Mayo's Pink Kreme Café in line for top honours at prestigious awards
By Caoimhín Rowland
ACROSS from the Mall on Castlebar’s Ellison Street sits a gem that's causing quite the stir on Mayo's food scene.
With its unique glittering signage and Instagram-worthy interior, Pink Kreme café, in its infancy, has become a local favourite, awarded attention of the prestigious Irish Restaurant Awards 2025.
Barely a year after opening its doors, this charming café has been shortlisted in two coveted categories - Best Café and Best Newcomer in Mayo - following an extensive selection process that included public voting and evaluations by industry professionals.
"When the nomination letter arrived in the post, I couldn't quite believe it," beams Sabee Baghdadi (28), Pink Kreme's passionate owner, as we settle into one of his café's plush pink seats. The young entrepreneur's eyes light up as he recalls the journey that brought him here.
Baghdadi's path to Castlebar's food scene is as remarkable as his café's meteoric rise. Having fled his hometown of Homs during the Syrian conflict, he established a café in Lebanon before setting his sights on Ireland.
"The coffee culture in the Levant is strong, but what we're creating here at Pink Kreme is something different altogether," he explains. “When I came to Ireland first I knew nobody, couldn’t tell you where Ireland was, I couldn’t even speak English.”
Reflecting on his first year in business, Baghdadi is refreshingly candid. "We opened on March 3, 2024, and it's been quite the rollercoaster. October and December proved challenging when things quietened down around the town, but that's business - some days you're run off your feet, others you've time to catch your breath."
Despite political changes in his homeland, Baghdadi's commitment to Ireland remains firm. He feels he has a debt to repay to the people of his adopted country.
"Syria is more settled since the most recent political events, but Ireland has given me an opportunity that I cherish. My goal now is to give back by contributing to Castlebar's economy and creating local jobs."
What sets Pink Kreme apart in Mayo's competitive hospitality landscape? For starters, its vibrant décor has made it a social media sensation, with thousands of followers eagerly awaiting each Instagram post.
"We're not trying to be fine dining," Baghdadi insists. "We're creating a space where everyone feels welcome - whether you're a family with small children or someone popping in for a quick coffee."
The café's offering goes beyond the traditional Irish fare. "We've introduced Dubai chocolate, açai bowls, and we're the only spot in Mayo serving authentic Boba tea," Baghdadi shares proudly. "I'm constantly watching trends and listening to what our customers want."
As we finish our chat, a steady stream of customers fills the café, many greeted by name. It's clear that in just 12 months, Pink Kreme has woven itself into the fabric of Castlebar life.
The Irish Restaurant Awards winners will be announced next month, but regardless of the outcome, Baghdadi has already achieved something remarkable - a thriving business built from scratch in a new country, with a community that has embraced his vision wholeheartedly.
Now that's a success story sweeter than any treat on Pink Kreme's menu.