Maggie May's Botanic

Went for something to eat & had a great meal. Staff were really nice & checking in to see how it was and if I needed anything else. Wasn't super busy when I went so I got a table immediately. Food was really good & I'll definitely be back again.

I had a nice brunch there with a decent price and good food.

A gem of a proper old school cafe. Just had the bumper fry and I'm properly bumped. I may not move for a week. Fantastic happy friendly staff working really hard...huge thanks to them. Big pot of tea was perfect with the fry. Be aware cash only and worth every penny

A nice little cafe in a good area. Easy lunch time food which includes sandwiches, breakfasts, burgers and soups. Does a great pot of tea.

The scramble fry is lovely and the biscoff milkshake was great too. Big portions

Had breakfast here. Food was fabulous and very reasonable. The service was excellent. All staff were so nice and helpful. Would definitely recommend if in Belfast.

Belfast's very warm food place! Food is superb in hearty servings and big portions. Taste did not go off tangent even with such sheer size. Went for the Irish Breakfast as I was craving for some black & white puddings but took my friend's soda bread and potato bread off her Bumper Fry as I preferred them more than my white toasts! Service was all right they just seemed majorly understaffed. Can be a bit noisy when the place is full as it is small, cozy and cramped. As what you'd expect from a bar/small hearty place kind of setting. Some small notes: Club sandwiches look good. I'd recommend getting some milkshakes as they're famous for 'em (it was great the last I' ve had them - sweet and punchy). Would always come here when I feel like a famished food fighter looking to fill my hollow tummy!

Very busy little cafe. Plenty of options and very good vegetarian options. Good value and portions are generous and tasty. I can understand why this is so busy. although the food took a long while to come but overall recommended.

Not super impressed with the food but a cute spot for breakfast with nice staff! Looks like they had some good coffees and baked goods that we didn't try.

Great stop for breakfast all day and great prices!! They have a large menu with breakfast, burgers, soup and then amazing shakes! The food comes fast and staff is so nice. Great any day but definitely after a night drinking and they even have shakes with alcohol. Definitely a stop to put on the list while in Belfast!

Food was good if one does not mind loud music and slow service. And when I was there it was just two other tables with patrons.

Came here pretty much everyday during my trip to Belfast. The inside is very cozy but has a good amount of seats. Servers were all nice and friendly. As for food, super good! Aside from it being reasonably priced, the portions are HUGE. I got the Irish Breakfast each time and it filled me up for long days of sightseeing. My friend got the Bumper Fry and it was also very good, basically the Irish Breakfast but with more things (like soda bread, mmmmm). The latte was very smooth and creamy, and they have various flavors. I also had to try some porridge out here, it was so good!!!! Unfortunately, I was so full so I could only have a few bites but it was well worth the experience. Definitely come here if you're visiting Belfast, you won't regret it :)

Service was excellent but the burger was dry and the regular fries were weird. The "skinny fries" were descent. Had a milkshake that was good too. Just a little pop in place, no alcohol served.

We were sold on this place after seeing pictures of their milkshakes. We had recently had some really bad milkshakes and needed to make up for it. We all decided to get breakfast for dinner. I got the filled soda with a fried egg and bacon and my husband got the bumper fry. We both got banofee blitz milkshakes to go with it. We both enjoyed our meals. My husband's was a lot of food. We loved the shakes. They only take cash, so come prepared or stop at the ATM across the street like we did. We were seated right away and our service was good. I would come here again.

Skip it. Don't come here. I ordered poached eggs (based of the recommendation of my server) and they were more hard-boiled than an Easter egg. I had to wait a really long time for my food. Like, 20 min and there are only 5 tables with people, 3 had already been served. I am still sitting here waiting for my check, but I finished my food 10 minutes ago. I was never checked on. Go somewhere, anywhere else. I bet you'll be satisfied.

