Alma — Restaurant in Dublin

I'm really 50/50 about this experience, and I think I'm speaking on behalf of my friends too – because we genuinely loved the food. It was exceptional. The coffee was okay – I mean, Ireland generally knows its coffee, and it's rare to find a place where the coffee isn't at least decent.

That said, a few things really took away from what could’ve been a great visit.

I arrived about 10 minutes late, while my friends were already there. I ordered my coffee right after arriving – and repeated my order three times just to be clear. Still, the barista tried to hand me an Americano a minute later. I assume it was very loud in the café, so I can understand that she might not have heard me properly.

However, after we ordered our food, it arrived about 15 minutes later – but I was still waiting for my coffee and the orange juices that I and one of my friends had ordered. I only got my coffee once I had already started eating, even though several guests who came in after us received their drinks much quicker and as a group.

Then, the part that really disappointed us: while I was still eating, we were handed the bill and asked to pay right away. We'd only been there for about an hour total – including the time we spent waiting for food and drinks. People were waiting outside for tables, sure – but is it really acceptable to rush out paying customers who are clearly still eating?

To make matters worse, the two guests seated behind us had arrived before us, had finished eating, and were calmly enjoying their second coffee without being asked to pay. Another group outside, who had also already eaten, were still being served dessert and were left undisturbed. So why were we singled out and rushed?

We had planned to order dessert too and enjoy a relaxed morning – not to feel like we were in some kind of military dining hall. I’ve worked in cafés myself and know how busy and hectic it can get, especially during peak hours. But we had a reservation, and at the very least, guests should be given around 90 minutes to enjoy their meal without being made to feel unwelcome. It's basic hospitality.

I didn't even finish my coffee – it was still warm when they began clearing my friends’ plates. We all agreed: no matter how good the food was, we won’t be returning.

Even in small, packed cafés in Germany – or even in much less affluent countries – it’s normal to inform waiting guests about the expected wait, and they’ll either come back or wait outside. Some places even take drink orders in advance to make the wait smoother. That’s good hospitality.

This wasn’t the first time we felt rushed in Ireland, but I truly hope things will improve – because experiences like this can really ruin what should be a...

PREVIOUS REVIEW: Overall very disappointing. We heard many great things about this place and we did not experience any of it.

Ordered two flat whites with a pan au chocolate special. The coffees were not amazing very basic. The pastry we ask for was the white chocolate drizzle but instead got the dark chocolate one. Went back and swapped it to the one we asked for initially.

After coming out and taking a bite it tasted funny so turned it over and lo and behold the bottom was completely burnt. As seen in the last picture. So again we walked back and got something else.

Overall for the prices they charge we did not feel the food/drink or experience was worth it.

UPDATE:

After leaving the previous review, we were contacted by the Alma crew to communicate via email. The crew deeply apologised for our experience and informed us it is not there usual standard. As such they invited us to attend again for the full Alma experience.

We attended with a reserved table. Service was great, very friendly and attentive. The orders were made quick and coffees were brought over in a respectable time. We ordered the dulce de lece iced latte and a regular iced latte with agave syrup. Both drinks were fairly good. However the coffee took a while to incorporate with the agave syrup.

For food we offered the Alma poached eggs and the Harissa sweet potato eggs.

The poached eggs were extremely flavourful and a delight to eat. One criticism to bring this dish to a 5 star would be fresher bread. We felt that the bread may of not been the fresher as even cutting it with a knife was a little tricky. However the overall dish was good!

The harissa sweet potatoes eggs were also flavourful in taste. We however felt that it was slightly over salted. What with the harissa flavour/seasoning, it slightly overpowered the dish. Food was good and with little improvement could be top tier.

We do want to note that service today was great! Staff came over a few times to check in on our regarding food and drinks. We were offered more agave syrup to sweeten the drink. Also a staff member came over at the end who apologised again for our previous experience and ensured today’s was better.

From our second experience, we certainly have a more positive view of Alma. We feel that Alma definitely meets up to the hype. Certainly a recommendation if...

Fabulous food that looks great and tastes great😀 plus great coffee. I cannot really complain anything about food. Place is also cozy but a bit crowded.

I walk in on a Sunday lunch time at about 1:15pm just by myself sitting at the high table in front of window. I had food and then followed by a coffee. I was not working on laptop, just generally looking out the street/ my phone, etc (relaxing). I think at around 2:30pm, a male waiter came to me to ask me to pay (and leave) saying that there are other people coming. I think that is fine and is about to go although this is not told in advance (but I can understand it). Yet, within the next few minutes, my phone rang and I answered my phone. While I was talking, the male waiter came again and rudely interrupted my call (telling me to leave) that i need to end it immediately because of the interruption. During the call, I had already signalled him that I was on a call and if he could excuse me for a moment (but he insisted to finish his statement). The whole call that I later checked only last for 53 seconds.

I know this is a small cafe that want to maximise profit for each seats. This makes complete sense. Yet, I think this can be done in a more polite manner.

He didn’t even ask in the first place (nor let me know at the beginning that the time is limited and also I only stayed there for 1hr 15 mins). This was not great but that’s fine and I was about to go. Yet, deliberately interrupting people’s call and causing it to end is definitely rude (it only lasts for 53seconds, it’s not I was in an endless call). As there are 2 empty seats beside me and there are also another at least 2 empty tables and no people is waiting for seats, I also don’t see the urgency of kicking people out...