The best restaurants Belfast

The Whites Tavern is one of the oldest taverns in town, tucked away at the end of a small alley. The ground floor is dark, with low ceilings and visible beams, but warmed by the fireplace and the ever-present music. On weekends, the upstairs becomes a chic and rather bobo and student hangout. There is a terrace outside in a courtyard, nice for smoking and talking about anything and everything. In short, the Whites Tavern is a Belfast classic where it's good to stay, at any time of the day or evening.

Michael Deane has been an institution since earning a Michelin star in 1997 for his previous gourmet restaurant Epic (known as Deanes), which closed at the end of 2023. The chef has retained two restaurants, with a fish section (Deanes Love Fish) and a meat section (Deanes Meat Locker). There's something for everyone. Whatever you choose, the cuisine is extremely refined (fresh, local and seasonal produce) and leaves no stone unturned. Stars such as U2, Cliff Richard and Roger Moore are fans.

Ox is a modern restaurant that is the talk of Belfast! Chef Stephen Toman and Breton sommelier Alain Kerloc'h form a free and creative duo. They met in Paris when they were students at the Arpège with three-starred chef Alain Passard. The dishes are delicate and inventive, for a real culinary and gastronomic experience: fermented beetroot and ricotta veil, smoked veal carpaccio and many others... The products and compositions change regularly. Reservation recommended.

In a former warehouse next to the Grand Opera House, you'll find the classy Ginger Bistro, which has built its reputation on tasty food combined with inventiveness and talent by the chef. The locals are not mistaken and visitors are also won over when it comes time to sit down to eat. The menu includes smoked fish, coconut chicken curry, steak with garlic and spinach, duck confit with chorizo, pork belly with sweet potatoes and spaghetti with tomatoes and mushrooms.

Resolutely urban and modern, the Home establishment attracts a clientele of companies, local residents and visitors, right in the heart of Belfast and a stone's throw from the City Hall. The beautiful decor blends wood and metal. A perfect setting to enjoy good, varied and well-balanced food. There is truly something for everyone, with an obvious British and Irish inspiration, which gives a local touch to more international ideas. There is also a good choice of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes.

Whether it's the bar or the restaurant, you'll find a warm and cosy atmosphere in this restaurant attached to the Ramada Encore Hotel. The large bay window (and even the terrace if the weather permits) overlooking the majestic St Anne's Square makes this place unique in Belfast. However, the main reason for coming here is the meat. Meat that always comes from Ireland. We recommend the lamb in particular, which is a treat for the taste buds. A good address for carnivores visiting Northern Ireland.

The Green Room is a café next to the Black Box concert hall. A popular place for young people and artists from all walks of life. Nice and simple decoration, friendly staff. People come here to work, write, chat. The place always lends itself to creative effervescence. On the menu, the food is home-made, as natural as possible. And so are the pizzas and sauces! The soup of the day is usually a real treat. There is entertainment almost every night at this cultural and foodie venue in Belfast.

Coco is a cosy bar-restaurant with walls decorated with paintings by contemporary artists (often for sale) that give the place an arty touch. A few iron pillars nicely divide the space, but the place is unpretentious. It gives pride of place to the clientele who flock there and that's what makes its charm. And above all, the menu which changes every season to offer the best ingredients of the moment. To make matters worse, the service is smiling and the wine list is excellent. A great address in Belfast.

A must-visit restaurant in Belfast for all lovers of fresh, local, sea-fresh flavours. The restaurant is located next to Kelly's Cellars pub, on one of the most typical squares in the Northern Irish city. Here you will find a bistro atmosphere, with benches and slates on the walls to ensure a warm atmosphere. On the menu, you can choose between a few dishes of the day, in addition to the seafood usually offered. The cuisine is very Irish and hearty, with good value for money.

Built around a bar and a restaurant, the Hell Cat Maggies is a very nice place, with high or low tables, sofas or chairs... The food is of good quality and there is something for all tastes. We like to try the caramelized pork with onions and sausages or, more lightly, the goat cheese and ratatouille pie. Desserts, hearty sandwiches, soups or small original dishes to nibble on are also available for a break at any time of the day. Good cocktails too.