Oh, my word. If you ever find yourself walking around Belfast (capital of Northern Ireland to see Game of Throne sites) anytime in your life time....you owe it to yourself to stop by Maggie Mays. Think about the best burger you had, paired with the creamiest milkshake... and I ask you to challenge that experience here. The food is unforgettably delicious. I ordered the Titanic burger which had a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, mayo, cheese, fried onion (not deep fried, sautéed) and a side of chips. (aka fries to Americans). The hamburger bun at Maggie Mays was mind blowing. Light, soft and chewy. A wonderful alternative to the stale sesame buns found in the U.S. The lettuce and tomato were on the side of the plate next to the bowl of chips. I ate everything. I ate all the chips that could fit in my stomach and washed it all down with the creamiest snickers milkshake I've ever had. The shake wasn't heavy. It had the perfect combination of cream, milk, snickers and garnished with pink and white marshmallows. I didn't question why there were mallows on my shake... but what a BRILLANT IDEA. As you can see from other yelp photos, they have the full irish breakfast. My husband and I had a complimentary breakfast from our B&B so I wanted to see what a burger and shake from Ireland would taste like. Please keep in mind that they do not take temperatures on your burgers but the beef is all grass fed. The fried egg was thoroughly cooked so it didn't have the satisfying goop from an over easy fried egg. The patty was well seasoned and the chips were fat, fried to a golden crisp before you bite down the creamy mash of fresh Irish potato. I am delighted that I found Maggie Mays but I'm heartbroken it'll be a long time until we meet again.

Great spot for something to eat. I've been here on and off for the past few years and never fails to deliver.

Thought I'd give this place another chance after my previous poor experience, so visited with a friend at start of September 2018. We both ordered from the Vegan Menu. I went for vegetable fajitas and she opted for some sort of vegetable filled pitta. We both found the food extremely poor - greasy, tasteless and extremely disappointing. Cheap, large portions and bargain-basement flavour. A place best avoided if dining on Botanic Avenue.

Ordered the vegetarian lasagna, carrot and coriander soup and strawberry shake. Very unsatisfying and plain. The shake had fake strawberry syrup and topped with white and pink k marshmallows- wish I had known what it would have been before ordering!

I've got a good friend named Maggie May, and her Northern Irish counterpart didn't let me down either. Also there was a gentleman sitting at an outside table with a very wholesome smile (see photo) and I figured he wouldn't lead me wrong. Solid fish and chips and you can add bread and tea for only £1. It was a lot of food. Wish I had more time to try other things on the menu. Cash only, but you don't need much to fill up!

It was close to the hotel I stayed. Had heard the soda bread is sort of "belfasty" thing. So gave it a try here and it was sort of biscuit in the US. It tasted good though!

Maggie May's is an institution (proven by the sheer amount of reviews!). It attracts all types of folks who just want to relax over a nice home cooked meal. Their selection is enormous. It would take quite a few return trips to try everything. But it would be worth it. The only slight problem I have with this place is the booths. The are really cramped and you sit a little to close to your meal. Four hungover guys sitting in a booth fighting for elbow room to eat their fry is a recipe for disaster!

Maggie Mays was a great discovery. On a trip to Belfast I was looking for an American style breakfast and this place did the job. They specialize in milkshakes, but offer great breakfast options. My favorite is the New York breakfast that comes with cheesybeggs (scrambled eggs with cheese mixed in), a toasted bagel ( like a real soft and sour BY bage), and bacon (still a rather, but good and crispy). It is delicious and filling. I've also heard great things about their fry up. NOTE THEY ONLY TAKE CASH - CASH MACHINE ACROSS THE STREET. But the staff is friendly and restaurant is cozy. Just next to the Botanic metro stop.

Great food . . . the fish and chips was delicious. I also got a chance to try the Maggie Hamburger which was cooked perfectly. We all Had a milk shake which were also delicious. As you can tell we weren't counting calories tonight but all the calories were worth it. A must be if your in the area for a quick bit to eat. I can't say enough good things about it.

This was the best breakfast that I've had in Ireland over the last two weeks! The price was great! They give you soooo much food for £6! Would definitely go back. They also have a good variety to choose from and they serve breakfast all day.

Maggie Mays is a good find. We came here at around 10 in the morning. There was quite a few number of customers and I thought that this is a sign. We got our food very quick like after 5-7 minutes after ordering. I had the stack of pancakes and they are so fluffy. The ambience is so cozy and makes me feel like a local.

