Harlem Cafe
Cafes in Belfast Northern Ireland
34 Bedford Street
Belfast
BT2 7FF
Northern Ireland
(028) 90 244 860
Fans of Harlem Cafe (11)
Reviews of Harlem Cafe (31)
04/08/10
Reading the comments her cannot believe that it was the same place that i recently had breakfast
Menue said doorstep slices of bread and out can regular sliced pan no explanation
the poached eggs were done in a microwave poacher and all this took 20 minutes
The place looks great but the food does not match up
02/07/10
I was in the Harlem cafe last night and enjoyed the atmosphere. Only went in for a coffee and relaxed for a while.
Service was good, coffee was good and I think I would like to go back sometime for something to eat.
24/06/10
Harlem has come a long way since it opened back before Christmas. Often having meetings here now due to it’s spacious layout, lovely decor and ideal placement in the city centre.
Menu changes from lunch to evening setting so unfortunately there was nothing on the evening menu that took our fancy but they were happy to put together some chicken goujons for us. A plate of huge chicken goujons they were, accompanied by garlic bread, chips and salad.
Very pleasant staff too. Bumped up to 5-stars.
29/04/10
Went here for lunch today w/ a friend. Asked if we were to order at counter or take a seat. ‘Took a pew’ in a comfy leather sofa when the ownwer walked past and asked if we were being looked after. When we said no, she apologised, however we explained that we had pretty much just arrived! The owner was very friendly, and sat down on the coffee table in front of us to offer us the menus, read the specials, and take a drinks order. After a few minutes, she came back then w/ our drinks and took our food order.
Both of us ordered the chilli chicken and cheese wrap. To be honest, it was nothing special and a bit overpriced. The pesto on the salad was the only thing to take the sharp taste of chilli sauce away! Nonetheless, I enjoyed the salad at least.
I would say that the service is worthwhile, if served by the owner anyway, as she literally makes it her business to make you feel at home. Very polite in her manner, referred the specials as ‘my soup of the day’ and ‘my’ this and that, which made it very personalised and welcoming! I would definitely return here for a pot of tea (fabulously priced to be honest), and a traybake, to soak in the atmosphere.
Decor is fab to be honest and I actually told me friend, ‘It’s like the ‘Muriel’s’ of the cafe scene’. Very individulastic style - each table setting is different (tables and chairs). Cool artwork adorns the walls.
I give ‘Harlem’ a 3 out of 5!
29/04/10
The service in Cafe Harlem is excellent, staff are attentive and friendly. The food is fabulous. Whoever their baker is has beautiful hands - the food just melts in your mouth. I love to go in and have coffee and a scone, listen to the music and chill for a short while. It is a clean, comfortable and friendly environment. I would definitely recommend it to anyone - go in and sit a while and enjoy the atmosphere and the lovely food.
25/04/10
Today has been the first time I´ve been in Harlem cafe and one of the things I could enjoy most was one of the waiters that was wearing a ponytail, really beautful boy!! Hope to see you again!!
21/04/10
This is a great little cafe if you want to have a little get together with a mate over lunch. I did have to share my table with a mother and toddler one time… But I didn’t really mind.
16/04/10
Had a pleasant return to Harlem Cafe this lunch time.
Staff very attentive, always on the ball.
Environment nice and relaxing. Very spacious, nice big TV screen. You could sit in here for hours, drinking coffee and watching the world go by. Not sure if they have wifi, forgot to ask.
I had the chicken pie and chips. £6.95 and very satisfying. Rest of the food looked good too. Will be back.
12/04/10
We spent 5 days in Belfast and breakfasted at Harlem every day.
Excellent breakfast, scrambled egg recommended. Also had scones one day.
Friendly staff and funky decor.
Chrissie, Mike & Paul
06/04/10
I had traveled to Belfast from Liverpool for the weekend. Harlem was one of the places I was recommended. I was certaintly not disapointed, the fantastic range of fresh home cooked lunchs, minus the pretensious prices. And really what could be said for the sweet selection only divine, and yes I absolutly had more then one.There is a very chilled out aptmosphere,very clean and fab decor. Not somewhere I would recommend for a pit stop lunch. Make a real treat of it. I will be making Harlem a regular stop on my return trip. See ya soon.
09/03/10
Okay have attended again last week and had a better expereience - was served quickly and the quiche with salad and chips was great. So, have to give it a higher rating than the one I previous offered.
06/03/10
To follow up on my last review, I went back to Harlem Cafe last Wednesday with a friend. Once again the service was brilliant from everybody, food was great, atmosphere was great, coffee was great. The place is just great. I made a slight idiot of myself by knocking the milk over :( but they were all very nice about it and the waiter made a joke of it which actually did put me at ease. Once we finished (2 Hours later) we asked the manager if they were opened at night, she said not at the moment but they have applied for their late licence, so fingers crossed they get it as I would only be too happy to go back at night time as well.
Can’t fault the place one bit & my friend seemed to enjoy it just as much.
