Gourmet

Belfast Caf Culture

IN THIS ISSUE, WE’D LOVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT FIVE FABULOUS FOODIE FAVOURITES WHICH ARE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT FOR COFFEE AND A LITTLE SUSTENANCE WHEN OUT AND ABOUT IN BELFAST; WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A BREAK FROM WORK OR COLLEGE, OR TO RELAX AND RECHARGE DURING A CITY SHOPPING TRIP, THESE GREAT CAFÉS REALLY HIT THE SPOT!

Toast

Toast Café on the Cregagh Rd in Belfast has recently celebrated its twentieth year serving up breakfasts, lunches and sweet treats.

This popular restaurant and coffee shop has an extensive menu featuring lots of delicious dishes. From All Day Breakfasts and Sandwich Specials, to Omelettes and tasty Mains, there’s something to suit all tastes.

The Avocado Crush on Sourdough Toast, topped with perfectly poached eggs, had a fragrant hint of coriander and lime, and was served with mixed leaves, & sprinkled with seeds. And a dollop of sriracha added a welcome kick of chilli!

One of the most popular dishes in Toast Café is the Chicken Goujon Waffles, and it’s not hard to see why; golden mini fillets on a crispy waffle with fresh chilli & spring onions, drizzled with hot chilli sauce, soured cream, and maple syrup. Delicious!

Don’t forget to leave room for dessert; the Chocolate Orange Cheesecake from The Belfast Cheesecake Co was delightfully indulgent, and there are lots of tempting treats from Brownies on the Hill: we loved the Raspberry Ruffle Marshmallow Traybake.

Toast also stocks some lovely gift ideas, including plants & flower arrangements , “Aromatics” wax melts, and “BeeHype” raw honey.

Nica Nica

On the Great Northern Mall in Belfast, Giuseppe Micciché has opened the wonderful Nica Nica coffee shop, offering delicious treats inspired by his Sicilian culinary heritage.

His passion for cooking started at an early age, and his “Pupino Chef” products reflect the flavours and aromas of Italy.

From incredible authentic cannoli in various sizes and flavours and artisan panettone, to amazing nut spreads and chocolate bars, Nica Nica is packed with unique and delicious treats and gift ideas.

We called in for a hot drink, and were treated to a fantastic Dirty Chai Latte, and an indulgent Pistachio Coffee.

The cannoli are superb: crispy shells stuffed with sweet ricotta and are available in a variety of flavours. There are also vegan and gluten free options for the cannoli and many other menu items.

And make sure you try the spreadable creams in combinations of hazelnut, pistachio, chocolate and caramel, although our favourite tub was a savoury pistachio pestoperfect for stirring through pasta, or spreading over a salmon fillet!

So, next time you’re in Belfast looking for a special treat, pop in to Nica Nica and let your tastebuds be transported to sunny Sicily.

Cultura, a stylish café on the Gilnahirk Road in East Belfast, serves creative dishes, and a rotating menu of seasonal coffees, in a relaxed, casual and contemporary

Our coffees were top-notch; a Kawa Handbrew with hints of cacao, vanilla and blood orange, and a Cardamom. Flat White-a delicious twist on a Chai Latte.

The Sando Special was a crispy Katsu Chicken delight, and the Turkish Eggs were perfectly poached, resting on Sumac & Garlic Labneh and sprinkled with Peanut Duqqa. With sides of toasted Focaccia and spicy Salt & Chilli Fries, this was an excellent lunchtime treat. Cultura:

Inspired by Curiosity.

Bolt Deli

Just off the Boucher Road, Bolt Deli is a New York-Style Café and Restaurant. The distinctive Stateside vibe, with its exposed brickwork, copper highlights, and nods to Manhattan and Little Italy, is reflected in the extensive menu.

We were spoilt for choice with so many tempting dishes on offer; from All Day Breakfasts, Bagels, Salads, Deli Style Wraps & Sandwiches, Burgers, Loaded Fries, and so much more, all championing local producers and suppliers.

We had one of Bolt Deli’s customer favourites-the incredibly popular Nik-Nak Chicken Burger; a salt & chilli buttermilk chicken fillet, smothered in harissa mayo, chilli honey, gouda cheese melt, and napa slaw, with extra crispy bacon and a prawn cracker for extra crunch! Served with parmesan & garlic fries and a curry dip, this was a fabulous lunchtime feast.

There are lighter dishes on the menu too. For those looking for a meat-free option, the “Light & Veggie” really delivers flavour; toasted sourdough spread with beetroot hummus, a honey drizzle and sesame seeds, topped with beetroot, poached eggs, and either tangy goats cheese, or grilled halloumi. Accompanied by a bowl of Loaded Fries with cheese and peppered sauce, this was all terrifically tasty.

The Focacceria

The fantastic Ciarán McLarnon, otherwise known as Hundredth Monkey

We had an incredibly tasty Kimchi Burger, on a house Japanese milk bun with a kimchi patty, cos lettuce, burger cheese & mayo. There’s also another meat-free Fennel & Celeriac Burger, and of course, traditional Fried Chicken Sandwiches.

The Gyros are amazing; sourdough flatbread with cos, red onion, garlic, citrus and basil dressing with diced bavette steak, chicken fillet, or grilled halloumi.

Focacceria”, upstairs in HouseProud home furnishings on the Boucher Road.

This brilliant spot serves up breakfasts, Italian-inspired sandwiches, burgers, gyros, and lunch specials.

And don’t miss out on the delicious garlic butter fries; potatoes baked, then cut into wedges, dried and chilled before cooking, resulting in extra crunchy, skin-on chips which are then smothered in garlic butter. Irresistible!

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If you have any requests for restaurant recommendations send us a message and we’ll get right back to you.

Please note, this column is the opinion of the columinst and not that of GNI or Romeo & Julian Publiccations Ltd.