Where to eat and drink in Belfast
Home to some of the most exciting food and drink in the United Kingdom
Belfast City Hall
I’ve recently returned from an excellent trip to Belfast. I absolutely love Northern Ireland and it’s been such a pleasure to return to this great city for the first time since the pandemic.
Belfast is such a special city for a break and if you haven’t considered it before, I can’t recommend it more highly. There are so many interesting things to do in this diverse and vibrant city, whatever your interests, but I think it’s especially exciting in terms of food and drink.
The hospitality in Northern Ireland is second to none, and the endless creativity and innovation in food and drink make it such an exciting place to visit. Whether you’re staying for a few days or just passing through, I wanted to share some of my top recommendations. As ever, feel free to save or share this for a future visit.
Where to eat
Michael Deane (recognised in this week’s Michelin announcements) has a small portfolio of great restaurants in Belfast. I’ve been to almost all of them. On this visit, I had a great dinner at the Meat Locker.
For a Michelin starred experience, head to OX on Oxford Street. It’s been going for a decade and is really, really good. It manages to combine truly great food with a smart but relaxed environment very successfully. So just turn up and expect to be very well fed.
I love Muddler’s Club. This is a great place for a fun and totally delicious dinner. A great choice for dinner à deux, or to meet with friends. I adore the food here.
Yugo is an absolutely gorgeous small independent restaurant in the city centre. The menu features a range of pan-Asian delights including bao, sushi, dumplings and plenty of fresh fish. It’s brilliant.
Cheap eats
Some suggestions for something quicker, smaller or cheaper
Flout pizza is totally exceptional. The delightful team sell pizza by the slice from their premises on the Newtownards Road. Check the opening hours and try and get there early, as they can sell out. It’s that good.
It’s not exactly haute cuisine, but I really love a scone and a pot of tea when on the Isle of Ireland. I had a great experience (to my surprise, if I’m honest) at Avoca café. I recommend the cinnamon and berry scone with butter. I always love a look around the shop and have a rapidly expanding collection of lovely blankets and socks. There are some good Irish food products for sale in the food section, too.
Bodega Bagels at Banana Block are brilliant. Banana Block is a wonderful creative hub, featuring some excellent food and drink suppliers, and is a great place to spend an hour and to stop for lunch and coffee. The bagels are first rate.
Where to drink
Established Coffee in the Cathedral Quarter is absolutely superb. Without question one of the best coffees I’ve had in a while. There is plenty of seating, but be prepared to queue.
The new Titanic Distillers offers a truly amazing whiskey tour and tasting. Book a tour ahead and be ready for a fascinating experience, covering distilling, an innovative whiskey tasting and an awe-inspiring tour of the dry dock.
The aforementioned OX runs OX Cave next door. A brilliant place for some lovely glasses of good wine.
The Crown is such a Belfast icon, it’s an essential stop if you haven’t been before.
If you’re after something special, the Observatory at Grand Central is really unparalleled for it’s panoramic views across the city. Book a table ahead. And The Merchant Hotel offers imposing, glamorous surroundings for a special cocktail.
Where to stay
Grand Central is hard to beat. The rooms are spacious, extremely comfortable and very good value in such a central location, too.
The Titanic Hotel is new and well-situated within the Titanic Quarter. It’s a beautiful building, the service is lovely and there are smart but relaxed places (such as Drawing Room Two) to eat and drink within (worth a visit on their own if you’re not staying). It’s handily opposite the excellent Titanic Museum, which is also well worth a visit and has recently been refurbished and updated, if you’ve been before.
The Bullitt is very reliable for quality accommodation and a relaxed, informal experience. Rooms are small but nicely furnished and it’s good value. The coffee downstairs, whether you’re a guest or not, is also very good.
If time permits, there are so many wonderful things to see and do beyond Belfast. That’s another series of newsletters, but if you can stay on and explore, you won’t regret it.