I break up the day into different coffeeshop visits, while traveling. Which isn't to say I don't enjoy a relaxed, balcony brew. It gives the day a certain specific cadence, I find. You can more easily measure out the time between one coffeeshop and the next. It gives you a reason to get cozy. That, and who can really resist all those nice things they consider breakfast in the UK?
One of the places I enjoyed best recently was Established Coffee in rainy Belfast. Now, anyone who knows me understands what a huge excitement it was, finally visiting Belfast, having studied and explored Irish history for years. However, flying into Belfast on a red-eye, getting through the uber-packed Birmingham Airport, I figured it was high time for some caffeine by the time we rolled into the city (especially guessing there would be a looong day ahead, which there was).
Lucky for me, the bus from the airport stopped only 3 minutes or so from Established, which (being the experienced coffee lover I am) happened to be on my shortlist. To breakfast.
From the moment I walked in, I loved everything about the place, even though normally, these sort of minimalist, industrial type cafes aren't really my jam. Maybe it was the hunger. Maybe it was the sleeplessness.
I loved the way the coffees were carefully explained on the sign. And I loved the excitement of the barista, how charming and friendly he seemed from the get-go. Naturally, I couldn't help jumping on him with questions, inquiring, assessing. And yes, slogging through the accent. I was immediately curious about the Kenya filter, which he admitted to having that morning, though I couldn't make out whether he enjoyed it or no, so I figured I'd wing it, and ordered it anyway. 
After a long journey, however, there was a second big question - breakfast. We ended up sharing a cinnamon roll and my own banana cinnamon porridge, which was simply exquisite.
Question for all the UK peeps out there - how do you make your porridge? What are favorite tips, tricks and funky ingredients you insist on? I'm currently experimenting with options at home, but it just don't taste the same.
I studied the blends briefly, but knowing I had limited space in my pack, I moved on to surveying the crowd instead. I love studying the people in a cafe, always. Figuring out the relationships and the stories. The people working, the expats and the folk in love. There's a serenade in the making inside every random coffeehouse, at any random hour.
The morning as ESTD was pretty chill, with people taking up the space, mostly working, but all in all pretty packed. I did like seeing a family come in with their three small children. Guessing from the kids' behavior, they were regulars - and you always know it's a good place when there's random young families just hanging out there, no? I have some of these in my own area of Bucharest and I love them. I always thought I'd like to become a coffeehouse regular, but funds for daily coffee takeout somehow never seem to manifest. Alas.
But then, our order arrived and my attention became very single-focus. I always hate talking about coffee because it seems to me people sound a bit uppity when they do. Sampling both, I preferred my filter, even though it wasn't at all what I look for in a coffee. It was very flowery and fruity, very light and playful. More like a tea than a coffee, but somehow, precisely what I needed in the moment. The Colombian espresso was quite the opposite - very dark and highly roasted, but I knew a brew like that would just floor me so early in such a busy day.
I also loved our spot by the window, the way I always do in a new town. It gave me the chance to discover the city without moving, to observe, and let the silence settle before being once more overttaken by the business and hectic schedule that is so often travel. I like to preempt all the places to see and things to do by having a quiet coffee and a moment of stillness.
All in all, ESTD Coffee surprised me in a very pleasant way. It was elegant and hipstery, and while I much preferred the Wee Cafe, which we visited later in the day and which I won't write about (though it had a great, cozy vibe), this felt like a fitting introduction to Belfast for me.
