The Starfish

Head down Seacliff Road and you'll find yourself in the kind of place that makes you understand why locals actually hang around Bangor's waterfront instead of just passing through. The Starfish sits right where the promenade gets interesting, and you can feel that proximity to the water—there's a brightness to the space that comes from having the lough practically on your doorstep. The regulars know what they're doing here: it's a proper café that takes its coffee seriously and does the sort of brunch you'd normally have to trek into Belfast for, without the faffing about.