The Best Food Guide to Belfast

Updated On: April 23, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

Ever wondered where to find the perfect Food Guide to Belfast?

Belfast is an exciting place to visit, especially when it comes to its unbelievable food scene, with new restaurants popping up in the city, awarding winning restaurants and chefs, famous markets as well as cheap eateries and casual dining, the city has a wide variety of options to offer people when they are coming to explore its growing food scene. 

From the best of Irish produce to Japanese inspired food and European cuisine, Belfast will surely surprise you, in the best way, when it comes to its amazing food options.

Here at ConnollyCove, we have crafted up a list of all the must-visit places in Belfast when it comes to food and drink. So keep reading to find out our food guide to Belfast!

Top Places to Experience the Best of the Belfast Food Scene

St. Georges Market

Let’s start with the award-winning St. Georges Market, a must visit for anyone visiting Belfast for the first time. Belfast is proud to use the best of local and Irish produce, so of course, the city is home to a magnificent market, where you can get your hands on the freshest fruit, vegetables, fish and more.

St. Georges Market has often been considered as one of Ireland’s and the UK best markets and is one of the oldest attractions in the city. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, take a trip to the remarkable Victorian market and experience all the great food stall available, you won’t get more local than this and you’ll definitely not be disappointed by the options and the lovely atmosphere provided at St. Georges Market.

Buba

Next, check out this fantastic Eastern Mediterranean inspired restaurant, the hidden gem within St. Anne’s Square. Buba offers something completely different in Belfast that will take you by surprise, in a good way, with its delicious Eastern Mediterranean food and cocktails that is run by husband and wife, Tony and Andrea O’Neill.

Most of the menu at Buba is compromised of small dishes, so you can try a variety of things at once as well as making it easier to share when you’re out with a group of friends. Vegan eaters out there, you’ll love this place as half of the menu is dedicated to amazing vegan-friendly food. 

Buba provides you with a great selection of rich culinary traditions, exotic foods and spices that the Eastern Mediterranean is famous for. Definitely, a place for those wishing to get outside their food comfort zone and try some of the restaurants favourite foods such as the Halloumi Fries, Spiced Lamb, Harissa Salsa and so much more.

Coppi

This contemporary Italian inspired restaurant also run by Tony and Andrea O’Neill and is favourite spot among locals and tourist alike in Belfast. You can never go wrong with Italian food, its filling and hearty and you will leave this place in a happy food coma bubble.

It is the first Cichetti Bacari (Italian tapas) restaurant in Belfast that draws influence from the style of food found in the Italian city, Venice. Since Coppi first opened its doors in 2012, the popularity for the place has grown hugely with its mouthwatering Italian and Mediterranean dishes available. 

Enjoy Coppi’s famous homemade pasta, pizzas, dough bread and desserts as well as its a great selection of cocktails to enjoy on a summers evening that will have you coming back for more.

Muddlers Club

Hidden away between Warning Street and Exchanged Street, near Belfast’s popular Cathedral Quarter is Muddlers Club. The restaurant who’s named after a secret Belfast society that used to meet in the area around 200 years ago has become known for its fine dining experience that it provides visitors.

The Belfast restaurant is run by the talented head chef Gareth McCaughey, who uses the best of home-produce to ensure that the quality of each dish served is top notch. Muddlers Club open style kitchen environment allows you, the diner, to see your dish being created right in front of your eyes.

This restaurant is the place to go when you wish to enjoy contemporary Irish dishes that come with a unique twist that makes it even more special.

Bunsen

A small and cheap burger spot in the heart of Belfast, the perfect place when you want a quick bite to eat, where you’ll not be overwhelmed by food options. Bunsen’s menu may be tiny but its bite is definitely bigger, having crafted the perfect American style hamburger for people to enjoy.

You’ll get the best burger in Belfast right here at Bunsen, where the only option is a regular hamburger or cheeseburger.

Sakura

Located on Botanic Avenue is this Japanese inspired restaurant, where you’ll find the best sushi in Belfast to try. Take it to go or sit inside and enjoy the amazing menu on offer with a selection of sushi and many more Japenese and Chinese dishes to love.

This place isn’t too expensive with friendly service and also a sushi converger belt, where everything is colour coded and you can grab what you like. You’ll have a great dining experience here with its variety of options that offer something different in Belfast.

Howard Street

Another unmissable restaurant to check out in Belfast, created by the award-winning chef Marty Murphy in 2013 has certainly gained a positive name for itself. Howard Street has been delivering the best of locally sourced ingredients to create tasty food with plenty of flavours as well as some southeastern inspired dishes to savour. 

People continue to return to the popular Belfast spot because its food is exceptional and will not disappoint that’s also paired with an irresistible cocktail and wine list to enjoy alongside your food in a perfect city centre location.

OX

To round up our food guide to Belfast, we can’t forget to mention the amazing OX Restaurant. The place was created by two life-long friends who wanted to bring something new to the Belfast food scene in 2013.

OX is perfectly located overlooking the River Lagan and the two Belfast born owners have brought all their influence and inspiration to Belfast from working in various restaurants around Europe. 

Together they bring imagination to traditional dishes to make it all that more appealing at this Michelin- star restaurant. You’ll also find here lots of modern European cuisine, in a relaxed and stylish environment where you’ll feel the lively energy for the open kitchen.

Belfast’s Exciting Food Scene

These are just a few on the best places to eat in Belfast but also worth mentioning are Mourne Seafood bar, Yardbird, Hadskis and James. St. South. The food scene in Belfast isn’t short of impressive, with options to suit every food mood you could possibly want.

Belfast has so many wonderful food stops. Let us know your favourite spot in the comments below.

Our video guide to food and drink in Belfast is worth your time as well! Please do check it out!