S D Bells

Not being a total coffee genius I was always a little intimidated by the idea of going into a speciality shop, but while looking for a gift for a friend I found myself in SD Bells. I need not have worried.
They didn’t mind that I could barely tell coffee beans from baked beans and the lady looking after me was wonderful. The selection of flavours and beans and equipment they have managed to cram into the small space was staggering, and I was given such amazing help in a very non-​pushy and knowledgeable way. I ended up getting something I had seen online and saving myself money, and I felt like I was doing a good deed by shopping local, so it was a win win all round.
There was also a good buzz coming from the coffee shop side, and I’ll definitely be back to check it out too.

I was here last week for a nice little family day, everyone had coffee and the like. But I wired into a little panini and it was lush!!! It did take them an age to serve it to me tho. Everyone had finished their coffee by the time that I had been given my food. But on this occasion I didn’t mind because everyone was watching me eat it and I could tell they where so jealous and very upset that they didn’t order something as-​well. I was sitting beside my uncle who likes to eat (if you know what I mean) and he didn’t talk to me the whole time, he was mesmerized by the succulent cheesy chicken I was devouring. Seriously it was like he had never seen food before!!!
I loved it and will definitely be back for some more family torture sometime, but it is a bit out of the way for me as it sits in solitude away from any kind of hustle and bustle which isn’t traffic jams on the Newtownards road/​Knock dual carriage-​way junction.

SD Bells is all about the tea and coffee. In these days of tall skinny macchiatos and grande americanos, a non coffee drinker like me (yes really, I have NEVER drunk a cup of coffee) is deeeelighted to find somewhere that has a huge range of teas.
The interior is pretty traditional and comfy and I always see a complete mix of school kids, mums and tots and the more mature in Bells. I usually call in for ‘elevenses’ and sometimes even wait till eleven o’clock! Depending on what I’ve been up to the night before, I’ll have either a cold diet coke or a nice civilised cup of Earl Grey if I have been a good girl. Either way, I’ll also have a rather delish tray bake to get the blood sugar nice and high.
I have also had lunch a couple of times and the sandwiches are fresh fresh fresh and remind me of the kind of sarnies my mum would make!
Next door to the coffee shop is the really interesting part — the little shop where you can buy Bells tea and coffee to take home. The range is mind boggling and I can recommend the Oolong peaches and cream blend. Oh yes, there really is a peaches and cream tea and I love it. Being a freak of nature non coffee drinker I can’t personally vouch for the beans, but everyone else tells me they’re top notch! Give me a cup of tea every time (and a diet coke chaser for a caffeine hit).
The original Mr Bell started the business in 1887 which explains why these guys really know their leaves and beans!