Posted as part of One Topic / Forty Opinions via The Belfast Bloggers Network.
As I told the gang at Belfast Bloggers, I don’t really go out to eat. Well, Simon and I might catch a sandwich on a Friday before an afternoon movie date, but eating out at night? Never happens. Unless my mom is in town.
Coffee, on the other hand…that I drink out. Some might say a lot.
And what’s my favourite?
Clements Coffee.* Hands down.
I first discovered Clements not long after I moved to Belfast. Coming from San Francisco, the land of Peets, I had high expectations for my coffee. Peets roasts their own coffee, in small batches, for distribution to their small chain of California stores. They do ship, nationally and internationally, but there’s nothing like stopping at Peets for a coffee. It was the last thing I did on my way to Belfast when I was moving. It’s the first place I want to go when I get back.
So I went looking for Peets in Belfast. I tried, I am fairly sure, every coffee shop, chain or otherwise, in Belfast City Centre in my first year living here. But the only one that came even a little bit close, was Clements.
At that point, nearly 10 years ago, I only knew about 2 Clements, the one on Donegall Square West, which was the first, and the one behind what is now TK Maxx and used to be…something else. 🙂 It was the one on Donegall Square West that I tried first. And wasn’t sure I liked the atmosphere. It’s a very oddly shaped shop, if you haven’t been there, long and narrow with no tables but more bars with stools and a series of sofas and chairs.
But I knew that I loved the coffee.
And now I pretty much only have Clements. Usually at the one at Queen’s Student Union, even though you can’t get a 3G signal in there to save your life and there is no Wifi unless you’re a student. I can forgive that for a large skinny latte with an extra shot.
And now that I have a three year old who loves “going for coffee” (he has juice) and sitting on those stools at the Donegall Square West location, I like that one a lot, too.
And I have filled ‘drink 10 get one free’ cards by the dozens.
And, it’s true.
The free one tastes the best.
*If anyone from Clements ever reads this, I’d like to point out I’m a web designer, among other things, and you guys need a site… 🙂
I totally agree. Clements by a mile. Particularly the Botanic branch.
Have you tried Harlem Cafe by the Ulster Hall? I nearly died the first time I tried their coffee, it is divine!!
It wasn’t open when I did my taste test 10ish years ago, but I have now.
It’s good.
Clement’s is better.
Totally agree Clements coffee is hard to beat, the coffee in Equinox cafe is also really good, and I have to say the coffee in Ventnors deli on James Street South is great too.