Cinnamon Cottage expanding to open café in Monkstown this summer

Recruitment is currently underway for full- and part-time staff for the new Cinnamon Cottage Café

Ali Crowley and Patrick O’Riordan, co-owners of The Cinnamon Cottage, are opening a café at the harbour town of Monkstown, Co Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Some good news to spice up the food scene in the harbourside town of Monkstown — the popular Cinnamon Cottage on Rochestown Road is expanding and opening a Cinnamon Cottage Café this summer.

The owners of Cinnamon Cottage at the foot of Monastery Hill are opening an extra base on the ground-floor Castle Terrace premises which had previously been operating as a pizza restaurant and wine bar and which closed at the start of 2026.

The family-run Cinnamon Cottage business established in 1994 and taken over by the current owners in 2015 has grown to include a bakery, takeaway salads and dinners and catering services. 

Owner, Ali Crowley runs the business with family members including her sister Sinéad, and brother-in-law Patrick O’Riordan. He is currently focusing on expanding the range into independent outlets as well as Spar, Centra and Supervalu outlets in Cork.

“It won’t be exactly the same as the original Cinnamon Cottage, we will have a sit-in area for teas and coffees and will start with breakfasts and lunches there six days a week. And we will of course continue some elements — cakes and dinners to take home,” said Ali.

“I’m from Rathanker near Monkstown and I remember when there was a sweet shop here. There’s no shop there now so we will also supply things like milk, eggs and newspapers as well as our foods with as much locally-sourced ingredients as possible,” she added.

The Rochestown Road base has around 22 staff, most of whom are from the local area. And they are currently recruiting around half a dozen full- and part-time chefs and front-of-house staff for the new venture.

“We do try to hire locals — and a ‘shout out’ to amazing Nicole in front-of-house there who remembers everyone’s names and orders.”

“We have been working on this since January but couldn’t say anything initially until everything was signed but so many people have been asking about it now — we are loving all the interest and queries.”

Napoli Coffee and Wine Bar had run at the Monkstown premises for more than 15 years. The owners confirmed that that “it was time to sell as we had built Napoli back up over the last 2/3 years and have other ventures”.

They added that they had wanted to ensure that whomever took over would be good for the village of Monkstown and all the local area and continue to service and grow the community: “We are delighted that Cinnamon Cottage bought it.” 

Monkstown Bay Sailing Club has events scheduled for throughout the summer so the new arrival in town will be welcome news for visitors as well as locals. Other 'going out' options in the town include lunch and evening menus at The Bosun Bar and Restaurant and live music at The Ensign.

The Monkstown-based Cinnamon Cottage Cafe is planned to open in July.