Unmissable summer restaurants in Belfast

One of the most popular gastropubs in South Belfast, The Bowery can be found on the Lisburn Road and has become a favourite among locals for its fantastic food, classic cocktails, live sport and entertainment, and all-round relaxed and welcoming vibe. In summer, there’s nowhere better to enjoy drinks and a delicious bite to eat with friends than on the spacious outdoor terrace, which gives diners the chance to witness life going by on the Lisburn Road. Whether you’re calling in for a coffee, heading for after-work pints or a weekend cocktail catchup, The Bowery caters beautifully for all occasions (just remember to book ahead!). Throughout the summer, the epic ‘Terrazza Malfy’ offering transports guests to the streets of southern Italy with delicious Malfy and Tonic serves and creative Malfy-based cocktails. For a true taste of summer, you can enjoy the delicious Spritz al Pompelo, which comes with Malfy Grapefruit, Pimms, passionfruit puree, lime juice, grapefruit syrup, Fever Tree Soda and fresh grapefruit. If that doesn’t take your fancy, perhaps you’d prefer the Tramonte Rose, which features Malfy Limone, créme de peche, cranberry juice, lemon juice, sugar syrup, prosecco, mint bouquet and a lemon wheel.

One of the most popular venues in the city, Six by Nico delivers an exciting dining experience that is constantly changing, keeping visitors coming back for more. In fitting with the transition into the summer months, Six by Nico has previously announced themes such as Miami to Ibiza, which has brought that holiday feeling to the Belfast branch. Described as a “Translantic” menu, the six courses began with nostalgic flavours of Miami beach before moving to the white isle of Ibiza. In terms of flavour, guests enjoyed American cuisine-inspired dishes as well as tastes from the Balearic Islands. Keep an eye out for what Six by Nico has in store this summer and remember to book ASAP because this place is always full!

Operating one of the city’s largest outdoor heated terrace’s, 2Taps has always been one of the most popular venues to visit in the summer months. Creating an authentically Spanish feel with its lengthy tapas menu, tempting drinks and lively atmosphere, 2Taps delivers the classic holiday vibes, right in the heart of Belfast’s historic Cathedral Quarter. Since first opening in 2005, 2Taps has been on a mission to deliver a “relaxed and casual dining experience along with all the excitement of a summer celebration”. Upon visiting, diners can enjoy a huge selection of meat, fish and vegetable based small plates, as well as the famous sharing portions of paella. The perfect space for groups, 2Taps also offers a popular vegan menu, crafted with the same attention and Spanish flair as the rest of the dishes, meaning no one has to miss out on this summer hang out. Open six days a week, with offers running throughout, 2Taps is the perfect venue to soak up the summer vibes in the heart of Belfast.

Located in the heart of the city’s vibrant and bustling Cathedral Quarter, 7 Spice is the perfect place to soak up the unique and exciting atmosphere of summer in the city. Bringing an authentic taste of Bangladesh to Belfast, this contemporary restaurant offers a menu that is infused with flavour and brought to life using the very finest locally sourced ingredients. Freshness is at the heart of everything done, with each and every dish prepared fresh on the day from an array of seasonally dependent ingredients. There’s a spacious and open indoor dining room that provides a comfortable and relaxed dining experience with a laidback touch of elegance. However, if you want to truly soak up the summer vibes, we recommend dining outdoors in the private pods, which means that no matter the weather (and you never know when it comes to summer in Ireland), you can enjoy a relaxed al fresco dining experience.

A modern Mediterranean tapas restaurant located in the heart of Belfast, EDO specialises in offering an extensive variety of creative small plates that are inspired by the very best ingredients and cooking techniques from across Europe. With a focus on local, seasonal produce, the menu here also showcases the very best of what’s in season across the Emerald Isle, so you can always expect something fresh and delicious each and every time you dine here. If you’re keen to experience an array of different flavours while relaxing in a casual dining environment, this is the perfect spot for you. With floor-to-ceiling windows and dishes designed to be shared, this is the ideal place to spend an easy summer afternoon or evening catching up with friends as the light floods through the window. The unique and creative cocktail menu offers the perfect accompaniment for the delightful food menu, offering guests an all-round unforgettable dining experience.

