The best restaurants Belfast

Molly's Yard is one of the best addresses in the Queen's Quarter. In fact, perhaps even in the whole of Belfast. Housed in refurbished Victorian stables, this two-storey establishment places great emphasis on the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. The chef uses almost exclusively local produce. Beer lovers won't be outdone either, with several beverages from the Hilden Brewing Company (Lisburn) available behind the counter. Go for it!

This restaurant occupies the former premises of a Belfast newspaper. The Soviet revolution seems to be the basis of the decoration, with three colossal statues imported from Prague and representing men at work or marching for their freedom. The atmosphere is rather surreal and the place is always full of curious people or regulars. One passes there to have lunch or a drink, assured of the choice and the quality of the food at reasonable price. The menu is Irish inspired, but also offers international flavours, especially Asian.

The interior of this restaurant was the object of all the attention and the effect is striking and unclassifiable. The atmosphere is somewhere between a nightclub setting with its beams of colour structuring the space and a Zen temple with its Buddhas, its (fake) green plants, its screens and its old massive wooden door at the entrance. As for the cuisine, the honour is given to Japanese specialities and fans love it, for the funky side. The food is neat and as spectacular as this zen and greedy establishment.

Burgers, lasagne, fish & chips, pies... the dishes here are traditional, hearty and always well presented. Enjoy them in a long, dark, uncluttered room, brightened by the sophistication of the details, with its fireplace, bar and soft patinas. The Cloth Ear concept of "reintroducing the amiable art of conversation" is best understood once you've experienced the special atmosphere that inhabits the place. From the terrace, you can appreciate the beauty of the Merchant Hotel's Gothic-style building.

The Kaffe O is a famous spot among the small cafes established in Belfast. It has several addresses in strategic locations in the city. To enter this café is to travel to Scandinavian countries, to find Nordic flavours and to be immediately transported to the land of hygge. The decoration is pure, mixing white and wood. On the plate, you can taste the small pleasures of the North, salmon, black rye bread, red cabbage. The pretty ceramic cups and plates in shades of blue finish seducing us.

Bright's is a good central address for enjoying Irish specialties without breaking the bank. The front may not look like much, but it's worth stepping inside to discover a large, long room and a menu featuring all the essential dishes of the region. For breakfast, try the award-winning Fry, and for lunch, the burgers and sandwiches are excellent. Generous portions, fast service. Bright's serves varied, comforting dishes that warm the heart and stomach on a rainy day.

Sweet Afton is the typical English pub, revisited and modernized, with a high-quality menu worthy of a real restaurant. The atmosphere and decor are reminiscent of traditional pubs, but with a slightly trendier touch: muted lighting, big soft leather armchairs, small intimate spaces, stylish bar... Located in the heart of the historic center, you'll discover a wide cocktail menu, which has made its reputation in Belfast. For the stomach, a short but effective list of great classics. The dishes are highly refined.

Tired of fish & chips, burgers, garlic fries, and other Northern Irish pub fare, especially known for their high fat content? Go to Hadskis for a culinary experience you won't forget! One of our favourites in Belfast and indeed in the whole of Northern Ireland... Hadskis is a fine, refined cuisine, based on fresh and local products, a careful presentation, for a meal worthy of the greatest restaurants. A good address to discover modern Irish cuisine.

Right in front of the Queen's University building, The Pocket is the kind of cozy little café that bloggers and students love. A trendy café, where you can enjoy avocado toast and poached eggs. But despite this trendy side, it's a very good address for a brunch or a coffee break. As its name suggests, the room, housed in a small brick house with a yellow door, fits in a handkerchief and you have to play elbows to find a place. A small plus for the staff, adorable and coffee experts.

Boojum has become an institution throughout the Northern Irish capital. Young, trendy, excellent and cheap, it offers gargantuan burritos, fajitas, salads and tacos. The concept is simple, you choose your base (vegetarian/meat) and you complete with the choice of the toppings, then the sauce. The success is such that there are now several in Belfast and you are sure not to leave with a small place in your stomach. Sandwiches to taste on the spot or to take away.

Famous coffee from the Queen's Quarter, Maggie Mays is no longer presented and treats her customers at any time of the day. Whether you are looking for an Irish breakfast, a burger, an omelette, a sandwich, a baked potato, a chili, a curry, tacos, and so many others, you will find here shoes to wear and at a low price. The dishes are hearty, filling and comforting. Large choice of milkshakes. It can be a little difficult to have a table in busy times. The terrace is very pleasant on sunny days. Be careful, the coffee shop is closed early in the week.

