Handily - and very attractively - located between the main street and the famed Field's SuperValu car park, this riverside café at the landmark West Cork Arts Centre is well worth seeking out.
It's run by Jessie Kennedy and Billy O’Flaherty, who brought a local following when they moved here from Union Hall some time ago, and it is a delightful find for viisitors to Skibbereen.There's a lovely indoors-outdoors feel to it, with seating in the sheltered courtyard as well as the little café, and - as would be expected - an arty ambience that, together with the authenticity of the deliciously simple locally-focused food and warmly welcoming service, adds up to a memorable experience that you will want to repeat.
The sense of being immersed in local culture is very real, with impressive paintings on display - on a recent visit there was a large painting of nearby Reen Pier by artist John Kelly, destined for auction at Sotheby’s to raise funds for Cork University Hospital and West Cork Rapid Response - and their summer Courtyard Concerts are legendary.
As to the food, the menu is limited - but that's no harm when what is offered is top notch, with pride in provenace and real flavour.
Sandwiches, salads, toasties, frittata, and quiches are the order of the day, with sourdough from Fields across the square and some of West Cork's best produce to be found in, for example, a superb toasted sandwich featuring Gubbeen ham and cheese and served with a lovely seasonal salad - and the selection of cakes and pastries enticingly displayed on the counter will repay investigation too...
Drinks follow the same considered pattern - naturally produced apple juice is fom the lovely Attyflin Estate, Adare, Co Limerick for instance, while the excellent Exploding Tree Fair-Trade Chocolate is from nearby Clonakilty and excellent organic coffee comes from sustainable roasters, McCabes of Wicklow.
So, all you need for a snack or lunch - and so much more.
