Orla Smyth’s trio of Belfast cafés are the height of hygge coolness.

Archive - all the best places to eat, shop and stay in Ireland. A local guide to local places.

Kaffe O describes itself as a Nordic-influenced cafe - and not just because they get their pepper grinders from Ikea. It's Nordic because their coffee is roasted in Copenhagen, the interior is minimalist and simple, in a Scandi way - not a budgeting way – their candles are pointedly labelled hygge, and their bread is made with rye grains.

Orla Smyth, described on their website as "our founder" is an impressive lawyer turned café owner, transplant survivor turned sportswoman, and is the brains behind the operation (we can presume the O is for Orla) and the three Kaffes are proudly self-conscious about their style decisions.

The coffee is considered, and so is the food. Their bread is made especially for them by the excellent Yellow Door and they use it to make satisfying open sandwiches (smorrebrod).

Their tray bakes of millionaires shortbread or chocolate brownie are wholesomely delicious. They are extremely kid friendly and customers can spin discs on their vinyl player.

They also sell good juices and covetable woolly beanies. A smart set up, for sure.

kaffeo.coffee