Where to go for fine dining in Belfast

Popular across the UK with several locations in England and Scotland, Six by Nico offers ever changing culinary concepts, playing with taste, presentation and visitor perceptions. With a changing theme every six weeks, Six by Nico curates a unique six-course tasting menu both regular and veggie, that incorporates interesting flavours and unusual techniques to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. With a variety of themes from “Paris” and “Thai Fusion” to “Guilty Pleasures” and “The Chippe”, the restaurant’s chefs aim to deliver a story with each dish that will amaze diners creating an experience unlike any other. Six by Nico, although offering a fine dining experience, doesn’t come at a high cost either making fine dining affordable for many.

When it comes to unique seasonal flavours and premium wines, you can’t get much more appropriate than OX. Overlooking the Lagan River on Oxford street, this Michelin star restaurant has been serving impeccable dishes since 2013 with a six-course tasting menu of “top quality meat and sustainably sourced fish, while also giving careful attention to seasonal vegetables and fruit”. Their menu, made up of carefully curated local produce, is made all the better when perusing through their artfully compiled wine and beer menu featuring a variety of local microbreweries and interesting winemakers. With the option of both a lunch menu or the six course evening tasting menu, visitors can experience an exceptional dining experience at an affordable price, all while seated behind the beautiful river backdrop.

Tucked away in the city’s bustling Cathedral quarter, named after the secret society that donned the location 200 years prior, The Muddlers Club has been delivering exquisite tasting courses since 2015. Not confined to one specific cuisine, The Muddlers club focuses on creating a menu of multiple dishes that are unique yet compliment each other expertly, each packing punchy flavours and presented beautifully. The team at The Muddlers Club are focused on delivering the ultimate dining experience, both through its expertly crafted simple dishes and through its open kitchen, which adds drama and allows diners to watch the fresh, local produce transform before their eyes. Tuesday through Saturday, vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters alike can enjoy the six course tasting menu on offer at The Muddlers Club, relaxing in the casual, post industrial city centre restaurant, whether for lunch or dinner.

James St. is the amalgamation of the former James Street South and the bar and grill at James Street, coming together to deliver a one-of-a-kind bar and grill menu that offers familiar favourites, but with touches of refinement and fine dining. The team at James St. are focused on delivering classic dishes, but using the freshest local ingredients, from its classic cuts of beef from C.o Tyrone to its Dundrum Crab and Chilli Linguine. Whether visiting this city centre spot for lunch, dinner, or a warming Sunday roast, visitors can expect exquisitely prepared and presented dishes accompanied by a carefully curated wine menu. However, if wine isn’t your thing, the team at James St. offer an extensive spirit and whisky list alongside their wide selection of local beers, ciders and gins, making this the ideal spot for fine dining, whilst experiencing the unique flavours of Ireland.

In its long established Victorian terrace home on the Lisburn Road, Shu has been pleasing the masses and outlasting a lot of competition since the new millenium. What to try here? The lunch menu is very popular. It’s fantastic value for money, and with the restaurant being in such a fantastic location and the food of such high quality, there’s a case for this arguably being the best lunch in Belfast! You can dine in style in the middle of the day with the like of harissa glazed aubergine, braised beef with miso turnips, and elderflower and lemon posset.

When you combine the sheer skill of Deanes chefs with the superb quality of the well renowned Hannan Meats and the accuracy of the Asador Grill, you get a product that simply excels – and that’s at the heart of Deanes Meat Locker. In warm and glamorous surroundings, sample the succulent steaks or choose from the range of other delightful dishes, including poultry and fish. This is one of – if not the best place for steak in the whole of Belfast.

Located in the city centre around the corner from cultural landmarks such as the Grand Opera House and Europa Hotel, Ginger Bistro is where Michelin dining meets a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. With a menu of “modern Anglo-European fare”, Ginger Bistro is now regarded as one of Belfast’s finest, multi award-winning restaurants. Since first opening in 2000, Ginger Bistro has built a strong handpicked supply chain, enabling it to ensure it’s using the highest quality ingredients from wonderful local suppliers. Although Michelin standard, this central eatery is incredibly reasonably priced. Some stand out menu items include the Slow Cooked Featherblade, Pork Belly with stir fry bak choi, Asian Infused Duck Croquette or Celeriac, Parmesan and Truffle Oil Risotto, to name a few. This Belfast bistro has built a strong and loyal customer base over the years, which along with its many accolades, has enabled Ginger Bistro to go from strength to strength.

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. 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.