
Quick info
About Café Red
Café Red is a small café on Castle St, just outside Belfast city centre and across the road from the Ibis hotel. A cooked Ulster fry anchors the breakfast menu, with a smaller mini fry for lighter appetites, alongside poached eggs with smashed avocado and porridge. Freshly ground coffee is served, with a range of other drinks to choose from. The café is family-run, with the two owners working front of house. Seating is limited and fills at peak times, and tables work on a walk-in basis rather than by reservation. Sandwiches can be ordered to take away for anyone eating elsewhere, and chips are served through the day. A step-free entrance means visitors with mobility needs can get in without a step, and high chairs are on hand for families with young children. It trades Monday to Saturday during the daytime and closes on Sundays.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
Menu & Prices
48 dishes · mains £5–14- Porridge£8.00
- 2 Sausage Beans & Chips£10.00
- Chicken & Mayo£4.50
- Traditional Fry£11.00
- Full Soda£7.50
- Breakfast Wrap/Bagel£7.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ulster fry, fresh ground coffee, porridge and poached eggs smashed avocado.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ulster fry, fresh ground coffee, porridge and poached eggs smashed avocado.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast draws the most praise at this small, busy café, with reviewers singling out the Ulster Fry, the mini fry, and the poached eggs with smashed avocado. Close behind is the porridge, which one reviewer calls the greatest they have eaten. Several mention the coffee as good and freshly ground, and one says the chips are the nicest in Belfast. Value comes up repeatedly, with many calling the prices reasonable for the quality. The owners and staff are described as friendly, warm and helpful, with service that is speedy and food that arrives quickly. Some reviewers say they eat here weekly or were remembered from a previous visit. One notes the space is very small, and another says the café is always busy, though they managed to get a seat each day of their stay. No complaints appear in the reviews. One diner says the kitchen got a couple's egg preferences right without being told, and took a sandwich along for a picnic at the Giant's Causeway because they wanted to eat it again.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast draws the most praise at this small, busy café, with reviewers singling out the Ulster Fry, the mini fry, and the poached eggs with smashed avocado. Close behind is the porridge, which one reviewer calls the greatest they have eaten. Several mention the coffee as good and freshly ground, and one says the chips are the nicest in Belfast. Value comes up repeatedly, with many calling the prices reasonable for the quality. The owners and staff are described as friendly, warm and helpful, with service that is speedy and food that arrives quickly. Some reviewers say they eat here weekly or were remembered from a previous visit. One notes the space is very small, and another says the café is always busy, though they managed to get a seat each day of their stay. No complaints appear in the reviews. One diner says the kitchen got a couple's egg preferences right without being told, and took a sandwich along for a picnic at the Giant's Causeway because they wanted to eat it again.
Featured reviews
- David
“Absolutely fantastic café just outside of Belfast city centre. No where touches this place for customer service, freshly prepared food, price and vibrations. Owners Ciara and Kerry are the most beautiful, genuine, wonderful, warm - friendly souls you'll come across. When me and my friend walked into the café on a busy Saturday morning we had the most amazing welcome and we were both remembered from last year. We were in town for May Day Festival down at Custom Square where we were watching a friend perform. Ciara and Kerry work extremely hard to give the customer the best possible experience. Beautifully cooked food at very competitive prices. Thank you so much for yet another wonderful experience and I'll see you both next year. All the best David ❤️”
- Shannon
“We eat here on a weekly basis. Food is always top quality. Service is always great - never waiting too long on food. Coffee is delicious! Chips are the nicest in Belfast. Great team of girls. 10/10 And they are opened Wednesdays from 8am-2pm. Will be back next week for my usual. Thank you”
- cathal cully
“Great prices 💰 Great delicious food 🍳 Lovely staff ☺️ Amazing 😍❤️”
- Patricia Addison
“Absolutely lovely food, service, second to none. Cafe is always busy, if you come to Belfast city you must visit this cafe, we have been fortunate enough to get a seat each day. Great place.”
- Chris Barker
“Nice wee cafe that serves a good breakfast. Food and service was great.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Paid street parking
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Casual
Show more amenities
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Dessert
- Table service
- Solo dining
- Dining options· 4
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Seating
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Crowd· 1
- Tourists
Location
Cafes near Café Red
- Linen Hall Cafe4.31210.2 mi£10–20Vegetarian optionsVegan optionsWi-Fi
coffee, views over city hall, open chicken sandwich
- Blinkers4.41,0020.3 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegetarian options
ulster fry, full soda sandwich, potato bread
- The Cafe Rosa4.31670.3 mi
large fry, veggie fry, rhubarb pie
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Café Red | 4.8200 | — | £1–15 | ulster fry, fresh ground coffee, porridge |
| Linen Hall CafeVegetarian options · Vegan options · Wi-Fi | 4.3121 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | coffee, views over city hall, open chicken sandwich |
| BlinkersOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options | 4.41,002 | 0.3 mi | £10–20 | ulster fry, full soda sandwich, potato bread |
| The Cafe Rosa | 4.3167 | 0.3 mi | — | large fry, veggie fry, rhubarb pie |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Cafes nearby
More to explore in Belfast

47 places
Cafes in Belfast
Photo: Neighbourhood Cafe · 4.6 · 923 Google reviews
See all 47 cafes in Belfast
4.5 · Café NoshCoffee shops
21 places
4.5 · Little Wing PizzeriaRestaurants
83 places
4.5 · Harp BarBars
21 places