Look forward to going back next week again! :)
27/02/10
OK, after reading all these ‘great’ comments, i went back to Harlem Cafe,(my first experience wasn’t great, and i vowed, never again, but thought i would put it down to the cafe just being new!) On our arrival, we went in sat at a table, there was only 2free, both of which were not cleaned!, nevertheless, i thought they are busy i’ll give them a chance! BUSY was exactly what they were, chatting about what they were doing at the weekend, i could have even told u what one of them was going to wear….all this while she was cleaning our table taking over to the other girl cleaning the other table! So after she dusted some crumbs onto my lap, she said ‘what can i get you?’ to which i replyed ‘a menu would be great!’, after throwing me a look she handed us 2 menus and walked away, without taking a drinks order!
When she returned, we placed our order. Our food was placed on the table 15mins later, which i thought was fine, but we hadn’t recieved our coffee’s. I got the waitresses attention, and explained the situation, for which she apoligised. Food looked great well presented, but my partners was wrong, again we had to call the waitress over who took his food and said she would change it. When i was finishing my wrap my partners food appeared, and worse than that she actually lifted my plate, and my partner hadn’t even begun to eat his! Paid for our food which was fine for a cafe, even though the coffe isn’t up to standards, and left. While this was going on i overheard the person infront of us stating that she had a hair in her food, so that was the nail in the coffin for me, i will never set foot in Harlem Cafe again, i’d prefer to starve.
27/02/10
The friendliest staff in town!It’s true that service was bit disorganised (yet always super friendly!) at the start but I didn’t mind at all. After all setting up a new business would be stressful for everyone out there. The important thing though is that they have improved 100% and service has become very efficient. I love the friendly, cosy and almost homely athmosphere infused with a real freshness that the decor and music add to the place. The coffee and the home-made food are great (especially the bread). All in all it’s a very welcoming café in which I love spending afternoons drinking coffee and reading a book on one of their comfortable leather sofas. Thumbs up from me!!
25/02/10
After reading the reviews on the site I was a bit worried that “Harlem Cafe” wouldn’t live up to it’s predecessors, “Wild Willy’s Steakhouse” & “Larry Piano’s Bar”.
After visiting Harlem today am VERY happy to say this is the best place I’ve ever eaten in. I went in with my sister & my niece (who is only 8 months old)& sat down near the door (Just in case my niece decided to scream the place down & we could make a quick escape! She never ever does but we just decided to play it safe anyway!) Once we sat down this lovely lady (Who was dressed different from the other staff, think she may have been the floor manager but am not sure) came up to us and said, “Hello & welcome, are you ok sitting up here” We replied yes but then she said, “We have a lovely table down the back, come on and follow me and we will seat you better” So we followed her and we went down the back where there was these 2 lovely leather sofas (You sat down on them and you just melted into them!)Minutes later I noticed the menus on the desk where you pay, so I went up to get two, the lady saw me and said, “oh please, let me take them off you, I will bring these over to you” She did and then asked if we wanted a drink while we decided want we wanted to eat.
My sister just ordered a coke and I ordered a plain coffee. She saw my niece sitting on the sofa (Loving it because it was so comfy!) and then started talking away and asking questions about her, which I thought was really nice of her. A couple of minutes later the coke and coffee arrived which was brought to us by a waiter, she started to talk away and started talking to my wee niece and playing with her etc… (Which again, I thought was really nice as did my sister) She took our order which was two club sandwiches, we waited 10/15 minutes before they came which I was totally fine about, I hate food being served on double quick time, I would rather chat and relax before getting food down my mouth. Between this time my wee niece was dancing to the music playing which brought over another waiter who talked to her/us, she also seen the flowers the floor manager was setting up and the floor manager seen this and came over and again started talking to her/us.
I also noticed the floor manager (If that was her job, apologies if not!)talking to the people that was there on their own which I thought was really nice of her.
So the service was the best I have ever received so ZERO complaints.
The food was gorgeous, I know it was only a club sandwich but it was the best one I have ever had (& not to sound snobby but I’ve eaten club sandwiches in 5 start hotels and they weren’t as nice as Harmelms) The bread was fresh as was everything that was in it, the mayo was to die for & we got chips on the side which where lovely also. My sister agreed 100%
The coffee was fine, I know some people complained about the coffee but it tasted fine to me.
The price was £17 and so many penny’s, it is slightly dearer than most places but this doesn’t bother me in the slightest as the service & the niceness of the staff well for made up any queries I would have with the price.
The staff (especially the floor manager lady) the music, the feel, the decor & the food were all absolutely fantastic & anytime I get the chance I will be going back to Harlem Cafe (As will my sister who thought it was equally fantastic)
In fact am going back next week with two of my friends and I can’t wait.
I can’t praise this place enough, it reeks of awesomeness & I hope and pray that it’s a success and stays around unlike it’s predecessors.
Andrew.
(P.S - It’s the type of place I would love to work in!)
Comments (1)
25/02/10
Forgot to say, it’s place where I could sit and drink coffee for hours. Might do this next week!!!
