
03 Dec 2024
Dining out isn’t just about the food and drinks anymore, but the entire experience. From the restaurant decor to friendly and attentive service, various things come together to offer an altogether unforgettable experience. Belfast is ahead of the game when it comes to eateries that offer something a little bit more than just tasty menus and top-quality drinks. So, if you’re looking to satisfy your inner child who was always told not to play with your food (we mean, whose idea was that anyway?), then read on. Here is Dish Cult’s ultimate guide to fun restaurants in Belfast where playing with your food is the name of the game…
When it comes to fun restaurants in Belfast, one of the first places that comes to mind is the unique and creative A Peculiar Tea. Situated in the leafy University Quarter, this spot offers a dining experience unlike any other you’ll find in the city. With the talented Chef Gemma Austin at the helm leading an enthusiastic and creative all-female team, this spot is renowned across the city for its limited six-course tasting menus all focused around a central theme, whether that be movies, theatre, books, countries, TV shows, and much more.
Aside from offering a stunning menu of food and drinks inspired by their current theme, the team at A Peculiar Tea put extra effort into the presentation of each and every dish, with plates coming out looking more like pieces of art than plates of food. And it doesn’t stop there, the entire restaurant is decorated to match the current theme, so you can become fully immersed in the entire experience from start to finish.
A relatively recent addition to Belfast’s dining scene, Roam prides itself on serving the finest local ingredients served in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Offering a creative a la carte menu that changes with the seasons, you can expect only the freshest, highest quality produce when dining here. Located on Callendar Street at the heart of Belfast City Centre, Roam is open for lunch and evening dining from Wednesday through to Saturday.
Small, minimalist, and understated, the focus of this spot remains on the flavours that are presented to you, allowing you the opportunity to really taste everything that passes your lips. Born out of a love for food, Roam began life as a pop up concept aimed at providing a truly unique dining experience. Having proven successful, it now enjoys permanent residence in the city centre, maintaining its ethos as an attentive but informal, simple but sophisticated dining experience.
Theatre and food in one? Yes please! 3 Levels Asian Fusion Restaurant not only offers some of the most delicious Chinese dishes and Japanese teppanyaki that Belfast has to offer, but it also is known as the home of one of the funnest dining experiences you’ll find in the city. Located on the third level, diners are seated around a teppanyaki grill, where they can experience a theatrical display of cooking skills and become fully immersed in the entire preparation experience.
Expect flames, fast-paced wok skills, knife juggling, and even eggs cracked on heads (yes, you read that right). Get ready to don your chef hat, because at least one member of the group will have to take the hit, all in the name of fun and theatre. Open for lunch and evening dining, you can expect fresh and delicious Asian cuisine, paired with unforgettable service and friendly hospitality. A great place for a special occasion or dining out with friends, you need to add 3 Levels to your list of places to dine in Belfast.
Fans of steak and seafood who are looking for a truly unique dining experience should head to the fantastic Stix and Stones restaurant in the city centre. Not only will you get the chance to enjoy some high quality meat and seafood, but you will also have the opportunity to cook it yourself on hot stones, meaning you are guaranteed to enjoy your steak just as you like it.
All steaks are locally-sourced and dry-aged to ensure only the finest taste, and you can rest in the knowledge that your choice to dine here will go a long way in helping to support the rich and diverse array of local producers that the island of Ireland is so renowned for. Cooking on pre-heated hot rocks or stones is also one of the oldest cooking methods in the world, which boasts many benefits, including keeping the meat tender and succulent and minimising the need for additional fats and oils, thus keeping the purity of taste.
A favourite among locals, the Devenish Complex is undoubtedly one of the top places to visit when you’re looking for a fun dining experience in the city. A family-friendly spot with something for everyone, you can always expect there to be something going on at The Devenish, whether it’s live music, live sports, family fun days, and various other forms of entertainment. Serving up a delicious selection of classic pub grub, with options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, there really is something for everyone here.
They also pride themselves on their wide and varied drinks selection, with plenty of creative cocktails, and an extensive menu of beers, wines, and spirits, making this the perfect place to catch up with friends over a few drinks or watch the match while sinking a few pints. With locals returning time and time again and having enjoyed years of success serving the people of Belfast, there is no denying that the Devenish is one of the most fun places to dine in the city.