Northern Ireland is succumbing to the coffee revolution, fast. Portia Preston tries to decide between the chemex and the aeropress in three vital destinations.
When the Tea of the Month is Tangerine Ginger, and when your instant reaction after you take a first bite of chocolate and cream cake is “Wow!”, then you know that Belfast's Established coffee house is on point.
Established is run by Mark Ashbridge, and he has brought to the business both an exacting expertise, and an exacting beard. It's a Belfast commonplace to hear that the coffee, the breads (from Zac's Bakehouse) and the sandwiches in Established are the best in the city, and not just the best, but the best by a city mile.
But being good with food and drinks is just part of the Established story. Just as important are the excellent and helpful staff, and the cool, post-industrial aesthetic of the room. Mr Ashbridge leads his team by example, so we're guessing that they all want to be world class Aeropress contenders, and we're betting that they will all get there.
The only problem is with their name: Established has every right to be called Revolution.
Not too far from Established, in sleepy Newtownards, the coffee revolution roars ahead in the funky Haptik. Owned by a very inspirational couple, Johnny and Rachel McBride, who have recently returned from a year in Melbourne only to find that Northern Ireland was lacking something: a first-rate good cup of coffee. In Australia, Johnny trained as a barista, and learnt how coffee is more like a way of life and an art, while Rachel delved into her love for contemporary art. They wanted to bring back with them something they discovered- an inclusiveness, a connection between coffee, art, food and people. Haptik does exactly that, with very contemporary, stylish interior to form the perfect surroundings for that speciality coffee, a gallery and art space, all within an inclusive environment.
Their granola hails from Portaferry, their sourdough loaves are made by Ken McNaul in Donaghadee, and their cakes are made by Dan Larkin. Haptik is a more relaxed place than Established, as people are not rushing to get back to work or meet their deadline with their devices plugged in around the tables which – although very cool and necessary at times – gives a completely different feel to this Newtownards destination.
I went with one of my friends, who isn't really into the whole coffee scene, to Lost & Found, in the centre of Coleraine. My friend now has a new love for the alternative way of enjoying food and a coffee with a chat in a place of great decor! She was lost, and now she is found.
It's easy to see why she fell so fast: the entire feel of Lost & Found is the want and desire to celebrate delicious coffee and delicious food. The L&F style has very simplistic but totally on trend decor: whitewashed brick, exposed brick, simple bulb lighting and old schoolhouse style of table and chairs. This compliments the menu which although simple is exquisitely judged: I had carrot, ginger and coconut soup, accompanied with freshly baked white bread by Ursa Minor, baked in nearby Ballycastle, and the food was effortlessly delicious. The drinks are fashioned with true expertise, and service is both charming and utterly convincing: you will drink whatever they recommend, so skilled are the staff in selling their beautifully curated products. Emily and Dave Lynas have created someplace special: Lost & Found is a gem.
Established: https://www.facebook.com/establishedcoffee
54 Hill Street, Belfast, Co Antrim
Haptik: https://www.facebook.com/wearehaptik
29 Frances Street, Newtownards, Co Down
Lost & Found: http://wearelostandfound.com
2 Queen Street, Coleraine, Co Londonderry
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