Bon Appetit

top

• Speranza read more ›
  (16-19 Shaftesbury Square. Tel. 028 9023 0213)
  Something of an institution in Belfast, this big pizza restaurant has been packing them in for years. The food is tasty and inexpensive.
• Printers Café read more ›
  (33 Donegall Street. Tel. 028 9024 8000)
  Located in the trendy Cathedral Quarter, this terrific restaurant is a real find. The food is excellent and the laid-back atmosphere will make you want to linger.
• Urban Soul read more ›
  (May Street Church. Tel. 028 9032 5554)
  This church-run café is a real find. Housed in the basement of the historic May Street Church, it serves good soup and sandwiches at reasonable prices. Open from 8am-2.30pm daily, except Sunday.
• Rhubarb read more ›
  (2 Little Victoria Street, corner of Hope Street. Tel. 028 9020 0158)
  This recently opened café/restaurant serves great food at extremely reasonable prices. Perfect for an early morning, artery-busting Ulster fry-up or a quick coffee.
• Benedict's read more ›
  (7-21 Bradbury Place. Tel. 028 9059 1999)
  This large bar/restaurant within Benedict's Hotel serves extremely good food in large portions at very reasonable prices.
• La Boca read more ›
  (Fountain Street. Tel. 028 9032 3087)
  The food in this stylish Argentinian-inspired restaurant is inexpensive and delicious. The bright, airy room, with its high ceilings and numerous paintings, has a distinctly bohemian flavour.

• La Boca read more ›
  (Fountain Street. Tel. 028 9032 3087)
  Near the city centre, this Argentinian-inspired restaurant is a great spot for lunch or dinner. As you might expect, it specialises in steak, but there is also a reasonable choice for non-beef eaters.
• Chelsea Wine Bar read more ›
  (346 Lisburn Road. Tel. 028 9068 7177)
  Although strictly more bar than restaurant, the food and service in the Chelsea are well worth a mention. Situated on Belfast's well-heeled Lisburn Road, the clientèle tend to be upwardly mobile.
• Filini read more ›
  (The Gasworks, 3 Cromac Place, Ormeau Road. Tel. 028 9043 4065)
  Hotel restaurants have a reputation for being somewhat bland, but the Radisson SAS in the Gasworks breaks all the rules. The décor is cool and the food is delicious.
• am:pm read more ›
  (38-42 Upper Arthur Street. Tel. 028 9024 9009)
  Tucked down a side street near the City Hall, this small restaurant is a great spot for a quick bite to eat before a night on the town.
• ME:NU read more ›
  (15-17 Donegall Pass. Tel. 028 9024 4257)
  Tucked away down a quiet street just of Shaftesbury Square, this recently opened seafood restaurant has proved an instant hit with visitors and locals alike. The décor is contemporary and the food is delicious.
• Bá Mizu read more ›
  (Victoria Square. Tel. 028 9032 4505)
  Situated on the top floor of the House of Fraser department store, this chic restaurant serves excellent food and has terrific views of the city from its terrace.

• CoCo read more ›
  (Linenhall Street. Tel. 028 9031 1150)
  This recently opened restaurant has quickly become one of the places to be seen among the trendy Belfast set. The food is contemporary and the décor is ultra-cool.
• Deane's at Queen's read more ›
  (1 College Gardens. Tel. 028 9038 2111)
  This fantastic restaurant is the perfect place to dine on a fine summer's evening. Lots of large windows overlook the picturesque school building across the road and the food's not half bad, either.
• Mourne Seafood Bar read more ›
  (34-36 Bank Street. Tel. 028 9024 8544)
  This small seafood restaurant is one of the most popular in the city. Centrally located, with a bistro-style ambience, it is popular with locals and tourists alike.
• Deane's Deli read more ›
  (44 Bedford Street. Tel. 028 9024 8800)
  If you are new in town and want some good food that doesn't cost the Earth, you can't go far wrong with this trendy eatery. The menu is pretty diverse and the food is excellent.
• No. 27 read more ›
  (27 Talbot Street. Tel. 028 9031 2884)
  One of the most talked about restaurants in the city, No. 27 is popular with the business lunch crowd as well as the trendy set. Situated in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter.
• James Street South Restaurant read more ›
  (James Street South. Tel. 028 9043 4310)
  Since opening the restaurant several years ago, chef Niall McKenna has gone from strength to strength. His award-winning restaurant is the perfect spot for a sophisticated meal.

