The best hidden gems in the Belfast

Coming off the back of over 30 years working in the hospitality industry, Chris and Sarah Humphreys created The Hoose Bistro with one goal in mind: providing great food for great prices. Located on the bustling Upper Newtownards Road in East Belfast, this is the perfect place to enjoy a meal out with the family, celebrate a special occasion with friends, or treat your special someone to an unforgettable date night. Making the most of fresh, local produce, the food on offer here is nothing short of exceptional. You can expect everything from juicy cuts of meat, including sirloin steaks cooked to your liking, to fresh and flavourful seafood to an extensive menu of vegan and vegetarian options. Set alongside so many great restaurants that call the Newtownards Road home, it can sometimes be overwhelming choosing where to dine in East Belfast… but this weekend, why not try The Hoose Bistro?

Beginning life as a pop-up eatery back in 2018 before pivoting during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer fine dining boxes for customers to enjoy at home, Roam was born out of a love for food. Owned and operated by self-taught chef Ryan Jenkins, Roam now has a permanent home on Callendar Street in the city centre, where diners can enjoy a truly unique dining experience that brings the perfect blend of attentive but informal, simple but sophisticated. Making the most of the finest local ingredients, it serves a changing, seasonal á la carte menu full of flavour and creative flair. To accompany your meal, Roam also offers a carefully selected wine list with help from its partner independent wine importer Neill Wine, while the creative cocktail list was created by a talented in-house mixologist using the finest local Irish spirits, homemade infusions, and syrups.

Another must-visit on the Upper Newtownards Road, Neill’s Hill is a friendly neighbourhood brasserie that has been a staple among Ballyhackamore locals for over 20 years. For those travelling from outside of the area, however, this fantastic spot often flies under the radar. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, this spot offers an epic all-day dining experience perfect for every occasion. The interior of this beautiful restaurant perfectly complements the exquisite dining options with beautiful artwork from local illustrator Peter Strain adorning the walls. Executive Chef Cath Gradwells has put heart and soul into the menus here, with diners having a choice of small plates, local cuts, a dedicated vegan menu, and even a mid-week Tapas Night and set menu.

Located in the heart of South Belfast, Millar’s is a casual fine dining restaurant and undoubtedly one of the very best hidden gems in Belfast. Often flying under the radar of those visiting the city or choosing a spot for an unforgettable date night in the city, we highly recommend trying it for yourself and booking a table at this top-quality eatery. We promise you won’t regret it. The talented team working under the direction of creative Head Chef Anthony McCabe have curated a truly excellent seasonal menu made up of the very best local seasonal produce, sourced right on their doorstep here in Northern Ireland. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, and offering an abundance of creative dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy at Millar’s. Plus, the exceptional wine and cocktail menu offers plenty of choice when it comes to perfect pairings for every dish.

If you’re a fan of delicious Indian dining, then one spot you won’t want to miss is 7 Spice in St Anne’s Square. Perfectly located at the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, 7 Spice offers authentic Indian cuisine in a chic contemporary setting. Combining spice with the natural flavours brought forward through the finest seasonal ingredients, you can expect nothing short of exceptional flavours in every dish offered here. Diners can choose from an informal dining experience in their elegantly designed dining room or a private and intimate table in one of the bespoke pods located outside the restaurant.

A family-run neighbourhood bistro located in the heart of East Belfast on the Upper Newtownards Road, Bistro Este is somewhat of a hidden gem that’s only known and loved by locals in the area. Offering a casual yet refined atmosphere, along with renowned Irish hospitality and a delicious menu of creative dishes made from the finest locally-sourced ingredients, you can expect nothing short of excellence here. Open for evening dining from Tuesday to Saturday, and for lunch and dinner sittings on Sunday, there’s plenty of opportunity for the whole family to indulge in the incredible flavours on offer. From a 16-hour slow braised featherblade of beef bourguignon to beer battered cod with triple-cooked chips and tartare sauce, there’s something to suit everyone with flavours inspired by classic Irish cooking with a contemporary and creative twist. A fully-licensed restaurant, it also prides itself on offering an extensive wine and cocktail list, plus local craft beers and an almost unrivalled gin selection.

Located in the Linen Quarter at the heart of Belfast City Centre, Coco Restaurant has been operating in the city for over a decade, delighting hungry locals with its delicious menu, creative cocktails, and incredible hospitality. With quirky artwork, unique decor and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to dine for any occasion, whether you’re looking to enjoy a romantic date night, a catchup with friends, or a celebratory meal out with the family. From a confit duck salad with prosciutto, gribiche potato salad and lentil vinaigrette, to a succulent 10oz sirloin steak with rocket salad, chips and cafe de Paris butter, there’s something for everyone. Each and every dish is crafted to perfection to highlight the subtlety of flavour in every ingredient and beautifully presented to please the eyes before you even take your first bite.

A relatively new addition to the Belfast dining scene, Hendrix is a fully licensed restaurant specialising in creative modern food to suit all tastes. Set on the Stranmillis Road in the leafy suburb of South Belfast, this is the perfect place to chill out and enjoy a relaxed evening meal or a tasty lunchtime treat. Boasting an extensive and varied menu that offers everything from rich Italian pasta dishes and succulent hearty smash burgers to small meals such as flavourful tacos, light and tasty bruschetta, and a delicious beef brisket crostini, you will be spoilt for choice with the delightful menu options. With stunning interiors and a creative cocktail menu to accompany, you’ll be able to fully relax and enjoy the incredible ambience created. A true hidden gem that you won’t want to miss, you need to add Hendrix to your Belfast dining bucket list.

Offering a relaxed dining experience with flavourful tapas plates, exciting wines and friendly hospitality, Ora is one of the most unique hidden gems in Belfast. With a menu inspired by the travels of Head Chef Marty Murphy, fusion meets classic flavour through dishes that keep the focus firmly on fresh, local produce and epic taste. Your senses will be blown away with everything from crispy goat’s cheese fritters served with hot and sour puree and frosted walnuts to pork and shiitake dumplings with bean sprout salad and rice vinegar dressing. The menu is unique and flavourful with everything from tasty vegetarian options to delicious meat and fish dishes and an incredible chargrill menu, so there really is something to suit all tastes, making this the perfect location to catch up with friends over great food and wine.

Owned and operated by the hugely talented Chef Danny Millar, the former head chef at the popular Balloo Inn, Stock Kitchen and Bar is one of the most incredible and unique dining experiences in the city. Set in the second floor of the famous St George’s Market in Belfast City Centre, guests are guaranteed a real taste of Belfast with a menu that showcases the very best of locally sourced Irish produce and features everything from Ballycastle Farm Rose Veal to Mourne Lamb, Seafood Casserole with hake, cod, monkfish and more, to Peter Hannan’s Côte de Bœuf for two. An exquisite menu crafted with love, you can practically taste the love and attention invested into each and every one of the dishes offered here.