Belvedere Cafe Restaurant — Restaurant in Belfast

(posting on behalf of my mother) Due to lack of response directly from the owner, I have no choice but to post my review here. On Saturday 9th August at around 2pm I visited the restaurant with a group of three of my friends, I did this on a weekly basis. Following our meal, which to be honest was not up to the normal standard I have previously received in The Belvedere, we left. No longer than 15 minutes after us leaving your restaurant my friend called back in to use the facilities, as she was feeling very unwell. She was greeted by a young lady, moping the floor, getting ready to close for the day and headed for yourself (owner) behind the counter at the back of the shop, cashing up the till. When she politely asked to use the bathroom, she was immediately declined as she was told they had just been CLEANED! This resulted in an 84-year-old woman having to walk down the Newtownards Road soiled in her own faeces, she was very distressed. She then had to get into her car and make her way home to Carrickfergus, over 40 minutes’ drive in that state. Incidentally, this was her first visit and therefore first impression of the restaurant that I had highly recommended as had the other girls we were with.

Myself, my family, and my friends have supported your business at the very least weekly since you reopened on the Newtownards Road, however based solely on this incident I will be unable to return to your establishment. I am extremely disappointed with the lack of customer service and indeed human decency. Even if my 84-year-old friend had not just spent money in your restaurant the only decent thing to do would have been for you to allow her to use the toilet. Due to this disgusting customer service, my friends & I will never be in your...

Semi regular customer here, on their old place, and although their new place looks nice it’s a shame they have kept same dull menu they’ve had for the last number of years (since they opened I think. Most restaurants / cafes change their menus frequently but here is the same old, same old!! With the exception of some “daily specials” which again are normally same old specials. No originality / creativity. If they put half as much effort into the food instead of the useless murals it would have served them better.

It’s pity they didn’t take the opportunity to revive the menu when they reopened, they missed an opportunity.

I’ve heard from other people who’ve went at maybe 1.30pm / 2.00pm and been turned away as “the kitchen is closing early” this is no way to run a business, you advertise open hours and you should adhere to these (unless of an emergency), but it looks they don’t want to work half the time or can’t be bothered.

The lady owner is very unprofessional can be heard shouting and swearing at staff in the kitchen from the restaurant and doesn’t appear to care whether customers can hear or not. Makes for an unpleasant atmosphere

They also have a high turn over of staff (wonder why?). Some of the staff are lovely, some are too loud and too fond of their own voices! Also appears to have a lot of young people working with no clue of service and petrified of the owner.

I’ve been a couple times since they reopened but don’t think I’d return as there are more exciting food venues with on trend food delights and better service...

I don’t get to visit here enough because I don’t live in Belfast anymore, but for quality food in a relaxed casual setting, I just love The Belvedere. The menu is varied for a small establishment and the service is always fantastic. I took my hard-of-hearing elderly Dad awhile ago, and the owner/manager couldn’t have been more helpful and he really enjoyed her assistance and chat. And my husband used to bring his Mum every Saturday because she suffered from Alzheimer’s and he said the staff were always so sensitive and caring. He wouldn’t have gone anywhere else. But mostly the food speaks for itself; it’s great. Everything I’ve ever gotten is really tasty and is elevated from normal cafe fayre....