• Merchant Hotel read more ›
  (35-39 Waring Street. Tel. 028 9023 4888)
  In Belfast's swankiest hotel, this restaurant is still one of the best places to go for a fancy night on the town. Housed in a former bank, everything about it oozes luxury.
• Cayenne read more ›
  (7 Ascot House, Shaftesbury Square. Tel. 028 9033 1532)
  Owned by celebrity chef Paul Rankin, Cayenne is arguably one of the best restaurants in Belfast. It attracts a trendy crowd, with many visiting celebrities choosing to dine here. Expensive but well worth it.
• Belfast Castle read more ›
  (Antrim Road. Tel. 028 9037 0133)
  Perched on the side of Cave Hill, this terrific restaurant has commanding views of Belfast Lough. Although several kilometres north of the city centre, it's well worth the trip.
• Shu read more ›
  (253 Lisburn Road. Tel. 028 9038 1655)
  For nearly a decade, Shu has been serving some of the best food in Belfast. The décor is very classy and the service is efficient and friendly without being stuffy.
• Alden's read more ›
  (229 Upper Newtownards Road. Tel. 028 9065 0079)
  Although it's in suburban east Belfast, Alden's is definitely worth the detour. For well over a decade it has had a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the city. Specialises in seafood and game.
• Deanes read more ›
  (Howard Street. Tel. 028 9056 0000)
  The only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city, Deanes underwent a major refurbishment just over a year ago. The menu is quite pricey, but the standard of food and service are second to none.

After Dark

top

• Duke of York read more ›
  (7 Commercial Court. Tel. 028 9024 1062)
  Buried deep in the Cathedral Quarter, this fantastic bar attracts a pretty eclectic crowd. The cobbled alleyway at the front of the bar is also a good place to have a drink, weather permitting!
• Muriel's read more ›
  (12 Church Lane, Belfast. Tel. 028 9033 2445)
  Although it has only been open for barely a year, this small bar has quickly established itself as one of the best in the city. Staff are extremely friendly and the music is great.
• Bittles Bar read more ›
  (Victoria Square. Tel. 028 9031 1088)
  This small, triangular-shaped bar serves a good pint of Guinness and has a terrific atmosphere. The walls are adorned with paintings of Irish writers and staff are very friendly.
• Oak Lounge read more ›
  (Errigle Inn, 312-320 Ormeau Road. Tel. 028 9064 1410)
  The ultimate bar for a quiet drink. There's no background music, full waiter service and great décor. Expect a bohemian crowd.
• The Morning Star read more ›
  (17-19 Pottingers Entry. Tel. 028 9033 3500)
  One of the oldest and most ornate bars in the city. It started life as a coaching house for the Belfast-Dublin mail coach and is now a historically listed pub.
• Maddens read more ›
  (Berry Street. Tel. 028 9024 4114 )
  If you want to hear some Irish traditional music, on the weekend there's a fantastic session in both the upstairs and downstairs bars at Maddens.

• Auntie Annie's read more ›
  (Dublin Road. Tel. 028 905 01660)
  For well over a decade, this small live music venue has showcased some of the best up-and-coming local and Irish bands. There's also a great bar downstairs.
• Pavilion read more ›
  (296-298 Ormeau Road. Tel. 028 9028 3283)
  Known locally as 'The Big House', this traditional bar is also home to some great live music. The upstairs bar plays host to the best up-and-coming bands in the area. Expect to hear anything from country rock to thrash metal.
• Limelight read more ›
  (17 Ormeau Avenue. Tel. 028 9032 5968)
  For well over a decade this city centre venue has been a magnet for the best up-and-coming bands. Oasis, Blur and Jeff Buckley have all played here.
• The King's Head read more ›
  (829 Lisburn Road. Tel. 028 9050 9950)
  Just outside the city centre, this large bar complex is well worth the detour. The music venue at the back mostly plays host to cover bands, but has also been known to have an occasional blues night.
• John Hewitt Bar read more ›
  (51 Donegall Street. Tel. 028 9023 3768)
  Pub of the Year 2008 at the Hospitality Ireland Awards, the Hewitt is arguably the best bar in Belfast. The décor is traditional and there is free live music every day-everything from traditional Irish to jazz.
• The Empire read more ›
  (Botanic Avenue. Tel. 028 9032 8110)
  The Empire is one of the best live music venues in the city. It's housed in a converted church and there are two separate bars where bands play.

• Stiff Kitten read more ›
  (1 Bankmore Square. Tel. 028 9023 8700 )
  Although it doesn't look like much from outside, this terrific club is a great place to party most nights of the week. It tends to attract a student crowd and also hosts the occasional band.
• Thompson's read more ›
  (3 Patterson Place. Tel. 028 9032 3762)
  Tucked down a quiet side street near the City Hall, this nightclub has been packing them in for years. The music is pretty eclectic and the atmosphere is fantastic.
• M Club read more ›
  (23-31 Bradbury Place. Tel. 028 9023 3131)
  Right at the centre of the action in Shaftesbury Square, this huge nightclub is the perfect venue for a night on the tiles. You may have to queue at weekends (always a good sign).
• Café Vaudeville read more ›
  (Arthur Street. Tel. 028 9043 9160)
  Housed in a former bank, this splendid old building is home to one of the most happening venues in the city centre. Attracts thirtysomethings out for a night on the town.
• Club Mono read more ›
  (96-100 Ann Street. Tel. 028 9027 8886)
  Recently refurbished, this award-winning club near the River Lagan attracts an unpretentious crowd. The music policy varies each night and the atmosphere is fantastic.
• Lavery's read more ›
  (Bradbury Place. Tel. 028 9087 1106)
  This legendary bar is an essential stop on any pub crawl around the city. Very down to earth, it attracts everybody from hardened drinkers to indie kids.

This month...

top

Tips

top