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The Peacock Café, which is located in the Abbey Theatre and shares an entrance with the Peacock stage, has very recently opened.

In this sweet, little hideaway café, my friend and I ordered and paid at the desk before taking a place on the cosy red seats. The waitress asked me if I worked for the Abbey and, after shaking my head, I realised that we were surrounded by people who did. Across from us, there was a group of six actors who each spoke in hand movements with animated faces and sputters of laughter between each sentence. As time went on, we were graced by the presence of two more famous theatre actors who will not be named, but who sat near us. Although it may not be the usual place for students to frequent between college lectures, it is certainly ideal for anyone interested in rubbing shoulders with their favourite actors or for somewhere to relax and eat before a play. The café serves breakfast, lunch and a pre-theatre meal in the evening.

For lunch, I ordered the broccoli salad and, at €8.50, it was a very large portion. There were a few too many leaves and not enough of the other ingredients, but this was redeemed by the delicious mint flavour. My friend got the goats cheese sandwich which was enjoyable, apart from the beetroot. While most people don’t have a personal vendetta against beetroot, it is one of those foods that makes me really uncomfortable; I think it’s the purple fluorescent colour and the strange flavour. All of the coffees and teas are served in matching eggshell blue cups. I got an Americano for €2.50, which was rich in flavour and strong enough to perk me up. I also got a freshly baked scone and the only disappointment was that it was served with jam and butter, instead of clotted cream. As we munched away, instrumental music of the theatre played in the background. The staff offered warm smiles and quality service, and we didn’t feel like we could overstay our welcome.

On its first set of legs, the Peacock Café is off to an excellent start and will no doubt be an alternative dining experience for actors and theatre lovers alike.