Harlem Cafe in Belfast

Had a booking for 11 and wasn’t spoken to by staff until 11:15, there was a big queue and people where cutting in front that didn’t have bookings and saying they did. While staff were very friendly, I think they need to be more organised when people are waiting. People sitting at tables of six when only two people meaning others couldn’t sit there even if they had a bigger party. Food was good however should be warned before putting pine nuts on food

This place is one of my favorite places to visit when I go to Belfast. I cannot recommend it enough. Everything from the food and the staff to the interiors and overall vibe was fantastic. Despite having the wait about 10 minutes for a table, the staff acknowledged us straight away and kept us in the loop. They were super friendly and attentive and the wait for food was not long. I had the full Irish breakfast and my friend had scrambled eggs & mushrooms on toast. We could not find one fault or piece of developmental feedback. It was absolutely delicious. They use fresh products and serve it on lovely crockery. The interiors of this place are just spectacular, no matter what direction you look, there’s something eye catching to look at. Every inch of the place was spotless. The owner moves around the restaurant with a great aplomb and her customer service skills are top notch. She checked back on every table in the place and did it in such a way that made every table feel like they were at home at Harlem. It’s evident that she shows great pride in what she does and cares about her customers and her staff. I cannot wait for my next visit!

The food was phenomenal! I joined 5 friends while in town and we all raved over this restaurant! The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. Love the fresh flowers and amazing live music! Highly recommend this restaurant!

Buzzing atmosphere, attentive staff, quirky decor. Faultless food. The owner attending every single table more than once to make sure everyone was happy. It had a real family feel. The food was hot, came quickly despite it being rammed and we only had to wait about 15 mins for a table on a very busy Christmas Saturday. Would highly recommend.

Right from the moment we entered we were welcomed by Faye and her staff. We thought "Boy has this place got a good vibe" and we were correct. The service was prompt, efficient and friendly. The food was superb. It is obvious that a lot of love and attention goes into making this restaurant the success it is. Attention to detail and in particular attention to the customer is to the fore. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Great place, friendly staff and fabulous food! Queue to get in, always a good sign, worth the wait for a great breakfast.

Some friends had been to this place on Friday morning when it was relatively quiet. They suggested we go again on Saturday as they had liked it so much but agreed we would not wait if there was a queue. So we were very pleasantly surprised when we went in shortly after 10 on a Saturday to find that there was no queue for tables at all. The five of us were seated quickly at a quirky glass topped table, underneath which was a display of shells and starfish - very quirky. The restaurant quickly got very busy and by the time we left there was a huge queue. The staff appeared very busy but were always apologetic and we were not in a hurry. We started with cocktails - bloody Marys for some, a bucks fizz for me. I had poached eggs on sourdough and asked for a sausage too - when it arrived it was about 4 times the size I was expecting. But was very tasty, as were the poached eggs which were poached to perfection. We also had teas and coffees and more drinks during the meal. All of us were very happy with our food choices, but the portions were huge. We had a great time here and will definitely come back next time we are in Belfast. I have seen some reviews mentioning loud music, this was not an issue during our visit. The staff were amazing and friendly and the whole ambience was lovely.

Great hearty breakfast. Friendly staff, great service

Very random and trendy design, the food and service is excellent though! Staff are really friendly and happy to accommodate all tastes

I rarely leave reviews, but the appalling treatment my group and I received at Harlem has left me no choice. We booked a table for 8 people in advance for 11:00 AM, which I thought would guarantee a smooth and welcoming experience, especially given how important it is for restaurants to manage bookings with professionalism and courtesy. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared us for the disgraceful level of service we encountered. Upon arrival, we were met with an unbelievably long queue—something I could somewhat understand for walk-ins, but as we had a booking, we expected to be seated without delay. After standing outside in the freezing cold for over 30 minutes, we were finally forced to ask twice about our reservation. After 35 minutes of waiting outside in a queue that had not moved, we were still not seated—had my sister not gone inside and insisted we be seated, I suspect we still wouldn’t have had a table. When we were finally seated, we were met by an owner who clearly had no understanding of hospitality. The hostility and lack of professionalism she displayed were nothing short of shocking. We were treated as though we were a nuisance, despite having a booking for 8 people, and were about to bring in a considerable amount of business for the restaurant. The owner's tone was dismissive, and rather than apologise for the delay, she made excuses, offering nothing but condescension. To make matters worse, after we had been seated and were in the process of ordering, the same owner had the audacity to ask us to leave—after we had waited in the cold for over half an hour! I cannot begin to fathom how a business can operate with such blatant disregard for customers. This, alongside several other customers complaining about long wait times despite having made reservations, highlighted an overall systemic issue in managing bookings. As a 20-week pregnant woman, standing for such an extended period in the cold was not only physically uncomfortable but downright unreasonable. I booked a table precisely to avoid such a situation, and no customer should ever have to go through what we did. As someone who also owns businesses in hospitality and retail, I can confidently say that if there was ever an issue in my establishment, I would immediately apologise, keep my customers informed, and ensure they were treated with respect. Clearly, that is a concept lost on the owner of Harlem. My recommendation to Harlem is clear: either stop accepting bookings if you are unable to honour them, or—at the very least—implement a proper system where tables are allocated within specific timeframes, as any reputable restaurant in the city does. And a simple gesture like a smile and a warm greeting wouldn’t hurt either, especially considering that your customers are the ones funding your business. In short, my experience at Harlem was disastrous, and I cannot in good conscience recommend this establishment to anyone. Customer service is key in this industry, and Harlem’s blatant disregard for its customers is unforgivable.

