Against the Grain

"There was nothing else on offer in this area ­ well, nothing healthy"

Niamh Healion, Soup Dragon

Fiona Fairbrother and Naimh Healion researched the idea of Soup Dragon in London and New York. "We liked the concept of soups, but not the way anyone else was doing it. We wanted something more personal. For example we have an open kitchen, so people can see us cooking. All our desserts are made on the premises, and my mother Mary Sheehan does all the baking.

We decided not to use disposable take-out containers for those who were eating in, but have a proper table service ­ we wait on the customers ourselves. All our water jugs are either flavoured with either cinnamon sticks with orange, mint with lime, fresh herbs.

Our approach for everything was to keep it basic, simple and healthy. Our concept is that people can have a full meal in the form of a bowl of soup and a piece of fruit. No sandwiches or anything, keep the concept simple. We also serve smoothies, juices and health drinks.

You can have a full meal from any of our soups, for example we serve Shepherd's Pie soup (basically a minced beef soup served with mashed potato) and Chinese pork soup, as well as loads of vegetarian soups.

There was nothing else on offer in this area, well nothing healthy, and it's really taken off!"

Soup Dragon, 168 Capel Street, D1

Tel: (01) 872 3277.

Open Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm Sat 11am-5pm