Food by Coppi Restaurant. Courtesy of Tourism NI

Where to eat in Belfast? There is so much choice with local, chain, vegetarian, vegan, top-end and budget options all available. Visit Belfast have a full guide on where to eat but we’ve added our own choices below. Please check in advance for latest opening times and/or making a reservation.

Cathedral Quarter

Festival Venues: The MAC, Golden Thread Gallery, Ulster University, John Hewitt Bar, Black Box, Sunflower Pub, The Telegraph Building, University of Atypical, Ulster Sports Club, St Anne’s Cathedral

#BIAF23 Restaurant Partners – Buba, Coppi and The Cloth Ear

Diners enjoying the food and funly decor in Buba Belfast. Courtesy of Buba

BubaFlame Grilled Flavours & Small Plates – With Buba’s menu, you’re in full control. Like variety? Order a few Smalls as your meal. Alternatively, order a Small and a Big as a starter and main.

#BIAF23 Deal – 10% off food bill when presenting your Festival Ticket* *Offer only applies Sunday-Thursday

Industrial chic interior of Coppi Restaurant. Courtesy of Tourism NI
Coppi – Contemporary Italian cuisine using the best of local produce. From small cichetti to dinner with all the trimmings.
Located in Saint Anne’s Square

#BIAF23 Deal – 10% off food bill when presenting your Festival Ticket* *Offer only applies Sunday-Thursday

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The Cloth Ear The Cloth Ear provides patrons with a pleasing twist on the quintessential Irish Pub. Nestled in the oldest quarter of Belfast, The Cloth Ear has woven a rich seam of wonderful Victorian heritage into what is ultimately a thoroughly modern experience.

#BIAF23 Deal – Complimentary 125ml glass of house wine with any main course purchased when presented with a Festival Ticket

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Waterman – Opened in June 2022 by Niall Mckenna and his team, Waterman restaurant offers a no-frills dining experience in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Serving a local, seasonal menu, with accents and influences from Europe the menu changes daily.

Common Market

Common Market – sample some of the tastiest street food that Belfast has to offer, relax with a beer and soak up the buzzing atmosphere in Cathedral Quarter. Open from 12pm Thursday to Sunday at 16-20 Dunbar Street.

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44 Hill Street – seasonal menus, influenced by flavours of the Mediterranean, using the best of local produce. The industrial interior hints at the building’s history of being a bonded warehouse. Hand selected wines, beer, cocktails and bubbles.

Belfast City Centre

Festival Venues: Grand Opera House, Ulster Hall, the Limelight, Box Office at Visit Belfast, Linenhall Library, Belfast City Hall

Tasting food samples at St George's Market Belfast. Courtesy of Tourism NI

St George’s Market – popular indoor market with local produce and food stalls. Grab breakfast or stock up on goodies for a picnic. Open Fri 8am-2pm, Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 10am-3pm. The award-winning on-site restaurant Stock is well worth a visit.

Interior of Jumon Belfast. Courtesy of JumonJumon – Tasty, healthy and creative Asian fusion restaurant, specialising in vegetarian and vegan dishes, with an impressive cocktail menu. Tucked away on Fountain Street (close to Belfast City Hall)

A group of young people enjoying food in Home restaurant_Courtesy of TourismNIHome – What started as a pop-up in 2011 has become a permanent fixture on Belfast’s dining scene. Specialising in local and seasonal produce the menu is ever-changing. Michelin Bib Gourmand. A short distance from Belfast City Hall on Wellington Place

Exterior of Mourne Seafood Bar Belfast. Courtesy of Tourism NIMourne Seafood Bar – a seafood and fish lover’s paradise! You can also buy from their deli and fishmonger. A stone’s throw off the main Royal Avenue shopping street on Bank Square

The Sagart Wine Bar Belfast Exterior. Courtesy of The SagartThe Sagart Wine Bar – some of the best cocktails in town with wines, cheeses, charcuterie and small plates. Keep an eye out for their special wine and food pairing evenings. Overlooks Bank Square

Interior of Ora Wine and Tapas. Courtesy of Ora Belfast

Orā Wine and Tapas Travel around the world with Ora’s international tapas! Fusion meets classic dishes with the focus on fresh, local produce, but above all taste. Across the street from the Grand Opera House

Bootleggers

Bootleggers – a nod to the days of 1920’s Prohibition, this lively American style diner offers casual dining on a first-come first served basis. Expect loaded burgers, taco’s and their famous chicken wings, accompanied by local and American craft beers and cocktails. Located on Church Lane

Big Bite Burgers from Pablos. Courtesy of Pablos Belfast

Pablos – just off High Street for the best burgers, fries and churros in Belfast. Eat in or out or take a seat and have a drink in Muriels Bar next door, or The Spaniard up the street, and have your burger delivered!

