Two former bank employees, Paddy Sweeney and David Dunne, opened Knox in the heart of Sligo Town in May 2015 and it was an instant hit.
In a small café space with an industrial décor that’s softened by funky wood panelling along one wall, they serve coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch and treats from a menu that is short, but balanced and carefully considered.
And besides, once you see how tempting each and every item is, it will be hard enough to choose what to order. Breakfast and brunch dishes like Eggs Benedict or Florentine (Benbulben Farm eggs being the stars in both) are sure to please, while Knox Spanish Brekky (chorizo sausage with patatas bravas & baked eggs in house tomato sauce) is a popular choice with a vegetarian version in which the chorizo is replaced with avocado.
You won’t go wrong with one of their proper sambos, like the BALT: avocado, lettuce, tomato and local Sheerins bacon served on thick-cut multiseed bloomer bread. Or for something a little heartier, try the chicken burger with guacamole, house sauce and slaw on a brioche bun.
If you’re wondering how they get the burger to be so flavourful and juicy, it’s because they use chicken thighs instead of the usual fillet. Or, if those don’t tempt you, maybe the pulled ham hock sandwich, roast chicken on a doorstep loaf, or pan-fried hake with crushed cherry tomatoes, patata bravas and chimichurri will.
Add a side of sweet potato fries with sour cream and chive dip and a bottle of the local craft beer, then finish with one of their freshly baked treats and a superb coffee for a lunch to remember...
All in all, Knox is a cracking café that’s doing everything right and is a fantastic addition to the town.
