First it was chocolate and and now it's ice cream too - what is it with these sweet treats that we can't get enough of in Ireland? Whatever it is, it's good news for small producers with an eye to scaling the heights in terms of quality, innovation and customer friendliness, and we (and our visitors) have been lucky enough to see some exciting new developments in recent years. Hansie's Ice Cream in Cashel is an especially charming example, adding to the growing cluster of outstanding food and hospitality venues that make this historic little town well worth a detour off the motorway, whether or not you're hankering to climb the magnificent Rock of Cashel.
An imaginative reinvention of the Matthiae family's much-loved Café Hans, which closed during the pandemic, Hansie's has a cosy nostalgic ambience that's very different from the clean-lined modernity of yore. But it's comfortable (bare tables but good chairs) and the same high standards of deliciousness are at the heart of its short but irresistible menu. And everything - from the cheery black and white cow out on the pavement that beckons passers-by through the door, to the memorabilia and the display of freshly baked cakes and cookies that greets you once you get inside - will bring a smile to your face.
Simplicity is key to the success of this little gem and, as Hansie says, they've always made their own desserts and ice creams, so the new direction was an easy choice. As well as those tempting home bakes, a blackboard lists the options - which include milk shakes and teas as well as a range of coffees - and then of course, there's the icecreams...Not a big range at any given time, but like everything else it makes up in flavour anythng that might be missing on choice and, along with classics like vanilla (always hard to beat) there will be some surprises - coconut fans will love the coconut and white choclate combo, for example - and affogato is one of the delicious options on the coffee menu.
Next door, the original Chez Hans is still going strong with Hansie's brother Jason at the helm, and it's an evening restaurant so its handy parking area is available during the day for Hansie's customers. And Hansie's is perfect for that quck break from the Dublin-Cork road - one for the SatNav.
