10 best places to dine during a staycation in Belfast

If tasty Italian cuisine is your thing, then you need to check out the incredible Nico’s Pizzeria on Belfast’s Lisburn Road. With a warm and friendly atmosphere and an extensive menu of delicious Italian favourites, this is the perfect place to check out during a staycation in the city. Whether it’s a classic margherita, a creamy carbonara, or one of the more daring creations that tickles your fancy, there is sure to be something for everyone here. A fully licensed restaurant, you can live your best Italian dream with a great selection of cocktails, wines, beers, and more. So, round up your pals and book a table at this popular South Belfast eatery.

Perhaps one of the most highly regarded restaurants in the city centre, Ginger Bistro needs to be on your list if you’re planning a trip to Belfast. Perfectly located just across from Great Victoria Street station, you won’t have to worry about arranging a lift home after a couple of glasses of wine. A relaxed, light-filled bistro serving modern European fare, this is a great place to enjoy a romantic date or a memorable meal out with friends. Menu favourites range from roast chicken wrapped in Parma ham to potato and butter bean tart, roast hake, and much more.

Whether you’re heading out for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, Broker is the place to be. A relatively new addition to the Upper Newtownards Road, this place has already made quite the impression on Belfast’s vibrant dining scene. Trendy and minimalist, this place is ideal for those who want to share the perfect picture to the ‘gram… and that’s before we even look at the menu. In the morning, you can expect everything from fruit-topped porridge to chicken and waffles, pancakes, and much more. In the evening, you’ll get to enjoy patatas bravas, sweet potato frittata, seafood paella arancini, and picanha steak. If you’re a cocktail lover, you’re in luck. At Broker, there’s everything from a Hedgerow Highball, which features bán poitín, elderflower and apple soda, to a Prickly Pear Marg, filled with 100% agave tequila, prickly pear and agave. What more could you want?

Located in the up-and-coming Linen Quarter just behind Belfast City Hall, Coco Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic date night at the heart of the city centre. Having served customers from across Northern Ireland for over 10 years, there is no secret that the guys at Coco know what they’re doing when it comes to great food and top-quality Irish hospitality. With quirky artwork lining the walls, a relaxed atmosphere, and some of the highest quality dishes you’ll find in the city, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Coco.

One of Belfast’s only Michelin star restaurants, OX is the perfect place for fans of fine dining. With bright and airy interiors and a delicious, creative menu that is sure to delight your taste buds, this is certainly among the best dining experiences Belfast has to offer. Celebrating the finest local produce from all across the island of Ireland, the flavours on offer here are truly unrivalled. Serving lunch and dinner, this is a great spot to check out no matter the time of day. For lunch, you can choose from Mourne lamb, Wicklow venison tartare, and halibut gnocchi. For dinner, offerings include Côte de Boeuf, scallops with oyster emulsion, caramelised beetroot, and more.

For a truly memorable dining experience in the city, we highly recommend eating out at the opulent Observatory at The Grand Central Hotel. The tallest hotel and bar in Ireland, this spot offers unrivalled views out across the city, taking in the inner city centre and iconic landmarks such as Belfast City Hall in the foreground and the surrounding mountains and sea stretching out into the horizon. A great way to get a new perspective of the city, it’s hard to find better views anywhere in Belfast. You can call in during the afternoon for an indulgent afternoon tea, which we recommend booking in advance. A great way to break up a day spent adventuring or shopping in the city centre, you can enjoy a delicious tower of freshly prepared finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and an indulgent selection of patisserie treats and cakes, all accompanied by a tea or coffee of your choice – or, if you really want to treat yourself, you can go for a glass of champagne! In the evening, this is a great place to sip on some fine wine or catch up with friends over a cocktail and nibbles.

Looking for a taste of Spain in Northern Ireland? If so, then you need to check out the incredible 2Taps Winebar in the bustling Cathedral Quarter. Belfast doesn’t quite enjoy the stunning sunny weather of Barcelona, but that doesn’t mean the food isn’t just as good and a trip to 2Taps will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to the bustling Spanish streets. Boasting the atmosphere of summer, regardless of the weather, this is a great place to enjoy a delicious bite to eat at any time of the year. With a tasty selection of tapas and a newly reinvented brunch menu suited to all tastes and dietary requirements, this is the perfect place to start a memorable day or night out in the Northern Irish capital.

When it comes to delicious Irish seafood, the one place you need to visit is the incredible Mourne Seafood Bar. Originally opened in the quaint County Down town of Dundrum, overlooked by the Mourne Mountains, Mourne Seafood Bar has become a firm favourite in the city since it first opened its doors on Belfast’s Bank Street. Offering a great selection of fresh shellfish from a range of independently-run shellfish beds, this spot prides itself on serving top-quality, fresh local seafood. Diners can expect everything from salt and chilli squid to beer battered cod and chips, from fried whitebait to oysters. For something more casual, we recommend checking out a summer favourite, The Shack. This casual beer garden is a great spot for drinks and sampling some of the finest local seafood Northern Ireland has to offer.

If you ask a Belfast local where they can find the very best Indian dining experience in the city, they will more than likely tell you to check out the incredible Nu Delhi Restaurant and Lounge on Great Victoria Street. A firm favourite among diners from all across Northern Ireland, this spot proves popular for very good reason. With a fantastic range of Indian-inspired dishes, super-friendly staff, and delicious cocktails, this is the perfect place to enjoy a Friday or Saturday night in Belfast. The flavours here are truly unrivalled, as it offers a unique menu of Indian spices and flavours combined with the very best local produce, such as tender lamb chops and sea bass. With plenty of options, this is a great spot for all occasions.

Last, but most certainly not least, the perfect place to dine during a staycation in the city is Cyprus Avenue. Open all day for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and late-night dining, this is the perfect place for all occasions. With an extensive menu suited to all tastes and dietary requirements, there really is something for everyone, making it a great place to visit if you’re dining with a large group. Cyprus Avenue boasts a friendly, local feel, which is only one of the reasons why it continuously proves to be one of the city’s most popular restaurants. With cosy indoor seating and a spacious outdoor terrace, perfect for those sunny summer days, this is a great place to dine no matter the weather.