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Food & Drink in Belfast

Where to eat and drink in Belfast

Belfast has enjoyed a renaissance in the brewing and culinary arts in recent years. A steady stream of new home-grown chefs, returning talent and foreign mavericks have given Northern Ireland’s capital city a new lease of food and drink life.

Belfast sits right on the doorstep to some of the most desirable farmland on these islands. It’s the perfect marriage. Take fresh ingredients from right outside your door, mix it with a good dose of daring and imagination and hey presto, you’ve got yourself a food and drink paradise that rivals the very best.

Aim for the stars at OX

OX is one of the top restaurants in Belfast. It sits right on the River Lagan and since opening in 2013, has been making all the right waves. Run by one local chef, the other French, OX is committed to using fresh local ingredients and serving up taste sensations in unpretentious surroundings. It does exactly that and for a Michelin starred restaurant, it manages to remain quite reasonable.

One restaurant and bar after another in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter

Just a couple of blocks from here you’ll come across Belfast’s famed Cathedral Quarter. This part of town is funky, fresh and forward-looking and there is really a whole host of restaurants to choose from – some of them among the best restaurants in Belfast.

The Muddlers Club is a favourite with locals. You’ll find it hiding (somewhat loudly) in a graffitied alleyway between Waring Street & Exchange Place. The owners named the place after a secret society that met there over two centuries ago. Today there are no secrets; everything is cooked and prepared in front of you in a lively open kitchen.

Within shouting distance is well-known locale, The Harp bar. Decorated in red velvet fabrics and adorned with antique furnishings, this place harks back to the decor of Victorian Belfast. The clientele are far from that Victorian past, however, though you could argue that some of the beards are similar. Independent draught beers and a great selection of whiskies and regular live music make this a popular spot.

Nearby, Muriel’s Cafe Bar (sister of The Spaniard) does a smashing fish and chips for lunch and its gastropub offering might well see you right for the day, particularly if you start getting stuck into their tasty cocktails.

Just five minutes away is the Sunflower Bar. This is among the hippest bars in Belfast and they do like to see the world differently. Before entering, you’re politely requested to refrain from topless bathing. You might be tempted, however, because the Sunflower’s famous beer garden is south facing and with decor pitched somewhere between Honolulu and Hamburg, it is very easy to relax here. Oh, and they also do wood-fired pizza!

About one mile south of Sunflower is an Asian fusion restaurant that always brings a smile to Belfast faces. Since 2016, Yugo, meaning fusion in Japanese, has been serving quick, tasty, great value meals in a setting that reimagines IKEA as a Japanese rather than Swedish furniture store. It works.

Meat, liquor and more in Belfast’s marvelous market

Not far from here is the wonderful St George’s Market. This red brick wonder plays host to over three-hundred food stalls and is a great place to come for breakfast or lunch. The atmosphere is second to none. Yes, it’s busy, but it’s busy with a lot of time on its hands and will love you if you love it. And everyone loves it.

Up and coming Ormeau

If you manage to actually get out of the market, take a stroll down south across the River Lagan to the Ormeau Road. You’ll find cracking food options here.

Not least is General Merchant’s. Run by an Aussie who came to Ireland to show us how to cook a proper brunch, he is doing a fine job of keeping us fed. If you’re sticking around for lunch, why not visit Jay Rayner’s favourite Belfast spot Bia Rebel? 'Bia’, pronounced ‘be-a’ is the Irish for food, and what glorious food this is. The philosophy behind their famous ramen is to fuse the food cultures of two island nations to create a delicious, addictive bowl of savoury goodness. And boy does it hit the spot.

All this walking around and eating make a person thirsty so why not head back over the river and not far from the famous Queen’s University, you’ll discover the recently opened Jeggy Nettle. This is a dog-friendly pub with quizzes, Tayto crisp sandwiches, great pints and an open fire. What more could you want on an early evening out?

Last but never least, the most famous bar in Belfast (or even the world?)

No visit to Belfast would be complete without a visit to The Crown Bar. This is probably the most famous bar in Belfast. On the go as a gin palace since the nineteenth century, it is as deliciously decorated inside as it is outside. If you manage to get in and grab one of the ten available snugs then you might well be set for the night.

No matter where you go, however, you’ll find warm welcomes, good food and plenty of local banter in Belfast.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, we advise checking in advance before you travel to your intended destination to ensure its open and book tickets if applicable.

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Number of results: 97

, currently showing 81 to 97.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
430 reviews
Bittles Bar

Belfast

Address

70 Upper Church Lane, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4EL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 1088

Johnbittles@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Bittles Bar is one of Belfast's more curious pubs located close to the bustling Victoria Square. Red-bricked and 'flat-iron' in shape Bittles is a wonderful example of a traditional Victorian Bar. Founded in 1868.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
472 reviews
Beechlawn House Hotel & Restaurant

Belfast

Address

4 Dunmurry Lane, Belfast, County Antrim, BT17 9RR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9060 2010

info@beechlawnhotel.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Beechlawn House Hotel is ideally situated in the suburb of Dunmurry, less than a ten minute drive from Belfast and Lisburn city centres. A busy eatery with a great reputation for freshly prepared traditional and modern cuisine. 5* FSA Rating.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
511 reviews
Ben Madigan's Bar & Kitchen

Belfast

Address

169 - 175 Cavehill Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 5BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9692 2009

info@benmadigansbar.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Join us in Ben Madigans at the foot of Cavehill, belfast home of friendly atmosphere and award winning local food and drink, sure to make you want to stay a while at your new local.

