I often get asked by my Airbnb Experience Guests about where to get breakfast in Tralee before their Experience starts in the morning and once the Experience is over I get the same question about lunch in Tralee. It was something that never occurred to me to research beforehand so I have been caught out unprepared a few times. No longer though, I'm finally typing the keys on this Blog Post.
Places to Eat Breakfast in Tralee
Hotels are nearly always a safe bet as they serve breakfast for their guests and can easily accommodate more. Local knowledge is nearly always better than rehashed business blurbs found on Google so I will mention a few places that I know to have good food first and then maybe add more that I am aware of. Tralee is full of places to eat during the day from full Breakfast/Lunch to pub grub, toasted sandwiches and more so don't be afraid to explore yourself. I am not going to add images to this Blog as I have linked directly to each business website. The following are listed randomly in no particular order.
Der's Delicatessen - The Mall Tavern - The Mall Tralee
Der's Delicatessen and The Mall Tavern Bar (all one place) is situated right in the middle of the town and has been operating for nearly 50 years with the bar being a younger addition to the business. Opening from 09:30 to 17:00 with the bar remaining open until late.
You can eat your breakfast, scone & coffee, sandwiches, lunch or whatever you order in the Delicatessen seating area or in the bar. They also sell wine, savoury sauces, scones, buns, cakes & all sorts of Deli meats behind the counter in their shop which is at the front of the building. We have been coming to this Deli since I was a small child and continue to visit at least once a week every week. I could add loads more images of lovely food but you are better off going there and ordering some yourself!
Alfie's Lounge in The Ashe Hotel Tralee
Alfie’s Lounge offers a variety of indoor and outdoor casual dining spaces and starts with a Brunch between the hours of 09:00 and 12:00, Lunch from 12:00 to 17:00 and Dinner from 17:00 to 21:00. There is also an alfresco area if you'd like to take your coffee hopefully in sunshine outside and not rain. The Hotel is very well laid out and decorated to a very high standard. I have been there once recently and was well looked after. There is a multi story car park nearby for parking, payment required. There are adjacent roadside parking areas which require a paid ticket also.
The Pikeman Bar - The Grand Hotel Tralee
Admittedly, it has been a little while since I've eaten in the Pikeman but the food was excellent during that occasion. The Bar is very comfortable with plenty of seating at the bar counter or at tables around the bar. Breakfast is offered from 8:00am to 09:30pm daily. The Grand features an in-house French Pastry Chef making fresh scones, Brown Bread, Pastries and more.
The Pikeman Bar is very popular with both the Tralee and North and West Kerry locals as well as guests from further afield. In keeping with the ambiance of the Grand Hotel itself, The Pikeman Bar is a traditional style Pub and is in keeping with the look of the Grand Hotel itself. There is a great Bar Menu serving Bar food, Pub food and Pub Grub?
Benners Hotel Cafe - Castle Street Tralee
Serving Breakfast from 7.30am - 10am Monday to Friday, 8am – 10am on Saturdays & Sundays. Benners offers a Continental Breakfast Buffet & also a cooked breakfast menu. The Continental Breakfast Buffet has a selection of Fresh Juices, Cereals, Fresh Fruit Salad, Yogurt, Pastries & Our Famous Der’s Homemade Brown Bread. Benners is part of the same family business as Der's Delicatessen and The Mall Tavern so you are benefiting from decades of experience when eating here. I haven't had the pleasure of having breakfast here but I have eaten in the Hotel Restaurant and the food was fantastic. Knowing this family for decades, I expect the breakfast is just as good. You can find paid parking up the street next to Dom O'Donnells furniture Shop.
Yummy Cafe Market - Dominic Street Tralee
My own experience with this cafe is a bit limited. I ordered a takeout coffee and sandwich when I operated a Christmas Stall in Dominic Street a few years back. Both were delicious, by the way. I hear great things from people who frequent Yummy Cafe and often see posts online with images of the food served that make me want to call in myself. Open 09:00 to 17:00 daily, closed Sunday. There are a number of paid car parks in the vicinity so you shouldn't have to walk too far.
Parking Facilities while you visit
Tralee has plenty of car parks around the town and before 11am should have plenty of empty spaces. After 11am they tend to start filling up so if you are going for lunch find a spot close to where you want to go as early as you can. Most are paid parking with cash meters. Google maps has them all marked out clearly so I won't mention them here specifically. Most hotels would have free parking facilities onsite or arrangements for parking with an off site car park. Always check out their information on their website first or contact them and ask. Paid parking ends at 6pm so you should be ok to park for free after that and go and enjoy an evening meal in the town without worry.
Additional Places to Eat
I would love to keep adding more but I don't have enough information to provide details. Some Hotels may not have a public breakfast menu but have bar food throughout the day. To my knowledge, every hotel serves breakfast to non staying guests but if I don't know for sure I don't want to lead you astray.
In Conclusion
I hope I have given you some good recommendations here. It is my intention to keep this updated and added to but I won't go beyond 10 premises as too much information wouldn't be great. I hope you have a pleasant time visiting Tralee and come back again.
Please note; The annual Rose of Tralee Festival runs from the 18th Aug to the 22nd Aug so the town will be busier than normal. Please allow additional time for all activities and meals. Please allow that these businesses will see a massive rise in short term business and may have trouble finding staff to work. Eat early, avoid peak times and you should be ok.
If you are looking for something to do in Tralee, check out my Woodturning Experiences on my website.
Thanks for reading, David