Donegal coffee culture gets cool new addition

Kernans’ new Coffee House and Bakery is not what you’d expect from a typical roadside cafe.

This Newtowncunningham venue is adding an extra kick to Donegal’s coffee scene, and many locals and visitors are very impressed.

The modern coffee house opened five weeks ago in the Kernans Eurospar complex on the Derry-Donegal road. With a focus on the finest speciality coffee and artisan food, it has become a unique and exciting place to refuel.

The layout of Kernans Coffee House has a city-cafe feel, but the focus is very local. The first sign of this is the coffee. Two different locally roasted coffees are on offer – Kernans’ own house blend is roasted in Co. Antrim, while The Shack coffee is roasted in Donegal and the blend is changed seasonally.

“When Italian tourists come up to the counter for a second espresso that’s when you know you’re doing something right,” says Mark Langford, Manager of Kernans Coffee House.

The key ingredient to setting up the cafe was finding the perfect blend. Mark, who has 20 years experience in hospitality and runs his own coffee van, relished the opportunity to shop around for the best independent coffee.

Mark sourced a smooth Kenyan roast to become the Kernans home blend alongside The Shack. Freshness is a priority and a board over the counter tells customers the dates that both coffees are roasted on – so you know you’re getting the best.

“Being from Melbourne, I come from a cafe culture so to now have the opportunity to work in such a fantastic place is a privilege,” Mark said.

It’s not just the coffee that is fresh and local. The food is a feast of home bakes and modern twists. Millennial options will please the brunch and Instagram fans – such as Scarpello & Co sourdough and avocado toast or the peanut butter, banana, honey and chia seeds special.

Many ingredients are sourced from ‘just down the road’, Mark explains, like Scarpello bread, organic milk from Grianan estate and local vegetables from Doherty Roe in Bridgend.

Talented baker Andrena McConnell makes the treats every morning so that coffee and cake are always a good option. The porridge, soup, toasted sandwiches and pancakes are all popular customer choices too.

The spacious and stylish 70 seater cafe boasts strong WiFi and charging points that are great for business travellers. Ample parking at the Kernans complex also makes it a great stop for coffee catch-ups with friends.

This very contemporary cafe also has a modern approach to sustainability. They are part of the Conscious Cup Campaign – meaning that the use of KeepCups is encouraged with 10% takeaway discounts, glass bottles are stocked instead of plastic and you’ll find paper straws and wooden takeaway cutlery at the counter.

“Coffee culture has taken off massively in Donegal,” Mark affirms, and it’s clear that the team have brewed something special in Newtowncunningham.

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