This chain opened in 2013 in Portstewart and has since conquered other Northern Irish towns including Belfast. Here, you can sit back and sip a hot or cold drink in comfortable surroundings, with the range of drinks changing with the seasons. The same goes for the food, where you can enjoy sandwiches, wraps, pancakes, hot dogs, soups, toast, a traditional Irish breakfast and pastries. Whatever you choose, you'll always find something gourmet on offer. Dripping, crunchy, refreshing and comforting: we're bound to melt!

More than a restaurant, it's an experience that awaits you here. For around two hours, a series of 6 dishes with a theme that changes every six weeks (theme, destination, concept) is served up in a perfectly rhythmic ballet. You can choose from a classic or vegetarian tasting menu, or one that includes a wine and food pairing. The plates are beautifully presented, and the explosions of flavor linger in your mouth for a long time. With every dish served, explanations are provided, making the experience complete and truly atypical.

Renowned for its coffee, which it features every month, this address also offers delicious homemade English cakes (shortbreads, cookies, scones...), a different soup every day, fresh sandwiches, a traditional beef stew and a wide choice of hot and cold drinks. From breakfast to afternoon tea, you'll be able to enjoy your meal at low cost, seated in comfortable sofas or vintage chairs. The team is very pleasant and the shop even makes its own compost. When the weather's nice, you can enjoy a terrace area.

In a casual chic bistro atmosphere, Bullitt Hotel's award-winning restaurant, Taylor & Clay Grill, features incredible local meat cooked on a bespoke Asador wood-fired grill, but also fresh seafood prepared with great refinement. Chef Saul O'Reilly's talented team cooks the finest Iberian Pork Pluma, presented with a Romesco sauce, and an excellent salmon fillet, served with couscous and lemon tagine. The establishment also offers a fine selection of wines.

Located between the Grand Opera House and City Hall, Flame is a unique venue combining a delicious, theatrical dining experience with a stunning interior décor, filled with chandeliers and elegant antiques. Serving some of Ireland's finest meats, this delicious restaurant also has a strong sense of effective drama with its fully visible kitchen where chefs deliver every dish from the "Asador Grill", the name given to the amazing wood-fired grill. Nevertheless, this institution also offers excellent vegetarian options.

Just a stone's throw from Queen's University, Holohan's is a family-run restaurant housed in an old listed building. Owner Sabina offers an authentic culinary experience based on fresh local produce and genuine Irish hospitality, with seasonal menus and updated classics. With its roots in North-West country cooking, try Cráibechán, a delicious savory porridge made with pearl barley, and of course the signature dish, Boxty, a traditional Irish potato pancake.

Just steps from Queen's University and the Botanical Gardens, this family-run Italian restaurant features a Tuscan-inspired design highlighting an ochre palate. It's home to hearty Mediterranean cuisine, with a menu featuring traditional southern Italian dishes. From arancini with chorizo and fried rice to delicious pennete con polpette served with homemade rosemary meatballs, and a tasty orange and chocolate cheesecake to end the meal on a sweet note. Delizioso!

Nestled above the famous open bar The Dirty Onion, Yardbird has become a benchmark for gourmets over the years. This cozy, lively rotisserie bistro offers local chicken, marinated in lemon and sprinkled with paprika, then roasted to perfection. Ribs and wings are also available, along with a choice of side dishes and homemade desserts. All at unbeatable value for money. On Saturday evenings, the place transforms into a lively concert hall, featuring some of the best-known local bands.

Whether you're meeting up with friends or sharing a hearty brunch with the family, Panama Café is a stylish and entertaining meeting place. With its city garden in the heart of Belfast's business district, the venue has become increasingly popular with locals and visitors to the capital. The establishment serves fresh and quick brunch and breakfast options, from marinated Halloumi served with pomegranate salad to avocado and egg toast, to homemade and seasonal juices to suit all budgets.

Named after the favorite musician of one of the two chefs in the kitchen, Hendrix is an excellent address in town. Here, the atmosphere is trendy but not too trendy, and the menu is audacious and very gourmet from starter to dessert. Opened in June 2023, the restaurant is always busy, whether in the dining room or on the (heated!) terrace. And it's easy to see why, once you've entered the cosy, green dining room. Don't miss the carnivorous specialties and homemade fries with garlic butter, parmesan, crème fraîche and salt crust. To die for!