Stay with us

Badger & Dodo goes through the grinder here, which tells you most of what you need to know about the coffee before you order: an Irish roaster, taken seriously, poured at Stay with us, a small counter on Dublin's north side.

Flat whites, mochas and a short pastry list

The flat white is the order to lead with, the standard by which any counter using a good roaster gets judged, and the mocha is the alternative for anyone who wants the sweeter, richer version of the same cup. The list does not run much further, which is the correct instinct for a shop this size. A good flat white depends on the espresso underneath rather than the milk on top, which is why it is the fair test of any counter buying from a roaster like this one.

Pastry is where it gets more specific. The Cronut is the signature, and a lemon and lime croissant sits next to it as the sharper, less obvious choice. Two named bakes and two named coffees make the whole proposition legible in about ten seconds, and that is the appeal.

A small room with the seats outside

The shop is small and the seating is largely outdoors and covered, so the visit tends to happen on the pavement rather than at an inside table. Staff are chatty and the atmosphere is quiet and welcoming, which is why people linger outside longer than the size of the room would suggest. It functions as a neighbourhood counter rather than a destination, and it was included in the European Coffee Trip Awards in 2025. The size is the defining constraint and, in practice, the appeal: a short list and a small room mean a few things done properly rather than many things done adequately.

Order the flat white, then the Cronut

Take the flat white first if the visit is mainly about coffee, since it is the cleanest read on what Badger & Dodo beans do in these hands. The mocha is the order for something richer and sweeter. Then take the Cronut, or the lemon and lime croissant if you would rather have citrus than sugar, and sit outside with it.