Look out for the smart little canopy over the door and bright red Illy coffee sign in the window and, if you pass it, as we did the first time we visited, stop and go back – you’ll be glad you did.
Inside, baskets of home-baked breads and other baked temptations (including gluten free) catch the eye, and there’s a deli counter offering delicious salads, savoury tarts and handmade cheeses.
Not an inch of space is wasted and the floor to ceiling shelves are tightly packed with all the very best of Irish artisan products along with some carefully selected speciality foods from further afield.
There are also sandwiches and wraps to go (along with freshly brewed coffee), and gift hampers can be made up to order. What a wonderful little spot, brimming with the vitality of a passionate owner who is dedicated to showcasing the very best of local, seasonal and artisan Irish foods.
Don’t miss it.