Bonfire Night in Belfast: The ultimate dining guide

A beloved Belfast bistro located on Bradbury Place, Darcy’s offers a cosy and intimate dining experience that’s perfect for couples, families, or groups of friends. Specialising in classic Irish dishes with a contemporary twist, Darcy’s makes the most of fresh, locally sourced seasonal produce to create a truly local dining experience. With cosy interiors adding to the traditional ambience, you can expect an old-school dark wood bar with hanging lanterns and intimate two-seater tables or classic booth seating typical of a traditional Irish pub. The menu features everything from a classic seafood chowder to boxty dumplings, as well as the specialty Irish chicken and traditional Irish stew, making this the ultimate place to indulge in real Irish comfort food and a cosy Bonfire Night atmosphere. 

Set in the heart of Finaghy on the Upper Lisburn Road, Millar’s Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a family friendly Bonfire Night. With a selection of menus to suit all tastes, ages, and dietary requirements, this is a safe bet for group bookings. Despite offering such a diverse menu, Millar’s also keeps a keen focus on locally sourced seasonal produce to ensure the very highest quality available in each and every dish, so you can expect nothing short of excellence here. With a cosy yet refined dining room, this is the perfect place to warm up from the cold, catch up with friends, and celebrate special occasions. From comfort food classics like steaks cooked to your liking to contemporary and creative dishes like prawn and crab tortellini, you’ll be totally spoiled for choice.

For something special, why not head to The Muddlers Club? Hidden away down a quiet alley in the bustling Cathedral Quarter, this refined and unique restaurant offers up a truly unforgettable dining experience. Spearheaded by Chef Gareth McCaughey, this fantastic spot offers up a seasonal six course tasting menu that’s made using the very finest locally sourced ingredients and is bursting with flavour. The perfect spot for a romantic Bonfire Night dinner, the dining room offers a cosy and intimate vibe from where you can watch each and every dish being carefully prepared in front of you in the open kitchen. It also offers a carefully considered wine list and an extensive cocktail menu with a strong focus on local beer and local spirits. As one of the only Michelin star restaurants in the city, dining here offers a truly unforgettable experience.

A relatively new addition to the Belfast dining scene, Gnostic is still somewhat of a hidden gem due to its location on the other side of the motorway bridge. A small, two-story restaurant with a downstairs bar and friendly local vibe, this spot is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed yet refined dining experience. A great spot for a casual date or food and drinks with friends, it offers a great cocktail menu and a delicious array of small plates and dishes to suit all tastes. Resting on the edge of the River Lagan, guests can also enjoy beautiful views of the City Quays area, which is entrenched in the deep heritage and history of Belfast. When it comes to food, you can expect everything from veggie and meat tacos to delicious seafood options alongside pork, beef, or sweet potato sliders, making this one of the best Bonfire Night restaurants Belfast has to offer.

An East Belfast favourite, Horatio Todd’s is a comfortable and welcoming local pub and restaurant known for its quality drinks, delicious food, and lively entertainment. The epic all-day menu features everything from a Chargrilled 6oz Hereford Burger to Lemon and Thyme Roasted Chicken. It also offers a delicious selection of small plates and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options for those choosing to follow a plant-based diet. Expect live music from 5pm from Monday to Thursday, adding a warm and lively atmosphere where you can catch up with the family over delicious food and drinks. To accompany such a fantastic food menu, there’s also a brilliant array of beers, wines, spirits, and carefully crafted cocktails that provide the perfect partner for every dish on the menu. With large tables and an open and airy dining area, Horatio Todd’s is the perfect choice for Bonfire Night group bookings.