Hi! I’m Sammy, founder of Cuppacabana!

Cuppacabana was born in 2018 from a love of coffee and the chats, and a passion to start a new business in my new hometown of Donabate. I decided it was time to turf in the “real job” and start the next adventure!

My husband and I travelled to New York and London looking for inspiration for coffee shops, cafes and food trucks. We came across all sorts of quirky food trucks, delicious menus and beautiful coffee shops along our travels! Within a few weeks, we had bought the Sambulance – a wild looking 50 year old Land Rover with a rich history as an NHS ambulance. It came fully equipped with paperwork detailing every step of its journey…. But wasn’t quite ready for serving coffee! We got it transformed and kitted it out with coffee equipment. What has become normalised during the pandemic was quite unusual only three years ago – when I handed in my notice to my boss, he couldn’t wrap his head around why I’d want to leave a successful career to become a coffee slave!

I genuinely had no idea where this new journey would end up and whether it would work out. Fast forward three years and we’re still going strong! It’s been a hell of a rollercoaster but I’m so glad I took that plunge back in 2018.

We set up in Donabate train station and in 2020 we moved just around the corner to our new home with a cool container coffee shop. It’s fully equipped with the very best coffee machine (Victoria Arduino Eagle One), a Mahlkonig GBW grinder and integrated Puq press. We proudly serve Bell Lane coffee and work closely with them to bring a selection of single origin options to our customers. We currently serve Klem Brazilian (Red&Yellow Catuai  / Natural Process); this offering changes from season to season. We serve locally baked treats and ensure we always have vegan friendly and gluten free options on the menu.

The Sambulance is still parked in our driveway and gets out and about for the occasional jaunt to a market, a private function or a casual Sunday drive! Our sister company, Events Clinic, caters for corporate events & promotional branding – click here to find out more or enquire about a booking(link to www.eventsclinic.ie).

Cuppacabana is all about taking a break from your hectic day to enjoy a coffee and a chat. We have created a space that we think supports this – a colourful, bright and laid back atmosphere with chatty staff who know their coffee! We hope you think so too… let us know your thoughts – drop us a line at info@cuppacabana.ie.