Campbells Cafe/The Pound Cafe

Fast serving, good food, good coffee

Recommended by a usually reliable source… I had high hopes. Unfortunately I was disappointed :-(
My visit got off to a bad start. The distinct lack of grammar in their menu raised a few eyebrows. Then the confusing aspect of a menu… without any information? How can I order a sandwich if the menu does not tell you what fillings are available?
I asked the waitress what can I get in my sandwich. She named about 4 standard toppings like chicken lettuce etc. Whatever she could remember.
The sandwich came and was nothing special. I make much better sandwiches in 2 mins at home. Perhaps this was more of a place to get a fry, but certainly not for a light lunch.
A few other disappointing features were the old rickety table and hard wooden chairs. The servers manners and speed were not satisfactory as well.
Unfortunately I will not be back.

Been in here a couple of times, the first experience was pretty bad and I think the second only happened as I thought the first one had to be a bad hair day for the place. Sadly it wasn’t. I’m not getting at the place because for a place referred to as the pound café I was expecting N. Ireland’s finest produce served up with the latest fair trade garnish at a knock down rate. I knew it was going to be cheap and so was prepared to be forgiving. Sadly I couldn’t be, the main problem being that on the 2 times I went the food was of such low quality it seemed less like cheap greasy spoon café food and more like overpriced stuff you’d get in a ‘reduced to clear’ section in a petrol station, so it managed to take away from its main selling point, value for money.
I could have seen my way clear too giving the 3^rd * had the place had a charm. It didn’t. Felt like the place needed a good clean and a lick of paint. Finally the staff could have leant the place a feeling of charm but failed to. Again on both times I visited, you know that feeling you get when you’re ruining someone’s day by being a customer? Well that shone through pretty strongly.
Well, if you’re at the end of the month and your wallet is a little light I suppose this place might come in handy, but do remember that cheap and good value for money are not necessarily the same thing.

stumbling around last sunday, a group of us resigned ourselves to giving this place a try. sadly, the windmill was closed, and we were collectively trying to shake off the last night’s festivities and needed a good feed. after sitting out front for ten minutes, i ventured in to ask if we had to order inside. the place was about half full, but all of the servers seemed to be completely stressed, or in the midst of an angry amphetamine jag. after another several minutes, a server came to the table and begrudgingly took our order. now, a pound café sounds like a good idea, but you really have to wonder exactly what corners are being cut to keep the overhead down. for starters, my one pound soda came served lukewarm in a thimble. it seems i would have fared better with tea, but only slightly. the three pound eggs, beans and chips were technically as advertised, but nothing more. atleast the portions were small, easing my suffering. the chips, however, were excellent… crispy and nicely spiced. all in, my budget breakfast turned out costing me close to six pounds, which, with the mediocre food and service, would have been better spent almost anywhere.

We discovered this on new years day when we were all very hungover and in desperate need of salty fried stuff. On that day the staff were overwhelmed and quite behind. In fairness to them we were warned that the fry would take some time. It took a full hour from sitting down until I got to eat. So you’d think I’d give it a bad review… well I just can’t … I think they serve the fried bread from here in heaven. Despite the pressure I got a fabulous fry, which while not made fast was still made with love.
The place was so compelling we tried it for breakfast the next day too, and thought it only fair to try it on a less rushed day, and the service was much faster. The fry was still really great and so cheap. Just as well I don’t live in belfast because I’d eat fried bread way too often!
But don’t ask for croissants.

This is a nice little place and definitely worth calling into if you’re in town for the day shopping and want lunch or a coffee that won’t break the bank. But I’m not sure they can really call it a ‘pound’ café any more, as the second time I went there, two weeks ago, there was hardly anything on the menu for a pound, unlike over the summer when I got a sarnie and a coffee for £2.50.
Now £3 and £4 is still good value for a fry, but I don’t know, maybe I’m too pedantic and expect most of the menu to be around a quid because of the café name (think Poundland). And the £1 orangeade coming in a small plastic cup without ice was a bit much, given that a tin of Fanta costs around 70p and this was about half a tin’s worth.
But inside the place is surprisingly nice looking, with big comfy seats and plenty of room. If you just want a tea or coffee, with or without a bun, this is definitely better value than Starbuck’s just up the street. But if you want food and are happy to spend £4 or £5 on it rather than the claimed £1, I’d recommend The Big Breakfast at In Shops for a fry and the Morning Star’s £5 buffet instead. We spent nine quid on two frys and two drinks — yes, it’s good value, but no more than we would have spent at the more honestly-​named Big Breakfast.

