Looking for the Top Restaurants to Eat in Belfast?
Belfast is known for many places such as the Titanic, City Hall, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens, Castle, and yes, you guessed right, its restaurants!
From award-winning Michelin-starred OX Belfast to relaxed Sunday roasts of The Teal Monkey, we’ve handpicked six of the most-loved restaurants in Belfast. Don’t miss the great cocktails by Flame and SHU.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know where to find the best Irish, French, and modern European cuisines in Belfast. So, let’s dive in!
Flame:
Why go? For an East Meets West fusion menu and the city’s best cocktails in a chic, upmarket ambiance.
Flame Restaurant is situated in the heart of the city centre, near Franklin Street. It’s located between the Grand Central Hotel and the Maldron Hotel. You can find this culinary gem on the ground floor of The Ewart Building.
Flame is known as Belfast’s premier dining restaurant. It has a welcoming, pleasing environment. If you’re looking for an Irish food experience in Belfast, you’ve just discovered this gem. You can find exquisite meats, savoury main courses, and delicious, delightful desserts. Another unique feature of Flame Restaurant is its exceptional blend of “East Meets West” cuisine.
And lastly, if you’re looking for the best cocktail experience in Belfast, Flame is your go-to destination. Their mixologists prepare specialty beverages by combining selected spirits, resulting in something you can’t forget ever. It’s recommended to reserve your spot beforehand for the best experience!
Home Restaurant Belfast:
Why go? For a casual, Bib Gourmand-recognized meal with exceptional vegan and gluten-free choices.
Home Restaurant is located at 22 Wellington Place. It has a welcoming atmosphere with a relaxed ambiance, located in the heart of a busy city centre. If you are on a quick coffee break or an indulgent treat from your bestie, Home Restaurant has got you covered. You can enjoy a healthy breakfast, tasty lunch, and a hearty evening meal with a variety of choices for vegans, vegetarians, and even for people following a gluten-free diet.
The menu of Home Restaurants keeps on evolving according to the season, all they guarantee is quality ingredients, exceptionally cooked and meticulously presented food. Locals love their staff for their friendly nature and attention to detail. Besides all this, what makes Home Restaurant Unique is its Michelin Bib Gourmand Recognition. Do you know it’s awarded only to those restaurants serving quality food at moderate prices, and Home Restaurants has been humbled to have this honor since 2014!
Home Restaurant is the best choice if you’re looking for a casual lunch option in Belfast city centre!
The Teal Monkey:
Why go? To enjoy global, distinctive flavours alongside a renowned Sunday roast or bottomless brunch.
The Teal Monkey is located on 89 Dublin Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was established in 2021. The main value of The Teal Monkey is that they have transformed the way people experience and enjoy food. They serve the most exceptional and distinctive flavors from across the globe to the people of Belfast!
Their menu includes starters, main courses, meat and grill, sides, and desserts. The best part is their Sunday roast, served specially on Sundays only from 12-6 PM. They serve a Bottomless brunch including 2 courses for 90 minutes with unlimited drinks every day. Foodies recommend The Teal Monkey as the best place to eat in Belfast.
Six by Nico:
Why go? For an immersive, six-course fine-dining experience that completely reinvents its theme every six weeks.
Six by Nico is located across the UK. Its Belfast branch is located on 23-31 Waring Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Please note that this branch operates from Wednesday to Sunday only. What makes this restaurant unique is its theme. They serve a six-course tasting menu inspired by a theme, destination, and concepts. And the interesting part is that their menu changes quickly, right after six weeks.
At the time of writing, they are serving menus on the following themes: Space, Interstellar, Apollo 11, The Nutcracker, and San Sebastian. Every theme starts and ends on specific days. And these themes keep on changing, so it’s always best to visit their official website once before visiting. All the themes have their specific course with regular and vegan options. Indeed, it’s one of the best restaurants in Belfast town, worth visiting, both for eating and experiencing their unique theme!
SHU:
Why go? To experience modern French cuisine and cocktails in a stylish, multi-space venue in South Belfast.