Bunch of AAA travel agents went here for dinner and we all agreed that our meals we had was fantastic. Highly recommend it for food, atmosphere and service. I will return!! ❤️ It was EXCEPTIONAL!!

I had French toast with Nutella and strawberries. Very good. Orange juice too but the service was embarrassing. I went in at opening time and was served half an hour later

Honestly the worst experience I've had in a restaurant in Belfast. They have no system of checking who has a booking or not. Stood outside for fifteen minutes waiting to get in and had to eventually push through to let them know we had a booking. When we were eventually sat down and had ordered they then made us move to another table. Sat for over 40 minutes with no food or service for more drinks. Had to flag down a staff member and then it took another 15 minutes to get out food. The food was bland and not worth the wait at all. Would not recommend!

Enjoyed a large breakfast, the sausage is to die for. Very friendly staff and atmosphere is chilled

We always stop off the lunch when staying over in Belfast. Brilliant atmosphere, great Halloween vibes 🎃 food so tasty, presentation showed much love and attention to detail, great welcome as always from the lovely bubbly and friendly Faye.

The food was good, but one the female waitresses short blonde ponytail was so rude and ruined my day

The decor in this coffee shop is lovely, but our experience with the service left us feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome. We came as a family of five without a reservation, willing to wait and fully understanding that people with reservations would be prioritized. However, even after 40 minutes of waiting, several groups who arrived after us were seated first. The owner apologized 3 times but still nothing changed. When a family of five who arrived much later was about to be seated at the table we’d been waiting for, I approached the waiter to remind her that we were next. She told me they had a reservation and refused to give us the table—even though we had been waiting longer. Only when that family graciously intervened and insisted we were first and they didn’t have a booking, did the waiter give us the table. Later, when I ordered tap water, the waiter misheard it as "butter," which was understandable. But when I clarified, she started correcting my accent in a way that felt dismissive and unnecessary. While the interior is nice, the service left us feeling as if we weren’t valued. Sadly, we couldn’t shake the feeling that the treatment we received may have been influenced by our foreign background. This experience left us very disappointed and they still charged us an extra 10% service fee because we were more than 3 people.

Best brunch in Belfast! Staff great, not just large portions but great tasting food. Love the interior decor too. Nice to have somewhere that isn't your usual stripped back Scandi look.

Saturday morning quite busy. We had a nice table, but service is not quite fast … Full Irish breakfast very nice

The Croque Madame was delicious. Liked the atmosphere in here a lot as well. We were hoping to get back and try their lunch menu as well, but ran out of time before we were able to come back.

We waited about 1.5 hours, but it was totally worth it! We ordered the Vegan Breakfast with added poached eggs, and everything was absolutely delicious. The place has a gorgeous vibe, and the service was amazing. Thank you to the entire team!

Class breakfast,very good vibes, and nice staff.

Elegant and artistic flamboyance layout, electronic music, simple menu well executed. Good vibes.

Waited 45 minutes for a table before giving up no staff approached to acknowledged we where even there no thanks 😒

Incredible place for food, atmosphere, decor, ambience, amazing friendly service. Cannot wait for my next visit!!

Found this little diamond of a place on our first morning of a three day stay. So good we came back every single day for breakfast because it is simply fantastic. Friendly, unobtrusive but efficient service from the lads and lasses who work there and some lovely food (portions are huge so make sure you're hungry!!!). They only do evening meals at weekends so can't comment on anything but their breakfast menu. I wish you were near where I live because you'd get sick of seeing me, lol.