Maggie May not only is it a good song but its also a good little hook up in the heart of Botanic avenue in Belfast. Having eaten here a couple of times for the proverbial saturday morning 'fry', and lets be honest Maggie Mays signature dish has to be the good old Ulster Fry. I have to say that life does feel that little bit better when you bite into that sausage having doused it into that 'sunny side up' along with some soda bread, its darn good. But if a fry is not what you are looking for there is some variety in the menu from burgers to stew. When you arrive take a seat and help will arrive shortly to take your order. Everytime I've been here I've found that the prices are decent and the staff and service to be top notch. Maggie May can we be friends?!! Ok then

I find it extremely difficult to give anything but 5-stars for places that serve breakfast food all day. We ordered omelette and fries, the Ulster Fry, and coffees for the table they were all lovely. If you're hungry after a stroll in the nearby botanical garden, get here and have your fill of delicious breakfast goodness (all day).

Whether it is because I went to Queen's University just up the street or had a many a hungover walk down Botanic Avenue on the way to the train but I have a special place in my heart for Maggie Mays. The food is basic, you can get everything you expect from breakfast to burgers and chips at lunch or toasties and sandwiches for lunch, The service is friendly and helpful, with the mostly female staff always there to get you a refill or take your order with a smile. I think the food is great. Its simple, unassuming and always filling. I've never had a bad meal here, nor have I ever felt I have't had enough. I would definitely recommend the fry, but thats just me.

Maggie Mays has 2 locations in Belfast, one near botanic station and the other one beside Queens. They provide wholesome, hearty food the is sure to fill a hole. The bumper fry was my particular choice. Fully loaded fry, double egg, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, hash brownsy the works with a side of chips. Finishing it was a struggle but I got there in the end. Maggie Mays is very very popular so be prepared to wait a few minutes for a table but believe me, it is definitely worth the wait. They also have an extensive milkshake menu. We had intended to get one but unfortunately I had no room left after my fry. I guess this is a good reason to return, hopefully soon

My first meal in Northern Ireland had to be a fry. Carbs meat carbs meat carbs woot. The soda bread here is different than the soda bread in bakeries and yielded by recipes in the States, the former being more light and spongy and the latter more dense and scone-like in texture. The bacon is also different, more a thick slice of fatty ham than a thin and crispy one. Potato bread is pancake-like and soft. The egg was perfectly cooked with a runny yolk, placed strategically so that at a knife's push it would explode and seep into the porous soda bread beneath. I was proud of myself for eating 90% of the heavy, heavy meal. It fueled me for many hours of exploring the awesome city of Belfast on foot. I can't compare it to other frys since it's the only one I've had, but can't complain about a plate loaded with fried goodness.

Maggie Mays is a lovely little seated diner kinda place on Botanic which serves no frills comfort food. Come here if you want a chilled burger and chips, to chat with mates over a coffee or beer or to read the Sunday papers and have a lazy lunch. The atmosphere is laid back, the décor is pretty simple and the customers are young people in to grab a bite. The staff are fine, they take your order and serve the food up pretty nifty. I've tried the Burger and chips here and the club sandwich, which were both yummy. The prices are moderate and good value for the ample portions served.

Super nice staff and very good food. We had late breakfast as we are still not acclimated to the time change from the U.S. Good food, good portions and priced right. They only take cash, but there is an ATM directly across the street.

They don't take credit cards and they don't take Euros so I didn't eat here. Since all of the Republic of Ireland is on the Euro a lot of NI take it. Or at least a card. Too bad Maggie. Lost our business.

Loved the French toast, just like I make it at home! Service was attentive and friendly. I would go back if I return to Belfast!

Not been here since my student days :) but still a great spot. I attend a crafting evening every Tuesday with a few girls, we usually hop to different coffee shops each week (whoever will have us lol). So we were pleased when Maggie Mays agreed to reserve a table for the group. I ordered a lovely Cafe Latte and Banoffee pie with vanilla ice cream. Very pleasantly presented a tasty Banoffee pie. Also ordered was the mega milk shake Bananas about peanuts which I was allowed a little sip, it was amazing! Will definitely be having this next time. Staff and service was very attentive and friendly :)

This was a regular haunt during my student days, as there was such a wide selection of stuff on offer that even my fussiest friends could always find something they liked! Decent fry-ups and traditional fare like baked potatoes, sausage & chips and pasta bakes are on offer alongside lighter options like sandwiches and wraps. Can get very busy at lunch/dinner time but usually you'll be able to find a table. Overall, Maggie's is a reliable bet - good food atmosphere, and also conveniently very near Botanic train station.

