The best restaurants for Lebanese food in Belfast

Located in Belfast City Centre, Deerah is a must-visit for those looking to enjoy an authentic taste of the Middle East. Owned and operated by Saeb Sha’ath, who fell in love with Belfast when he decided to study here in the 1990s, Deerah offers perhaps the most authentic Lebanese dining experience you’re likely to find anywhere in Northern Ireland. Enthusiastic about bringing a taste of the Middle East to Belfast, Saeb didn’t just focus on the food and drink he could serve up. Instead, this place prioritises atmosphere and is designed to make you feel as if you’re eating in a restaurant in the Middle East. The menu features everything from a delicious falafel wrap, which features crispy fried falafels made with chickpeas, parsley and onion, fresh salad, and house sauce all wrapped in a soft and delicious flatbread, to a succulent chicken shawarma made up of slices of fresh marinated chicken roasted on a skewer and served with fresh salad, flat bread, and delicious house sauce. This place also offers a wide range of mezza, such as hummus, baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, tzatziki, batata hara, lamb kibbeh, vine leaves, and much more.

First opened in 2016, Nora’s Palace has become renowned as the home of premium Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-style cuisine at the heart of Belfast City. Offering a varied selection of authentic recipes, diners can expect everything from spicy hummus and baba ghanouj to falafel and halloumi wraps, Lebanese sausage, kofta, shish tawouk, and much more. Laid back and casual, this is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed and flavourful lunch or evening meal while enjoying a day out in the city. With options for dine in, takeaway and delivery, Nora’s Palace is a great spot for all occasions and certainly one you won’t want to miss when it comes to epic Lebanese food in Belfast.

Located in the leafy suburb of Ballyhackamore, Cyprus Avenue is undoubtedly one of the most beloved restaurants among locals in the city. While not a fully Lebanese or Middle Eastern dining experience, the talented chefs here have curated a varied and creative menu that is inspired by global cuisine but uses the very finest local ingredients and produce sourced from all across the island of Ireland. A great spot for a family meal or catching up with friends, there really is something for everyone here, as it’s sure to cater for all tastes and dietary requirements. If it’s Middle Eastern cuisine you’re after then you’re in luck, as you can enjoy a succulent lamb kofta flatbread with sticky shoulder, pomegranate, Cyprus Avenue kebab sauce, and Corey’s fries. Plus, if you’re following a plant-based lifestyle, you can enjoy the delicious meat-free alternative of a veggie meatball flatbread with marinara sauce and Corey’s fries.

Similarly to Cyprus Avenue, Home Restaurant on Belfast’s Wellington Place is not a fully Middle Eastern-style venue. However, its menu features a range of global influences with tasty dishes made using the very best locally-sourced ingredients. A Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, Home is known for its laid back atmosphere and high-quality food and drink at affordable prices. With plenty of options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, there is something for everyone here, making it the perfect option for dining with a group. For a taste of Lebanese cuisine, you can opt for the tasty platter, which features hummus, pomegranate, harissa spices, flaked almonds, mixed seeds and pitta bread. Our mouths are watering just at the thought of it!

Six By Nico is a great spot for those looking to try something new. A unique and exciting concept restaurant that offers limited six-course tasting menus that last for six weeks all based around a central theme, you will always have the chance to try something new here. Unfortunately we can’t guarantee it’ll always be serving a menu of delicious Lebanese-inspired dishes. However, what we can guarantee is that when it does, it does it right. Previously, Nico and his team have offered an incredible Middle East Menu that took diners on a culinary adventure around the golden temples of Lebanon right through to the epic cityscapes of the United Arab Emirates. Featuring a range of deconstructed plates, each full of creative flair and epic flavour, diners got the chance to enjoy a delicious Mezze Platter to start with falafel, caper and raisin purée, and various other add-ons, followed by a Lamb Belly Kebab, then Spiced Cauliflower with rose harissa, feta, olives, and almonds. The second half of the experience featured flame-grilled sea bass with baba ganoush, pomegranate, freekah, and walnut, then glazed chicken with orange blossom, medjool date, sumac carrot, and chicken skin dukka, before closing out with a delectable hazelnut and chocolate creamaux baklava with sour cherries and coffee and cardamom ice cream. We don’t know about you, but we’ll certainly be keeping our eyes peeled for this menu returning!