One of the city’s only Michelin star restaurants, OX needs to be on your list if you’re looking for a true fine dining experience. First opened in 2013, OX is the brainchild of long-standing best friends Stephen and Alain who are both passionate about their craft. Combining their experience working in some of the most influential restaurants around the globe, the pair have honed their skills and refined their creativity to bring one of the best restaurants Belfast has to offer. This relaxed riverside restaurant not only offers delicious food. With floor to ceiling windows and an unhindered view of the Lagan, the relaxed atmosphere and top-class Irish hospitality truly add to the overall experience of dining here, especially on a warm summer day. Committed to developing close relationships with quality local suppliers, the menus here are curated around the very best of local, seasonal produce, so you can truly expect the very best dining here. Open for both lunch and dinner sittings, OX is a must-visit this summer.

A 400 year old pub located just outside the city centre in the leafy suburb of Drumbeg, Robert Stewart’s Spirit Grocer is one of the most beloved spots for delicious food and great pints in the city. Serving up a fantastic array of creative yet traditional pub grub to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, this is the perfect spot to head with the whole family on a sunny day. You can either dine inside for an unforgettable sit-down meal, choosing from the classic menu that features everything from fish and chips to perfectly prepared steaks and indulgent pasta dishes, or head outside and soak up the sun in the vibrant and lively beer garden where you can enjoy pizzas, pints and other delicious street food bites. The atmosphere here is always open and friendly, with frequent live music events and the latest sporting fixtures welcoming in the crowds. Boasting a truly local feel and high-quality Irish hospitality, Robert Stewart’s needs to be on your summer bucket list.

Can you think of anything better than a freshly baked pizza on a sunny day? We certainly can’t, and there’s nowhere better to visit than the incredible Belfast Woodfired Pizza on the bustling Lisburn Road. Specialising in authentic and artisan woodfired pizzas complete with creative toppings and the very freshest of ingredients, it’s no wonder diners return time and time again to this local favourite. From a classic Margherita finished with San Marzano sauce, fior di latte mozzarella and rocket to the more daring Portavogie Prawn or the Malt and Guinness Braised Beef Brisket topped pizza, you’re sure to be blown away by the fresh and delicious flavours offered here. There’s also a delicious range of starters, salads and desserts, so you’re sure to leave this spot feeling more than satisfied. Come the summer months, you can make the most of al fresco dining on the small outdoor terrace. What a great way to spend a summer’s day in the city!

When it comes to summer dining in the city, there’s nowhere quite like the incredible Cyprus Avenue. With a spacious outdoor dining area, there is no better place to soak up the sun enjoying delicious food and refreshing cocktails or a cold beer. Offering up creative dishes made using the very best of local seasonal produce, the food here is truly exquisite. With a friendly local feel, this spot is perfect for catching up with friends or a memorable meal out with family. Open for all day dining, this is a great spot for all occasions and with plenty of options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements including plenty of vegan and vegetarian dishes.

Working on a modern sharing plates concept that celebrates the very best local produce, Fika is one of the most recent additions to the city’s dining scene, making it an absolute must-visit for an unmissable summer dining experience. Located in the quaint suburb of Ballyhackamore, Fika is open from Wednesday to Saturday for evening sittings, making this the perfect place to enjoy a delicious midweek or weekend meal with family and friends. You can expect a fantastic array of creative flavours, with everything from raw chopped beef with oyster emulsion and pickled mushrooms to kohlrabi tagliatelle with almond and wild garlic pesto. A creative reimagining of a Swedish concept, this unique and welcoming restaurant aims to foster connection and mindful indulgence through its “symphony of small plates” that are designed to be shared and savoured. As stated on the website, this dining experience is designed to encourage you to “slow down and reconnect with the joy of good food and good company.”