Stopped in here after a long day of sight seeing on our way back to our hotel. It was a very quaint establishment and every table was filled again as soon as it was opened. Some of the wait staff could have been a little nicer, but for the most part, they were great. I HIGHLY recommend the milkshakes! I ordered the beef stew with French bread, and my husband ordered the Hawaiian burger. My husband said the burger was ok, but a left a little to be desired. The beef stew however was great! It needed a little salt and pepper to top it off, but it was nice and hearty and just what I needed after a long day. **Notice: When we went, they only accepted cash, so I would check first if you're planning to use a card.**

I met an old uni friend and our regular haunt was Maggie Mays for the famous all day breakfast. Still tasted as good as we can remember and great vfm....definitely a breakfast work having!!

Where better for an Ulster Fry than Maggie Mays? Adorned with paintings of the Titanic (because where in Belfast isn't?) with simple decor, it's an ideal place to while away your morning, reading the papers or listening to the radio. It's obviously aimed at students - but don't let that put you off. On our first visit, we had an Ulster Fry consisting of soda bread, potato bread, hash browns, a pancake, sausage, eggs, mushrooms, tomato and bacon. When I asked to substitute you eggs, mushrooms and tomato for one measly sausage, I was told I could only substitute non meat items for non meat items. That's why I've given Maggie Mays a 4 star and not a 5 star. Nevertheless, it was a tasty, carbohydrate-laden start to our day and just as unhealthy as I'd hoped. Soda bread is my new favourite thing. Maggie Mays is a great, cheap place to start your day. Don't let the studenty vibe put you off!

So I was on Botanic Avenue having made a last minute dash to the fancy dress shop to buy a Darth Vader costume. (Long story, let's not go there.) Darth Vader costume mission accomplished, I had half an hour before I had to deliver it to the waiting mini Star Wars fan and a stomach protesting about the lack of breakfast. We nipped into Maggie Mays as I have heard lots of people sing its praises and I can see where they're coming from. But before I tell you about the good stuff, I have to get something off my chest. The breakfast selection is set out so that you can order individual items. For me, this is both good and bad. Good because I don't have to order a fry and then leave the eggs and sausages, both of which make me want to hurl. Bad because you can see that one slice of bacon is £1. Yes, that's right, 1 slice! And a bowl of cornflakes is £1.65! Am I getting tight? Maybe so, but I think those prices are ludicrous. OK, so once I got past that, I ordered a toasted bagel with bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms and it was really very good. No grease or fat, just crispy bacon and tasty everything else. The tom sauce as proper Heinz too. I noticed that Maggie Mays is open at night and is BYO. Choices like pasta, burgers and chicken are around £5 so with only corkage to pay for the vino, this seems like good value for money on a cheap and cheerful night out. I liked the interior of Maggie Mays - lots of Belfast street signs and paintings of iconic Belfast scenes. Service was good too - cheerful and efficient. I just cannot get past the £1 bacon.

I've been to Maggie May's dozens and dozens of times, and find myself wandering in when I'm on Botanic, I'm hungry and I can't think of anywhere else that I fancy and that everyone will agree on. I don't quite know why. The place is nothing special. The lasagne and stew are good, and like most portions here are so stodgy and plentiful that I normally roll rather than walk out the door afterwards. But the frys are average, consisting of rubbery wrinkly mushrooms and questionable sausages that have obviously been lying in the kitchen for ages before being hastily heated up. I also get peeved when I order my food, for example a fry and a cup of tea, and they bring me the tea first, about twenty minutes before I get my fry. So of course I have to order another cup of tea, because what's the point of a hangover fry without a cup of tea? Clever, Maggie May's, but bloody annoying. I did ask once for my tea to be brought out with my food and not before, and the look I got from the waitress made me think I'd inadvertently asked for the soul of her first-born instead. I've been told the way around this is to say you don't want a drink, then suddenly change your mind when the food arrives, but I haven't tried this one yet. Service isn't really high up on the agenda at Maggie May's. Yes, they're busy, but there's really no excuse for not bringing menus over to the table for fifteen minutes after someone sits down. We've also waited that long to get the table cleared, which can be a bit of a problem when the whole surface is piled with plates and cups. And once we've got the menu, there's another long wait to actually order. If the place is so consistently busy then taking on another few staff might be something to consider, it's not rocket science. You can byo here though, so it's a good spot for a few tins and a bowl of stew before hitting the town. Just don't go if you're in too much of a hurry.

