What’s on offer?
Opened in June 2022, Bean & Batch is one of Kenmare’s loveliest cafes. Owned by Jamie O’Connell and his husband John Hallissey, a Kenmare native, it has a bit of a new England vibe, low-slung with a corrugated roof and a generous outdoor set-up: a veranda, picnic tables, and covered seating.
The day begins at 3.30am in their bakery, with fresh scones, croissants, morning pastries, cakes, and John’s mother’s famous apple tart rolling out of the ovens. Everything is ready to be delivered to the coffee shop when the doors open at 6am. The morning trade is busy, with breakfast optionssuch as overnight oats, waffles, acai bowls and sausage rolls. When lunchtime kicks in you can expect to queue, but it moves quickly.
Sandwiches range from the cult-fave “all in” to a veggie deluxe, and a full Irish breakfast burrito, with gluten-free and custom builds always welcome.
What did we order?
Egg sandwich, pork and apple sausage roll, apple tart and lemon tart.
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How was the service?
The menu is written up on a board and the cakes and baked goods are on display in a large glass counter. Orders are placed at the counter – either for takeaway, with your name called out, or delivered to your table if you’re eating in.
Was the food nice?
The egg sandwich had the kind of quality you’d associate with the wake of a country relative. White batch bread, generously stuffed with chopped egg, tomato, lettuce, and a bit of red onion for bite. Truly top tier.
There are three sausage roll options. Pork and apple won the day, with golden, burnished pastry wrapped around soft, loosely packed sausage meat. It was juicy and piping hot, with the apple chunks adding a little burst of sweetness. It came with a tangy chutney.
A generous slice of apple tart came with a biscuity crust, packed with real apple, not the puréed filler you sometimes get. The lemon tart was more of a layered affair, with a meringue top, soft lemon middle, and a sweet lemon cake base.
What about the packaging?
Everything is either compostable or recyclable. No plastic.
What did it cost?
€21.70 for lunch for two people: egg sandwich, €6.50; pork and apple sausage roll, €5.20; apple tart, €5; and lemon tart, €5.
Where does it deliver?
Eat-in or takeaway only. Open daily (except Christmas Day), 6am-5pm.
Would I order it again?
Definitely. It’s a standout cafe – warm, reliable, and genuinely good at what it does: coffee, sandwiches and cakes.
