New bistro café to open in Portlaoise 

A NEW café bistro is about to open in Portlaoise, in the large ground floor restaurant space that has been vacant for almost a year at Dunamaise Arts Centre.

The Fort Café & Bistro, run by award-winning chef Sorin Olinici, is due to open at the premises on Church Street on 17 July.

The theatre café space was previously occupied by R32 Artisan Bakery and Coffee Shop, which opened in early January last year but closed after only six months, despite very positive reviews.

Sorin began his cheffing career in a family business nearly 20 years ago and is well-known to local diners as head chef at the award-winning Kelly’s Steakhouse, at the Midland Park Hotel in Portlaoise.

Known as a talented chef who thrives under pressure, he previously worked at Batoni’s in Emo, a consistent winner of Best Restaurant titles. He also led the team that won the Best Casual Dining in Laois award as head chef at Kelly's.

Making the announcement on social media today, Dunamaise Arts Centre said: ‘After years of bringing his passion for food to kitchens across Ireland and Europe, award-winning Chef Sorin is returning home to begin a new chapter.

‘The Fort Café & Bistro opens at Dunamaise Arts Centre on 17 July, serving great food, great coffee and a warm welcome in the heart of Portlaoise.’ 

When R32 opened the bakery café, the restaurant space at the Dunamaise had been vacant since October 2022, when the highly popular Caffe Latte closed after 23 years in business.

At the time, Caffe Latte owner Ken McPherson decided to consolidate his catering businesses, while continuing to run another successful Caffe Latte outlet in nearby Lyster Square.

The café space remained empty for more than two years until the opening of R32 in January 2025 but the revival proved short-lived, when the Hungarian family team behind the venture decided to close after only six months.

The closure was a major loss to the town centre, where the theatre café has been a popular meeting place and community hub for decades.