Cafe Laurent

Café Laurent is ok as far as stopping for a quick coffee while wandering around Forestside Shopping Centre is concerned. However it’s not great coffee at all to be honest and the few times I’ve stopped in it was more for a seat to sit in and rest rather than for the coffee. I’ve tried the breakfast a couple of times as the food actually looks really good. Unfortunately it didn’t taste so good — first time was bland, second the breakfast fry-​up was dried out and almost inedible. I’ve asked for the wifi password a couple of times — but it never works. I think I’ve decided not to return to this café. I can’t understand why it’s always so busy!

Queued for an age and finally arrived at the food counter to find what I was after was gone an they had none left, staff were clueless and there didn’t seem to be a clear ranking of staff of who were in charge. They didnt have anything that appealed to my Fiancée so he just had to settle for a premade panini a tea and a sprite and £8 later we were mighty unimpressed to say the least really don’t think we’ll be coming back not a good first time experience.

If I am in Forestside and I need to get a quick bite to eat, this is a much better option than the rubbish you get in the Sainsbury’s café and the overpriced M&S stand (I don’t consider it to be a real restaurant saying it is basically chairs stuck in the middle of the entrance with a barrier around it!)
It was renovated to be set over two floors, making it a lot less cramped than it was in the past, however it is just as busy as it always was. You have to take a tray to queue up here for you food so it feels a bit like an old school canteen, but fortunately the quality of food was better than that!
There is a fair selection of soups, sandwich fillings and tray bakes, as well as a range of hot food options. I had a plain chicken and mayo on brown bread from here and it was really simple and delicious, as the chicken was succulent, none of this rubbery rubbish you got from a lot of places!
The café is reasonably priced and the service is always prompt, so I would recommend it as a good time out from the hustle and bustle of a big shop or if you are being dragged about by your lady for some clothes shopping, though my main experience is in the second group!

When we are trawling around Forestside Shopping Centre we always end up in here for a quick snack, drink, or spot of lunch. The service is always lovely and fairly speedy considering that it’s always busy because it is a popular little place. They take more pride in their service and in their food than the average straightforward convenience café as I like to call them and their food is well made, tasty and of good portions. I’ve tried their soups and their pannini’s and it’s always nicely freshly prepared, and piping hot — none of this limp lettuce stuff — very enjoyable. There is plenty of seating too so you never have to wait to take a load off and enjoy a break from all that shopping.

Nice little place located beside the best Vodafone store in N.Ireland.
The prices are maybe a little steep but the food is nice and a great selection from Breakfast to Hi-​Tea.