Whether you ’re after pumpkin ravioli , haddock risotto , or roasted lamb rump , Belfast is a surprising citadel of top - calibre restaurant selection . With easy entree to smart seafood and create , as well as a constant drive to keep up with nearby hub like London and Edinburgh , Northern Island ’s capital on the River Lagan tender all the vainglorious - city flavors without as much bounteous - metropolis faffing . Here are the 10 best place to consume .
Best BBQ:
Sugar Rays
nitty-gritty is the name of the biz here , and the proprietor really took that whole " Americana " thing to heart , with lots of onetime - schoolhouse - style placard , neon , and bring out easy bulbs . Yes , it ’s a touch forge , but after you eat your way through a meat platter of fried wimp , pulled pork , ribs , and brisket , we doubt you ’ll be kvetch .
Best understated local ingredients:
Howard Street
Putting seasonality and locally sourced ingredients at the forefront of his program , chef Marty Murphy place together plates that are as visually stunning as they are pleasant-tasting . Surrounded by exposed brick , dark Natalie Wood , and other rustic touching , you ’ll find a fare full of dishes like pork barrel venter with crispy champcake , smuggled pud , and celeriac purée . The pre - theatre carte du jour is a great way to determine out this award - winning stain while keep an middle on your centime : three courses , plus a cocktail , for under £ 30 .
Best tasting menu:
OX
With bare - wood table , whitewashed brick , and a sensational view of the River Lagan , this Michelin - star spot extend o.k. dining that ’s simultaneously elegant and easy . The concise and regularly changing a la bill of fare menu often features only one meat , one fish , and one veggie option , so skip over in with both feet and go for the taste menu – five course for £ 50 .
Best pop-up gone legit:
Home
What started life as a soda - up has taken Belfast by surprisal , settle into a permanent mending and pick up a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide along the way . High ceilings , break structural elements , chalkboard menus , and plenty of up - motorbike bits help to create an standard pressure you might find in one of those " best - design abode " magazines . Order a pumpkin ravioli with spinach , sauce vierge , and pine nuts , and imagine just how much good your life might be if this actuallywasyour home .
Best dinner and a show:
Shu
Named for the Egyptian god of ambience ( because why not ) , this French eating place house in an honest-to-goodness prudish mansion is stun from start to cultivation . go off by unwinding at the basement cocktail legal profession , then move on to the flawless plate – like Clandeboye wild pigeon with lentil , glaze over chicory , and pomegranate molasses – coming from the theater - same exposed kitchen .
Best old-school Italian:
Villa Italia
This is one of those places that could easily come down into hokey , sample - tough soil , but the fact is , it ’s been sway those reddish - checkered tablecloth and fake grapeshot treillage for nearly 30 yr . It feels like a slenderly more unquestionable version of a Disney Italian eatery , which actually realize it kind of perfect when you ’re wrangle a large grouping to take over the roast with monolithic pizzas , or judge to hide away in a candlelit box for a particular date . If it ’s the latter , get yourLady and the Trampon with some of the invigorated pasta on the carte .
Best beer pairing:
Molly’s Yard
Housed in a converted stable on the edge of Queen ’s Belfast Uni , this shoes has a pocket-size computer menu that changes mean solar day - to - day – meaning the chef have the freedom to really experiment , ease up buffet car a reason to come back over and over . If beer is your thing , this place also specializes in beer pairings by partnering with local breweries , so you may either join in on the special relishing menus or just seize a few pints of delicious brew . Either way , you ’re in for a kickshaw .
Best seafood:
Mourne Seafood Bar
The name say it all : fish , oysters , Cancer the Crab , lobster , and all of the tasty treats from the ocean are available in myriad combining , and all of it remarkably fresh . Howfresh , you ask ? Well , considering Mourne sources morsels from its own dedicated shellfish beds , pretty damn fresh . The restaurant might not reckon specially fancy from the outside , but you ’re not there for the architectural particularisation , so maybe centre on eating your beer - battered fish and chips rather .
Best terrace:
The Barking Dog
Sometimes you just want the sort of dwelling house - cooked repast you ’d make yourself – y’know , if you could actually cook . The whole menu is solid , but you ’ll desire to pay special attention to the beef shin burger with onion marmalade and cheese on a sassy sourdough roll , or the pan - roasted Charles Lamb rump with Pommes Anna , chervil root word purée , asparagus , and red wine-colored jus . The vibe here is extremely chilled out as well , especially if you’re able to snag a seat and unwind on the AstroTurfed seating area out front .
Best modern European:
Ginger Bistro
This unostentatious spot has been pulling in hungry locals and awards proclaim its easygoing attitude and pleasant-tasting food for over a X . While the menu is across-the-board , it ’s the fish dishes that get people dreaming : ultra - sassy mussel , Melanogrammus aeglefinus risotto made to order , and picture - everlasting ocean bass , just to name a few . The restaurant does get jolly busy , though , so you ’d better wise up and Word ahead . ratify up herefor our daily Thrillist email , and get your fix of the good in intellectual nourishment / drinking / fun .
Sugar Rays Smokehouse
OX Belfast
HOME
Shu Restaurant
Molly’s Yard
The Barking Dog