SHU was established in 2000. It’s located on the Lisburn Road, the South side of Belfast. It encompasses three spaces: The Main Room, Jul’s, and The Upper House. The restaurant serves Modern French dishes, great cocktails, and vegan options. The ambiance is warm, welcoming, and pleasing.
Now, let’s see all three main spaces. You can visit the main room for all occasions. It’s located on the ground floor. The best thing about the main room? It’s the heart of SHU, serving a seasonal menu of classic dishes with regular new additions. Jul’s is known for its kick back and relaxed vibe. It’s the portion of SHU where cocktails are served. And last but not least is their “The Upper House”, it’s best if you’re looking for private rooms for weddings, parties, or events, with a variety of options.
About the menu, they serve lunch, Sunday special menu, Prix Fixe à la Carte including starters, main course, sides, and seasonal sips. People across Belfast love the restaurant for their exceptional food, down-to-earth staff, and reasonable prices. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in South Belfast, SHU is what locals and travelers admire and recommend.
OX Belfast:
Why go? To enjoy a Michelin-starred seasonal tasting menu in a beautiful, pared-down waterside setting.
It’s the last restaurant in our list today, but honestly, the best one. It’s located on Oxford Street, Belfast. It’s a beautiful pared-down waterside space with bare-brick whitewashed walls. Their history will make you happy. Two friends, Stephen and Brittany, who had worked in influential and inspirational restaurants, honed their skills and developed their own relaxed riverside restaurant in March 2013!
What makes OX unique is their commitment to using seasonal ingredients and developing close relationships with local suppliers. This is one of the reasons their guests say “their tasting menu was 100% and service was unreal”. They serve Lunch Menu, Dinner Menu, OX Cave, OX Larder, and private dining options. Their menu includes starters, main courses, and desserts. Last but not least, OX Belfast has held a Michelin star since 2016.
Conclusion:
Belfast is known for its great restaurants in the world. We have only chosen the top six restaurants according to their reputation and customer reviews. So, whether you’re planning to enjoy Irish food, French delights, or modern European cuisines with great themes, and yes, don’t forget the cocktails, this Best Cafes guide is your shortcut to Belfast’s most unforgettable dining experiences.
FAQS:
What are the top restaurants in Belfast City Centre?
Belfast City Centre’s top restaurants include The Muddlers Club, a Michelin-starred establishment in the Cathedral Quarter, The Ginger Bistro on Great Victoria Street known as one of Northern Ireland’s best restaurants, and OX, another Michelin-starred venue near the Lagan river specializing in locally sourced ingredients and celebrated vegetables.
Are there any recommended Italian restaurants in Belfast?
Coppi in St Anne’s Square is highly recommended, serving contemporary Italian dishes with fresh handmade pasta and Venetian-inspired cicchetti since 2012,while The Chubby Cherub offers authentic Italian cuisine in a traditional osteria atmosphere with locations in Belfast City Centre and Lisburn Road.
Which restaurants in Belfast are suitable for families?
Cutters Wharf offers a children’s menu at £7.50 with free ice cream and features river views, Little Wing Pizzeria provides a £6.50 kids menu with colouring activities and toys, and Ryan’s Bar and Restaurant on Lisburn Road offers affordable family dining with children’s mains from £4.50 midweek.
Which restaurants in Belfast are child friendly?
Child-friendly restaurants in Belfast include The Ivy Brasserie Belfast, FireStone Teppanyaki, and Yardbird Belfast, while Ben Madigan’s Bar and Kitchen provides high chairs, baby changing facilities, and freshly cooked children’s meals with no frozen food.
Which restaurants in Belfast are dog friendly?
The Dirty Onion in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is renowned as one of the city’s most dog-friendly establishments, featuring Belfast’s biggest beer garden, complimentary water at their Doggie Dock, and seasonal social events for dogs, while Henry’s pub on Joys Entry welcomes all dogs inside their front room with over 100 years of history.
Where can I find casual restaurants in Belfast?
Casual restaurants in Belfast include John Long’s on Athol Street, serving fish and chips since 1914, EDO on Upper Queen Street offering modern Spanish tapas and awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for affordable quality food, and Bank Square Brasserie in the city centre celebrating local produce in a relaxed atmosphere.