I used to visit Maggie Mays a few times a week when I was a student, as it was at the top of my street. It was a bit of a hangover hideout for my flatmates and I, other students and arty types. Although that hasn't entirely changed it certainly attracts a much more mixed customer base these days. Last time I ate there, there were men in suits, older couples, teenagers and five big Belfast bikers getting stuck into Maggie's delicious Irish stew. There are three things about Maggie Mays that I love...1. The big old wooden seat right at the window, best seat in the house for a group of nosey parkers who want to watch Belfast go by. 2. The milkshakes, any flavor really including chocolate bars and sweet brands - tastes like what you dream a milkshake to taste like - creamy and thick and presented in a tall glass - like an American diner style. 3. I can dine in there alone without feeling awkward or weird, they provide plenty of fliers and booklets about local events and the days newspapers are always at hand to keep me occupied until my feast arrives. Maggie's is a great place for a Sunday afternoon bite but be warned there are often queues and there isn't a great deal of space... you could dine al fresco but it is Belfast so you'd be very lucky! All in all...its worth the wait though especially if you are a fan of good tasty food! Yum!

Had a lovely meal in Maggie Mays. They have a really good menu full of traditional home cooked treats such as beef stew, lasagne, burgers, roast chicken, fajitas etc. There was plenty of choice and it was as cheap as chips! We had a main meal each with a side and drink and the total bill came to approx £16! I had the peppered chicken with garlic bites, the chicken came out as a roast breast and wing, perfectly cooked and the garlic bites were delicious too. The shop was very busy with every table being used and there were plenty of staff available to cope, there was background music and the atmosphere was buzzing. I loved it.

I absolutely loved the milkshakes, we went back twice during our stay to have them. I'd highly recommend the Chocolate Chip Cookie shake. It was my favorite!!! This place gets very busy around 10am so it can be hard to get a seat in this very small place. I also enjoyed the decor.

Great breakfast food at a fair price. Milkshakes are very good. I'm just going to say that I always feel sick after having milkshakes but after trying it here at Maggie Mays I was fine and pretty satisfied.

I used to go here quite a bit. Actually, most Sundays for a good few months of my life... I used to like it. It wasn't fancy, but it was cheap, the food was plentiful and the frys sorted you out if you weren't feeling completely right of a Sunday afternoon! I then heard a few horror stories. I won't repeat them, because they were all second-hand by the time they reached me, so I probably don't even know how true they are, but it doesn't take much to put me off an eatery, so I haven't been back. I think I found it quite easy to believe that hygiene standards were sub-par in the place because when I thought back on it, the tables were never completely clean, I had to send a few glasses back because they were streaked or dirty and the toilets were usually a bit of a nightmare. Basically, it's a proper greasy spoon. By all means, check it out, but just don't be expecting a gleaming place with silver service!

I love Maggie Mays! Its a great caffeine in the studenty Botanic Avenue and it's a fab place to come for the cure after a hard night on the town! You will often find it full of students around lunchtime all after the ultimate Fry! But don't let this put you off as the food really is fantastic! As expected, we come here for the breakfast which is served all day (woohoo) and we are never disappointed. The breakfast menu is pretty big offering everything from a fry to pancakes and porridge. The cafe really does have a great homely feel and is all wooden inside, chairs, tables etc. They have outdoor seating and although not massive you never feel really cramped. The lunch menu here is really good too and their stew is awesome! But for me Maggie Mays is all about the Breakfast!

Ridiculously loud music? Check. Uncomfortable, cramped conditions? Check. Same menu you'll see on any greasy breakfast place that has made a vague attempt to be a legitimate restaurant? Check. I get it. Belfast students are hungover every single day, it's why a place like this does extremely well. Guarantee there isn't a single student in the history of Queens that hasn't eaten here before, so in that respect it's great that a local business has such a great reputation that it can far outlast anywhere else nearby. But really though. This is just not great food, and it doesn't deserve to cost as much as it does. Go to French Village 30 seconds up the road, it may cost a little extra, but it has a far better menu, isn't cramped, and also serves food that isn't just perceived as a hangover cure.

