Just off Smithfield Square in the Distillery Building, Proper Order puts exposed concrete, standing tables, retail bags, and a row of coffee gear right in front of you. That already explains the shortlist: this is one of Dublin's sharper coffee stops, and it works whether you want a flat white on the move or a slower filter with something sweet.
Coffee
Proper Order is coffee-first without feeling narrow. Espresso is the baseline, but the real pull is the range around it: filter, guest beans, seasonal drinks, and a retail shelf that feels like part of the visit rather than filler. The style is clean and exact, not heavy or comfort-first.
The specials matter more here than they do in most shops because they are usually handled with some restraint. Reviews keep pointing to flavored lattes and matcha drinks that still taste like coffee or tea, not syrup. If you want a big brunch menu, this is the wrong stop. If you want a cortado, a filter, or a seasonal drink that has been thought through, it lands.
What people go for
Pastries pull real weight. The cardamom bun is the one that comes up again and again, cinnamon buns get mentioned too, and the No Messin connection gives the counter more draw than a standard coffee-and-croissant setup. The tradeoff is simple: go too late and the good stuff may be gone.
The room
This is a brighter, roomier stop than the old tiny-bar reputation suggests, but it still runs like a quick-moving coffee bar. There is space to stand, perch, or sit for a bit, and the flow suits Smithfield well. You can read or catch up here, but it is not the place to spread out for half a day.
Service is usually fast and knowledgeable, though a few people read it as brisk when the queue is moving. Prices are on the high side for Dublin, weekend traffic can make it loud, and the best pastries sell out early. None of that gets in the way if your priority is a very good cup and a shop that knows exactly what it is doing.
Why Filter Notes has shortlisted Proper Order Coffee Co
Proper Order Coffee Co makes the shortlist because it gives Smithfield a coffee-first place with range: strong espresso, proper filter, seasonal specials worth ordering, and pastries people plan around. Go here for the cup and the bun, not for brunch or a long camp-out.