Centra Stranmillis

I love this shop its nice and bright and well laid out. Staff are helpful and there is a great deli counter with a good big selection. They stock some basics but there are a few downsides. Where it’s located means it’s very student organised, so quick lunches and sweets and crisps, don’t expect to do your weekly shop there. Also the isles are very narrow so I’d invisage pram pushers having a problem.
Nice shop but limited stock for anything big.

Ah Centra, how the memories flood back from all night student benders and dehydrated morning fun. This was my ‘local shop’ while I lived in Stranmillis, and to be honest there’s a bit of a love/​hate relationship with it.
This particular store does have quite a range of hot food and freshly made sandwiches, the best of which has always been the legendary ‘Hero’ baguette (southern fried chicken, smoked cheese, salad and mayo) It was however often served with varying degrees of proficiency, sometimes it was toasted, sometimes not, on some occasions I asked for it toasted, they put mayonnaise on it and then told me they could’t toasted it for health and safety reasons. Pah.
Anyways, I remember it fondly for the times it saved my kidneys from complete failure as liquids no longer passed through it. I remember once in an early morning shop having a boxed fry knocked from my grasp by an over eager friend, then walking out calmly as beans littered the floor. Those were less dignified times.
The problem with the store is that everything is very expensive. I suppose it’s to be expected, a small store based in one of the most expensive areas of Belfast.
Still, certainly a place to pop in for something quick but I’m glad I had two Tescos within walking distance now because the money I spent in this shop beggars belief.