Great food, great vibes, and a great location – The Happy Pear is the complete package. The café-restaurant attracts plenty of buzz for its family values, strong social media presence and ambition to provide healthy food. So, on a warm(ish) summer’s day I hopped on the DART to Greystones to discover if the growing enterprise lives up to the hype.
The Happy Pear was a bustling hive of activity. Although the ordering and payment counter areas were small, and customers were many, efficient staff meant waiting was not much of an issue. Food is served in a carvery style, so once you have made your selection you are mere minutes away from delving into your delicacy.
I opted for a Buddha bowl, an eclectic mix of hot and cold foods for €12. Most dishes on the lunch menu are over €10, but the portion size is large enough to compensate. Mine included sliced avocado, kale leaves and shredded carrots alongside beetroot, brown rice and a portion of curry. The blend of flavours truly complemented each other and everything tasted deliciously fresh. I especially loved the cherry tomatoes in the curry, which were so soft that they almost melted in my mouth.
Afterwards, I indulged in a Chocolate Fudge Brownie for €2.50 and a strawberry, banana, and raspberry smoothie for €2.95. As a brownie connoisseur, I find a typical problem with brownies is that they are either too chocolate-y and rich, or too dry with not enough chocolate. I’m happy to say that The Happy Pear has nailed a brownie that has neither too much chocolate nor is lacking in it; even Goldilocks couldn’t but conclude that it’s just right.
The Happy Pear prides itself on pioneering a “health food revolution”, which is reflected in the restaurant’s vast array of fruit and vegetables, from the everyday carrots and potatoes to the edgier pak choi and avocado. It’s a wonderful opportunity to try out some tastes not found in a typical eatery, however it may not be for everyone. Although I have always liked trying new foods, I visited The Happy Pear with a life-long “picky eater”, who unfortunately was not able to find anything to eat that in any way resembled chicken nuggets – the good people of Apache Pizza down the road took excellent care of her. With avocado, kale and lentils being staples of many Happy Pear dishes, they may not be the right choice for those who prefer to dine on some good ol’ chicken and chips. But if vegetables aren’t your enemy, or you’re at least willing to experiment with an armistice, The Happy Pear has an exciting array of meals that look delicious and taste even better.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to The Happy Pear. Situated just minutes away from the Greystones DART station, it’s ideal for a half-day trip from the city centre. Take in the coastal views of Dún Laoghaire, Bray and Greystones along the DART line, eat a delicious lunch at The Happy Pear, and stroll along the peaceful beaches before heading back to Dublin with a happy stomach.