First visited May 2010 with my 'Hens' after an Early arrival into Belfast. The menu is a great selection with something for even my Vege friend and my very fussy (with masses of catering experience!) Mum. Love the filled soda's (my fave is bacon, cheese and fried onion-try it before you curl your face up in disgust!!)- the sausages however are another matter- a bit passed their best and certainly deep fried. Went here 3 times in one weekend, back then every time I'm in Belfast to introduce yet another person to the delights. Service isn't great on a weekend as it's so busy and as previous people have said it's a bit of a tight squeeze in the booths. They will give you plenty of Tea and only charge you for it once- great for a Yorkshire girl and Tea lover (and helps with the hangover!) The Decor and ambiance of the place is what makes it a good old Belfast favourite. Definitely give it a go at least once and appreciate places like this are few and far between these days. :-)

Walked by this place a few times with intrigue before finally grabbing a table to try it out. Like: Basically the whole experience. Servers were super nice, food was plentiful and extremely reasonably priced, tasted great and lots of options. Dislike: If I remember correctly they only take cash. Overall, pretty surprised by this place in a good way. Would eat here again and again, especially to try new things on the menu. Quite a fan of the good quality and low prices.

I had heard from a tour guide that Maggie Mays was a place that college students like to go to. Being a recent graduate, I know that college students are pretty good at scoping out pretty tasty food for reasonable prices. I walked over to Maggie Mays and was seated right away. It is a super cute little space with friendly staff. I also appreciated that they have a pretty extensive menu. I thought it would be smart if I tried to order something that is not common in the U.S. I decided on the champ and sausages with baked beans. Being the silly American that I am, I assumed that the beans would come on the side, so I was a bit surprised when the champ came out smothered in them. I gave it a try and thought it was delicious, until I got about a quarter of the way through and could not eat any more beans. If you are a tourist, and baked beans on your potatoes is not in your flavor profile, definitely try something new, but prepare yourself. Seriously, who can eat that many baked beans?! I was even served baked beans with all my breakfasts. If I never ate another baked bean again it would be fine by me. Also, take a milkshake to go! They have so many fun flavors to choose from. I didn't know what most of the candies were, so I asked to waitress to pick one for me. She picked Oreo, which made me laugh, but it was delicious none-the-less!

As a student was definitely a fan of Maggie Mays and used to always come back for nostalgic purposes. Does a great full breakfast and also milkshakes of any flavour. Always busy with a great buzz about. However with so many places opening and about it recently it is sometimes hard to remember this is here. Always a great atmosphere and value.

Maggie Mays is one of the best places to go on a rainy day. With a warm, relatively cheap lunch menu, you can put down your umbrellas and pick up a wee cup of tea. We were lucky enough to get a seat because every time I've been past before, it has been rammed to the doors. The staff are very nice and will be able to get anything for you if you need it. It's not the finest food you are ever going to eat, but if you fancy a spot of lunch and it's not quite sitting in Botanic Gardens weather, then this is definately the first stop to go to.

4 Stars for the dessert!!!! I decided to go to Maggie Mays because it was really close to the B&B I was staying at and the prices seemed reasonable....especially since we are talking pounds! I ordered the fish fry and it was ok. Nothing great. BUT...then I ordered the toffee cheesecake, and that was freakin delicious!!!!!! I probably wouldn't go back to Maggie Mays, but I definitely enjoyed that cheesecake!

This place seems to be a Belfast institution! I was here on a Saturday lunch time and it was super busy, but there seems to be a very quick turnover of customers. I can see why it is popular, the food isn't anything fancy but they do a solid sandwich ;-) So if you're looking for soup and sandwich, traditional fry or a hamburger, I'd give this place a shot. The service was very fast, there are lots of friendly staff milling around.

Seems like it's a bit of an institution. Nice looking food, indifferent-but-friendly service, decent enough tea, homely atmosphere - especially on a sunny day. Loads of veg-friendly stuff on the menu, but I just had the tea. No wifi, unfortunately, but that is probably why I was the only laptop in there.