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Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
448 reviews
Malmaison Bar and Grill

Belfast

Address

34-38 Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3GH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9600 1405

jlynch@malmaison.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The heart and soul of every Malmaison. Iconic dishes are prepared with a modern twist and served with passion and personality, including sublime steaks, the awesome MalBurger, locally inspired blackboard specials and a mouthwatering wine list.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
160 reviews
The Dark Horse

Belfast

Address

34 Hill Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2LB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 7807

darkhorse@dukeofyorkbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Dark Horse is a European style coffee house nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area of the Cathedral Quarter.
Available for private hire Thursday - Saturday.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
253 reviews
Jospers Steakhouse - Ten Square Hotel

Belfast

Address

10 Donegall Square South, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 5JD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 1001

jospers@tensquare.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Josper's Restaurant at Ten Square; synonymous with straightforward, delicious hearty cuisine; a blend of freshly prepared, seasonal dishes, with Irish classics and mouth-watering, chargrilled steaks. Something for everyone, in the heart of the city.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1716 reviews
Darcy’s Belfast

Belfast

Address

10 Bradbury Place, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1RS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 4040

info@darcysbelfast.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Darcy’s of Belfast is a family-run restaurant offering quality traditional food made with the most local of ingredients.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
100 reviews
McBrides on the Square

Comber

Address

1-3 The Square, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DX

Telephone
028 91313969

irissmcbride@aol.com

Type

Type:

Bar

For over 35 years McBride’s have been providing quality traditional meals using fresh produce sourced from local suppliers, especially shellfish and seafood from Portavogie.

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mrDeanes

Belfast

Address

28-40 Howard Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 6PF

Telephone
02890 331134

mrdeanes@michaeldeane.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

mrDeanes Bistro Bar Social is a 90-seater restaurant offering a La carte menus featuring many Deanes' classics, reflecting Michael Deane's long running passion for hospitality.

Dates

From:

1 Feb 2025to1 Oct 2026Various Opening Times

From:

1 Feb 2025to1 Oct 2026Various Opening Times

More Info
The Northern Whig

Belfast

Address

2-10 Bridge Street, Town Parks, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 1LU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9050 9888

info@thenorthernwhig.com

Type

Type:

Bar

This specialist cocktail bar is bright, stylish and chic, with the square bar on the central floor being the focal point.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
605 reviews
Sugarcane Cafe Bistro

Comber

Address

The Square, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9187 3388

info@sugarcanecafebistro.com

Type

Type:

Café

Freshly prepared and locally sourced is our ethos. We use quality local suppliers to bring you fresh, tasty ingredients and then we work our Sugarcane magic of cooking with LOVE to bring our range of dishes to the plate.

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The Causerie at The Europa Hotel

Belfast

Address

Europa Hotel Belfast, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7AP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9027 1066

causerie@eur.hastinghotels.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

With some of the best views in Belfast, this bustling contemporary bistro has provenance stamped all over its menu. The a la carte menu is available all day. Signature dishes include Glenarm Organic Roast Salmon and Northern Irish Dexter Sirloins.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
996 reviews
McHugh’s Bar & Restaurant

Belfast

Address

29-31 Queen’s Square, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3FG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9050 9999

info@mchughsbar.com

Type

Type:

Bar

McHughs is within a grade A listed building, built between 1710 and 1720, making it officially the oldest building in the city of Belfast, enjoying a long history and a sometimes colourful reputation.

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The Dock Cafe

Belfast

Address

ARC Retail, 2b Queens Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9FD

Joachim@the-dock.org

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

The Dock Cafe opened its doors in March 2012 and has gone from strength to strength with a honest box policy, it offers a place to relax at a very low cost for everyone.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
70 reviews
Katy's Bar

Belfast

Address

17 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 8HD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 7007

office@limelightbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Katy's Bar is at the hub of Belfast's most exciting music venue. In 2012 along with the whole complex the always welcoming Katy's Bar enjoyed a simple, subtle refurb. This was followed by The Rock Garden, a brand new roof terrace.

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Hearth Pub Ballyhackamore

Belfast

Address

199 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 3JB

Telephone
+44 (0) 2890921920

hello@hearthpub.co.uk

Type

Type:

Bar

Hearth - warmth, stories, a place to gather and share memories (a place so dear to everyone's heart, it even has heart in the name.)

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The Errigle Inn

Belfast

Address

Ormeau Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 2GE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9064 1410

info@errigle.com

Type

Type:

Bar

The Errigle Inn, situated on the outskirts of Belfast city centre features five bars, roof gardens, a beer garden and live televised sporting games.
Known for its fabulous food and drink The Errigle Inn, provides a great location for any occasion,…

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