Good with food

‘We don’t have a freezer,’ boasts Cormac Kenny, owner of Smock Alley Café. ‘We make absolutely everything here fresh and totally organic each day.’ From the bamboo floor (easier to regrow than hardwood) and recycled furniture to the natural paints and low-energy lights, everything here is testimony to Cormac’s enthusiastic commitment to sustainability. He’s also determined to make the café a part of the community and – unlike most eating establishments these days – a place to spend some time: the walls are given over to local artists; parents will enjoy the baby-changing space and ample room for strollers; there are tango classes at the weekend; and a regular guitar player in the corner helps to keep a buzz about the place. The super-simple menu comprises one sensational soup and savoury tart each day, bolstered by a few cakes and sarnies.