Il Valentino

No, I’m sorry but no. A small soup that tastes of nothing other than potato water with a side of monocle– sized ‘bread’ for 4 Euro? Ahem, come on! That bread slice was so thin, I could’ve done my nails perfectly whilst looking through it. Anticipating that the soup might not be a big bowl, I also ordered a slice of pizza. I can honestly say it was the worst I ever had. Dry (not the ‘next morning’ kinda way) and decorated with (amongst other veg) mushrooms that weren’t even fresh, I was charged 4.90Euro for that. The prices weren’t displayed anywhere (at least not visibly) so I was a bit shocked at the till but at that stage I was still full of hope for nice flavours. Sadly, this is not the place for me although I might try one of their pastries as they looked divine. But then again, they also might cost as much as a pastry WITH coffee elsewhere.

Nice company and nice people. Especially the boy (his brother is studying in Amsterdam) that gives my grandparents the time of there life last November. Good coffee and good fresh food! The coconut cappuccino is delicious!

a bit cramped and no toilets but had a good hot chocolate here and all the sandwiches and desserts looked delicious!

Il valentino has quickly become a favorite for my husband and I. We love stopping in for their matcha latte and delicate pastries! The environment is clean and inviting. Staff is kind and quick to help if you can’t decide on what to treat yourself with. Seating is limited so its best to enjoy the fare and head out. Pricing is a tad high, but the drinks are well worth it. Do not hesitate, check out il valentino next time you need a sugar or coffee fix!

Had a quick little latte and croscant. Nice little pastry shop not to expensive and they have a good number of parties to try.

super fresh and tasty! Very crowded early in the morning, but I’d expect that from any good bakery.

Current spot for coffee+pastry. Try the matcha latte and a raspberry pastry!

Nice place to meet for a pre-​date. Like coffee and cake or something. It isn’t a place you want to spend a whole morning or afternoon, but rather make a pitstop and then move on to explore the docklands or take a walk with a friend. Coffee is so-​so, regular stuff that will tingle you coffee senses. Cakes are a bit flat in taste, so again not so much a thrill. Wouldn’t come here unless friend suggested it or I have to take refuge from the rain.

Nice. Very italian. Good varity of deserts, coffees and sandwiches. My favourite is smoked sandwich bagel (toasted). Tuna malt is bit dry (brown roll). Coffees are nice. And here’s the problem, I like weak coffee flavour where’s my boyfriend likes strong double espresso. For me Valentino is perfect, coffee is much weaker than in lolly and cooks so I’d rather eat/​drink here than there :-)

I really like this place and their coffee is my favorite. I suppose I only have one negative which appears to have been mentioned a few times below and that’s the queuing system. I (like most) usually find myself rushing to work in the morning and love to stop off and grab a coffee. It can be frustrating though to have to form the same queue as those who are getting pastries.
Would be great if something could be done to speed things up for those just wanting coffees. You sort that out and I’ll give you that 5^th star that I’m going to hold onto for the time being

Fairly standard coffee, not great really.
Didn’t have a pastry but they looked pretty amazing.

Ordered antipasto off the menu (meat & cheese) — awesome! Excellent pasta choices. We had a terrific veal dish. It’s located on a small side street in the Temple Bar area — terrific atmosphere. Staff was great. Top choice for Italian in Dublin!

I agree with most people that your pastry was good and this review would have received full score but there’s still room for improvement in the way you treat your waiting customers.
Today I visited your bakery with a friend, and while I was waiting in line (which was supposed to be right after my friend), two random gentlemen cut in before me; they were promptly served leaving me surprised. Not the kind of person who likes to start a quarrel, I let that go and continued waiting dutifully for my turn.
After placing my order of a Ham & Cheese Croissant and a Strawberry Tea Cake with an employee, I went ahead before those 2 queue-​cutters who at this point in time were waiting for their orders, and attempted to place an order for a Latte (and of course pay for my order) to which I was told to queue up by another veteran staff (who had also served my friend), implying that I was the one who didn’t wait in line. I was embarrassed and felt victimized by your staff, and it just ruined my Good Friday.
I understand that your bakery is well-​known in Dublin but please don’t let that get to your head. I hope that my experience was just an isolated incident and wish that you could spare some time contemplating with your team how you could avoid such incidents from occurring in the future.

This is a lovely bakery located right next to the water. The lines go out the door in the mornings on weekdays. There is an assortment of bread and pastries for sale, and they all look really good.
I tried the small and large strawberry fruit tarts, and I also got a chocolate tart as well. The fruit tarts are good, but they do add this glaze on top of the fruit though. The tarts don’t quite taste like the ones I really love in the United States but they are still good regardless.
The chocolate tart was just perfect though. Crust was good, filling was good, size was good. I would definitely get this one again.
They have a minimum charge of 2.80 euro on the credit card, but I’m glad that they take credit cards.

Their lunch time sandwiches are huge, fresh and all around the 6 euro mark. What’s not to like? Very friendly staff. Oh, and if you ever need a cake for a special occasion, this is your go to place.

Espresso and espresso macchiato is the best there. I also tried A Sicilian dessert which was soo good that it makes me wanna go to Sicily. My friend tried their browny but she preferred mine. The dessert looks amazing but I have to say it doesn’t taste as much as it look like.

Ventured here last weekend on my way to run by the canal. It was pretty occupied even for a saturday morning. Very good coffee and small bites/​sandwiches. Only thing was most of the good stuff was on the shelf after 9.30 am. May be I was too early.
Looking forward to visiting it this week too!

I’d give it a 5, but the coffee can be hit and miss.
Nice seating outside if you wish and lovely treats to tempt you with. I’ve not had anything savory yet, as my eyes stray to the sweets and stare at them while i decide which one I want. This one– no this one — eh no — this one here — NO– this one, ok, that one there. (you get the idea.)
They have a flour-​less chocolate brownie. Now, we all know that’s considered health food. So how can you not have one? I mean really … and its gorgeous to boot. Happy days!!! (my hubby doesn’t agree with it being a health food, but what does he know??)
Sadly, I live around the corner from here. that should be a good thing. But. Its. Not.
I have to pass it every morning, and every evening. The sheer willpower required to stay ten steps away from it is gynormous :|

Hmm so far the service has been good only 50% of the time (but I’ve only been here twice :-p); the first experience was on a weekday morning before work and the guy behind the counter was very, very impatient. The second time was Monday afternoon and the woman behind the counter was very, very patient. :-p Patience and good service are much appreciated!
Blueberry scones are delicious; ask for the wonderful blueberry jam to go with it. I wasn’t as impressed with the chocolate on chocolate cake as it turned out to be a little dry. Cappucino is not bad, but definitely needs an extra shot of espresso.
Loved the travel books on the shelf — I had a good read to accompany my coffee and cake.

My mother in law tells me that on a Sunday they sell their bread for half price… she tells me this as I am being ushered out the door and mentions that what she would really like is the large crusty swirley one and would I be a dear…
I was a dear… and while I was there I treated myself to a large black coffee and a couple of the small macaroon type thingys. It was a nice day, so I sat out and further treated myself to a quiet cigarette as well… utterly civilised and even more so when you realise this was being done under the guise of Sunday morning chores (i’d love to cut the lawn but I have to run some errands for your mother dear…)
The staff are mostly Italian and this adds to a lovely feel of something authentically foreign and well… charming I think, I am possibly seeing it through Marlboro tinted glasses but I stick by it none the less.
Not the cheapest coffee you’ll get in the city but worth every penny.