10 Great Restaurants in Belfast

Yügo is one of Belfast’s top destinations for Asian fusion cuisine. Set just a short walk from the grand Belfast City Hall, this trendsetting restaurant serves attractive dishes that don’t sacrifice substance for style, including creations like Iberico pork skewers, panko prawn bao, and spicy beef and bone marrow dumplings.

While the food is undoubtedly mouthwatering, Yügo is also renowned for its inventive cocktails. Across a list of wide-ranging options, you’ll find modern adaptions of classic drinks that pair perfectly with your meal. For example, the Five Spice Dark and Stormy or the Rhubarb Spritz are bound to impress.

Jumon is the ideal place for a plant-based feast during your stay in Belfast, with its Asian-inspired cuisine served entirely vegetarian or vegan. Situated amid the shops and restaurants of Fountain Street, there’s a fantastic selection of small bites and shared plates, ranging from Korean fried broccoli with kimchi to laksa curry and house-style ramen.

Each night, the restaurant hosts low-key dates and noisy get-togethers, as laidback tunes, an extensive cocktail list and graffitied decor take the atmosphere to the next level. Book a comfortable booth and discover why Jumon is one of your best options for a chilled-out meal in Belfast.

The Muddlers Club is where you can experience a world-class take on Modern European cuisine. Set in the backstreets of Belfast’s storied Cathedral Quarter, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers highly seasonal tasting menus that focus on serving simple but delicious cuisine at the highest possible standards.

Named after a secret society that met at this location over 2 centuries ago, visitors to The Muddlers Club can peer into the open kitchen as the expert culinary team prepares each dish. Meanwhile, you can sample exceptional beers, wines and spirits handpicked from local producers and makers.

Ox is one of 2 restaurants in Belfast with a Michelin star, with its French-style Irish cuisine helping to put the city’s culinary scene on the map. Alongside frequently changing menus that depend on the season and available ingredients, you’ll find delights such as Skeaghanore duck with confit pink onion alongside freshly caught halibut with courgettes.

Set opposite the River Lagan, Ox’s pared-back decor keeps your attention firmly on the dishes, with whitewashed walls and chairs from a local church providing a simple but attractive space. Featuring a 6-course set menu with wine pairing for dinner, it’s an ideal upscale feast for an unforgettable stay in Belfast.

The Ginger Bistro is a long-standing Belfast eatery celebrated for its top-quality local ingredients and productive relationships with nearby suppliers. Situated just a short walk from leading landmarks, including the Grand Opera House, the Europa Hotel and The Crown Liquor Saloon, this laidback venue ensures you can enjoy a stellar feed when seeing the sights.

Inside the 70-seat bistro, a stylish fit-out features Moorish and South East Asian accents, while there’s also a selection of local artwork adorning the space. Across an Anglo-European menu teeming with great options, you’ll find starters like fried tiger prawns with carrot and fennel salad alongside mains such as slow-cooked feather blade and roast curried cauliflower.

Howard Street has been impressing its guests since 2013, having established a fine reputation for exceptional quality cuisine thanks to an undeniable respect for local ingredients. Set along its namesake thoroughfare, home to many of Belfast’s top dining spots, Howard Street’s talented team delivers a first-class experience that’ll excite even the most discerning guests.

On the frequently updated menu, diners will quickly notice how highlighted ingredients like pork belly, venison and duck breast have been prepared with the utmost reverence. Plus, the venue also offers innovative takes on classic desserts like apple pie alongside signature cocktails and a high-end wine list.

Coppi is where travellers to Belfast can discover some of the city’s top modern Italian and Venetian cuisine. Hidden within the historic Cathedral Quarter, this contemporary restaurant is ideally positioned for those seeking pasta, pizza, and other culinary pleasures that transport them to the streets of Rome.

Featuring a chic industrial interior, Coppi’s expansive space is excellent for both large gatherings with friends and private dinner dates. In addition to numerous vegan and vegetarian options for main courses, there’s a tempting selection of Italian-style tapas, flavourful desserts, and even a house-brewed lager.

Molly’s Yard is an unbeatable spot in Belfast for those keen to taste Irish cuisine. Located alongside the historic College Green House, the restaurant has transformed its 19th-century stables into a bustling venue featuring an enclosed, sun-drenched courtyard. If you’re visiting Belfast in the summer, there aren’t many better places to soak up the fine weather.

There are also 2 dining rooms to choose from, with a relaxed downstairs bistro and a rustic upstairs restaurant ensuring you find the perfect atmosphere. Then it’s time to explore the à la carte menu, which features dishes like ribeye steak, fresh cod and seafood chowder. Add a local craft beer to discover what makes Irish cuisine so special.

Buba is a restaurant in Belfast that’s beloved for its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Through its dishes, it combines boundless personality with incredible flavour and colour. Led by the same duo behind Coppi – a similarly groovy Italian restaurant in Belfast – their wealth of experience ensures the dining experience at Buba rises above most.

Set in Saint Annes Square, the restaurant is immediately noticeable thanks to its vibrant neon signage and colourful aesthetic that recalls the coastal eateries of Spain, Portugal and Italy. Inside, tapas dishes provide the perfect starter, while mains like honey-glazed pork belly and BBQ chicken breast will leave you pleasantly stuffed.

James St is a stellar choice for diners looking to feast on chargrilled and aged steaks in Belfast. Found in the backstreets between Belfast City Hall and the Grand Opera House, this distinguished restaurant offers a contemporary yet casual experience, with a relatively sparse decor helping to showcase some of the finest cuts produced in Northern Ireland.

Served alongside immaculately prepared vegetables, the brasserie-style dishes arrive at your table on wooden boards with a selection of sauces that only elevate the flavour. Alongside a vast wine collection, world-class whiskeys and locally made beers, James St is a hearty affair that doesn’t disappoint.