Babushka Kitchen Cafe — Restaurant in Northern Ireland

A Brew with a View and a Whole Lot of Charm

There are cafés that serve coffee, and then there’s Babuscha — a quirky little gem clinging to the rocks like a caffeinated limpet between Portrush Harbour and the West Strand Beach. This place doesn’t just serve coffee; it delivers it with soul, sunshine, and a seaview that will slap the grump right off your morning.

Perfectly perched like a secret hideout for weary swimmers and salt-sprayed adventurers, Babuscha is the kind of place you discover once and then return to like it’s your spiritual home. Whether you’ve just been clobbered by a wave, braved a paddleboard wobble, or finally mastered not going in circles in a kayak, Babuscha is where you go to reward yourself with a good sit-down and a great coffee.

Speaking of coffee – it’s rich, it’s smooth, and it doesn’t come with a side of existential dread when you see the price. Yes, in a world of £5 oat flat whites and almond-milk confusion, Babuscha somehow keeps things delicious and affordable. It’s a mystery. A miracle. A local treasure.

The staff? Lovelier than a Donegal sunset and twice as warm. They greet you like you’ve just come back from a heroic voyage (which, let’s face it, paddleboarding into the harbour wind sort of is), and somehow always seem cheerful – possibly from prolonged exposure to the sea air and excellent espresso.

It’s not just the coffee and kindness that make Babuscha stand out – it’s the vibe. With panoramic views, sea spray in the air, and the soothing soundtrack of waves mingling with coffee steamers, this place is coastal comfort at its finest. You can perch outside and people-watch, seagull-dodge, or simply let your skin dry out like a raisin in the post-swim sunshine.

Truth be told, Babuscha is one of my absolute favourite spots in Portrush. It never disappoints. Whether I’m windswept, wetsuited, or just in desperate need of caffeine and calm – Babuscha delivers, cup after glorious cup.

Go for the coffee, stay for the soul-soothing,...

I - The place

A cosy and lovely café by the seaside with very nice treats.

II - The Food and mood

Although we wish we could have gotten the full pre-covid experience by seeing inside, the way you can order from the restaurant for now is actually very funny and pleasant, going from their little window to the bigger serving area next to it.

The drinks and food we got from there (Iced latte, home lemonade, hot dog and avocado toast) were of good value and made with good produce. But the real highlight was the granola. The jam coming along is excellent and surprising (I won't spoil) and the grain is also very satisfying. As I've seen the owner was always having a look at the google review (and I understand), my only recommendation would be to use round serving boxes for the granola, to improve even further the already lovely experience. But I can imagine these are costs and hassle one might not want to incur during an already difficult time.

The setting is fantastic and the benches and chairs around make for a lovely experience, particularly if a bit of sun is around. The staff was also really nice and helpful, a cheerfulness more than welcome at the heart of this crisis.

III - Anything special?

The granola and its jam are really excellent, and the avocado toast was also very generous.

IV - Verdict

I would most definitely come again next time I'm in Portrush, and want to know everything about this jam. A lovely place, rains or shines, that one can...

Heard so much about Babushka and visited today for the first time. Asked the server to describe the two pour over coffees on the menu and she said she didn't know anything about them. Asked another member who shrugged and proceeded to tell me. Sat outside. Coffee came in a paper cup with supping lid. Told the waitress that I had ordered a pour over and she told me that is how it is served. Asked for a cup and was told that they don't give them out. Coffee quality was very good and the coffee shop location is amazing. When you get the service right, this place could be five stars.

• UPDATED JUNE 2018 *

I did visit again at Easter this year and I was blown away by the quality of the coffee and the service - especially from George! We talked for quite a while about coffee and I'm pleased to say that it was the best coffee experience you could wish for. And of course, the views over East Strand. Worth taking...