Where to eat in Belfast over the May Bank Holiday

Whether you’re hoping to enjoy a bank holiday brunch or a refined evening meal, Broker in East Belfast is the perfect place to visit. A relatively recent addition to the city’s ever-expanding dining scene, this spot has already made quite a name for itself. Offering a creative and contemporary twist on traditional Irish dishes, you’ll be amazed at the flavours on offer here.

From 10am until 3pm, you can expect a delightful menu featuring everything from porridge and avocado toast to a brisket benny and sesame maple fried chicken. Visiting later? The refined ‘Late Menu’ is served from 5pm and features everything from corn fed chicken breast with confit celeriac, oyster mushrooms and dill cream, to root vegetable arancini. Dining here will certainly make your May Bank Holiday one to remember.

For epic tacos and even better margaritas, there’s only one place to go and that’s La Taqueria on Ormeau Road. Boasting authentic Mexican flavours, friendly service, and options to suit all dietary requirements, this is the perfect place to check out this May Bank Holiday. Whether you’re catching up with friends or enjoying a date night with your significant other, you can’t go wrong with booking a table at this popular spot.

However, we recommend booking early as La Taqueria is much loved among Belfast locals, so you may struggle to get a table if you leave it too late. With a flavourful menu of Mexican-inspired dishes from guacamole to refried bean tacos, beef birria to fish tacos, and so much more, your taste buds won’t know what’s hit them. Plus, La Taqueria is centrally located at the upper end of the Ormeau Road, making it the perfect place to enjoy a bite to eat before heading out to one of the nearby watering holes.

When it comes to the perfect relaxed dining experience in the city, nowhere is better than Home Restaurant on Wellington Place. This laidback eatery boasts a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition for its high quality food at reasonable prices, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a relaxed lunch or chilled out dinner this bank holiday weekend. With a focus on fresh, seasonal produce and catering for all tastes and dietary requirements, this is a great place to dine with the whole family. It offers a varied menu of traditional Irish favourites with a modern twist. So, whether you’d prefer a fully loaded beef burger with a side of fries, a superfood salad packed full of goodness, or some pumpkin ravioli with sage, walnuts, and a spinach and brown butter sauce, you’re sure to find something that satisfies your tastes here.

If you’re enjoying some time off with the wee ones this May Bank Holiday, then treating them to a meal out at Ben Madigan’s Bar and Kitchen is a great way to make the most of family time. Set in the shadow of Cave Hill, this is the perfect place to dine after an afternoon hike or a day out at the zoo. With a friendly neighbourhood feel, you will feel welcome as soon as you walk through the door… and that’s before you even make it to the award-winning local food and drinks! The all day menu features a fantastic range of dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, from traditional offerings such as beer battered fish and chips to creative dishes like salt and chilli fried tofu tacos. So, no matter what you fancy, you’re sure to find something to satisfy here.

Can you think of a better way to make the most of a few days off work than catching up with friends over a delicious woodfired pizza? We certainly can’t. If this sounds like your cup of tea, then make your way to the ever-popular Belfast Woodfired Pizza located on the Lisburn Road. This bustling restaurant doesn’t just serve any old pizza. Rather, the freshly baked dough and delicious and creative toppings ensure these pizzas stand out from the crowd. Known for its authentic and artisan woodfired pizza, this spot has been a favourite among Belfast locals for years. From a classic Margherita topped with San Marzano sauce, for di latte mozzarella and rocket to a more unconventional Portavogie Prawn pizza with artisan chorizo, charred red peppers, rocket, parmesan, lemon zest, and chilli and coriander gremolata, pizza lovers will be spoilt for choice here.

A fun and unique concept restaurant located in Belfast’s leafy University Quarter, A Peculiar Tea is the perfect place to enjoy a memorable dining experience this May Bank Holiday. Offering ever-changing tasting menus centred around a single, limited creative theme, taking inspiration from all areas of life and the arts, including movies, music, and theatre, you can expect nothing short of a fully immersive treat for the senses.

