The Stables Café
A Taste of the Estate
The heart of the dining experience here is the 350m Estate to Plate philosophy. This means that much of what you see on your plate, from crisp heritage vegetables to fragrant herbs and edible flowers, has traveled only 350 meters from the historic walled gardens to the kitchen. It is about as fresh as food can get. When the kitchen looks beyond the garden walls, they keep it local. You might find a famous Waterford Blaa from Walsh’s Bakehouse just nine kilometers away or sourdough from Seagull Bakery only twelve kilometers down the road.
History in the Making
The café is housed in the beautifully restored 18th century stable yard. Once upon a time, this area was a hive of activity where groomsmen prepared horses and carriages for the residents of the Big House. Today, the limestone walls and original architecture provide a cozy, atmospheric backdrop for a morning coffee or a hearty lunch. There is a lovely bit of local lore regarding Mr. Congreve himself. While the café serves modern heritage oats today, the man of the house was famously partial to pinhead oats and brown scones.
A Menu Led by the Garden
Because the estate sets the pace, the menu changes with the seasons. A soup today may not appear tomorrow, as it depends entirely on what is being harvested that morning.
Breakfast Highlights (9:00 am to 12:00 noon)
The Garden Breakfast is a standout, featuring homemade baked cannellini beans, mushrooms stuffed with roast pepper quinoa, and root vegetable lox. If you prefer something traditional, the Full Irish Breakfast uses estate vegetables alongside bacon and sausages from Lisduggan Farm. For a lighter start, try the Heritage Oats served with local Mileeven honey.
Lunch and Afternoon Tea (12:00 noon to 5:00 pm)
For lunch, the Stables Beetroot Burger is a signature dish served with triple cooked estate potatoes. You might also enjoy the Vegetable Patch Quiche, which features a daily rotation of estate greens and Knockanore cheddar. For something truly special, the Traditional Afternoon Tea is served in the Tack Room. It includes the Stables Signature Chocolate and Beetroot Brownie, served on fine bone china with Irish silverware.
Practical Tips for Travelers
The café is open seven days a week and is a perfect stop for those cycling the nearby Waterford Greenway. Families are very welcome, with a dedicated children’s menu featuring smaller portions of garden-led dishes like sourdough toasties and omelettes. If you are traveling with a furry friend, the café is dog friendly, provided they stay on a lead. While the gardens require a fee, the café and the Foxford gift shop are accessible to all. Please remember that Afternoon Tea must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
Local Insight: Keep an eye on the menu for the distance markers. They tell you exactly how many kilometers your food traveled, from the 350m garden greens to the 48km free range eggs.
