The cheery red paintwork on Ann Conaghan and Mary Breslin's neatly presented coffee shop and the sight of happy customers relaxing at window tables is enough draw you in - and, even if you're only very slightly hungry, you'll be glad you did.
It's cosy and comfy and interesting, with a mouthwatering display of homemade food at the counter and the great buzz of being at the centre of local activities. They may have started up here in recession, but it's a great little spot and it's no wonder they soon built up a loyal clientele.
Maybe it's because, as Ann says herself, "We work hard, aiming for high standards in food quality and service; we expect these things when we go out to eat so we aim to provide them in Mrs B’s."
And provide them they most certainly do, most obviously in the selection of freshly baked bread, scones, cakes and desserts that catch your eye as soon as you go in. These are quite rightly a point of pride and, taking the cake selection alone, there will be nine or ten each day - and that's not including the tray bakes.
Everything is made freshly on the premises and, while perfect to catch up with friends over a cuppa and a scone, it's a popular place for a bite of lunch. Given their location in Ireland's biggest fishing port it will come as no surprise that seafood chowder is a speciality, and many customers come here specially to enjoy it with some of their lovely freshly baked brown bread.
The selection of hot lunch dishes will always include something wholesome for vegetarians too, and you don't have to be a vegetarian at all to enjoy their classic red lentil and vegetable nut loaf.
It would be hard to leave without buying a few treats to take home - brown bread and scones are available daily, and some local artisan products such as preserves are also offered. Cakes can be made to order too, given at least two days notice. But make sure you have plenty of cash though, otherwise the no credit card policy could limit what you buy.
All round, Mrs B's is a brilliant little place, and well worth seeking out.