Dog friendly. Harlem is a beautiful spot in Belfast. We stopped in for brunch on a weekend and were pleasantly surprised. All the staff were lovely and couldn't have done more to make us feel welcome and we'll looked after.

Crowed but worth the queue! Tasty toast, great Irish breakfast and lovely French toast Decoration is eclectic and gives a friendly atmosphere

Beautiful, quirky interior. Staff were very pleasant. The opening hours seemed to be a bit inconsistent (potential customers were being told that it's closed in the evening contradictory to their listed opening hours). Their food was OK. Great vibes.

The service and seating are excellent, but the food there is much better

Fantastic little brunch spot, this was my third visit to Harlem over the years and it didn’t disappoint😄 great atmosphere, the staff are brilliant and the food is delicious. It gets very busy so I would always advise to book! Gorgeous vibe and the decor is quirky and unique! The owner (sorry I didn’t catch her name) is lovely, really in touch with her customers and comes round to check how everything is! Will definitely be returning on my next trip to Belfast💚

Waited 40 minutes for a table. Got seated in front of entrance right beside the please wait here sign. Was not the most comfortable dining experience. Food didn’t come as ordered. Was offered no condiments for my meal. Made to feel like second rate customer.

A cafe in the center of Belfast. The inside of the store is very stylish. Ordered an Irish breakfast. The portions are plentiful, the sausages are crispy, and the unique Irish soda bread is also very delicious. There was so much tea that I couldn't drink it all.

Food lovely but expensive for what you got !

Luckily we got a free table soon. Great food and quick service.

A brilliant gem of a place. Food, staff, and atmosphere was amazing. If u fancy a wee tipple with ur breakfast The Harlem Cafe is the place to go. The owner Faye is so down to earth and a smile ray of sunshine. I will defo recommend this place to everyone.

Stood for 10 minutes with the kids, nobody even acknowledged us

Such a good spot and good food.

Both my wife and I had the grilled salmon with noodles. The salmon was prepared perfectly and the servers were great.

Great omelette!! Be there early on Saturday for breakfast, as the queue is out the door (indicating how popular the place is)

What an amazing place to go for brunch! I can highly recommend the Irish breakfast 👌

Everything was so good! Had never though of a bacon and Brie omelette before but the combo is amazing. The croque madam is so tasty. Coffee wasn’t my favorite but definitely wasn’t bad. Overall I would definitely come again.

Terrible people and not public friendly

An unreal cafe, very polite and well staffed, food was delicious 10/10 Would highly recommend a jug of sangria.

Visiting from Australia and the service, food, and atmosphere were one of the best experiences I’ve had. The manager is wonderful and friendly and really engaged with the customers. Birthdays and engagements were celebrated in the one sitting I had and it was so fun.

We had a most delicious breakfast this morning in a lovely welcoming inclusive atmosphere. I had the delicious porridge with nuts and fruit.The staff were very helpful and friendly and sorted us out with parking money as we had forgotten to bring change for the meter. We had a really enjoyable experience, thank you!

Go there for a meal/drink very cool

Harlem Cafe is very impressive in its decor, from the tables to the paintings, everything is just wow. It honestly feels like you have stepped back in time! The food is quite generous in its portions (which is a good thing!). I had the Bacon & Brie omelette, which comes with 2 slices of sourdough bread, butter, and a mini rocket salad. I made the mistake of also ordering a sausage with my omelette, but it was way too much food. The omelette was really tasty, and so were the sausage, the bread,and the coffee. I definitely recommend Harlem Cafe. However, the queue to get in the cafe gets quite long, so make sure you go at a good time!

Really nice food, incredible ambience, good service and good price!

Fantastic experience- brilliant food (especially for vegans), gorgeous cocktails for breakfast.

Best breakfast I have had in Belfast so far! Went for the Harlem All Day Irish Breakast, and I must say, you can tell the chef loves what he does. The fried egg just hit different! The potato bread and soda bread were incredible as well. To be honest, everything was just spot on! We were lucky to get a table as soon after we were seated, the place was full, and there was a queue going out the door! If you want to start your day with a decent breakfast, then look no further than Harlem Cafe!

Come here above anywhere else in Belfast for breakfast. World class vegan breakfast, option for cocktails, great atmosphere, good service. I want to come here every day.

