Weekend in Belfast - Cocktail Bar & Restaurant Recommendations Please!

[fuzzypeach]

Just panic booked a surprise weekend in Belfast for DH’s birthday in July. We don’t get away much but when we went to Edinburgh we really enjoyed finding snazzy little cocktail bars to have pre-dinner drinks in (The Register Club was a favourite!) and was hoping to find some in Belfast. Googling has led me to The Merchant, however, recent reviews are terrible! Any suggestions welcome!

Also restaurant suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated as well as any must-sees! The Titanic museum and Giant’s Causeway are already on the list.

Thank you in advance!

I've just come back from Belfast.

Best meal I had was at the Square Bistro in Lisburn. It's a simple 20 minute train ride away from Belfast Grand Central station.

Also I can recommend Oh Donuts on Upper Arthur Street, Belfast, loved their caramel and pistachio ring donut.

I was only there for 4 days so didn't get to try much.

Fab thank you! Hope you had a wonderful time :)

Not a restaurant, but the best chippy has to be Ritchie's in East Belfast. Absolutely amazing!!

If you are there over a weekend go to St George’s market. The breakfast Belfast baps are amazing

Bert’s Jazz Bar
McConnell’s Distillery

The Muddlers Club is nice but £££.
Lots to choose from around Cathdral Quarter and plenty of independent bars.
The Garrick does decent pub food and a good example of authentic Belfast bar

For cocktail bars I love Margot (beside city hall) and Rita’s (a couple of streets back from city hall).

Restaurants I would say try the Cloth Ear beside the merchant, Zen in St Anne’s Square and The Northern Whig. 2Taps is also a really nice place for Tapas if that’s your thing. I’d agree with Square Bistro in Lisburn, it’s a firm favourite and not far on the train.

The Cathedral quarter is great for drinks and dancing, great atmosphere at the weekends!

We had a three tremendous Irish Coffees in The Garrick when we were there last year - highly recommended.

Bert’s jazz bar

For dinner, head straight to Howard Street. How this restaurant isn't Michelin star in beyond me.

On a budget, the Ginger Bistro is also nice and very reasonably priced.

Cocktails... The Observatory ah the top of the Grand Central hotel. ££££ drink but the views are incredible. Definitely worth a visit at sunset!

Thanks All - lots of places to get us started!