The Garavogue river sweeps past this bright and airy café in the centre of Sligo town and the floor to ceiling glass frontage makes it a delightful spot for coffee (organic and fairly traded) or a more substantial meal.
Run by Brid Torrades, who is a leader in the Euro-Toques and Slow Food campaigns for better food, and well-known for her ardent support of local organic food and small producers, the food here has immediacy and real depth of flavour; breads and pastries from Brid’s bakery at Ballinafad are a speciality, also Irish cheeses and charcuterie.
Osta begins every day with a very local breakfast (and a vegetarian option is offered) but it is perhaps best known for its Saturday and Sunday morning brunches, when many of the breakfast favourites are served along with a range of other dishes and home bakes - and, for many, it's nothing less than a weekly pilgrimage in order to linger over their famous pancakes and an excellent cup of barista-prepared coffee.
Later menus include modestly-described soups which are very good indeed and come with home-made brown bread, quite complex in flavour and with a nice texture. Knockalara cheese & spinach quiche is a speciality and other interesting options include Tullynascreen herb goats cheese with roasted vegetables & salad sandwich, and an exceptionally fresh and crunchy chicken and toasted almond salad with a light creamy dressing.
Daily specials chalked up on a blackboard include paninis and wraps - usually with a bit of a twist, such as chicken with jalepeno relish and cream cheese. And it would be difficult to leave without sampling something from a spectacular array of home-made cakes including coconut muffins, almond croissants, raspberry tarts, cream sponges and, of course, another famous dish - the famous Bakewell tart.
A small bar area makes a good spot to sip wine from a well chosen list (all 13 offered on the café menu are available by the glass) and tapas are also on offer in the evening.
*Osta Cafe Counter is open Tue-Sat at The Model, Home of the Niland Collection, The Mall, Sligo.
