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🍦Best Family Cafés
1. Coffee & Brunch
The Jelly Bean Cafe
Our kids are a little older now so we no longer need what Jelly Bean in Ballyhack provides: “the first child friendly cafe in NI … & offers yummy mummies and cool daddies a relaxed, fun, friendly and family orientated meeting point.”
Belfast misses a trick with its lack of play spaces for kids in cafes, but Jelly Bean bucks that trend with a play-area near the counter. It has a nice wee breakfast & lunch menu for parents & children at a reasonable price
A local summed it up well, “Great place to take the kids, not the place to go if you want a quiet business meeting”
2. Lunch & Dinner
Little Wings Pizzeria
If your kids are a little on the fussy side like ours, you can’t beat the simplicity of pizza. Little Wing only opened in 2009 (in Ann St) but has quickly become a favourite for Belfast families and has expanded across NI.
The kids menu is great (£6.50 for 3 courses) with colouring & puzzles while they wait. The older ones love sharing the MAHOOSIVE 24-inch which entertains for 2 seconds before they launch in.
Located on Ann Street, Ormeau Rd, Ballyhack & Lisburn Rd as well as a number of places in Greater Belfast, Whiteabbey also has a small play area for the smallest kids. You’ve probably already been there. If not, it’s worth the visit!
3. A Bit Different
The Dock Cafe
This place is a hidden gem and one we’ve visited off and on for years. The cafe has watched as the Titanic Quarter has continued to grow around it.
The Dock Cafe is unique in being a ‘donations only’ cafe which serves coffee, cakes, scones, soup etc. It’s run mainly by volunteers.
There’s plenty of space for prams, for kids to run around, and a lot of history of Belfast especially the Titanic area.
Set overlooking the Belfast Harbour Marina & across to City Quays, it’s perfect if you’re already in the area doing other family activities - W5, SSE, Titanic or walking around the Maritime Mile.
If you’ve done the above or they don’t particularly interest you, why not try out:
🔘 The Doyen: Popular for all ages with a dedicated kids play inside the cafe bar.
🔘 Mona’s Cafe: Eat then get outdoors in Colin Glen or to calm nerves after the Gruffalo Trail.
🔘 Wynne & Pym: Part of the Ulster Museum with lots of space and natural light.
Member spotlight
Meet Kyle – from couch to 10K
Kyle joined the group just 4 months ago and recently completed his first 10K! Here’s what he had to say:
“I never thought I’d enjoy running this much. The energy, encouragement, and consistency of the group made all the difference.”
Got someone to nominate?
Training tips
Beat the heat: 3 summer running hacks
Run before 8 AM or after 6 PM to avoid peak heat
Freeze your water bottle the night before
Use SPF 50 sweat-proof sunscreen (yes, even on cloudy days!)
For more tips
In case you missed it
Weekend run recap
Check out the photos from last Sunday’s hill session!
Get involved
We’re planning the July 10K Fun Run!
Want to volunteer, co-organize, or design race-day tees? We’re looking for help across logistics, hydration stations, and media.
That’s it for this week.
Keep showing up, keep cheering each other on — and as always, run happy! 🏃♂️
The Stride Neighbors Team
P.S.
New here? Check our Welcome Kit and get matched with a pace buddy!