The best tasting menus in Belfast

Burger buns and fried chicken go together like birds of a feather. And G41 gives you some alternative flavours that far outdo many of the high street chains. Try the Imperial Beijing Chicken burger with three salt and pepper tempura chicken strips, fresh chilli, spring onion and sriracha mayo. Or there’s the Tex Mex Chicken with BBS sauce, onion rings, crispy onion rings and pickles (fried of course).

Those eschewing meat can still enjoy the fried chicken experience, with G41’s No Clucking (fried vegan patties, shredded lettuce, tomato, crispy onion and vegan mayo), or some No Cluck nuggets. Avoiding bread? Go for some fried chicken strips minus the dough; they’ll come draped in your choice of buffalo and blue cheese, sesame BBQ, salt and pepper, honey and chilli, or naked, with a few dips to ponder.

One of the most highly-regarded restaurants Belfast has to offer, The Muddlers Club is the perfect place to enjoy a high-quality tasting menu made from the very best locally-sourced seasonal ingredients. Hidden away on Warehouse Lane, this is the perfect place to enjoy an intimate dining experience, whether you’re enjoying a romantic date or a meal out with family or friends.

Named after a secret society who reputedly met in the back streets of Belfast over 200 years ago, this place truly does keep the historic spirit of the city alive. Head Chef and owner Gareth McCaughey shows enthusiasm and flair in the dishes and menus he curates, and the open kitchen adds to a sense of theatre and excitement as diners can observe their next dish being brought to life right before their eyes. Accompanying the delicious food, the drinks menu here is inspired by local producers and makers with a strong focus on local beer and spirits, as well as a carefully curated cocktail and wine selection.

Located in the city’s leafy University Quarter at the upper end of the Malone Road, Blank Restaurant offers a truly unique dining experience in that guests don’t see the menu until they arrive. Ranked among the top 100 restaurants in the UK, this spot is a must-visit while in the city. Celebrating exceptional local produce and the people behind it, the menus here are carefully curated from the very best high-quality ingredients from suppliers, farmers, and growers from all across the island of Ireland to ensure the best possible dining experience is enjoyed by all.

Those with specific dietary requirements don’t have to worry about missing out either, as, with prior notice, the talented chefs can cater for those following vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and pregnancy diets. For £45, you can enjoy a three-course taster menu as well as a savoury tea, amuse bouche, and bread course. For £75, you will be treated to a six course menu with savoury tea, amuse bouche, bread course, and petit fours. And, if you really want to go all out, you can opt for their nine course tasting menu that comes in at £120 and lasts a whopping four hours. Various wine, alcohol, and alcohol-free pairings are also available for an extra cost.

The Belfast addition to this popular UK chain, Six by Nico is a great spot for those looking to dip their toes in the world of tasting menus. This relatively laidback and friendly eatery specialises in creative six-course tasting menus all focused around a central theme that lasts for a period of six weeks. With various options for vegans, vegetarians, and those following a gluten-free diet, there really is something for everyone here.

Previous themed menus have included everything from ‘The Chippie’, which offers a deconstructed take on chip shop favourites, such as chips and cheese, scampi, fish supper, and even deep fried Mars Bars, to menus centred around global cuisines, such as Italian, Japanese, Greek, Korean, and much more. A relatively affordable option with tasting menus priced from £39, with an extra £30 for the wine pairing and optional aperitifs and snacks to begin your experience, this is a great place to experience a delicious tasting menu without breaking the bank.

Offering an elegant setting in the heart of Belfast, this Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the fantastic offerings from renowned local chef Michael Deane. Having gained the coveted Michelin accolade back in 2016, just 18 months after opening, there is no denying this is one of the finest eateries Belfast has to offer. A must-visit for an elegant and refined dining experience with innovative and modern menus, fine wines, and friendly Irish hospitality, Deanes EIPIC is a no-brainer when it comes to the best tasting menus in Belfast.

