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Getting a taste of the local flavor is a must when traveling to Belfast, UK! During our trip, we were intent on eating food in Belfast that is both traditional and loved by it’s citizens. We savored regional specialties and devoured some of the city’s most famous eats. To help fellow travelers indulge in the cuisine, we are sharing our list of the Best Belfast Food!
Not only are we detailing what to eat in Belfast, but also where to eat it. For each of the must-try dishes, we also divulge the best Belfast restaurant where you can eat it.
Of course, we managed to find our way into several of the best pubs in Belfast, too. Hoisting a pint of beer or sipping a dram of whiskey is one of the Top Things To Do in Belfast, so we share our our top picks for fun Belfast bars, too!
Best Belfast Food
Our list features the 8 Best Belfast Foods to try while visiting the city. Need more trip planning inspiration? Use our Belfast Itinerary for a complete day-by-day trip plan.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Belfast Foodie Guide to plan your trip to Northern Ireland!
#1 Northern Ireland Boxty
A Northern Ireland specialty, Boxty is a classic meal to eat in Belfast! The basis of the dish is the almighty potato – in the form of a potato pancake.
The potato cake is made from leftover mashed potatoes and grated potato, giving it a sturdy texture. To make it a meal, once the pancake is cooked, it is topped with a savory combination of meats and vegetables, like steak and onions or chicken and mushrooms. The hearty and delicious dish hits the spot – especially on cool and rainy days in Belfast.
Where To Eat Boxty in Belfast: McHughs
McHughs ranks as one of the top restaurants in Belfast. Housed in the city’s oldest surviving building, McHughs exudes a sense of tradition in a casual and comfortable atmosphere. The menu at McHughs features classic Northern Irish Food – and Boxty is the star.
Top Foodie Tip: The Fish and Chips at McHughs is also highly rated. If traveling with a friend, we recommend ordering a Boxty and the Fish and Chips and sharing both!
#2 Irish Stew
Savory Irish Stew served with soda bread is one of the iconic things to eat in Belfast. The hearty stew is made with tender lamb and root vegetables, like carrots, onions and potatoes, in a thick broth.
Where to Eat Irish Stew: The Crown Liquor Saloon
A classic and classy bar with snugs and early 1800s décor, The Crown Liquor Saloon is one of the best places to eat in Belfast. In fact, the eatery was rated the Best Pub in Belfast by the late Anthony Bourdain.
Part of the Nicholson’s Pubs enterprise (which has unique locations across the UK), The Crown Liquor Saloon features a large menu of regional specialties – like their Steak and Guinness Pie. The scrumptious Crown Bar Irish Stew, however, stands out above the rest.
Top Tip: Robinson’s Bar sits right next door to The Crown Liquor Saloon; it features similar old-world decor along with Titanic memorabilia.
#3 Seafood
With Belfast’s location right on the sea, it’s not surprising that seafood is a major part of the local gastronomy. Oysters are a local specialty, but many dishes feature seafood – like a traditional creamy Seafood Chowder made with cod, smoked haddock, prawns and mussels.
Where To Eat Seafood in Belfast: Whites Tavern
Our favorite taste of Belfast seafood was in the form of seafood chowder at Whites Tavern – and we absolutely loved it! It was creamy and decadent with large pieces of potatoes and seafood.
As a bonus, we also thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance at Whites. The cozy and dimly lit restaurant features exposed brick and wooden beams – and it claims to be the Oldest Pub in Belfast.
Food Tip: Seafood aficionados searching for Belfast restaurants that specialize in seafood should check out Mourne Seafood Bar or Fish City.
#4 Belfast Bap
We find it difficult to pass up a good breakfast sandwich – and the Belfast Bap that we ate during our trip is the best we’ve ever had! The breakfast bap – an oversized roll piled high with sausage, bacon and egg and drenched in brown sauce – is the perfect way to start a day of Belfast sightseeing!
Where To Eat a Bap: Belfast Bap Co at St. George’s Market
St. George’s Market is the best weekend market in Belfast. More than 200 vendors set up shop in the old trading hall, selling everything from antiques to souvenirs to fresh produce…and breakfast baps.
Wind your way through the market to find Belfast Bap Co, where they make these massive breakfast sandwiches (seriously, we shared one and were still stuffed!). It’s a small operation, so put in your order and then do a little shopping until it’s ready.
Top Food Tip: If you’re traveling to Belfast during the week, when the St George Market is closed, don’t worry – you can still get a breakfast bap in Belfast. The quirky and fun Harlem Cafe is a top pick!
#5 Ulster Fry Breakfast in Belfast
The Ulster Fry is a Belfast breakfast dish that we did not try – but looks amazing! Similar to a Full English Breakfast, the Ulster Fry features fried eggs, sausage, bacon, black pudding and both soda bread and potato bread (and sometimes a few veggies, like tomato and mushrooms).
Where To Eat Breakfast: Maggie May’s
Maggie May’s was recommended to us as the best place to order a Full Ulster Fry. The diner serves breakfast all day – and has 3 locations in Belfast.
Foodie Tip: Travelers looking for meat-less meals might wonder what to eat in Belfast, UK. Well, here’s some good news: Maggie May’s makes Veggie and Vegan Frys, as well as several other dedicated meat-less eats.
#6 Afternoon Tea Belfast
While not specifically from Belfast, Afternoon Tea is a tradition that is upheld through out the UK. The afternoon meal consists of finger sandwiches, scones and tea – and can be accompanied by a bubbly finish.