19/02/10
Definately the best all day fry ever!!lovely coffee lovely helpful staff great decor and surroundings free newspapers—what more do people want?? Cant wait to go back!
13/02/10
Paid £3 for a large latte which I think is way over-priced. It wasn’t even the best of coffee at all. Charlie’s Coffee Shop in Bradbury place serves large lattes for £2.20 and they are delicious!!!
13/02/10
Me and Becca loved it. We were served by Fay(e?) the owner who was absolutely charming, and very attentive. Any other staff that came over were equally as smiley and friendly too! We only had coffee, toast and pavlova but all was yummy and the atmosphere and decor is great. Read the reviews by all means, but go - and make up your own mind. I think this place is a grower, and hopefully - a stayer!x
12/02/10
The internet is wrong, Harlem is great.
Comments (2)
12/02/10
I’ve been back twice now (so close to work) and it has been a lot better. So no, at the time, the ‘internet’ was right.
12/02/10
Someone is wrong on the internet irony/humour fail.
Ypu’ve given the place a one star review, so you’re correcting my post… Why?
12/02/10
Went here for the first time this lunchtime, despite being wary of poor reviews I gave it the benefit of the doubt.
I have to say I was very impressed. Decor is great, we were promptly served, waitress was very attentive and I had a massive chicken Wrap and sald with drink for £6.
I’ll be back.
04/02/10
Harlem was a real experience which will take me back to eat there again.It was a busy lunch time with groups of people enjoying the choices of home-made food and the short wait for my order to arrive was no problem. The amazing photo’s on the wall, the fantastic choice of seats and tables made it a real ‘Harlem Experience’ with the help of Billie Holiday singing in the background, I could have sat-on all afternoon. Staff were interested and helpful and certainly made a miserable wet day in Belfast seem alot happier!!
31/01/10
As usual a great cafe being slated!! I had fantastic food, Very attentive service and delish coffee. Belfast’s hottest new place!!
28/01/10
We ordered our coffees at the counter and they took a while to be brought to our table. They only brought one spoon. I finished my coffee way before my companion did and the waiter took my cup away, which is rude.
It’s a nice looking place and we might give it another go, but the staff really need to improve the service.
24/01/10
Been a few times and am yet to be impressed - I also felt the staff avoided taking your order - not a great start as would love something to do well here.
Comments (2)
26/01/10
Yes, hope they do - its completely dead in the mornings and I’m sure there would be a wee regular crowd - the guys I work with queue for coffees at Urban Retreat and Harlems closer and more comfortable.
22/01/10
Returned yesterday to the same poor service and disinterested staff. Won’t be back.
21/01/10
Poor show. Staff did their best job to avoid taking our order. Had to go to counter to ask after 10mins. She rolled her eyes and came down to the table.
Coffee wasn’t great. Asked for americano but it tasted like a filter.
Atmosphere and general setting was quite nice until the fire alarm went off.
Staff didn’t seem too fussed. Went about their business as normal. It kept going for about 20mins, so we decided to leave. Staff didn’t even say sorry for the alarm.
Poor service, okish food/drink.
Might not bother again.
Comments (2)
04/02/10
Shame you came away so unhappy that day.I’m sure the staff tried their best and were equally alarmed by the noise! My visit there was made extra special by the staff who showed a real interest in me, gave me great coffee and real food - I would try again.
04/02/10
I want to like it. It’s in a perfect spot near my work, it has lovely interior and a nice atmosphere. But seriously, the customer service is really letting it down. It goes a long way and at the moment the staff in Harlem dont get it. They didnt try their best on that occasion. After 20min of the alarm going off they didnt come over once. Even a word to say “sorry, we’re trying to fix it” would have done. But yes, loveroffood, I’ll try again. I’m sure you’ll pass my comments on to your staff. ;-)
30/12/09
Epic venue/ interior…great coffee and food… Just opened so bit of a mix up with the service! Will deff be back..
28/12/09
Food out of this world, service great staff very helpful.
Interior beautiful, very relaxing. A gem in the making, so different from the bog standard cafes in belfast!!
26/12/09
Service awful! Decor tasefull! Coffee good! Food average!
Very obvious that this was a rush job, that was opened too quick! Don’t think i would stop in again!
21/12/09
Bit slow on it noticing we’d arrived & taking our order, small selection of drinks, no card machine and a slight mix-up with our resident vegetarians order. Although, we did hit the lunchtime rush and the place has literally just opened, happy to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Still a little rough around the edges, will try again in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed, has the potential to be a great spot.
21/12/09
Bit disappointed with Harlem. Impressed with the decor, nice seating, lots of photos of American legends on the walls, but the service wasn’t great.
We were sitting around for a while waiting to order. Wasn’t obvious if you ordered at til or were waited on. Menu was hard to read. Some of the food and drinks got mixed up when they eventually came.
I went for stew, which was £5. But you can get the same round the corner at Snax for £4 and you’re served a lot quicker.
Looks like a nice place to lounge around with a coffee though. In fairness they’ve just opened so might be worth another visit down the line. Didn’t seem like they were ready to open yet.
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Comments (1)
27/02/10