Belfast restaurant and car hire

[Quitelikeacatslife]

Hi coming to Belfast next week , staying the night in Belfast then hiring a car to go costal route and couple of nights in port rush. When we come back we are collecting my son and would like to go for a lovely birthday meal with 2 teens , staying at jury's inn so anywhere not too far from there? Any recommendations?
And has anyone personally used decent car hire from and to Belfast?
Thinking whilst there haven't got long but might do open top bus and Titanic museum ? Do you have to book that? Or is there better place to visit/hang out for couple of hours?

Coppi, Flame steakhouse and The Muddler’s Club would be my recommendations for a good meal.
The Titanic museum is superb but not sure what the booking policy is post-covid!

Thanks will check them out

www.barkingdogbelfast.com/#home - this was our favourite when we were there last summer.

We also did the Troubles Taxi Tour which was fascinating.

Thank you I'll take a look

The open top bus tour is excellent and I say that as somebody who normally sneers at such things!

Titanic museum an absolute must.

Can’t add to the Belfast restaurant recommendations as don’t eat there often and it’s usually the same 1/2 places which may not be best for teens (though I would second Coppi).

However for the North Coast I’d suggest Urban, any of the Ramore (good but not great food, buzzing atmosphere) Ocho Tapas at the York. You may manage to get into Harry’s Shack in Portstewart. O’Connors or The Central in Ballycastle, The Newbridge in Coleraine, the Jet Centre in Coleraine for wet weather activities.

Your biggest issue will be car hire - prices are currently extortionate everywhere. I heard of a garage in Newry which has started delivering ex display/second hand cars down to Dublin airport as otherwise people were being quoted €1000 a week!

I was in Belfast yesterday - my first time going for 'pleasure' strangely (I live in Dublin), all other times have been for work.

Regarding Titanic, I'd definitely recommend it - but go early. We needed to be at a match in the afternoon so we went at 930. Parts were still crowded & you'd to wait to get to see displays, use interactive elements. I definitely wouldn't have liked it to be later in the day when busier.

You need to book online (you can do that at the venue using a QR code at the entrance, but obviously better to do ahead of arriving).

Also time - we were there 3 hours, and still would have liked a bit longer. There's a lot to read & take in, if you want to do it properly.

Finally do get the audio guides, £4 each, but helpful in the earlier displays to get all the info & be directed to key exhibits.

Thanks, that's brill I'd Just booked urban already so chuffed you think it's good.

I hope to get time for the titanic but will need to go when we can tomorrow, so depends on transfers etc

Got car hire reserved now as well, decided to get it from city aiport and just travel to there to get it. Much more choice so hopefully ok.

Thanks might try that to get our bearings

If you want cool funky retro bars which are also welcoming and down to earth (we took our teens) these were our favourites:

The Sunflower
The Ulster Sportsman
The Jeggy Nettle

Thanks , sounds fun

Thank you everyone for your advice , had brilliant trip, barking dog was really excellent and in good place for us going to the theatre. Went with enterprise car hire and they were fine. (Expensive but they all were) did open top bus tour as we were shattered and great way to get your bearings and unlike most citys, a lot of the history is out in the suburbs, so that was interesting way to see it.
Amazing drive up causeway costal route and portrush was a lively spot for couple of days, ate at urban and 55degrees north. Causeway rambler bus was fun save us worrying about parking at hotspots and gave husband chance to look at scenery. Last night in Belfast wanted to go to coppi but couldn't get in so went to fratellis as easy option and it was not amazing but fine.
Lovely city, great people. I'm sure we'll be back.

Delighted that you all had a great time - all your research has paid off. Thanks for coming back to update - always appreciated