Queens Quarter 

Festival Venues: Lyric Theatre, Queen’s University Belfast, Empire Music Hall, Crescent Arts Centre, No Alibis, Queen’s Film Theatre, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens

French Village Lemon And Raspberry Scrolls. Courtesy Of French Village

French Village – a great spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner and a good place to go after a visit to No Alibis. Remember to make space for the pastries! 99 Botanic Avenue

Madame Pho on Botanic Avenue Exterior. Courtesy Of Madame Pho

Madame Pho – Belfast’s first Vietnamese restaurant. Check out the variety of colourful dishes from across Vietnam, including authentic hand rolled summer rolls, curries, healthy noodle salads and of course traditional Vietnamese coffee. 17 Botanic Avenue

Holohans Pantry Interior. Courtesy Holohans PantryHolohan’s Pantry – this family owned restaurant marries traditional Irish recipes with a modern twist. Using seasonal and excellent, ethically sourced local produce, this delightful cosy two-storey restaurant is perfect for lunch or dinner. 43 University Road.

Deane’s At Queens

Deanes at Queen’s –  A 120 seater bar and grill, bringing a continental-style eating experience to the area, serving local, seasonal and simple food, prepared to perfection and complemented by the large range of fine wines and beers on offer in the extensive bar. 1 College Gardens

East Belfast

Festival venues: Strand Arts Centre, CS Lewis Square, St Mark’s Dundela

Freight East

Freight Restaurant – overlooking the stunning CS Lewis Square, set in two shipping containers Freight serves up delicious local produce with panache and has an extensive vegan menu. Delicious cocktails and a full bar. Recently opened a branch on the Lisburn Road in the South of the city.  402 Newtownards Rd

Lamppost Cafe

The Lamppost Cafe – C.S Lewis themed cafe with quotations and references throughout serving fresh local produce on vintage crockery. Cosy and quirky, you are always guaranteed a very warm welcome here. From breakfast through to dinner with delicious snacks, coffees and traybakes too and a full bar. 19 Upper Newtownards Rd

Cyprus Avenue

Cyprus Avenue – across from its namesake, which Van Morrison made famous, this is modern European fusion cooking at its best. Look out for fresh daily fish and seafood specials and check out the covered outdoor eating space. Extensive drinks and cocktail list. 228-230 Upper Newtownards Rd

Neill’s Hill

Neill’s Hill – Upper Eastside in the heart of Ballyhackamore village this neighbourhood brasserie serves up small plates, local cuts, fresh fish, a dedicated menu as well as a great value mid-week set menu. The decor is modish with artwork from local illustrator Peter Strain, a popular talking point. Sunday kitchen carvery is a must. 229 Upper Newtownards Rd

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Yugo East – A new vibrant dining experience, also has a restaurant near City Hall, this venue delivers delicious and remarkable food and drinks. Creative and traditional Asian fusion with a Belfast twist. 306 Upper Newtownards Rd

Olivers

Oliver’s Knock – From breakfast through to dinner, modern European cuisine either in the restaurant or the stunning new Oliver’s Garden (under cover), the new kid on the block has quickly developed a loyal client base. Fully licensed. 405 Upper Newtownards Rd

Bistro Este

Bistro Este – Family run bistro serving the finest locally sourced, freshly prepared food with an extensive wine and cocktail list plus local craft beers, highly recommended. 221 Upper Newtownards Rd

Greens Pizza

Greens Pizzeria – sister of the Lisburn and Ormeau Road pizza parlours, spacious and stylish Greens offers a vast range of pizzas, pastas and salads with its legendary secret recipe salad dressing. 283-285 Upper Newtownards Rd

West Belfast

Festival venues: Cultúrlann Mc Adam Ó Fiaich, Falls Park

26 West Bar And Grill

26 West Bar & Grill – with breathtaking views of the iconic hinterland of the city to Black Mountain, the grill offers modern food with an Irish American twist. From loaded nachos to flame grilled barbecue ribs 26 West offers something exciting and totally different in this area of the city. 564 – 568 Falls Rd

Beģile Blasta

Beile Blasta – a new restaurant in the heart of the Gaeltacht Quarter offering a fine dining experience.With an amazing array of dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients, classic cocktails and an extensive wine list a gem in the heart of the West, a very stylish and intimate setting. 147 Falls Rd

Bia

Bia  – In the renowned Cultúrlann Mac Adam Ó Fiaich, in the Gaeltacht Quarter, Bia is a cafe and restaurant serving a homely and hearty menu. You are guaranteed a warm Irish welcome and ‘cúpla focal’.