The 5 Best Coffee Roasters in Belfast For the Perfect Cup
There’s something special about Belfast mornings. It could be the fog that rolls over the Lagan or the cobblestone alleys that smell faintly of toast and rain. Or maybe it’s the comforting scent of roasting coffee beans drifting through the air.
Over the past decade, Belfast has quietly transformed into one of the most exciting coffee hubs in the UK. The city’s roasters are not just coffee suppliers anymore. They’re storytellers, scientists, and a little bit of artists. Each batch of beans that leaves their warehouse represents hours of testing, tasting, and fine-tuning.
These top Belfast-based roasters are re-defining the city’s coffee culture. If you care about where your coffee comes from, how it’s roasted, and who’s obsessing over what, this list is for you.
1. Bailies Coffee Roasters
Address: 27 Stockmans Way, Belfast BT9 7ET, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 28 9077 1535
Operating Hours: Weekdays (8:30 AM to 5 PM)
Established in 2001, Bailies Coffee Roasters is one of Northern Ireland’s pioneers in the specialty roasting movement. What started as a small batch operation has now grown into an internationally recognized brand supplying independent cafes and coffee shops across Europe.
Step inside their roastery, and you’ll see the heart of their operation: a gleaming Giesen roaster humming like a well-tuned instrument. The air smells like toasted almonds and dark chocolate, and the sound of beans tumbling in the cooling tray is oddly hypnotic. Every roast is logged, tested, and tasted repeatedly until it meets the “Bailies profile.”
Their Belfast Blend remains a bestseller for a reason. It’s comforting and balanced, with notes of milk chocolate, hazelnut, and a subtle hint of red fruit. But their limited-edition micro-lots are where they really shine. If you’re after a citrus Ethiopian or a honey-processed Costa Rican, this is your playground.
Was super enjoyable…
Took a home brew class on Saturday. Was super enjoyable and informative. Great opportunity to learn some new skills and taste some amazing coffee. The freshly baked croissant just made it all perfect.
- Alan Law, Google Review
The coffee is really exceptional.
Four of us did the taste experience and tour this weekend. Fabulous time and experience, and the coffee is really exceptional. Sarah was a fountain of knowledge and a brilliant host, and the rest of the staff were lovely too. Can definitely see doing another course in future. Thanks guys, we loved it 🙂
- Timothy Woods, Google Review
2. Root & Branch Coffee Roastery
Address: Unit A3, PortView Trade Center, 310 Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 1HE, United Kingdom
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Weekdays (8:30 AM to 3 PM)
Tucked away inside a converted shipping container on Newtonwards Road, this independent roastery has built a cult following for its small-batch precision roasting and transparent sourcing practices.
Their Drum Roaster operates daily, and if you’re lucky, you might catch the team mid-roast–beans crackling and tumbling as the aroma fills the air. Each roast is cupped multiple times before release, ensuring consistency.
Root & Branch has carved a reputation for sustainability. All their packaging is fully compostable, and their direct-trade model ensures farmers receive fair pay. Add all these together and you have coffee that’s not only delicious but also guilt-free.
However, with their minimalist aesthetic and small space, it’s more of a grab-and-go roastery than a hangout spot. And because they roast in small batches, popular beans often sell out quickly.
Amazing coffee
Real deal. Amazing coffee gave me some filter to try recommend to any coffee nerd 👌🏻
- Peter Bindloss, Google Review
Serious quality on their espresso…
Crisp and clean vibes to the bar and roastery with serious quality on their espresso and pour. Staff super friendly and allowed me to experience their coffee ten minutes prior to opening given the rush I was in. Obviously care about their product and roast.
- Luke Hawkins, Google Review
3. Belfast Coffee Roasters
Address: Unit 11, Townsend Enterprise Park, 28 Townsend St, Belfast BT13 2ES, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 28 9521 0356
Operating Hours: Weekdays (9 AM to 4 PM)
When Belfast Coffee Roasters says they roast local, they mean it in the truest sense. Founded by a team of passionate coffee drinkers who wanted to see more transparency and traceability in Northern Ireland’s coffee scene, this roastery has quietly built a reputation for roasting beans that reflect both Belfast’s personality and global craft standards.
Walk into their roastery, and it feels like stepping into a workshop rather than a coffee shop, no gimmicks. Their signature Foundry Blend is the perfect introduction to their roasting style. It’s rich without being bitter, with chocolate undertones and a mild citrus lift that makes it a versatile crowd favorite.
