Bloggers Recommend: Mummy Maps

This week, our Bloggers Recommend tips come courtesy of Kate from MummyMaps.com, a new Irish website for parents.

About MummyMaps

MummyMaps.com is a new website and email newsletter for parents in Dublin. MummyMaps.com reviews the best spots for foodies, fashion mavens, gadget gurus, and shop-a-holics (who just happen to have offspring.) As the name implies, MummyMaps is map-based, providing readers with a map to help them navigate all the offerings recommended. Each and every location recommended by MummyMaps has been visited and vetted by the editorial team – helping time-pressed parents decide how and where to spend their money and time.

Kate’s Favourite Cheap Eats

For a rainy day:

The Sugar Tree Cafe, Avoca Handweavers, Kilmacanogue

Go Southbound and rediscover the recently renovated Avoca Handweavers in Kilmacanogue. The beautiful and extensive refurbishment was completed last summer and the cafe reopened as the Sugar Tree Cafe.

It boasts a spacious room with tons of seating. The cafe’s menu includes sweet and savory Avoca favourites. The kid’s meal special – usually spag bol, a drink and any biscuit (try the yummy chocolate chip cookie – it’s the size of a small child’s head!) is good value, especially because you can be sure they’ll eat it! The portions are really generous, unless someone’s ferociously hungry, you can split the meals and still walk away sated. For a family of four, the children could easily split their meal and if the adults do as well, you can have a lovely, relatively stress-free lunch for a little over €20.

Cheap tip: With your bellies full, take the short drive to Glendalough. Stroll through the grounds and let the kids enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous, relaxing surroundings. Entrance is free.

Milano’s

Yes, it’s a chain restaurant and that in itself causes some to recoil, but it’s worth a look because they have truly mastered family dining.

They’ve broken up their regular kids meal into four parts; a starter, main entree, dessert and babyccino. It’s genius! The spacing of the meal buys you enough time to polish off your food – and tiramisu in peace. They also offer organic Plum baby food and a supervised play area (at their Dawson Street and ISFC location) on weekends. It’s a perfect place to go with another family, have a glass of wine, and let the kids play. Couple this with reasonable pricing and it’s a bargain – not to mention, a great day out.

Some sunny day options:

Olive Delicatessen & Cafe Bar

Foodies are flocking to taste Olive Delicatessen & Cafe Bar’s delectable paninis, pastries and er, olives. Located in Skerries, the small cafe welcomes children. Ideally, snag a table outside on the heated front patio. High chairs and toys (not to mention woolly blankets!) are on hand. Even better, pack up your picnic basket full of goodies from Olive and head to nearby Ardgillan Castle – an absolutely magical playground – and make everybody happy.

Roly’s Cafe & Bakery

Roly’s Bistro may be your fav place for a special, splash-out meal, but there’s no event so important that it’s worth the looks of disdain for bringing your 18 month old along. Have no fear, Roly’s has expanded their offerings via Roly’s Café & Bakery where you can pick up takeaway sandwiches, pastries and other specialties. Pop in and grab some grub to go and then head across the street to Herbert Park’s playground to entertain the pip-squeaks.

The Cake Cafe

Housed in one of the most sustainable buildings in Dublin, is The Cake Café. Truly an urban paradise, this café is nestled down a little lane (or if you’re in the know, walk through the back of the Daintree Paper shop) Cloaked in bamboo, the café’s terrace is the perfect place to escape bustling Camden Street for a secret cuppa. The enticing menu has some children’s options. Visit on a nice day and sit outside, so the kids can potter around the spacious terrace while they wait for their beautifully decorated gingerbread cookie or homemade cake. The inside is quite small and really would not be suitable for kids (even if they are lovely and nice.)

MummyMaps Wishlist:

BBQ joint: We’re talking pulled pork sandwiches, baked mac & cheese, jumbo barbecue chicken wings and cornbread. Messy and wonderful.

Italian bakery: Cannolis, biscotti, tiramisu, Napoleons and traditional Italian cookies sold by the pound. Delizioso!

Free refills: Some mornings you need the filter coffee to keep coming. Fill ‘er up.