In the vicinity of the cathedral, this vast modern restaurant will appeal to lovers of tapas and other Spanish delicacies. The place is very popular for its terrace (certainly the largest in the city) on Cotton Court, a place where it is good to linger, especially in good weather! If the weather is not good, you can always take refuge inside, where the setting is relaxing and friendly. In short, an ideal address to escape while sharing small dishes or an excellent paella while drinking a bottle of Rioja. Olé!

Banquettes, metal pipes running to the ceiling and an excellent view of the river... The interior of the red-brick building, modern, bright and airy, is immediately appealing. In summer, the terrace (as large as the restaurant), which adjoins the water and overlooks the gardens, is crowded with beer-drinkers until late at night. Vegetarian menu, lunches, snacks or dinners, pub or restaurant (upstairs), there's something for every taste, the main thing being the pleasant location.

The restaurant is located in the lobby of a former bank, a majestic space with a glass dome from which hangs the largest crystal chandelier in Ireland, it is said. Painted ceilings, carved and gilded woodwork, Corinthian columns, vaulted ceilings and scrolls, Victorian-inspired pink furniture... it's all there and there's only one word to describe this luxurious establishment: impressive. The food is classic and renowned, of Irish, British and French inspiration. But always of very good quality.

With its red and black terrace overlooking the street, the Barking Dog is immediately an eye-catcher. This impression is confirmed inside, which is also charming and very original, at once gleaming chic and deliciously rustic. You can enjoy copious and diverse dishes from a menu that changes regularly according to the seasons and the chef's desires, always well inspired. The result is very convincing and honours the Irish terroir. A restaurant that has won many awards. And it is easy to understand why!

This restaurant is very well known in Belfast and offers an original menu with the flavours of modern bistro cuisine. It is located in a square, high-ceilinged warehouse, without any partition and decorated with surprising and colourful materials. Lamps, tables, fabrics, photos, pipes and seats are mismatched and disparate... It is undoubtedly one of the trendiest places in Belfast and the cuisine is very well thought out: squid with aioli sauce and chilli jam, grilled duck and whiskey sauce purée, chicken cassoulet and chorizo with three beans..

The Established Coffee is one of the first trendy coffee shops to open in Belfast, renewing the local offer. The minimalist and industrial decoration reminds us of the Nordic countries. When you order, several beans are available, and you can choose the dosage... The coffees from Costa Rica, Ethiopia or El Salvador make you travel. And if you are lost, you can count on the friendly waiters to advise you. To accompany your cup: toast, homemade granola, delicious pastries and some more substantial seasonal dishes.

Long after our return from Belfast, Root & Branch and its espresso are still on our minds. At Root & Branch, espresso has no bitterness and is enjoyed like wine. The expert waiters point out the flavors to be deciphered: flowers, chocolate, plum... And even if you don't believe it at first, you have to admit that they are there, and that you really enjoy tasting this smooth, subtle espresso, sip by sip. It's almost as floral as a tea. Root & Branch favors small farmers.

This restaurant serves the best fish & chips in Northern Ireland. In fact, it has won numerous awards, objectively confirming our glowing opinion. All the fish used is sustainably sourced, another positive factor, and on the table you'll even find the Good Fish Guide, to help you eat better. The fish & chips come in different sizes, and you can choose whether you prefer cod or haddock. Other tempting dishes on the menu include shrimp tacos, oysters, grilled salmon..

Nero is a chain of cafes spread across Britain. The one on College Street is impossible to miss. With a full length picture window and a plethora of large leather armchairs, it invites you to come and sit back and enjoy a Fair Trade coffee with a snack or a tasty cake. A terrace outside allows you to enjoy the pedestrian street where passers-by stroll quietly. It is often full at lunchtime, but there is a second room upstairs.

In the splendid and rustic decor of the Benedicts Hotel, the restaurant offers a menu with an excellent quality/price ratio, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Breakfast is particularly interesting with a menu that doubles as a buffet. The buffet is always very fresh and of very good quality. In the evening, the menu features chicken specialties and steaks of very good quality. An address not to be missed in this district of Belfast, where you are always welcomed with a smile.