For those who prefer to explore single origins, they rotate small-batch roasts sourced from Colombia, Guatemala, and Rwanda – each roasted to showcase its natural sweetness rather than mask it.
They roast in small quantities to maintain quality control, ensuring that no bag ever leaves the roastery without meeting their exacting standards. This might mean, however, that your favorites aren’t always available.
Ordered and collected same day.
First time collecting some freshly roasted beans that had been roasted just 5 days before. Lovely “foundry blend” being the main blend for these guys. Will be returning for some Brazilian beans next. Ordered and collected same day. Email received notifying they were Ready for collection not long after online checkout.
- Aaron Johnston, Google Review
Customer service, insight, and coffee itself are all top tier
I have been buying Coffee from Belfast Coffee Roasters for my business for 2 years now. The customer service, Insight and the Coffee itself are all top tier. Allen is amazing and cares alot about what he does, this shines through in his Produce and his attitude toward making sure we get the best out of our beans and that our customers can enjoy it how its supposed to be. Will never use anyone else. Highly recommend any one to try any of the blends as they are all super tasty! If i could score higher than a 5 I would.
- Niamh Parlato, Google Review
4. Lucid Coffee Roasters
Address: Unit 5, D C Enterprise Centre, Kennedy Way, Belfast BT11 9AP, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 28 9013 5264
Operating Hours: Weekdays (9 AM to 5 PM)
Founded by a small team of lifelong baristas and roasters, Lucid approaches coffee with both scientific precision and creative flair. Their philosophy? Clarity in every cup.
Lucid’s lineup features a mix of staple blends and bold single origins. Their Clarity Blend is a well-loved favorite among local cafes– a medium roast that balances chocolate sweetness with a crisp apple acidity. Meanwhile, their filter-focused single origins (like their Kenya Nyeri or Ethiopia Koke) coax out delicate florals and fruity notes through light, controlled roasting.
What really makes Lucid stand out is their transparency. They publish roast data, processing details, and even farm-level information right on their packaging. They also host open cuppings for local baristas, home brewers, and curious coffee drinkers, demystifying specialty roasting for everyone.
Pros:
- Data-driven roasting
- Transparent labeling
- Community engagement
Cons:
- Pricier
Best cup I’ve had yet
Delicious coffee. I got a (cheap) espresso machine a last year and I’ve been experimenting with different beans including online from UK with delivery. As I live in Belfast a place like lucid makes more sense, no delivery, fresh to death. Best cup I’ve had yet, very tasty. I would say excellent value considering the quality
- Sean Maguire, Google Review
It’s amazing and I can really taste the difference
I recently purchased some coffee from Lucid. As someone who is completely new to coffee and its complexities, Stephen was great in listening to what I liked and disliked and recommended a Guatemalan coffee for me. His knowledge on the subject was top class. Its amazing and I can really taste the difference. Thank you!
- Mánus Scullin, Google Review
5. White Star Coffee
Address: Unit 1 & 5, 17 Balmoral Rd, Belfast BT12 6QA, United Kingdom
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Weekdays (8:30 AM to 5 PM)
If you talk to baristas across Belfast, there’s one roster’s name that keeps popping up in conversation: White Star Coffee. Known for their sleek branding and meticulous roasting standards, White Star has become synonymous with Belfast’s modern specialty scene.
Founded by industry veterans, White Star was built on the belief that roasting should be both technical and human– a balance between data and instinct. This causes prices to hover on the premium side, though, but the precision justifies it.
Their flagship Signature Espresso blend captures what they stand for: balance, body, and sweetness. It’s built for espresso and milk drinks, with deep notes of chocolate, roasted hazelnut, and a hint of dried fruit. Their Single Origin series, on the other hand, explores the lighter side of roasting.
Beyond their beans, White Star also supplies and services espresso machines across Ireland. That dual focus gives them a unique edge. They understand coffee from both sides of the counter.
Their quality coffee beans have been consistently great since day one.
Used this company for all my coffee needs since I opened my cafe 8 months ago. Their quality coffee beans have been consistently great since day one. Their enhanced quality control techniques make a huge difference. I have recently changed out a La Marzocco PB to their top of the range San Marco Opera to great effect. Philip ,James and Scott have been great to work with. I wish them continued success.
- Rex Fuddlove, Google Review
Greatest coffee I’ve drank
the home of some of the greatest coffee ive drank, beautiful interior, lots of attention to detail and friendly baristas.
- Jyoutir Raj, Google Review