Not only does the menu and food centre around a single theme, but the entire restaurant is decorated to match, so you can lose yourself entirely in a different world for a few hours. What’s more, the entire menu isn’t revealed until you arrive at the restaurant, only the central theme and main ingredients. So, you can enjoy a delightful surprise when each creative plate is placed in front of you. Whether you’re catching up with friends, enjoying a date with your significant other, or treating the family to a Bank Holiday meal, A Peculiar Tea is perfect for all occasions. 

Set in the heart of East Belfast in the city’s thriving suburb of Ballyhackamore, Cyprus Avenue is the perfect place to dine no matter the time of day. On a sunny morning or afternoon (fingers crossed May gives us the weather we hope for), this is the perfect place to drink and dine while watching the passersby. Soak up the sun on their outdoor terrace enjoying a la carte dining and a slow morning or afternoon with pals. Or, if you fancy something a little more formal, head inside to their spacious and welcoming dining area, which offers modern and minimal decor that allows for a relaxed yet elegant dining experience.

All ingredients are fresh and locally-sourced, ensuring each dish is of the highest quality offering fresh and fragrant flavours in every bite. With options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, from grass-fed beef sourced from trusted local farmers to freshly caught seafood sourced from fisheries across the island, you are guaranteed the finest, freshest flavours here. If meat isn’t your thing, they also serve a delightful range of tasty vegan and veggie dishes all day long, so you won’t have to worry about missing out.

Another superb family friendly Italian dining spot located close to the city centre, Nico’s is situated on the Belfast-end of the Lisburn Road and is renowned among locals from all across the city as one of the best places for delicious, authentic flavours of the Mediterranean. The executive chef originates from the southern Italian region of Calabria, bringing with him the delicious flavours of this stunning region, including various bruschetta served either traditional or with a creative twist featuring additions such as goats’ cheese or roasted Mediterranean vegetables.

They also serve an extensive menu of delicious pizzas to suit all tastes, from a classic Margherita to a flavourful Spinaci with spinach, bacon, sun-blushed tomatoes, garlic, chilli flakes, and parmesan shavings to a spicy Etna with salami, pepperoni, red onion, and jalapeno. If pasta is on your mind, you’ll also have plenty of choice with delicious offerings like a classic spicy tomato Penne Arrabiata and an indulgent and creamy Tagliatelle Carbonara.

For a casual brunch, lunch, or evening meal in the heart of Ballyhackamore, we highly recommend dining at Neill’s Hill. A friendly and informal neighbourhood brasserie that serves up a delightful array of traditional Irish and creative global cuisine, you can enjoy a delicious range of fresh and well-thought-through flavours here. Nestled at the heart and soul of this vibrant Belfast suburb for over 25 years, Neill’s Hill is well and truly a part of the fabric of East Belfast welcoming diners from all across the city from all generations looking for a delicious local meal and friendly Irish hospitality.

The kitchen, led by executive chef Cath Gradwell, serves up a fantastic range of small plates, local cuts, fresh fish, and plenty of delicious vegan options. For brunch, you can expect expertly created egg dishes in various forms to sweet plates like waffles topped with fresh fruit. In the evening, their menu takes on a creative twist with everything from flat-iron steaks to jerk chicken, a fresh filet of roast salmon to a vegan-friendly creamy lentil dahl. 

A fantastic Michelin Star restaurant hidden down a side street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, The Muddler’s Club is one of the best places to dine this May Bank Holiday. With trendy industrial-style interiors, low-lighting, and an open kitchen, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the original Muddler’s Club, a historic secret society that used to call the premises home and from which the restaurant takes its name. With the talented Chef Gareth McCaughey at the helm, the dishes here are nothing short of exquisite, curated using the very best local ingredients sourced from trusted local suppliers.

Their menus change with the seasons depending on the seasonality and availability of ingredients, so you can always expect something new and delicious every time you visit. They always offer a main tasting menu and a vegetarian alternative, so those who don’t eat meat don’t have to worry about missing out. A real treat, where authentic flavours, traditional recipes, and creative cooking collide, this is the perfect place to dine this May Bank Holiday.