Cafe Smart — Restaurant in Belfast

I was there on 21st August with two others for breakfast. The Cafe was not too busy at the time and there were a number of free tables. Service was poor. We waited approx. 30 minutes for the food to arrive by which time our teas and coffee had gone cool. When eventually the plates arrived, beans and poached egg were luke warm. My fry arrived without sausages or tomato and had to ask for them. The Waitress apologised for the delay stating it was due to a lot of take-away customers. The sausages were on another plate brought to me! Why were they not on my plate. Was the main plate sitting for a while, which would explain some elements of it being cool? As the drinks had gone cold, we asked for some hot water to warm the teapots up and a top-up of the filter coffee. A opt of water was brought after staff being asked twice. The request for a coffee top-up resulted in a fresh cup of coffee being brought to the table after remind staff three times about asking for a top-up (side note: we were not advised that top-ups were not offered). When we finished, the member of our party who was paying the bill was astonished to find that not only had we had to wait for service because takeaway customers, who pay less for their food than customers sitting in pay, were being given preference. When the charge for the top-up coffee was pointed out, we were then advised that they don't do them and refunds do not get issued. In fact when the member of our party advised they knew of a number of Cafes who provide top-ups at no charge was asked 'are they community cafes you go to?' Well no, they are not. Secret Garden Dundonald Cafe Cream Dundonald Cafe at the Museum Cregagh Bleaters Cregagh Wolfs Dundonald Oliver's Belmont Binkys Belmont No.36 Belmont Truffles Belmont The staff also tried to argue that they are competitively priced for the area - not in my opinion. £49 for two Frys and an Eggs Benedict with two teas and one coffee (plus the charge for the 'top-up' coffee and pot of hot water) is not good value. One thing is for sure, they will not be getting any more of our money, there are other better run competitively priced establishments. Prioritise the customers inside the Cafe who are paying more for the same food as the...

I have used cafe smart many times in the past, generally at lunch time. Food is good and portion sizes are good. Breakfast service is slow. I gave 2 stars for the service. I try not to use these reviews to complain about my experience, suffice it to say that Olivers on the same street, a few doors down, have much better service.

To the owner.

Thank you for your prompt reply to my review. It's great to see that you read them. As you have brought it up I will explain my experience.

I was the only diner in the establishment that morning. I asked if breakfast was available and was told it was. I sat with the menu and made my choice. A walk in for coffee arrived and placed an order. I sat patiently for service. The walk in was seen to immediately. I waited some more and listened to the conversation of the staff over their own dietary requirements. Then I left.

I never blame staff for bad service but the poor training they receive from management. On this occasion, as the sole person in the cafe, it is my belief that my review is justified.

I do feel from your response that you personally feel insulted by my review. If so it was not meant to insult rather to inform. I am very encouraged that you are strong enough to respond in the way you have.

I will of course review again when I redeem my coffee...

Nipped in for lunch today and was greeted with unnecessary sarcasm,condescending tone and rudeness by the server. I asked for a menu to see if they had suitable options to be asked "could I not read the sign" I was confused and asked what sign "the one that says please wait to be seated". There are polite ways of saying this but this server chose to be rude which was really disappointing and made me feel about an inch tall. I really go out of my way to be overly nice to retail and hospitality staff because it's mostly a thankless job so I know I wasn't rude and really feel like this was undeserved. I was having a bad day and couldn't deal with confrontation so took a seat and ordered the vegan wrap. Food was fine, nicely presented but a bit bland, and kids options were limited for veggie so me and my son shared the vegan wrap which needed more relish. Delicious chai latte, but sadly not enough to save the experience after being made feel stupid initially. Very clean, lovely decor and lots of seating upstairs and downstairs and even a little outside area across the road that looked very cute, but sadly will...