Guidebook for Belfast
Food Scene
Deanes Meat Locker
28-40 Howard StFine dining
Best steak in Belfast
Zen
Adelaide StreetUpmarket, authentic Asian cuisine
Always queued out the door (but goes very quick) this Mexican eatery is a favourite among the local students due to its cheap, delicious & large-portioned food.
47 locals recommend
Boojum
19-27 Chichester StreetAlways queued out the door (but goes very quick) this Mexican eatery is a favourite among the local students due to its cheap, delicious & large-portioned food.
Cute coffee shop & bakery. Always full due to its close proximity to Queen's University.
13 locals recommend
French Village Cafe & Bistro
99 Botanic AveCute coffee shop & bakery. Always full due to its close proximity to Queen's University.
Drinks & Nightlife
Trendy, upmarket complex which contains three bars and one nightclub.
The Perch is the pick of the bars as it has a lovely setting on a rooftop overlooking the city.
Sweet Afton and Rita's on the ground floor hold their own (especially when the weather's poor) and you can dance off the cocktails in China White (club in the middle floor) at the end of the night.
30 locals recommend
The Perch Rooftop Bar
42 Franklin StTrendy, upmarket complex which contains three bars and one nightclub.
The Perch is the pick of the bars as it has a lovely setting on a rooftop overlooking the city.
Sweet Afton and Rita's on the ground floor hold their own (especially when the weather's poor) and you can dance off the cocktails in China White (club in the middle floor) at the end of the night.
The iconic Laverys is one of the oldest & largest bars in Belfast.
Great for watching all sports, playing pool, live music/comedy shows and eating lovely pub grub.
On Friday & Saturday evenings the pool tables in the top floors are pushed away and a nightclub takes their place.
52 locals recommend
Lavery's Bar Belfast
12-18 Bradbury PlThe iconic Laverys is one of the oldest & largest bars in Belfast.
Great for watching all sports, playing pool, live music/comedy shows and eating lovely pub grub.
On Friday & Saturday evenings the pool tables in the top floors are pushed away and a nightclub takes their place.
An older crowd gather for this venue which always has something on.
Live music & comedy shows are top-notch.
55 locals recommend
The Belfast Empire
42 Botanic AveAn older crowd gather for this venue which always has something on.
Live music & comedy shows are top-notch.
This bar and the surrounding area (Cathedral Quarter) is the place to be for the 25-35 crowd during the weekends.
Large selection of nice bars and restaurants all within a stone's throw of each other mean that you won't struggle to find anything you're looking for.
64 locals recommend
Harp Bar
35 Hill StThis bar and the surrounding area (Cathedral Quarter) is the place to be for the 25-35 crowd during the weekends.
Large selection of nice bars and restaurants all within a stone's throw of each other mean that you won't struggle to find anything you're looking for.
Arts & Culture
Always has excellent, varied exhibitions on and is open seven days a week.
142 locals recommend
Ulster Museum
Botanic GardensAlways has excellent, varied exhibitions on and is open seven days a week.
Slightly out of the way of the city but well worth the visit! (Easily accessible by the city bus tour which I recommend)
A fascinating look at the history of our most (in)famous export- the Titanic! There are various other fascinating historical exhibits so it's not just for maritime buffs- it's a must see.
145 locals recommend
TEC Belfast
17 Queens RdSlightly out of the way of the city but well worth the visit! (Easily accessible by the city bus tour which I recommend)
A fascinating look at the history of our most (in)famous export- the Titanic! There are various other fascinating historical exhibits so it's not just for maritime buffs- it's a must see.
My preferred theatre in Belfast, often has an exciting lineup of shows.
56 locals recommend
Lyric Theatre Belfast
55 Ridgeway StMy preferred theatre in Belfast, often has an exciting lineup of shows.
Sightseeing
Beautiful, well-maintained gardens in the middle of the university campus.
191 locals recommend
Botanic Gardens
1 Colenso ParadeBeautiful, well-maintained gardens in the middle of the university campus.
Approach the building from university road at nighttime and see for yourself why it's spoken of as something from Hogwarts.
80 locals recommend
Queen's University Belfast
University RoadApproach the building from university road at nighttime and see for yourself why it's spoken of as something from Hogwarts.
Parks & Nature
Ormeau Park
Ormeau RoadNice, large park.
A scenic walk along the water that can go on for as long as you like, as there are turnoffs back onto main roads every half mile or so.
22 locals recommend
Lagan Towpath
Lagan TowpathA scenic walk along the water that can go on for as long as you like, as there are turnoffs back onto main roads every half mile or so.
Shopping
Relatively new build mall with lots of nice shops and chain restaurants.
Travelling up to the top is highly recommended & free for a fantastic view over Belfast.
155 locals recommend
Victoria Square Shopping Centre
Victoria SquareRelatively new build mall with lots of nice shops and chain restaurants.
Travelling up to the top is highly recommended & free for a fantastic view over Belfast.
Main shopping areas are in front of city hall- down Donegall Place.
119 locals recommend
Belfast City Hall
Donegall Square NorthMain shopping areas are in front of city hall- down Donegall Place.
Note: Only open during the day on weekends.
Well worth a visit, a lovely market with lots of local produce and arts & craft.
167 locals recommend
St. George's Market
12 East Bridge StNote: Only open during the day on weekends.
Well worth a visit, a lovely market with lots of local produce and arts & craft.
Essentials
Tesco Express
5 Belmont Rd