Why we’re fans of Belfast’s Zen

The food

First and foremost, Zen is an exquisite Asian eatery that offers a unique take on Japanese cuisine, artfully playing with tradition. Delivering an extensive range of contemporary Japanese style dishes, Zen is always focused on experimenting with new ingredients and preparation techniques to create a one-of-a-kind experience. 

The perfect space for groups, visitors are encouraged to follow the customary Japanese approach to dining, enjoying a variety of sharing dishes. From the dramatic Teppanyaki, beautiful sushi plates, colourful dim sum or luxurious small plates, there is plenty on offer to try with family friends or even just your other half.

Zen is focused on delivering exotic Japanese cuisine to everyone, something which has gained the venue its highly regarded reputation. Although Japanese at its core, Zen also ensures it caters for those with more reserved or traditional tastes, “offering a plethora of ‘Fusion cuisine’ consisting of Japanese and Asian plates with a Western fusion.” On top of this, the city centre eatery goes above and beyond to offer enticing dishes for vegetarians and vegans with a selection of main dishes, starters and even desserts to keep everyone happy.

Affordable offers, every day of the week

Although dinner is a stand out at Zen with its extensive menu, this central spot is also a popular venue for those searching for a lunch that offers something a bit different. Offering many of the delicious dishes present on the evening menu, guests can enjoy Zen’s classic sushi and sashimi plates, classic curries, sizzling stir fries and other tempting small plates. Even better, during the lunch service, for just £12.50pp you can choose both a starter and main dish with a large number of choices available. 

Luckily the lunch offering isn’t the only offer to take advantage of at Zen with its affordable and incredibly generous High Tea menu. Available 5pm to 6:30pm, Monday to Saturday, guests can enjoy both a starter and a main with a huge number of dishes to choose from, including a number of the restaurant’s classic favourites included. This affordable offering is the perfect way to try out this iconic restaurant whilst keeping in budget at just £20pp.

And it doesn’t stop there. If these times don’t fit into your schedule, Zen also offers an evening set menu which is also an equally affordable option at just £30pp.

One-of-a-kind contemporary setting 

Something now synonymous with Zen and its sister restaurants around the city is the award-winning interiors. Combining traditional Japanese design with spectacular and beautifully furnished modern touches (including a private Tatami room), the interior at Zen creates an atmosphere like no other. The wonderful ultra violet interior designs including illuminated walkways and floral features perfectly juxtapose the classic pieces, which stay true to the focus of the restaurant. 

Zen’s infamous interior is the perfect metaphor for its exciting food offering, putting its own unique modern spin on classic Asian cuisine.

Diverse drink offering 

As well as its tasty Japanese dishes, Zen has become famous for its dazzling menu of cocktails. Utilising fresh fruit, premium liquor and over the top garnishes, this Japanese eatery has created a drinks menu filled with unique and exciting concoctions. Interested in getting involved in the fun? Zen also offers a cocktail masterclass, teaching visitors how to make some of the in-house classics themselves. 

If flamboyant cocktails aren’t to your taste, Zen also has a large menu of spirits, beers, wine varieties, smoothies and other non-alcoholic drinks guaranteeing there is something for everyone.

To sum up

Whether you’re visiting for lunch, dinner, the set menu or even one of the masterclasses, this city centre spot is sure to offer an exceptional experience unlike anything else in Belfast. Each seasonal menu at Zen is carefully created by a talented team who utilise only premium ingredients sourced from carefully selected suppliers. Taking every detail into account to ensure the ultimate customer experience, each dish is delivered by the highly-trained front of house teams who have a strong focus on meticulous and engaging customer service. All of this combined makes Zen a must visit if you’re searching for an exciting dining experience in the heart of Belfast.