The Ivy Cafe

Simply Delicious and at the heart of every vibrant community is a café which acts as a social focal point bringing people together.

What is the recipe for a good cafe?

There's always a highly enticing smell of fresh food and coffee coming from The Ivy Café and it's frequently vibrant with customers chatter.

I've always been greeted with a warm friendly welcome which is essential to set the scene. Whether meeting up with friends for a coffee and a chat, a lunch time gourmet deli bite or even simply seeking a quiet space to read the newspaper this café provides many things to its customers.

The Ivy Café seems to have the right ingredients since it’s thriving but before we sought out the manager to find out more we checked in on some customers and reveal some headline reviews from the 51 on Facebook. We also took the opportunity to drop by and see what their buying too.

his particular review emailed to us explained more than enough to replace the need for an article, it's republished here after we sought out the local author for permission:

"One of the nicest cafes in Navan is the Ivy, located in Johnston shopping centre. Depending on the time of day you decide to frequent this little gem, you can experience anything from the noisy lunchtime hustle, to the quiet afternoon, when all one can hear or rather smell or taste is the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the soft lull of a tune playing in the background.

For the most part, the place is a real assault on the senses...to me it’s an American style cafe with red tiles, dark walnut effect counter tops that are rich and warm, an eclectic style experience that can easily turn into a place of quiet zen, the soft jade green walls and country cottage style mirror facilitates ones need for relax in the more quiet times.

Equally as stylish is the menu....from rosemary and parmesan cheese fries to the hearty all day breakfast and my favourite, the ‘Ivy Heavenly’ bagel/wrap/sambo and it is, well, just as the name suggests ...heavenly!

As for the coffee, I’m addicted! I’ve yet to fine a superior if not equally good cappuccino, latte or Americano anywhere, least of all Navan, and I’m not exaggerating.

The Ivy isn’t about grandeur or posh-ness and it’s not trying to be. It’s where you go if you are hungry and you know you’ll get good quality, fresh food with a cosy, modern atmosphere and friendly unassuming staff. It’s comfortable and to me familiar. It’s a place to meet old friends, new colleagues, neighbours and family or to simply sit by yourself with the afternoon paper in toe.

Eat in or take out but definitely choose to go there and try it out, I think you’ll be back quicker then you think."

Joanne, IDA Business Park

Meeting the Owners.

Suitably impressed that the cafe is indeed busy with locals and visitors we set out to meet the bosses. Upon meeting Jen you can instantly sense that she’s passionate about the café. Many of us will know from part time jobs that the catering business is very hard work. You're often on your feet all day but even after 9 years of running The Ivy Café Jen is still very enthusiastic about the industry and bounding with energy.

"Myself and Maria Fox, my business partner of 10 years and friend of 22 years, are in the Johnstown Shopping centre 9 years this September.

We both bring different skills to the table and yes they do overlap in our industry, however it works! We both feel that ‘eating out has become as popular as eating in’.

We hope when people walk through The Ivy Cafe’s doors they feel welcome, enjoy waiter service by experienced staff, free WIFI and wholesome fresh food."

You have quiet a few regulars?

"Many have been coming since day one and we know what they like and ensure we can provide it. We try to remember regular customers and make them feel part of our extended family.

Some recent confirmation party platter orders have come from customers who we catered for at their communion party or another event for the their family. Its great to see regular customers return."

How many work here?

"We have a team of 10 staff who work so hard and really well as a team. We pride ourselves on having a low turnover of staff. We feel we help maintain a good working environment and Myself and Maria are hands on and honest with our staff and we feel this has helped us through the years to maintain a strong team."

"We also ensure we keep staff up to date on current trends. The recent Barista training was stepped up and our new gold blended Trombetta Italian coffee is a big hit with our customers. Our coffee machine is the heart of our café with our take away prices apparently one of the lowest in Navan! "

How much do you make yourselves?

"We pride ourselves on wholesome food. We prep and cook our own lasagnes, curries, quiches, soups. All our salad options, colelsaws, egg mayo, caesar & garlic dressings are prepped early every morning. Literally 80% of our menu is prepped and cooked to order.

Our afternoon service is always busy with numerous desserts on display. We bake all our own scones which we feel is imperative for any good coffee shop, there’s no thaw and serve!"

What plans do you have in the pipeline?

"We’ve ideas for our crepes/waffles menu, more grab & go dishes for working lunches and many more. "

" We're also reintroducing local art work to display on the walls. It provides us with the opportunity to have regular changes whilst providing an outlet to the local artists."

With many reviews on their Facebook Page the overwhelming opinion is that Johnstown has a cafe that has a great reputation that we should be proud to have.