Where to have Afternoon Tea in Belfast: The Merchant Hotel
There is no finer place for an extravagant Afternoon Tea than at The Merchant Hotel. Served in the opulent, Victorian-style Great Room Restaurant, The Merchant Hotel Afternoon Tea features divine, handcrafted cakes and sandwiches alongside a selection of tea.
Budget Food Tip: For Afternoon Tea that is a little less spendy – but no less delicious – go to Parisien, a boutique brasserie offering terrace seating overlooking City Hall.
#7 Deli Sandwiches
Here’s a little known fact: The humble sandwich was created in the United Kingdom in 1762 by John Montague, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. There isn’t just one particular sandwich – or sarnie, as they are called in the UK – that we recommend trying; go for the one that best tickles your tastebuds!
Where To Eat Sarnies in Belfast: Sawers Deli
Far and away, the best deli in Belfast is the long-standing Sawers Deli. The shop itself is a foodie’s dream, with unique and hard-to-find products – but the gigantic deli sandwiches are simply out of this world! They even have a fun selection of Belfast-themed sarnies.
Top Travel Tip: Deli sarnies are great for take-away. The green gardens surrounding City Hall are ideal for a picnic lunch, as are the Belfast Botanic Gardens.
#8 Street Food in Belfast
Belfast is not particularly known for street food. However, as food trucks have gained popularity around the world, trendy trucks popped up in Belfast, too. Most vendors operate in market halls – and the food tends to feature international flavors.
Find the Best Food Trucks in Belfast: The Common Market
The best place to go in Belfast for food truck fare is The Common Market. Several vendors are housed under one roof – along with a bar – in a spacious warehouse. The cool space also has live music at night and on weekends. We ordered from the Al Pastor Mexican Street Food cart – and were impressed by the authentic taste!
Top Travel Tip: A fun way to sample the unique food offerings is to try a few different things from multiple eateries!
Best Belfast Pubs and Bars
After long days of sightseeing, one of the fun activities in Belfast is to rest your feet and relax in a local tavern. The good news is that the pubs and bars in Belfast are phenomenal! We are absolutely smitten by the traditional-style pubs – especially ones that full of craic and live music.
Some of the best places to drink in Belfast are pubs that also serve food – and we mentioned a few of the prime spots in our Best Restaurants Belfast list above (like Crown Liquor Saloon, Whites Tavern and McHughs). However, there are so, so so many more excellent Belfast bars that we feel compelled to share a few more.
Duke of York
Without a doubt, one of the best Belfast pubs, Duke of York is a must-see. Located on the absolutely charming Commercial Court, Duke of York is known for their famously decorated interior, showcasing heaps of Guinness memorabilia. Here ordering a Guinness is practically mandatory!
The Deer’s Head
A traditional neighborhood bar in Belfast, The Deer’s Head features a backlit, wooden bar and friendly service. The history of the pub stretches back to 1885 – and the in-house Bell’s Brewery is even older, dating to 1778. Tuck into a booth and get a taste of one of Bell’s crisp IPAs.
Bittles Bar
From the exterior, it’s hard to believe they could fit a bar into the narrow, brick building – but they have managed to do it with a heaping dose of charm. Bittles was established in 1868 and incredible artwork covers the walls. The tap list features standard favorites alongside UK craft beers.
Kelly’s Cellars
Boasting one of the best beer gardens in Belfast, Kelly’s Cellars is a fun bar with good craic and often live music. We were looking forward to enjoying the fine weather at an outdoor table, but were lured inside by the sounds of a Trad Session. The historic interior is epic (the bar dates to 1720) – so even if you drink your pint outside, duck in to revel in the extraordinary ambiance.
Sunflower Public House
A throwback neighborhood bar in the Cathedral Quarter, Sunflower Pub is an unchanged relic. The security cage at the entrance dates to the times of The Troubles and served as a safety measure to keep patrons safe.
Today inside this jovial bar, visitors will find that they serve Beamish – rather than Guinness – and we recommend giving it a try! If it’s a nice day, go to the hidden garden in the back, where they also make excellent woodfired pizzas.
Top Tips for Eating and Drinking in Belfast, UK
Now that you know where to find the best pubs and restaurants in Belfast, Northern Ireland, we have a few more tips for enjoying your time out.
Make Reservations – At most Belfast restaurants, reservations are essential. Plan ahead and book a table if you have specific places you want to eat.
Tipping in Belfast Eateries – If a service fee isn’t already included, a tip of 10% is appreciated.
Michelin Star Restaurants – Belfast is home to a few Michelin Star restaurants, as well as several Michelin-mentioned eateries. Review the full list before your visit.
Trad Sessions – One of the great things about Belfast pubs is the live music, called Trad Sessions. These events are typically a planned meet up of local and traveling musicians who entertain bar patrons by playing traditional Irish tunes.
Plan Your Belfast Trip
Ready for your trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland? Read our guide to the Best Belfast Things To Do for the city’s top attractions – and use our helpful Itinerary for Belfast to plan your day-by-day activities.
Need food and drink suggestions for nearby destinations in Ireland, England and Scotland?
- Greatest Pubs in Dublin, Ireland
- Famous London Food
- What To Eat in Edinburgh
- Craft Beer Mile in London
As you start planning the specifics of your trip, stay organized with our Travel Planner Printables!
Start planning your trip to the UK! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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