03 Dec 2024
Enjoying a well-deserved lunch break in Belfast
Nowadays, with productivity prioritised above all else, it can be easy to power through your lunch break without taking any time for yourself. However, it’s so important for your mental health (and your stomach) that you take time to enjoy your lunch and wind down in the middle of the day. If you’re in the Belfast area, this guide will tell you exactly where to go to find a delicious lunch that is worthy of your time.
With 10 different locations across Belfast, Clements is one of the largest chains of local, independent coffee shops in the country. Since its beginning in 1999 it has been serving high-quality, delicious food, making it extremely popular amongst locals.
Clements specialises in classic dishes done well. They keep it simple, with mouthwatering sandwiches, fresh salads, decadent pancakes, warming soups and tasty wraps. They also have a range of baked goods, like muffins, scones and tray-bakes to satisfy your sweet tooth. One of the great things about Clements is that all of their food is handmade with local produce, so you can enjoy your lunch whilst also supporting Northern Irish business owners.
Clements also has an extensive drinks menu, with a wide variety of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, smoothies, and shakes. These delicious drinks make the perfect pairing for any lunch dish!
Situated right in the heart of Belfast, Havana Bank Sq is a small restaurant that serves delicious, locally sourced food.
There is something for everyone on Havana Bank Sq’s lunch menu, which boasts a range of satisfying dishes. If you’re in the mood for a classic lunch, you can enjoy their soup of the day or hearty steak sandwich. Alternatively, if you want to treat yourself, Havana Bank Sq has a selection of indulgent, high-end dishes, like Whitewater lager battered haddock, sugar pit cured pork loin, and king prawn linguini. Furthermore, there is also a full vegan and vegetarian menu, with dishes like wild mushroom risotto and spiced chickpea and tomato ragu.
Havana Bank Sq also has several dessert options, such as coconut panna cotta, crème brulee, apple Normandy, and chocolate parfait. These sweet dishes make the perfect end to any lunch.
Established by John Moffat in 2013, Graze is centred around the principle of serving delicious food in an unpretentious environment. The menu at Graze is jam-packed full of tasty dishes, made with local produce.
For lunch, you can start with something light from Graze’s ‘Starters’ menu. This includes yummy dishes like hand shelled Portavogie prawns, wild mushroom arancini, and crispy salt and chilli squid. After this, you can move onto the main event, and, with options like curried butternut squash risotto, Tuscan style vegetables, pomegranate and apple salad, Co. Wicklow venison and seafood fettuccine pasta, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
If you’re looking for high-quality cuisine, The Muddlers Club will not disappoint. This Michelin star restaurant is somewhat of a hidden gem in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.
The Muddlers Club has a simple, yet delicious tasting menu, which changes depending on the season, and is available for both lunch and dinner. This menu includes options like scallop, bisque, cauliflower, and raisin, venison, red cabbage, and bitter sauce, and lamb, artichoke, and lovage. For those who don’t eat meat, The Muddlers Club also has a full vegetarian menu. This includes onion, dill, and cheese, cabbage, buerr blanc, and mustard, and clementine, honey, and yoghurt.