The newly refurbished Rachel’s Garden Café opened in February 2012. The new innovative design has proved very poular with customers along with the mixture of self service and assisted service, helped Arboretum win the RAI Award for Best Casual Dining in Carlow 2015 and 2013.
Named after the entrepreneurial owner Rachel Doyle, the cafés philosophy is based on its commitment to the use of fresh local produce:
Our chefs are PROUD that everything on the menu is made using the finest ingredients. Where possible we GROW OUR OWN herbs and seasonal vegetables and our beef, chicken, lamb, pork and eggs are 100% IRISH ORIGIN and sourced from local suppliers through Bord Bia’s quality assurance scheme.
A particular favourite served in the award winning Rachel’s Garden Café is the beef braised in O’Hara’s Stout which is brewed by the Carlow Brewing Company, only 5 km down the road. Our famous desserts are made on the premises using fresh wholesome ingredients. Special dietary needs are also catered for including ‘gluten, sugar & dairy free’ options.
A full children’s menu is available with a playground and maze adjacent in the gardens beside the outdoor terraced seating area so the little ones can be entertained safely while you relax over a tea or coffee or snack. The charming Inspirational Gardens near the maze are the perfect end for a leisurely walk after relaxing in Rachel’s Garden Café and full of ideas to enthuse visitors for their own gardening space.
Rachel’s Garden Cafe caters for tours and group bookings. Please submit any enquiries here or email info@arboretum.ie or call 059 97 21558.