Best places for the school summer holidays in Belfast

Summer is approaching and the kids are looking forward to a full two month break from school. Knowing how to keep them occupied for the full eight weeks can be a tough challenge. Still, there’s nothing more enjoyable for all ages than a family meal out. Thankfully, Belfast is home to a whole host of fantastic family-friendly restaurants that cater to both kids and adults alike, offering fun activities for the kids to enjoy and delicious child-friendly menus for even the fussiest of eaters. So, here are Dish Cult’s top picks for places to dine out in Belfast during the school summer holidays.

Fratelli Ristorante is a charming Italian-style restaurant, set in the heart of Belfast City Centre. Owned and operated by the prestigious Galgorm group, you can expect the highest quality food and drinks and an unmatchable atmosphere. Offering gourmet pizzas, pastas, and more for the adults, Fratelli boasts an incredible ‘little boars’ menu that your little ones are certain to love. The three course kids’ menu includes one little snack, one little pasta, main, or pizza, and one little dessert all for £10.95.

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Little Wing Pizzeria
cuisinesPizza

If your family is a fan of authentic Italian pizza, then we highly recommend a visit to Little Wing Pizzeria. With various locations around the city, including one on Ann Street in the city centre and one on the Lisburn Road, Little Wing is a firm favourite among families throughout Belfast. If your family works on the ethos of ‘sharing is caring’ and you all have similar tastes in pizza, you can order a huge 24” pizza that is perfect for a family of four. If not, you can all order individual pizzas and ‘Little Wingers’ can choose a starter, main, and dessert from the fantastic kids’ menu, all for just £5.95.

One of the best casual dining restaurants in Belfast, Home Restaurant specialises in high-quality, sustainable food prepared using fresh, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. With creative and flavourful dishes to suit all tastes, this is a great spot for a family meal out or a start of summer celebration. Kids dishes are priced at £5.50 and offerings include Breaded Chicken and Fries, and Sausages with Mash, Veg, and Gravy. Home even serves a Baby Bowl, which costs £2.50 and includes mash, veg, and gravy.

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Ryan’s Bar & Restaurant is a casual dining eatery, located in south Belfast. Offering a delicious menu of food and drinks and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, this is a great shout for family meals this summer. If you’re dining out on a budget, this is the spot for you as adults can enjoy two courses for £12, while kids eat free on Saturdays and Sundays. If dining during the week, your little ones can choose a delicious starter and main or main and dessert that will only cost £6.

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Perhaps one of the most well-established family-friendly restaurants in the city, Villa Italia is a staple choice for celebrating special occasions. Having operated in the city since 1988, this friendly family-run restaurant crosses the generations. Perfectly located across from Queen’s University in south Belfast, this fantastic restaurant oozes a charming Italian feel and friendly vibes. The extensive menu has something for everyone, from comfort food favourites to tasty Italian dishes. The interior is tastefully decorated to look like an Italian town with terracotta tiles, vines and murals. So you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported to the streets of Rome! Kids’ meals are available for those aged 12 and under and, for just £6.95, your little ones can enjoy a delicious main, choice of ice cream, and a soft drink.

Ben Madigan's Bar & Kitchen
cuisinesBistro, Bar, Child Friendly
Sausage and mash with pint of Guinness

Set in north Belfast, Ben Madigan’s Bar & Kitchen first opened in 2019. Since then, this fantastic eatery has firmly established its place as one of the city’s most-loved restaurants. With regular family fun-days and events, we advise keeping an eye on Ben Madigan’s social media pages to see what’s coming up. The delicious main menu offers something for everyone, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available. Meanwhile, the kids’ menu comes on a special colouring sheet and features dishes such as Bolognese, Beef Burger and Chips, and Ben’s Fried Chicken, all priced at just £5.95. Then, for an extra £2, you can add a scoop of your favourite ice cream for good measure!

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If you’re looking for the perfect way to treat the family this summer, then we can think of nothing better than delicious stonebaked pizzas and indulgent pasta dishes from Nico’s Pizzeria on the Lisburn Road. With a spacious outdoor terrace, incredible Italian cuisine, and friendly Irish hospitality, this is the perfect place to relax on a warm summer evening. This place also offers a great range of wines and cocktails for the bigger kids to enjoy. With vegan and gluten-free friendly options, this spot makes Italian dining accessible to everyone, offering an extensive range of pizzas and pasta dishes to suit all tastes. For the little ones, there’s a wide variety of dishes, such as a Kids’ 7” Margherita, Kids’ Bolognese, and even Kids’ Nutella Dough Balls.

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Cyprus Avenue
cuisinesBistro, Brunch, Child Friendly

With a spacious outdoor terrace and an extensive menu of creative dishes made using the finest locally sourced produce, Cyprus Avenue is a great place to treat the family to a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner this summer. Open seven days a week, Cyprus Avenue is a friendly neighbourhood brasserie located in East Belfast that sees diners travel from all over the city time and time again to enjoy the fantastic dishes on offer. Al fresco dining is truly at its finest here, as you’ll feel you’ve been transported to a hot European country as you dine out under the twinkling lights on the fully heated and covered terrace. With a fantastic a la carte menu that features plenty of options for both big and wee kids, as well as a great array of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options to suit all dietary requirements, everyone is sure to leave feeling more than satisfied after a meal at Cyprus Avenue.

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A 400 year old pub located just south of the city, Robert Stewart’s Spirit Grocer is one of the best-loved bars and restaurants that Belfast has to offer. Come the summer months, diners can enjoy the fantastic beer garden and covered canopy space, where you can soak up the sun, indulge in delicious pub grub, and sip on a few ice cold beers or cocktails. With a delightful menu of traditional favourites with a modern and creative twist, this is the perfect spot when you just want some good, high-quality comfort food. For the kids, there’s a humorous menu that features everything from ‘I Don’t Care’ (meatballs and pasta), ‘I’m Not Hungry’ (homemade chicken goujons, chips, and beans), and even ‘I Want To Go To McDonalds’ (beef burger and fries). For dessert, you’re sure to put a smile on their face as a kids’ portion of ice cream is included after all meals.

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Top Blade
cuisinesSteak, Vegetarian Friendly, Child Friendly
Steak with sides and cider

This is one for all the meat lovers out there. Located in St Anne’s Square, Top Blade is the place for you if you want to enjoy some delicious steak cooked just as you like it, served with an array of sides and sauces of your choice. First opened in 2016, Top Blade has gone from strength to strength becoming the home of the most extensive selection of steaks in Northern Ireland. Aside from steaks, there’s also a great range of weekly specials and delicious sides such as hot buttery champ, crispy sweet potato fries, and fresh market greens. Vegans and vegetarians need not despair for you haven’t been forgotten. If you follow a meat-free diet, you can enjoy one of the many options, such as the halloumi and seitan steaks and burgers. For the little ones, Top Blade offers a special menu featuring kid favourites like a mini burger, chicken nuggets, and even a mini Top Blade steak!

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