Spotlight on Waterman in Belfast

Brought to us by renowned chef Niall McKenna, Waterman is the hottest new restaurant to grace Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Think elegant and casual dining, fresh European-style cuisine, and top quality local ingredients – all the elements you need for a delightful meal in the city.

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Niall McKenna

First opening its doors in June, Waterman has already welcomed plenty of hungry diners keen to try the delicious cuisine brought to the table by award-winning chef Niall McKenna. McKenna is a well known name in the Belfast dining scene as head chef and owner of the highly regarded James Street and Co. restaurant group.

Cooking since the age of 16 when he started working part time at the Strand Restaurant in Belfast, before moving onto the Dunadry Inn and later to work alongside Paul Rankin in the late 1980s, McKenna has a wealth of impressive experience under his belt when it comes to making amazing food and offering an unforgettable dining experience.

European cuisine

McKenna’s newest venture is an exciting new 50-seater restaurant at the Grade B listed Waterman House, next to where he already owns and runs the acclaimed Waterman House Cookery School. Set right at the heart of the city’s bustling and vibrant Cathedral Quarter, Waterman Restaurant is in the prime position for those looking for a delightful weekend dining experience.

Focusing on contemporary European cuisine, Waterman is open for both lunch and dinner from Friday to Sunday and evening dining on Thursdays. The menu includes everything from local meats to fresh pasta dishes, with highlights being the House Linguine with Shellfish and Seaweed Butter, and the Kilkeel Crab on Toast.

New culinary venture

Fans of McKenna’s restaurants were heartbroken at the beginning of June when the chef announced the closure of his popular Commercial Court restaurant Hadskis, which he operated in the city since 2013. However, diners can rejoice in the fact that Waterman Restaurant will offer something new and exciting from one of the city’s most creative chefs.

Speaking of the new restaurant, McKenna said: “Waterman House is an iconic building in one of Belfast’s finest architectural locations, and we’re thrilled to announce that Waterman has now opened under the same roof as our Waterman House Cookery School. 

“We hope our plans for an exciting, creative hub in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter can help breathe new life into this vibrant part of the city, and we believe it’s the perfect spot for a new culinary venture.”

Top destination

Passionate about the city he calls home, McKenna hopes to bring something new and exciting to what continues to be a thriving dining scene. 

He said: “Like cities across the world, Belfast has faced many challenges over the last few years, but as we look to the future we’re excited to play our part in cementing its status as a top destination for local, national and international visitors with this exciting new step at Waterman House.”

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