Their £1 menu is a revelation and makes complete sense. This is a great place to just stop if your out for a saturday afternoon in the town shopping. I would way rather go here than that atrocity… mmm what’s it called… rhymes with scarducks… Give me independent family run businesses any day of the week.
I have never eaten here just had drinks so I cannot honestly comment on the food, but it looks good and the £1 special offers looks like a goer. Sometimes when you hear food being sold for £1 you can tend to think it the taste isn’t up to much. I wouldn’t be too alarmed, it seems just a wee catchy deal to get people through the door.
A definite fry spot for the future.

This is another little café in the city centre that I had passed without ever taking much notice of. I’d usually see their signs offering really good value lunch deals most days. Recently though I was drawn in, I think it was because of the torrential, I called in for a cuppa and a read of the paper and found it to be very pleasant.
There was no question of sitting outside the day I was there, so I grabbed a comfy seat inside.
Even though I only went for a coffee I’d definitely recommend this place for their super lunch offers, you really can’t beat it. The people next to me ordered some yummy looking soup and sandwiches which looked top notch. The staff are friendly too and chatted away to everyone even though they were pretty busy.
Greta value in great surroundings. Give it a go.

Another oft overlooked gem! Most people seem to be in thrall to the shiny Starbucks beside it but for a more rewarding and authentic eat do call in here. The food is outrageously cheap though the quality matches that of other caffs who are charging two or three times the price. I am amazed that they can afford to offer some of these deals.
The crowd is a mix of out of town shoppers, tight-​fisted students, slightly bewildered looking tourists and OAP’s reading the paper which lends itself to a unique little vibe. Best of all is the location just on the edge of Cornmarket so you never have too far to stroll for a bout of retail therapy.
Pros: Cheap.
Cons: Not the most adventurous of menus

Anywhere that offers a cheap fry usually makes me take a step in the other direction. I watched a Panorama show on how food is prepared in a certain drinking establishment that made me wary of any fry that I don’t make myself.
Thankfully my £4 fry was frankly fantastic. I did have a hung over belly and the smell of anything made it do loops and jumps up my throat, so imagine how happy I was to not only eat a fry but also keep it down!
Though you can’t really expect too much from a fry that cost £4, especially when you are hung over, it was very nice and the lady noticed I was a bit worse for wear and asked me details of how the night prior to the fry had ended up.
I said I didn’t know. And I didn’t.
The fry and tea was really good, and the service was very polite.
I don’t really see myself raving about this café to many people or travelling in the rain to get to it, but if I fancy a cheap fry and a cup of tea, I’ll definitely be back.

Campbells Café (or the pound café as its become known) is fantastic value for money! It does what it says on the tin offering fantastic food for a rediculously cheap price! You can get breakfast baps for £2, Scrambelled egs and toast for £2, Sarnis for £2 and they do all day fry’s, one is the £3 fry and one the £4 fry. All of which are delish!
A busy place with ample seating both inside where the quirky mum’s kitchen interior is pleasing and outside where people watching is great! Especially as it is situated a stones throw from the new Victoria Square!
The traybakes and cakes are yummy and addictive and they do a great cuppa tea! I adore the staff as they are all friendly and good craic! Just what you want in the heart of belfast! Campbells is a definate must for bargain hunters and those looking for a good meal with fantastic service!

Ah good old Campbells. Where do I start? Firstly I can’t believe Little J’s review below, I really was shocked. I’ve honestly never had anything but the best from here.
Their £ menu is unbelievable value. They currently offer a Mon — Thurs or weekend menu with many options for just £1. Think sausage/​bacon/​egg soda, burger, chip, all £1. The prices go up £2, £3 depending on how much you want. Try their mini fry, it’s a bargain. Great prices for real quality food.
I need to reserve a special section for their sausage rolls … I crave them, they’re the epitome of homemade awesomeness! I really can’t say enough about them, especially 1^st thing in the morning on your way to work. Mmm mmm mmm.
The current female chef is chatty and super friendly. Just note any dietary requirements and they’ll be happy to oblige. The staff are a lovely homely bunch, it’s one of those palces where wee grannies love meeting up here for tea, probably because it’s such amazing value. If you go to a brand restaurant up the street you’d pay £5 for a tea and a bun, here it’s a thousand times better n only costs £2!
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned how great the food is? I have one friend who in particular is very fussy about where/​what he eats and even he loves this place, so that’s got to be a good sign! Plus the business has been here for donkeys, it’s great to see the local companies survive.
***** for price & quality

This is one of those little institutions that has been around in Belfast for absolutely years, and has persisted in its original building even while massive shopping chains have opened up all around it, dwarfing it completely. It retains its original charm and has little tables and chairs out front — definitely keeping up to the competition on Starbucks just a few doors down. You can get any treat or delight you like in here — Belfast baps and crusty rolls, gorgeous bread — jam doughnuts and caramel squares and custard tarts… oh, sorry — I’m drooling. Anyway — if you’re out for a shopping trip and need a little break and a treat then Campbells is a good spot to take a load off and relax. They also do hot food too — but I haven’t tried that out yet!