Coming in at £100, their tasting menu maybe isn’t the one to go for if you’re looking for the affordable option but the quality of what’s placed before you here will make it more than worth it. Available for evening sittings from Thursday to Saturday, the tasting menu here features everything from poached lobster with mooli, chervil, parsley, ponzu, and watermelon to BBQ turbot with asparagus, fermented celeriac, smoked butter, and roe. So, if it’s a refined and perfectly curated menu you want, this is the spot for you.

Next up on our list of epic tasting menus in Belfast is the wonderful OX Restaurant situated on Oxford Street overlooking the River Lagan. With an elegant yet relaxed ambience and a creative menu of carefully curated dishes, this is sure to be a dining experience you won’t soon forget.

Committed to developing close relationships with local suppliers, menus here are ever changing to showcase the very best of local, seasonal produce. Their expertly crafted tasting menu is no exception, changing with the seasons, you can always expect something new each time you visit. Coming in at £90 with £60 addition for the wine pairing, this is a true treat yourself experience. Previous menus have featured everything from a flavourful beetroot tartlet with plum vinegar to chicory with coffee maple, freshly baked sourdough served with Glenilen Butter to salt cured halibut served with pickled mussels, radish, and dill.

One of the most upscale restaurants in the city, the Merchant Hotel is one of those places you need to dine at least once in your life. Their Great Room Restaurant is elegantly decorated in its original Victorian style, and with top-class food and drinks and attentive hospitality, you’re sure to feel like royalty dining here.

We can think of no better way to soak up the full splendour of this fine dining experience than opting for their opulent tasting menu, which comes in at £80 for seven courses with £8 extra for an optional cheese course and £45 for the wine pairing of five wines. They even offer a fully plant-based tasting menu so those following a vegan diet don’t have to worry about missing out on this incredible flavour experience. The restaurant has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes, highlighting its culinary excellence. So, you’re really in for a treat if you choose to dine here.  

If you’re a fan of creative Asian dining, then you need to check out the brilliant Dumpling Library Restaurant in St Anne’s Square. Known for their creative, Asian-inspired small plates, you can enjoy a range of delicious and fragrant flavours in each and every dish here. If you want to get a taste for what’s on offer, we highly recommend opting for their brilliant six course tasting menu that comes in at a very reasonable £34.95 or £59.95 with drinks pairing.

With both a meat and vegan option, everyone can take advantage of this brilliant tasting menu that features everything from steamed Asian greens dumplings to a house platter featuring duck samosa, spring roll, filo chicken, and wasabi king prawns. Aside from that, you can also enjoy a culinary journey around Asia with delicious courses such as their cauliflower with chilli and garlic and their diced beef fillet in a truffle teriyaki sauce, all finished off with some petit fours.

AMPM Restaurant on Upper Arthur Street is perhaps one of the most unique and beloved restaurants the city has to offer. With three venues under the one roof – AMPM, The Cabaret Supper Club, and The Treehouse – this is the perfect location for all occasions. If you’re in the mood for a tasting menu experience, the small plates and sharing platters here are the next best thing.

Immerse yourself in a culinary journey with a diverse range of dishes that bring out the very best of simple, fresh flavours. With options including tiger prawns cooked in a smokey and spicy piri piri sauce, classic Italian meatballs with chilli and fennel, and fresh avocado smashed with lime and crème fraiche, this is a dining experience like none other you’ll find in the city. They also offer a range of deals that allow diners the chance to pair their dishes with a bottle of wine or prosecco for excellent value.

Closing out our list of epic tasting menus you need to experience while in Belfast is the unique and popular seafood restaurant Fish City, which can be found in the heart of the city on Ann Street. Offering a seafood dining experience suited to all occasions, you can expect everything from a simple plate of fish and chips to fresh Japanese oysters and royal baerii caviar. Priced at £95 per person, their exquisite six-course tasting menu comes with a complimentary bottle of Prosecco for two guests to share.

On the menu, you can expect an array of flavours inspired by the ocean from shellfish bisque with dill crème fraîche and crab beignet to pan-fried sea bass with watercress pomme mousseline, black olive tapenade, and caviar beurre blanc. Even though this is primarily a seafood restaurant, they even offer a vegetarian alternative for each and every course so those who don’t eat fish or meat don’t have to worry about missing out.