Belfast's top 10 independent coffee shops

Kick start your day with a delicious pick-me-up at one of these popular independent coffee shops in Belfast, where you're guaranteed a perfect cup every time.

Established Coffee

Occupying a stylish, modern space in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, Established serve a superb variety of filter and espresso coffees, alongside a tasty breakfast and lunch menu.

For coffee enthusiasts who want to get hands-on, they also host regular classes where they’ll divulge their expert know-how to give you a better insight into brewing the perfect cup at home.

Visit: 54 Hill Street, BT1 2LB – established.coffee

Applejacks Cafe

This family owned gourmet coffee shop is popular for its Italian Bellagio coffee and New York inspired breakfasts, which can be enjoyed as you admire glorious views across the city.

As well as the classics - including americanos, cappuccinos and café lattes - their signature Frappjack (made with espresso and ice cream) is a must-try for warmer days.

Visit: Caffrey Hill, 154 Glen Road, BT11 8LG – applejackscafe.com

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Town Square

This laid-back cafe in the middle of Botanic Avenue is spacious and welcoming.

There's a range of espresso, filter and off-piste (ice cold coffees) brews to enjoy here, including their renowned Aeropress coffee, which was awarded first place at the Northern Ireland Aeropress Championship.

Visit: 45 Botanic Avenue, BT17 1HZ – townsquarebelfast.com

The Pocket

Cosy and intimate, this pocket-sized coffee shop is popular with students, thanks to its close proximity to Queen’s University.

That being said, with a reputation for high quality coffees, a delicious food menu and excellent service, it's well worth a visit if you're in the area.

Visit: 69 University Road, BT7 1NF – thepocket.coffee

The Auction Room

Using award-winning coffee (with hints of peanut, milk chocolate and soft caramel) roasted in Belfast by Bailies, The Auction Room serve up frappes, espressos, lattes, mochas and more, as well as delicious cakes and traybakes.

Visit: 60 Main Street, Maghera, BT46 5AE – facebook.com/auctionroomcoffee

(Photo: Shutterstock)

438 Coffee

With a passion for handcrafted coffee and fresh homemade food and pastries, this snug coffee shop is a great place for a treat.

Choose from one of their two signature coffee blends and pair with a slice of homemade sponge cake, or an apple tart topped with fresh cream or ice cream.

Visit: 438 Ormeau Road, BT7 3HY – 438coffee.co.uk

Guilt Trip

Opened by Ulster rugby stars, Callum Black and Darren Cave, Guilt Trip is a place to indulge your cravings and enjoy some of the finest coffee and doughnuts in the city.

The coffee shop welcomes a variety of guest roasters which change every month, so customers will have something new to try on almost every visit.

Visit: 4 Orangefield Lane, BT5 6BW – guilttripcoffee.com

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Common Grounds

This little coffee shop stands out, not only for its ethically sourced food and fair trade coffee, but also because it gives away all of its surplus profits to community projects in the developing world.

Knowing you're helping someone by buying a coffee or meal makes their impressively tasty food and drinks taste that little bit better.

Visit: 12-24 University Avenue, BT7 1GY – commongrounds.co.uk

Belfast Tea and Coffee Company

Based in the heart of the city centre, this fine food delicatessen serves a range of artisan coffees and teas to quench your thirst.

Pair your drink with something from their menu of hand-crafted food for a breakfast or lunch time snack.

Visit: 107 Royal Avenue, BT1 1DD – belfastteaandcoffeecompany.co.uk

Kaffe O

Bringing a slice of Denmark to Northern Ireland, this Nordic inspired coffee shop was borne out of a passion for Danish coffee

For this reason, the cafe only use beans roasted in Copenhagen, by master roaster Ricco Sørensen.

A hit among locals, Kaffe O now has three locations around Belfast, so you’ll always be able to get your caffeine fix.

Visit: 411 Ormeau Road, BT7 3GP / 73 Botanic Avenue, BT7 1JL / 7 Donegall Square North, BT1 5GB – kaffeo.coffee