Craft Cafe
About Craft Cafe
Decked out with a lamppost and faery decor drawn from C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Craft Cafe is a cafe and coffee shop on Upper Newtownards Rd in Belfast, and the theme carries through to the plate in the "lamppost fry up", its version of an Ulster fry. Breakfast and brunch anchor a short menu that also runs to avocado and poached egg on sourdough, with scones and sweet treats alongside the coffee. Flavoured lattes fill out the drinks list, from a chai latte to rotating specials such as hojicha vanilla strawberry. Plant-based eaters have a choice of milks plus gluten-free and vegan pastries and cakes. Dogs come inside with their owners, and high chairs mean families with young children are catered for. A patio and veranda at the back give space for eating outdoors, and there is a further seating area upstairs. Tables are taken on a walk-in basis. The cafe serves daytime hours and closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Parking
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ulster fry / lamppost fry up, narnia c.s. lewis themed decor, dog friendly with outdoor patio and specialty lattes like hojicha strawberry and chai.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ulster fry / lamppost fry up, narnia c.s. lewis themed decor, dog friendly with outdoor patio and specialty lattes like hojicha strawberry and chai.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast and brunch anchor nearly every account, with diners singling out the lamppost fry up, avocado and poached egg on sourdough, and brioche with maple syrup and bacon as the plates they returned to describing. Close behind is the drinks list, where reviewers name a hojicha vanilla and strawberry latte made with a handmade strawberry syrup, a honey smoked salt latte, chai lattes and hot chocolate, alongside coffee several call strong and tasty. Vegan and gluten free options, plant based milks and coffee with scones also come up. The Narnia and CS Lewis theming, described as quirky with faery decor, draws steady comment, as do the patio at the back, the upstairs seating and the dogs visitors bring in. Staff and the newer owners are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, one group arriving very late for lunch was still served and told to stay as long as they liked.
Customer Review Summary
Breakfast and brunch anchor nearly every account, with diners singling out the lamppost fry up, avocado and poached egg on sourdough, and brioche with maple syrup and bacon as the plates they returned to describing. Close behind is the drinks list, where reviewers name a hojicha vanilla and strawberry latte made with a handmade strawberry syrup, a honey smoked salt latte, chai lattes and hot chocolate, alongside coffee several call strong and tasty. Vegan and gluten free options, plant based milks and coffee with scones also come up. The Narnia and CS Lewis theming, described as quirky with faery decor, draws steady comment, as do the patio at the back, the upstairs seating and the dogs visitors bring in. Staff and the newer owners are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, one group arriving very late for lunch was still served and told to stay as long as they liked.
Featured reviews
- Tomislav Rendulic
“Amazing, cosy wee cafe with really friendly staff. We came for lunch very late in the day and were still welcomed to eat and drink. Food and coffee were amazing. We got offered to stay as long as we wanted as well which was very kind. We'll definitely be back!”
- Helena Laverty
“We stopped in here randomly for a coffee and got a chai, hot chocolate & the honey smoked salt latte & managed to get some sweet treats as well. All of it was absolutely divine!!!! We loved it. Great staff and we were able to bring the dog as well. Will definitely be back - thank you!”
- Phoebe Ball
“Amazing vegan breakfast with top quality ingredients. They also do a fantastic hojicha vanilla and strawberry latte with handmade-strawberry “syrup” - not full of sugar. Different plant-based milk options are available along with GF and vegan pastry/ cake options. The owner is so lovely and the staff working there are very friendly. Such a warm wholesome environment to have breakfast or brunch in.”
- Sammy Gaston
“Food was outstanding! Best breakfast / brunch I’ve had around Belfast in a very long time. Owner is a delightfully charming young man and very excited to see how his plans for the cafe develop in the future.”
- Elissa Denton
“Outstanding cafè under new ownership/management (Ben & Jack) - highly recommend visiting 🥰 The coffee was tasty & strong, food was cooked with love & so much flavour, and the new owners were a delight to speak to. Get yourself down for a coffee, meal or chat & support these guys as they certainly know what they are doing! P.s., Photo of food is one serve plated for two to share - portions sizes are generous!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free of charge street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Dining options· 6
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offerings· 4
- Free water refills
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Parking· 1
- Parking
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral toilets
- Toilet
- Crowd· 4
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
How Craft Cafe compares to nearby cafes
- Craft Cafe · This shop4.7745 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: ulster fry / lamppost fry up, narnia c.s. lewis themed decor, dog friendly with outdoor patio
- 159 reviews2.6 mi
Mentioned in reviews: riverside outdoor seating under canvas tent, tray bakes, dog treats and tennis balls
Craft Cafe This shop | Coffee Box Belfast | |
|---|---|---|
| 4.7(745) | 4.5(159) | |
| Price | £ | £1–10 |
| Distance | — | 2.6 mi |
| Open today |
How this listing is sourced
- Where the data comes from
- Name, address, hours, contact details, amenities, ratings and review counts come from the business's publicly available profile data — not from the owner and not from paid submissions.
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