A Coffee-and-Cake Crawl in Holywood, Northern Ireland

Holywood, a town in Northern Ireland, has a range of cafes and bakeries serving coffee and cake. The town's High Street is home to several independent establishments. This guide covers five stops in Holywood, each with its own unique offerings.

1. Coffee Yard

Coffee Yard is a family-run cafe on Holywood High Street, open since December 2005. The cafe is spread over two floors and has a sister art gallery showing work by local artists. Coffee Yard uses speciality beans roasted locally to order, with a rotating guest roast featured.

2. The Bay Tree

The Bay Tree is a long-established coffee house and licensed restaurant on Holywood High Street, trading since 1988. The Bay Tree is known for its home baking, with cinnamon scones being a house speciality.

3. Homebird Cafe

Homebird Cafe is an independent cafe on Holywood High Street, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch. The cafe offers hot, cold and healthy options, gourmet sandwiches, salads and home-made soups. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available.

4. Camphill Holywood Organic Foods

Camphill Holywood Organic Foods is a cafe and organic shop run by Camphill Communities NI. The cafe serves organic vegetarian food, with a lunch service several days a week. Cakes, tray bakes and pies are made on site, with vegan and gluten-free options available.

5. Joxer

Joxer is an independent brunch and bistro venue in the heart of Holywood, serving speciality coffee alongside breakfast, brunch and lunch. The food is rustic Mediterranean in style and uses local produce. Joxer also offers late evening service some nights.

The five stops in this guide are all located on or near Holywood High Street, making it possible to visit each one on foot. Each cafe and bakery has its own unique character and offerings, from speciality coffee to home baking and organic food.

Common questions

What types of food are available at Homebird Cafe?

Homebird Cafe serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, with hot, cold and healthy options, gourmet sandwiches, salads and home-made soups. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available.

Does Camphill Holywood Organic Foods offer vegan options?

Yes, Camphill Holywood Organic Foods offers vegan options, including cakes, tray bakes and pies made on site.

What style of food does Joxer serve?

Joxer serves food that is rustic Mediterranean in style, using local produce.