The best restaurants and bars with a view in Belfast

Located directly across from Belfast City Hall, Cafe Parisien is a fantastic cafe, restaurant, and cocktail bar offering one of the best views in Belfast. The perfect place to snap a picture in front of one of the city’s most iconic buildings after enjoying a tasty brunch, afternoon tea, or evening meal, this spot offers a unique French vibe combined with friendly Irish hospitality.

Their brasserie inspired menu offers a modern twist, maintaining a passion for using the finest, freshest local ingredients sourced from Ireland’s highest quality suppliers. Their brunch menu features everything from classic Eggs Benedict to a tasty Parisien Breakfast complete with pork and leek sausages, back bacon, tomato, mushrooms, toasted sourdough, and a fried egg. If you’re dining out for lunch or dinner, you can enjoy their wonderful a la carte menu, which features everything from a classic steak frites to a delicious Portavogie prawn and tomato risotto.

Set in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, Dumpling Library is ideally located overlooking the majestic St Anne’s Cathedral. Here, you can enjoy a delicious selection of Asian dishes with everything from flavourful meat and veggie dumplings, which can be served either steamed or pan-fried, to filled bao buns, meat or veggie tempura to various delicious rice and noodle dishes. Taking inspiration from all across the continent, diners can enjoy flavours of China, Singapore, Korea, Japan, and more here.

Through your tastebuds, you’ll be taken on a journey from the bustling streets and neon lights of Hong Kong to the floating markets of Bangkok, the blossom-lined laneways of Tokyo to the vibrant streets of Seoul. This spot also offers one of the best cocktail menus you’ll find in Belfast. Defined by fresh and fragrant flavours, expert mixologists have worked hard to create a unique and creative drinks menu that perfectly compliments the epic Asian flavours of their food.

When it comes to the best views in Belfast City, The Observatory at The Grand Central Hotel is hard to beat. The tallest hotel in Ireland, guests can enjoy unrivalled views of the Belfast skyline taking in everything from the City Hall and the inner city streets in the foreground to the hills and sea stretching out in the distance, surrounding the city centre. At the very top of this top-class hotel, you can find a true crowning gem, the luxurious liquor lounge serving up sublime sips, with everything from the finest champagne to a wide range of cocktails, wines, and spirits.

Alternatively, you can indulge in a delicious afternoon tea at this dreamy destination, relaxing back in cosy armchairs as you’re treated to a delicious three-tiered tray of delights, including finger sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and a fantastic selection of sweet treats. To wash it all down, you can sip on a tea of your choice, with everything from a classic Thompson’s Tea to various speciality loose leaf teas, such as a calming camomile whole flower blend, a pure coarse peppermint, and a flavourful Indian spiced chai. 

One of only two Michelin Star restaurants in the city, OX Belfast is the perfect place to visit if you really want to treat yourself. With huge floor to ceiling windows letting in heaps of natural light while also offering unrivalled views of the River Lagan, this is the perfect place to relax on a sunny afternoon or enjoy some Michelin Star food as the sun goes down over the water. Headed by two friends, who also happen to be excellent chefs and hospitality experts, bringing together their skills and experience from working across the industry in various locations such as London, Paris, and here at home in Belfast, you can expect nothing short of excellent flavours in each and every plate served at OX. Having developed close relationships with trusted local suppliers, seasonal menus are designed around the very best of locally available produce to ensure the highest level of quality and freshness.

A stylish Mediterranean and French inspired brasserie open all day to serve up lunch, afternoon tea, and evening meals, Novelli at City Quays is located directly on the waterside, offering some of the best views of this beautiful area of the city. Overlooking the River Lagan and the modern yet historic Titanic Quarter, just imagine yourself sitting on the open-air terrace enjoying a leisurely lunch with friends on a sunny day. Ah, bliss!

Specialising in the finest, freshest French-inspired flavours, you can enjoy everything from their signature confit halibut with white bean velouté, baby gem lettuce, king oyster mushroom, truffle oil, parmesan, and roast sweet potatoes to their ricotta gnocchi with pepper coulis, spinach, and purple sprouting broccoli. For epic local flavours, we highly recommend their classic and traditional Belfast ale-battered haddock or their Belfast black and brisket pie.