The best places to dine out during Twixmas in Belfast

A relatively new addition to Belfast’s thriving dining scene, Roam is hidden away on Callendar Street in the heart of the city centre, making it the perfect place to grab a classy lunch or relaxed evening meal after a day shopping the sales. Born out of a love for food with the aim to provide a unique dining experience that is attentive but informal, simple but sophisticated using the very finest local ingredients. Offering a changing, seasonal a la carte menu, this place will no doubt be offering something truly warming and delicious in the interim period between Christmas and New Year’s. So, give yourself a break from the endless turkey and ham sandwiches, and enjoy some truly fresh and exquisite flavours from this epic eatery.

Sick of all the roast dinners, turkey, ham and stuffing? Take a break from the Christmas food and enjoy some delicious Italian dining at Nico’s Pizzeria on the Lisburn Road. With a friendly and intimate feel, this is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed catch up with friends over delicious pizzas, pastas and wines. The covered outdoor terrace offers a relaxed feel and allows you to dine al fresco without having to brave the cold Northern Irish winter weather. Taking inspiration from the southern Italian region of Calabria, you can expect authentic flavours of Italy in every bite. Focusing on fresh, handmade dough baked daily and sauces made from the freshest local ingredients, the pizzas here are truly unrivalled. Whether you opt for a plain margherita, a controversial Hawaiian, or a fully-loaded tutta carne, which comes complete with bolognese base, mozzarella, pepperoni, salami, bacon and chicken, you’re sure to leave feeling truly satisfied.

An all-day brasserie located in the bustling East Belfast suburb of Ballyhackamore, Neill’s Hill is the perfect spot for a relaxed brunch, lunch or evening meal. With a friendly, local feel, this is the kind of place you’re likely to bump into old friends and familiar faces and, with over 20 years experience serving the people of East Belfast, there’s no denying the team at Neill’s Hill know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to delicious food and top-class hospitality. The menu features a vast array of classic favourites, including sizzling Portavogie prawns, battered haddock with chips and tartare sauce, and various cuts of steak served with either red wine jus, peppercorn sauce, or garlic butter. There’s also an extensive menu of vegan and vegetarian options, so those following a plant-based diet need not worry about missing out on the epic flavours on offer here.

Another relatively new addition to Belfast’s ever-growing dining scene, Hendrix has already made its mark on the city. Located just south of the city in the University Quarter, this unique venue offers a great range of modern, contemporary cuisine, including burgers, tacos, pasta, and much more. There’s also an extensive and exciting cocktail and wine list that perfectly pairs with the delicious flavours available in each and every dish. Whether you’re in the mood for an indulgent bowl of mac and cheese served with grana Padano cheese and spicy nduja sausage, a succulent chicken sandwich with gherkins, slaw, buffalo 14.9 sauce, aioli sauce and fries, or a warming plate of braised beef rigatoni served with tomato and red wine sauce, you’re sure to find something that tickles your fancy here.

A casual yet refined eatery on the Upper Newtownards Road, Broker is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed dining experience during Twixmas this year. Whether you’re meeting up with friends, heading out for a romantic date night, or looking for somewhere nice to enjoy a meal out with the extended family, Broker is the perfect location. Open for lunch and evening dining, it has a great selection of seafood, meat and vegetable-based dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements. You can expect everything from a rich and flavourful chicken and chorizo risotto to a herb crusted fillet of salmon served with Comber potatoes, market vegetables and black olive and caper pesto, to herb roasted cauliflower with parmesan emulsion, black truffle pesto and pine nuts.

Perhaps one of the finest restaurants you’ll find in Belfast City Centre, The Muddlers Club is hidden away down Warehouse Lane at the heart of the bustling Cathedral Quarter. Named after a secret society that met in this location over 200 years ago, the history and culture of Belfast bleeds into the food and atmosphere on offer at this brilliant eatery. A must-visit for a truly unforgettable dining experience, head chef and owner Gareth McCaughey goes above and beyond to ensure each and every diner enjoys a truly special evening at his restaurant. With passion at the heart of the operation, Gareth hand-picks the best of homegrown produce daily to ensure the quality of each dish served. Plus, the open kitchen allows diners to see what is going on behind the scenes and wonder at the spectacle of each creative dish being brought to life.

Another epic Italian dining option on the Lisburn Road, La Bottega is an exquisitely classy establishment that allows you the opportunity to feel like you’re escaping to an Italian city for an afternoon. An authentic Italian cafe, bistro and mini-market selling traditional and fresh food everyday, La Bottega promises to offer diners to experience Italian food the traditional way. Whether you’re popping in for an Italian coffee served with a traditional sweet treat, such as cornetti, cannoli, tiramisu and sfogliatelle, or you fancy something more substantial from the deli or bistro menu, this is the perfect place to enjoy a break from all the heavy Irish Christmas food you’ve been enjoying over the past few days. Cured meats and cheese are sliced fresh on the spot, preserving the product’s original flavour and nutritional quality. Meanwhile, the chef will guide you through ancient Italian traditions with his weekly selected dishes and recipes. What more could you want?

Another Lisburn Road icon, Shu was first established in the year 2000 and has since become a firm favourite among Belfast locals and avid foodies from all across the country. Having won multiple awards, there is no denying the high-quality of food and drinks on offer here, not to mention the warm Irish hospitality that keeps diners coming back time and time again. Split across three areas – The Main Room, Jul’s and The Upper House – you’re sure to find a dining experience that suits you here. The Main Room is a thoughtfully designed, comfortably plush space that serves a seasonal menu of classic dishes with regularly added new additions, making it the perfect place for a tasty evening meal. Meanwhile, Jul’s is the quintessential entertainment venue, a cocktail bar and restaurant sanctuary where music is played by DJs and live musicians on the house piano. The Upper Room is generally reserved for private events.

Bored of the Boxing Day turkey curry? If so, give it a miss this year and opt for true Bangladeshi flavours at the incredible 7 Spice in St Anne’s Square. Perhaps one of the most underrated restaurants in Belfast City Centre, 7 Spice offers a vast array of delicious Indian and Bangladeshi dishes that are sure to be an absolute feast for your senses. Making the most of spices and fresh flavours that come with the very best ingredients of the seasons, every dish is made daily. Thus, you can expect the highest-quality, freshest flavours when dining here. You can either choose to dine indoors in the open and informal dining area, or book a private pod, perfect for a more intimate experience or dining with a larger group. Can you just imagine feasting on some delicious Bangladeshi cuisine, accompanied by a creative cocktail, in a little glass dome watching the snow fall over one of the most picturesque areas of the city? Sounds like a dream to us!

Pizza sounds like a great idea for any occasion, but especially when you need a break from all the turkey and ham dinners over the Christmas period. One spot you can’t miss for epic, freshly prepared pizza is the fantastic Belfast Woodfired Pizza on the Lisburn Road. A local institution, this spot is known for its high-quality woodfired pizza dough and fresh, creative flavours and toppings that keep pizza lovers coming back time and time again. Whether you’re in the mood for a plain and delicious margherita complete with San Marzano sauce, fior di latte mozzarella and rocket, an indulgent four cheese with blue cheese, goats cheese, mozzarella and grand padano with chestnut mushroom, or something more unique like the seared duck breast topped pizza with wilted pak choi and chestnut mushroom finished with Asian reduction, you’re sure to find something that delights your taste buds here. This place also offers an extensive kids’ menu of mini 6” pizzas, so the little ones can even join in on the epic flavour experience offered.