I can still hardly believe my eyes every time (about 50 times an hour) I check Trip Advisor for restaurant reviews in Belfast and Dock Cafe appears as no.1 – first out of 745!

In a world which often prefers to knock people down than build them up, it is deeply  moving and humbling to read all the amazing reviews – I am hugely grateful to the many people who put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard I suppose) to tell the story of their trip to The Dock.  Looking around the cafe on a busy bustly day like today, it’s incredible to realise that out there in the midst of the throng of customers so many people are finding a welcome, a sanctuary and a home-from-home in our crazy hand-built pop-up cafe.

If you haven’t already, check out the Trip Advisor reviews here, and the next time you see a Dock volunteer, give them a wee pat on the back – it truly is thanks to them that people enjoy their visit to The Dock so much.

Here’s a sample of some of the comments:

Our 7 year old son said the Dock was “Most wonderfully excellent” I have to agree.

It is truly was a great place to sit and hangout. Loved it.

Great decor, great location – hope it continues!

The Dock Honest Box cafe is seriously a gem to Belfast. My boyfriend and I found out about it during money struggling times when we couldn’t afford to be working at other cafés.

amaaaaazing 🙂 yummy soup and wheaten, best atmosphere, lovely hive of business … could have stayed all day!

I have to say I will have to make this a regular spot for myself. I had the best chai tea I’ve ever tasted and the honesty box idea is great.

Great range of teas, lovely soup and delicious scones. The volunteers are really friendly and the artwork and decor is cool.

Really welcoming, relaxed and quirky. Great concept with its ‘honesty box’ and BYOF policy.   Miss match furniture is very tastefully arranged to provide lots of different cozy seating areas.

I would return to Belfast to visit the dock again.

This is surely another example of what Belfast really has to offer and is well worth supporting. Thanks to all the staff and keep up the good work.

This place has restored my faith in human nature.

It all just makes me feel very very thankful – to the people who took time to write a review, to the fabulous volunteers and team who give so much time and love to Dock Cafe, to God that I get to be part of this amazing ever-expanding life-changing adventure.

Who would’ve dreamt of this when we opened the doors two years ago!

Back to The Dock!  And what a joy for the Bennetts, returning from a few weeks away campervanning around our beautiful world, to get home to find The Dock more vibrant, exciting and full of life than ever…

Just a day or two back in The Dock Cafe and I’ve had to re-learn our whole coffee-making system – we now grind our beans on-site so that every cup of coffee is as fresh, tasty and rich as it can possibly be.  (As you can see James was very patient teaching me to use the grinding machine)

We arrived back in the nick of time for the first day of a brand-new idea for Saturday mornings – ‘Eats and Seats’.  In tandem with our fantastic neighbours at The Green Deli next door in the Mace, you can now have a proper Ulster Fry for Saturday brunch in The Dock Cafe – just order & pay for your food in Mace, get a comfy seat and a nice cuppa in The Dock Cafe, and The Green Deli staff will deliver your freshly-cooked fry right to your table!

Food for the soul as well, as the Dock Prayer Team are now available Fridays 4pm-6:30pm and Saturdays 11am–2pm, and are very happy to chat, listen or pray with anyone who wants to spend a bit of time unburdening any stresses, hopes or worries.

All change outside too – with fantastic new signage (good work Jeremy & team) for the Cafe:

and for The Dock Market across the way (which got off to a roaring start last Saturday and will continue bi-weekly for the foreseeable future):

Loads to celebrate and talk about as we gather on SS Nomadic tomorrow night (3rd Aug) for our latest Sunday Night On Nomadic.  ‘Colour’ is the theme and we’ll be hearing from lots of people who use their creative gifts – as well as enjoying a little tour of some of the nooks and crannies of the cafe, enjoying coffee, prayer, worship, fellowship and general Sunday evening wonderfulness:

It’s good to be back!