Where to dine in Belfast this Easter

A Belfast institution, Horatio Todd’s in East Belfast is always more than happy to welcome the whole family for a meal. Serving European cuisine in a friendly, relaxed setting, this gastropub offers something for everyone. The a la carte menu features favourites such as sirloin steak, chicken tacos, burgers, and more. It also has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to suit those following a plant-based diet, too. Coming to the most important guests of all, however, there is a separate kids’ menu from which your little ones can enjoy a main course followed by ice cream!

For a delicious seasonal menu with something to suit all tastes, dietary requirements and family members, visit Home Restaurant this Easter. Offering a Michelin Bib Gourmand dining experience, this is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner in the heart of the city. Always going above and beyond to offer the finest Irish hospitality, you will be treated like an old friend as soon as you walk through the door. Specialising in great tasting food inspired by local, homegrown, sustainable ingredients, the dishes here are always fresh and high quality. Whether you call in for lunch or dinner, you’ll be wowed by delicious dishes with everything from super salads to Malaysian seafood laksa, burgers, steak and more, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious options for a tasty Easter lunch. Dining with the little ones? No problem. The kids menu at Home is just as fresh and delicious as what’s on offer for the adults. Little diners will have the choice of dishes such as sausages, mash and gravy, breaded white fish and fries, or pasta with tomato sauce.

Located on the outskirts of the city, Robert Stewarts, or Bob Stewarts, is a friendly local Irish pub and restaurant. A 400-year-old authentic Irish bar, with traditional interior decor and plenty of outdoor space in Bob’s Beer Garden, this is the perfect place to dine when the sun comes out in Belfast. Serving a delicious menu of traditional pub grub everyday, this is a great spot to check out during the Easter holidays, whether you’re dining with the family, catching up with friends, or looking for a quick and tasty lunch after spending the morning enjoying the stunning natural surroundings of the nearby Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. Despite this pub’s traditional appeal, Bob Stewart’s offers a suitably modern menu inspired by classics that caters to all tastes and dietary requirements. From chicken wings to Portavogie prawn linguine, Irish pork to a vegan curry served with braised rice, poppadoms and mango chutney, there is something here for everyone.

Located at the foot of Cave Hill, Ben Madigan’s Bar and Kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious bite to eat after enjoying the mild spring weather during a hike up the iconic Cave Hill, which overlooks Belfast City. With a warm and friendly atmosphere and a varied menu of delicious, award-winning local food and drinks, Ben Madigan’s is a great spot to dine out in Belfast this Easter break. The all-day menu offers a great range of delicious local favourites with a modern twist, including spicy fried cod, beer battered fish and chips, various steak cuts, and more. There’s also an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu that offers tasty dishes, such as salt and chilli tofu, veggie tacos, and spiced cauliflower steak, so everyone is catered for. The kids menu not only features a great range of tasty dishes for your little ones to enjoy, it also comes with a colouring-in sheet, keeping them entertained while they wait for their food to arrive.

Located in Ballyhackamore, Cyprus Avenue is the perfect place to dine when the sun comes out. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a table in the outdoor terrace area, allowing you to make the most of the sunny, springtime weather. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this spot proves popular with locals looking for a delicious bite to eat on the outskirts of the city. The creative menu features a delicious array of dishes to suit all tastes, made from the very best seasonal ingredients sourced from all around the island of Ireland. Whether you fancy a light and refreshing salad, a filling plate of fish and chips or a delicious red lentil dahl, dining here is sure to leave you feeling more than satisfied. Alternatively, you can enjoy the fantastic Sunday set menu, which features tasty mains, such as a roast fillet of Irish beef, a mixed grill of east coast seafood, or a Cyprus Avenue-style nut roast.

Located on Great Victoria Street, across the road from the Grand Opera House, Fratelli Belfast is the perfect location for a pre- or post-theatre meal. Serving gourmet pizzas, risotto, and Italian-inspired mains, this rustic ristorante caters for both kids and adults alike. The ‘little boars’ menu includes three courses and a bambinocino (a kid-friendly coffee – frothy milk with chocolate sprinkles). For course one, your little ones can enjoy either breaded mozzarella or dough balls with garlic butter. For their main dish they can choose from a selection of pasta, Italian mains or build their own pizza, and for pudding, they can enjoy a mini dessert or a tub of ice cream!

First opened in 2020, Stove Bistro has quickly taken the Belfast dining scene by storm. Winning various awards, this upscale eatery has been recognised in the 2022 Michelin Guide. Located on the Ormeau Road in South Belfast, Stove is the place to be if you really want to treat yourself to something special this Easter weekend – go on, you deserve it! A joint venture between former executive chef at Deane’s, Simon Toye, and Ginger Bistro’s Simon McCance, Stove has become one of the most praised restaurants in the city. Offering an affordable and relaxed twist on exquisite food and drinks, we could not recommend this fantastic Belfast restaurant highly enough.

For a unique dining experience this Easter, we recommend checking out the brilliant A Peculiar Tea beside Queen’s University Road. Easter is a time for fun and embracing your inner child, and there is nowhere better to do that than at this creative concept restaurant. First opened in December 2021, A Peculiar Tea offers limited tasting menus comprising six dishes inspired by a central theme. Previous menus have ranged from a Roald Dahl-themed menu to a Cluedo-themed one. Alongside the fun and creative menus, the restaurant is tastefully decorated to fit with the current theme, making this more of an immersive dining experience than your regular sit-down meal. You may have always been told not to play with your food but at A Peculiar Tea, the rule book has been thrown to the side as this is a dining experience all about fun. Judging by the inventive menus the team has come up with so far, we can’t wait to see what Chef Gemma Austin and her team come up with to mark the occasion this Easter.

Located in the city centre, Haymarket is the perfect location to soak up the good weather, have the craic with friends, and enjoy delicious food and cocktails. With a huge beer garden and live music, as well as an indoor seated area, there are plenty of options to choose from. Welcoming a young and trendy crowd, Haymarket specialises in pub grub and street food with offerings such as burgers, nachos, fries, pizza, and more. The place also offers an exciting bottomless brunch menu as well, making this the perfect place to start your Easter weekend as you mean to go on.

Located on Cliftonville Road, in close proximity to Belfast City Centre, The Burger Club is breathing new life into the city’s casual dining scene. From delicious gourmet burgers to craft beers, this friendly restaurant offers a unique experience that’s perfect for hanging out with family or friends this Easter. Choose from no-nonsense beef burgers, chicken burgers or veggie burgers, and order some sides from the table too, which range from loaded fries to mozzarella sticks, chicken wings and onion rings. As well as awesome burgers, this place also offers delicious hot dogs and chicken strips as well. Plus there’s a kids section on the menu, making this a child-friendly joint if you’ve got mini burger fans in the family.