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Belfast has earned a reputation for its great coffee in recent times. It seems there is an awesome little independent coffee shop around every corner when walking around the city.
We’ve rounded up 11 of our favourite coffee shops in Belfast.
1. Established Coffee
Since it opened its doors back in 2014, Established has become something of an institution amongst Belfast’s coffee lovers. You can choose from two daily coffee beans or a decaf made however you like. Your final option is the Barista Surprise. One of the Established crew will select a bean and then make you a cup of filter coffee with an overwhelming amount of love and attention. But it’s not just about the coffee. The daily tarts and sweet treats are to die for, as are the savoury options. You can’t help but love this minimalist coffee shop.
Established is open from 8am-4pm every day (the kitchen shuts at 3pm) and is offering takeaway and sit-in options.
More info: Established Coffee
2. The Espresso Bar at The Bullitt
Equipped with a state of the art Kees van der Westen coffee machine, The Espresso Bar at the uber trendy Bullitt Hotel is a must for coffee lovers. They also happen to serve a scrumptious lunch and sweet treats. We adore chilling out here, there always seems to be a great buzz about the place and the staff are so friendly.
More info: The Bullitt
3. Sinnamon
We love this family-owned coffee shop. With a warm, comfy and welcoming atmosphere, it is the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by. Great care is taken by the experienced baristas to ensure you get the perfect cup of coffee from their extensive menu. And there is a mean selection of traybakes for those with a sweet tooth.
The cafe is open from 8am-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-7pm on Saturday and Sunday.
More info: Sinnamon
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4. Espresso Elements
This is a great little independent coffee shop on the Lisburn Road. It has an impressive coffee menu and a small but good quality lunch menu which offers everything from pancakes to paninis. The cafe is open six days a week and closed on Sundays.
More info: Espresso Elements
5. 5A Coffee
5A serves up a mighty good cup of coffee. However, their food made from locally sourced produce is just as, if not more impressive than the coffee. Serving everything from healthy wraps and salads to the most delicious breakfast baps on the planet, you will struggle to order just one thing from the menu.
More info: 5A Coffee
6. Aleksandar’s Bakery
Located in the University Quarter, Aleksandars is a must-visit if you are in town. Serving up a great cup of coffee alongside artisan breads and pastries, what’s not to love?! In summer you can grab a rug and head outside to the community garden or even further afield to the nearby Botanic Gardens to enjoy your treats.
More info: Aleksandar’s Bakery
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7. The Dock Cafe
Run by a team of volunteers, The Dock Cafe serves up a never-ending supply of locally sourced Sukí teas, freshly ground Dock blend and guest coffees, as well as tasty soups, scones and bakes. With comfy sofas to collapse onto and a very friendly atmosphere, it’s an easy place to spend a couple of hours. Unlike other cafes, this not-for-profit cafe has no price list. Instead, you pop what you think your coffee and food was worth into an honesty box. In addition to the main cafe, there is also an overflow area where you can bring your own food. What a picnic spot eh?!
The Dock is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-4pm.
More info: The Dock Cafe
8. The Pocket
This trendy cafe in the heart of the city centre is popular amongst coffee lovers and foodies. Serving up local produce and what many dub the best coffee in the city, there is also a buzz about this place. Pocket is now offering takeaway food in addition to its regular menu.
Pocket is open Monday to Friday 8.30am-3pm, and 9am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.
More info: The Pocket
9. General Merchants
The General Merchants offers an excellent cup of coffee and tasty brunches in a very cool setting. So cool in fact, that you can expect to queue outside its two branches in East Belfast and on the Ormeau Road during busy periods. However, once inside, you will realise it is worth the wait. The service is fast and the food is scrumptious. You can sit inside or outside.
The General Merchants is open Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm, and 9am-5pm on Sundays.
More info: General Merchants
10. Kaffe O
This Nordic-inspired coffee shop exudes cool. With four cafes located in Belfast on the Ormeau Road, Botanic Avenue, Lisburn Road and Donegall Square North, they take their coffee seriously. And it shows. Using beans roasted in Copenhagen by master roaster Ricco Sørensen, the coffee here really is exceptional.
The cafes are open from 8am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday with the exception of the Donegall House branch which is open Monday-Friday 8am-2pm.
More info: Kaffe O
11. Guilt Trip Coffee
Located in east Belfast, Guilt Trip Coffee is super chilled. Serving up great coffee and decadent doughnuts, it’s the brainchild of Ulster rugby players Callum Black and Darren Cave. Guilt Trip has three branches in Northern Ireland in East Belfast, Holywood and on the Lisburn Road. It’s open Monday to Sunday 10am-4pm. You can also pre-order boxes of doughnuts for collection.
More info: Guilt Trip Coffee
Getting to Belfast:
Just a two-hour jaunt up the road from Dublin, Belfast is really easy to get to thanks to the brilliant M1 motorway. Or alternatively, you can catch the train which takes just over two hours from Connolly Station in Dublin.
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