A handy little lunchtime local for me! This M&S is in a little ‘enclave’ alongside Jellybean Café(another of my lunchtime haunts) and AXA Insurance branch — a shared car park is available for all three. This one is simply a ‘Food Hall’ so a small branch, but one that still packs a punch. The store is well laid out and staffed by a friendly team. I would mostly go for lunch — they have all the usual soups, sandwiches, hummus and dips, drinks etc, and as it is Marks, you know you are getting something good! They also sell canned goods, ready meals(perfect for those lazy Fridays when I don’t want to cook but don’t want a greasy takeaway) alcohol, soft drinks, biscuits and sweets. As mentioned above, this M&S shares a small car park with 2 other businesses, so it can be slightly chaotic trying to get parked at times, but it’s a brilliant, handly little store!
Ru T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Belfast, United Kingdom
Now known as M & S Food Hall, great little version of the big store but you can get lost things anyway… Try the giant cous cous, pesto pasta and mini enchiladas from the 3 for £5 lunch menu… All food is delicious and dinners menu for £10 are great… The meatball and carbonara are personal favourites favourites from this menu… PERCYPIGS
Jules S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Belfast, United Kingdom
The sign outside says it all– it is simply food. Good quality, if a bit overpriced food, but still really handy for when you can’t be bothered to do a ‘big shop’. They have a good selection of sandwiches and salads for the busy businessman on the go with handy car parking outside. Those are plus plus points, now for the downside. The carpark can get mental. As it is very popular with the aspirational middle classes in the area, yummy mummies manoeuvring their SUVs after picking up a loaf can stress out even the most calm of drivers, and often the queue to get in stretches out into the street. Also, they aren’t licensed, so don’t bother if you fancy grabbing a quick Dine In For Two, as the cordial you get because they can’t sell wine makes it less of a bargain, and at the end of the day you have no wine!
Lynne M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Belfast, United Kingdom
I love M&S food(but then who doesn’t?), and these little stores are fab for picking up a few bits and bobs, and as Declan says, you’ll be wanting to pop in for a those delectable delights that are simply calling your name… Unfortunately(for me), this M&S Simply Food store is the closest one to me following the closure of the shop in Ards Shopping Centre. It was super handy, and every time I was in I paid a visit, but with this one being a good 15 – 20 minute drive down the road, I haven’t been able to indulge in my favourite M&S goodies as much as I would have liked. In fact, until the other day I can’t actually remember the last time I was in this one… My friend and I would always pop down to M&S when we were in sixth form in school, despite the fact that we weren’t meant to walk any further than Tesco up the road. Ah well. The bakery section was always a favourite, particularly the lovely warm cookies. Mmm. Percy Pigs were a close second, or a packet of jaffa cakes. Furthermore, despite the fact that it’s ‘Simply Food’, they do have a few cards and accessories(umbrellas etc) and toiletries, which came in useful on more than one occasion. Well, you know what they say — this isn’t any store, this is an M&S store. Oh wait…
Declan f.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Ards, United Kingdom
I am a big fan of these Simply Food branches of M&S because they specialise in what I consider to be the best part of their brand: the food! I am not an old man just yet so I don’t need their clothing section, and as long as I keep mooching off home I don’t need to be using their home furnishing stores! Marks and Spencer’s is not a place you want to be doing the whole of our weekly shop, unless you are totally minted! It is far more useful as a place to get something that you particularly like! I have a few favourites from here like their delicious chicken pies, which have a lovely flaky pastry and tasty filling, their chicken and bacon pasta meals and anything from their bakery section! My girlfriend also really likes the Count on us range of products, and there a wide range of all products. The special offers are of a reasonable quality and staff are attentive and friendly! If you need to get everything for the weekly shop, don’t come here. If you need a few delicious dinners and maybe something for your lunch the next day you will be onto a winner!