Belfast Restaurants Win Big at 2021 Irish Food and Wine Awards

At the final, which took place at The Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin on Sunday 8th November, four Belfast restaurants were delighted to discover they were named the best in Ulster in their respective categories.

OX Belfast, located on the city’s Oxford Street, was declared to be the ‘Best Restaurant in Ulster’. However, this was not the only award for the creative and modern European restaurant as Stefania Sanseverino, sommelier at OX, was recognised as the Best Sommelier in Ulster.

Meanwhile, head chef Stephen Toman of OX was ‘highly commended’ in the category of Best Chef in Ulster.

OX was not the only Belfast restaurant to receive recognition at this year’s award. Taking home the badge of ‘highly commended’ in the Best Restaurant category, Stove Bistro on Ormeau Road was placed in prime position for their talented head chef.

Simon Toye is head chef and co-owner at Stove Bistro. Last week, he took home the award for Best Chef in Ulster, placing him among the very best chefs in Ireland.

Stove Bistro first opened in September 2020 as a joint venture between Toye, who was formerly an Executive Chef at Deanes, and Simon McCance, owner of Ginger Bistro.

After just one year of operation amid difficult circumstances for the hospitality industry, the two Simons have successfully established Stove as one of the most renowned and well-loved restaurants in the city.

If it’s a casual dining experience you’re after, then you need to plan a trip to Freight East, named Best Casual Dining in Ulster. This unique restaurant can be found in East Belfast’s C.S. Lewis Square and is sure to offer a dining experience like no other you’ll find in Belfast.

Aside from their innovative and creative menu serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this trendy spot is housed inside a bright yellow shipping container that is tastefully decorated, with big windows that let in a lot of light.

Other Ulster-based establishments recognised at the 2021 Irish Food and Wine Awards were Rathmullan House in County Donegal, which took home the award for Best Hotel Restaurant. This was closely followed by Taylor & Clay at Bullitt Hotel, which was ‘highly commended’.

Just behind Freight East was Fisk Seafood Bar in Donegal, which was ‘highly commended’ in the Best Casual Dining category. And finally, just behind Stefania of OX, Saul McConnell of Noble in Holywood was ‘highly commended’ in the Best Sommelier category.