Surprised by the positive reviews for this place. We went on a Saturday (no booking) and it was just chaotic. There was a massive queue which wasn’t being attended to. I don’t think it made any difference to have made reservations cause people had to wait for their table anyway. There didn’t seem to be a manager or person in charge/front of house. Staff were all doing their own thing. The food and drink is overpriced for the quality - I got a full English which was similar to what you’d get at Wetherspoons but more than double the price. Wouldn’t go again nor recommend.

Very welcoming and especially friendly to our dog who was given a huge sausage. Salads are amazing and fresh.

If you want a steak and Guinness pie, this is the place to go! Incredible service, exquisite food and massive portions. Couldn’t recommend more!

Popped in for breakfast, 2 Irish breakfast, poached eggs with salmon and a omelette. We all agreed it was amazing, great food, excellent service from staff and we really enjoyed the Tunes being played. Best bloody Mary’s I have had . I thought it was extremely good value for money saying you’re eating in a city . Thank you Harlem , happy customers.

Great variety of lunches. Eggs, toast, sweets, pancakes. Very pleasant atmosphere and great attention. Very generous dishes!!

First time here. Food fabulous. Service amazing. Friendly staff. Need to say no more.

Lovely atmosphere and delicious breakfast and coffee. The music was a little loud but overall what a place!

Such a cute cafe! Chill music creates a cozy & groovy atmosphere. I had the bacon & brie omelette and fresh squeezed oj — was delicious and great portion. Service was great and they all worked together to make things run smoothly and quickly as it was a busy Sunday morning.

Very quiet on a Saturday evening!! Food,good,friendly staff . Until!!! ,my husband and I got our bill and the staff had crossed out the total price and manually added in 10%?? without our consent. Is this even allowed within consumers rights ? Very of putting as we thought it a tad cheeky and presumptuous ,if at all legal!

Really really really nice brunch. Fluffiest omelette and beautiful pancakes

Great scrambled egg breakfast in a lush, very quirky environment. Very pleasant staff. Reasonably priced

Had a delicious toasty for lunch, great atmosphere and very friendly, helpful staff. Class decor....

Excellent breakfast menu. Great quality produce. Tasty food in a quirky and fun space.

Great spot, especially for breakfast.

We were sent here by our hotel concierge. He knew his business. A funky restaurant with an excellent brunch menu and great friendly service. Try this one for your next breakfast/brunch outing.

This is the place for breakfast in Belfast. Fresh food and plentiful, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs was perfect and the staff were fast and attentive. Looking forward to going back.j

Bacon &,.brie omelette was bland and tasteless, sourdough toast was very hard,toasted on 1 side only, black pudding was bone dry and crumbling,no moisture..asked for water when ordering and it never came..place was buzzing even at 11.am but music blaring far too loud for breakfast and made chatting not so easy..very expensive at £13.50 for a full cooked breakfast plus extra for tea ..and poor quality food to match on this first and last visit.too many tables squeezed in meant passing diners constantly brushed against my chair. Aargh!

I had an excellent ham and cheese omelet and a mocha. Great service. Unique atmosphere.

Service was great and i like the place. I ordered a giant stack of pancakes however they were not american giant sized pancakes which is fine but i think it is important to note. I attached a photo of them as well. My sister found an object in her food as well. Also they had medieval chairs in the bathroom which was a very nice touch. I attached a photo of those as well

Giant portions, yummy food, amazing coffee

Truly unique experience, beautiful decor, friendly staff, great food and drinks.

great little cafe for breakfast, fast service

Great coffee, excellent breakfast. A very nice atmosphere and welcoming staff. The music is a little too loud but other than that, just bliss.

Such fun decor. Try to guess the theme!

We waited for fifteen minutes at our table and no one talked to us so we left.

Was here for a wedding breakfast. Everything was absolutely lovely. Very popular at the weekends so booking is essential.

Great night at Harlem in Belfast, staff were very welcoming, food was ok and the craic was ninety in the isle of man!!!

There was a bit of a queue to get in but it moved along very quickly and got seated in no time. Friendly staff and cleanly premises. Very reasonable prices for very good food.

Amazing food such a great atmosphere and a funky vibe, the staff were world class so friendly and helpful

Got to the door 5 minutes before opening time and there was already a queue of 12 people on a normal Wednesday morning.... once inside... it was easy to see why Fantastic food, delicious coffee and a super quick service 😋 staff were lovely too, so if looking for a filling breakfast spot then look no more

My favourite breakfast place!! Highly recommend

Only a few days in Belfast this trip, but we had to come back a second time for breakfast at Harlem Cafe. Super fast service, friendly staff, delicious food (porridge, fruit, eggs, sourdough toast, cappuccino, tea, etc). On weekends, best to arrive before 10 am to avoid the queues. (No wait during the week.)

