Must-see restaurants in Northern Ireland

  • Red Door Cottage

    County Antrim

    Fronted by a fire engine–red door, this little cottage sits 200m off the main coast road along the side road to Ballintoy Harbour. Everything is homemade:…

  • Café Conor

    Belfast

    Set in the glass-roofed former studio of Belfast artist William Conor, this light-filled, laid-back bistro offers a range of pastas, salads and burgers,…

  • French Village Cafe & Bistro

    Belfast

    Popular for its breakfasts (buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast, and posh Ulster fries, served until 2pm), this busy cafe also does good burgers,…

  • Barking Dog

    Belfast

    Chunky hardwood, bare brick, candlelight and modern design create the atmosphere of a stylishly restored farmhouse. The menu completes the feeling of…

  • Causeway Hotel

    County Antrim

    The restaurant at the Causeway Hotel serves an all-day menu of hearty dishes like chowder with wheaten bread, fish and chips, burgers and pasta. The…

  • Saffron

    Derry (Londonderry)

    Indian restaurants in Ireland tend to be more miss than hit, but Saffron stands out, not only for its fiery curries, rich tikkas and aromatic biryani…

  • Sawers Deli

    Belfast

    This excellent deli sells gut-busting sandwiches, bagels and wraps made with produce from the store's charcuterie and cheese counter, available to eat in…

  • Coppi

    Belfast

    In a buzzy dining room with high ceilings and leather booths, Coppi serves modern Italian dishes like Tuscan goat pappardelle and roast wild hake. The…

  • Maggie May's

    Belfast

    A newer branch of the classic cafe on Botanic Ave, this place has the same menu (Ulster fry-ups, all-day breakfast menu, soups, sandwiches, burgers) but a…

  • Henry's

    Belfast

    Buried in the ancient, narrow passageway of Joy's Entry, Henry's is an unexpectedly contemporary, bare-brick, loft-style space that's great for a cocktail…

  • Ollies

    Derry (Londonderry)

    All the food at this bright cafe/bistro is homemade using local ingredients, from the fluffy pancakes and waffles at breakfast to the creamy Greencastle…

  • Deanes Deli Bistro

    Belfast

    Enjoy top-notch nosh at this relaxed and informal bistro, with gourmet burgers and posh fish and chips on the menu. The attached Deanes Vin Cafe is a cafe…

  • Shu

    Belfast

    Lording it over fashionable Lisburn Rd since 2000, Shu is the granddaddy of Belfast chic, and is still winning plaudits for its French-influenced food:…

  • Ginger Bistro

    Belfast

    Ginger's flame-haired owner/chef (hence the restaurant's name) really knows what he's doing, sourcing top-quality Irish produce and creating exquisite…

  • Bia

    Belfast

    Inside the Irish-language and arts centre Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Bia (meaning 'food') serves home-cooked stews, soups, roasts, steaks, burgers and…

  • Morning Star

    Belfast

    Historic pub Morning Star is famed for screening horse racing, its lunchtime buffet (11.30am to 5pm) and for its in-house butcher producing home-made…

  • Fontana

    Belfast

    Fontana is in the heart of the village-like neighbourhood of Holywood, but hidden upstairs from a covered passageway. Its fabulous modern-Irish cooking…

  • Paper Cup

    Belfast

    With windows looking out on the SS Nomadic, this little coffee shop is a good place to stop for lunch (sandwiches, quiche, baked potatoes, soup and stew),…

  • Nix

    County Antrim

    Local favourite Nix is an unpretentious spot with friendly service and a comfort-food menu of homemade savoury scones, sandwiches and salads through to…

  • Mulberry Bistro

    Counties Down & Armagh

    This welcoming cafe with mulberry-coloured walls serves good breakfasts, coffee and cakes, and a lunchtime and evening menu of sandwiches, burgers,…

  • Avoca Cafe

    Belfast

    On the 1st floor of the upmarket Avoca department store, this airy cafe serves dishes such as salt-and-pepper calamari, warm confit duck and house…

  • Synge & Byrne

    Counties Down & Armagh

    In the courtyard at the main entrance to Slieve Gullion Forest Park, this cafe – part of a local chain – serves soups, sandwiches, quiches and cakes.

  • Nook

    County Antrim

    At the turn-off to the Giant's Causeway, this 18th-century former schoolhouse is now a cosy pub serving open sandwiches, soup, chowder, Irish stew, scampi…

  • Cutters Wharf

    Belfast

    One of the few bar-restaurants in Belfast with a waterside setting, Cutters Wharf has a sprawling terrace overlooking the River Lagan where you can enjoy…

  • Archana

    Belfast

    Classy yet unpretentious, with dining rooms on two levels, Archana has a good range of vegetarian dishes, including many incorporating panir (fresh cheese…

  • Roark's Kitchen

    County Antrim

    On the quayside at Ballintoy Harbour, this cute little chalk-built tearoom serves teas, coffees, ice cream, home-baked apple, cherry and rhubarb tart, and…

  • Tap Room

    County Antrim

    The restaurant at the Hilden Brewery is worth a stop to sample dishes such as seafood chowder with Hilden Stout wheaten bread, steak and ale pie and…

  • Cafe Fish

    Belfast

    This no-frills, sit-down cafe deep-fries crispy battered haddock along with mushy peas and chunky chips. If you're in a hurry, there's a takeaway branch…

  • Crum Café

    Belfast

    At the Crumlin Road Gaol, the Crum Cafe serves coffee, tea, wine and beer as well as scones, tray bakes, sandwiches and soup.

  • Water Shed Cafe

    County Antrim

    In a little cottage by the harbour, the Water Shed Cafe serves soups, sandwiches, cakes and coffee.

  • Weighbridge Tearoom

    County Antrim

    The cafe at Carrick-a-Rede sells cake, scones, sandwiches and other light bites.

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