Dublin or Belfast for a cheeky mini break?

[ScottyTeapot]

DH and I have a couple of days without kids at the end of Oct, and we're planning to get away for a few nights to one of the destinations above, having never been to Ireland before. I've had some Dublin recommendations, but my DH now quite fancies Belfast as well. Given the choice, where would you go and why, please?

Ah stay at the merchant so. Great hotel and fabulous cocktail bars. Very central and handy to lots of good bars and eateries. Decent spa.

Eat at Ox - Michelin star but do a great fixed price lunch menu. Also good restaurant wise in town - Howard Street, Yugo, Mourne Seafood Bar, The Muddlers Club.

Sight seeing - go to St George’s Market for a stroll and food of a Saturday or Sunday. Crumlin Road Gaol. The hop on bus tours are good. If you want a more in depth tour do a black taxi tour up the falls and down the shankill. The Mac quite often have good exhibitions on.

The Merchant can't be beaten for luxury in Belfast. If too pricey try the fitzwilliam instead.

Lots of fab restaurants and bars (do a bit of a crawl around the cathedral quarter). Other things to do - titanic museum, St. George's market, Ulster folk and transport museum (little bit outside Belfast), crumlin road gaol, hop on/off bus tour. Lots of lovely parks if weather's decent, if theatre's your thing check out the historic grand opera house, or the Mac or lyric. Enjoy!

Ah @delphguelph don't worry! Dublin posters will look after you! Where are you staying and how long are you here for?

Another biased vote for Belfast, it is a lot easier to get around than Dublin (although I haven't been in since Primark fire and my DD said its a bit of a walk round, but no where near the amount you would have to do in Dublin). I think they are planning a lot of extra events between now and Christmas because of the fire, so there will be plenty to see and do.
As others have said food and drink a lot cheaper than Dublin, loads of brilliant bars for cocktails, definitely loads of excellent foodie choices.
The people are friendlier ;)

Breakfast in the merchant is fabulous. We stayed a couple of years ago - rooms were amazing.

@GummiberryJuice - Quick Derail!

The council have tried to take a bit of the Blitz-Aftermath Vibe away from
around Primark by putting up screens with jazzy graphics on them and infographs about the history of the building etc. They’ve also mapped out in big yellow circles on the pavements the detour from castlecourt to Victoria Square to avoid the cordon round the Bank Buildings- it seems they’ve made a decent effort to try and make it look slightly less depressing.

Dinner at Ox is a must if you like food. Coppi in St Anne's Square or Made in Belfast for lunch.

I like both but I think Dublin is really great for your first visit to Ireland. Merchant in Belfast is lovely. Hop on hop off tours in both cities are great. Grannie Annie's in Belfast is a nice place to eat and Avoca is a great coffee shop in Belfast

Merchant is gorgeous- personally prefer the art deco style rooms over the Victorian style ones.

Cocktail at the newly opened Observatory bar at Grand Central - just the one, we're talking London prices!

I was there for work so saw a lot of hotels and not many sights unfortunately.

The new Titanic hotel is beautiful too, but a bit far out from everything else I felt.

@peachypetite, oh yes Kerry is amazing.

Another vote for Belfast here, and Benedicts Hotel is amazing!

Just adding in a forgotten food recommendation - Edo.

Also Bullitt hotel (v. near the Merchant) is good for food (and has a great bar) or is a decent budget option if you decided to go that way on accommodation (the food and drink isn’t budget though).

For drinks don’t miss the Spaniard, Muriel’s, 39 Gordon Street.

If you’re venturing up Queen’s Quarter then House Belfast would be a better bet than Benedicts hotel wise I reckon - newer, fresher, better vibe, food and drink. Don’t expect too much peace and quiet though.

The Merchant is expensice but super super luxurious. It's right in the centre of Belfast, has a spa & rooftop hot tub. Or the bew Grand Central Hotel, just opened up a few weels ago.
So many restaurants. My favourite 2 are Flame and Stix & Stones. The Perch is a lovely bar round the corner from these 2 restaurants. It does lovely cocktails and has a roof terrace which has wee blankets in the cooler evenings. There are loads of other lovely places all within a couple of minutes walk.
Titanic museum is interesting in my opinion, but each to their own.

Belfast but there's nothing "cheeky" about it.

Loved Belfast, great place.

Oh yes I was going to mention The Perch for cocktails, the Spaniard also do half price cocktails (from 3-5, I think), I love the Spaniard although it can get very busy.
2 taps across from the merchant is nice for tapas.