Fun place. Great staff. Someone would always be asking what they could do for you.

A great wee Spot for breakfast / brunch / lunch. Food was really good and coffee was pretty good too. Great atmosphere. The only squabble is the seats being ripped. Sort that out and all good.

Went for breakfast. Food was excellent and if anything, the serve was too big and neither of us could finish. Coffee was amongst the top three I’ve had in the UK. I think it was down to the roast and mixed origin that gave it the perfect acidity and taste.

The Harlem Cafe is the perfect breakfast or lunch spot in downtown Belfast, located just a couple blocks from the City Hall, and nearby to the city centre. There is indoor and outdoor dining, with rustic seating and many pieces of art hanging on the walls. The service is friendly, helpful, and attentive. During this visit, I enjoyed the toasted sourdough with smoked salmon and fried eggs. It was plenty and they give you a bountiful serving of the smoked salmon. I also enjoyed a double espresso with the meal.

Really enjoyed this gem of a place! The food was amazing and so the decor and interior of this place! The staff was really friendly and the service was on top! There is a bit of queue when you get there depending on how busy the place is but its definitely worth the wait! Prices I would say it’s worth what you get!

We headed here for breakfast after an overnight stay in Belfast. We waited a few minutes for a table which is expected. When we were seated the table it ended up taking about 20 minutes to have our order taken but it was very busy! The food was incredible. My husband had a fry and I had the scrambled egg, mushroom and toast, we couldn't fault it. The coffee was one of the best we have had. A great breakfast, a good service, the staff were all so friendly and welcoming and there was a fantastic atmosphere. Would 100% recommend

Beautiful café with a delicious traditional irish breakfast and many more options!! This café was a highlight to my family’s trip to Belfast. We came here for breakfast and every dish we ordered was very well plated and tasted delicious, both savory and sweet breakfast plates. They have a gluten free toast option as well as vegan options to support most diets. If you need substitutions they were very friendly with working out dietary restrictions. As an American, we were still getting used to the regular service so we weren’t used to asking for the bill and figured it was an us thing vs a service thing. The atmosphere was beautiful. They played modern music but it was a little loud so we had to talk quite loud to hear each other at the table. Other than the music being loud, we have little complaints about this café.

Spent a little time here drinking cocktails with friends. Pretty impressive interieur, full of history and art. Very kind employees, we enjoyed that evening and will come again one day. Have a good time and see you, Folks!

Loved this place. Food was top notch, portions generous and very tasty. We visited on a Saturday when they have live music and it was very busy but their service was very good and the staff were lovely and chatty. Highly recommend for brunch and lunch (I’m told they also do a nice dinner on Saturdays).

This is a ' don't miss' the concept is enchanting and the food is great. But, remember to book very popular. I'm writing anymore - go check this place out . We had brunch and fabulous coffee, one of our group had porridge "best ever" she's been trying to replicate it . Give it a go

Lovely little hideaway cafe known to locals and highly recommended. The atmosphere is relaxing and the food is delicious and a good portion size. A little bit pricey but worth the experience. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. Nothing is too much trouble. Quaint is the word I would use to describe this Lovely eatery 5*

Went for breakfast this morning and it was perfect . Portions big , food was delicious and the service was on point . Thank you

Average food made ten times worse by extremely rude & arrogant staff

I’m offended by your sign! 😂😂 Was never in your place, but I love the signs! Always something funny! 😂😂

My partner and I arrived in Belfast and went straight here for breakfast because of the amazing reviews we had heard. We waited about 10 minutes for a table which we were happy to do. The atmosphere and decor were really great but the food was a bit of a let down. I had the French toast which was ok but not the best. My partner had the Feta cheese and sourdough with poached eggs. Unfortunately his eggs were extremely over cooked. I wouldn’t rush back here for food but the coffee was great!

Staying at the Belfast Travelodge so needed to forage for breakfast. I decided to try the Harlem Cafe and I’m very glad I did. I received a cheerful greeting and was asked “Do you need a coffee? I certainly did! Breakfast was sourdough toast, scrambled eggs and a sausage. What a sausage (see picture) ! The scrambled eggs were perfect-certainly cooked to order. I’m heading there tomorrow morning for a full Irish to fuel me up for a day’s travelling.