Cuff’s Bar and Grill at the Crumlin Road Goal

After a fantastic and interesting historical tour of the Crumlin Road Gaol what could be better than a delicious meal. Cuff’s Bar and Grill is situated on the Crumlin Road Gaol Site and offers lunch and dinner most days from 12pm. If you only fancy a coffee or a drink it is also perfect – offering everything from cappuccinos to cocktails.

You can also visit this restaurant even if you haven’t been part of a tour and they often offer themed nights with a show and dinner included in the price.

Cuff’s cozy décor and low lighting create the perfect atmosphere, an extensive bar area and plenty of well-spaced tables. There is plenty of space for couples, families or larger groups. Service is excellent with friendly, welcoming staff present from the moment you enter. We were immediately seated and were brought chilled water to the table straight away.

The menu offers a good range of different choices (including some prison-themed delights with an Irish twist) with daily specials – they have a great children’s menu too. Ingredients are locally sourced and the staff with accommodating all tastes – from meat lover to vegan. The prices are surprisingly reasonable and there is also a good variety of delicious side dishes.

Here are some of the tempting choices on offer

Starters

Bread Board – Freshly baked bread served with oils, butter and olives. This breadboard was beautifully presented – almost a shame to eat it! A great selection of breads accompanied by delicious oils – plenty for two to share.

Cornish Cheese Tart – Baked Cornish yarg tart, heirloom tomatoes, black grape chutney and baby salad. What more can I say the description is tempting and sumptuous – and the flavours were exactly as described – the perfect combination.

It is also great to see that the staff are very aware of allergies and food intolerances and are very happy to ensure that all needs are met.

Main Course

Cod with hand-cut chips – Crispy, light batter with lovely, fresh and flaky cod inside, a tangy caper dressing and chunky chips with the skin still on – cooked to perfection.

Long Stretch Burger – If you like burgers this is not to be missed. It’s one of the best burger combinations I have tasted! 8oz Ulster steak burger, cheese, back bacon, crispy onion ring, chicken strip and peppered sauce. The burger was cooked perfectly and served beautifully. Love the name and the flavours were great.

Crispy Chicken Strips – homemade sweet chilli sauce and triple cooked chips – Chicken was succulent and just lightly floured, yummy triple cooked chips – crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

Dessert

As usual, one of my favourite courses is the selection of desserts is refreshingly different not the usual choices – so good to see!

Guinness and Pecan Caramel Tart served with Irish Whiskey Chaser Ice Cream – I have never had a dessert like this. Subtle flavours and the ice-cream just WOW!

Fresh Coconut and Raspberry Sponge Cake – Traditional but really great to see on a menu. Lovely moist sponge covered in jam and coconut dressed in the double cream and fresh raspberries. A great dessert!

A delicious meal from an extensive menu will definitely be back to try some of the other tempting items on the menu. Maybe salt aged steak, Irish grass-fed lamb or open lasagne of salmon – decisions, decisions – that’s the hard part!

Have you ever visited Cuff’s Bar and Grill in Belfast located at the Crumlin Road Gaol for a lovely meal? Let us know in the comments.

Some other blog posts that may interest you are: French Village, Best Restaurants in Belfast.