Guidebook for Belfast
Food Scene
According to the Guardian.. 'Belfast has its own answer to Polpo and co over in London. And – whisper it – if anything, the cooking's even better'... and us locals would agree! An absolute culinary delight on our doorstep.
27 locals recommend
Il Pirata
279-281 Upper Newtownards RdAccording to the Guardian.. 'Belfast has its own answer to Polpo and co over in London. And – whisper it – if anything, the cooking's even better'... and us locals would agree! An absolute culinary delight on our doorstep.
Take a stroll down the Connswater Greenway and come to Jack's Coffee Bar in CS Lewis Square. Superb coffee and a little history lesson... watch out for the skateboarding bulldog!
JACK Coffee Bar
402 Newtownards RdTake a stroll down the Connswater Greenway and come to Jack's Coffee Bar in CS Lewis Square. Superb coffee and a little history lesson... watch out for the skateboarding bulldog!
Great brunch spot with an emphasis on coffee and healthy treats such as gluten-free carrot bakes, peanut cups and date and cashew balls.
10 locals recommend
Slims Healthy Kitchen
28 Belmont RdGreat brunch spot with an emphasis on coffee and healthy treats such as gluten-free carrot bakes, peanut cups and date and cashew balls.
This Australian inspired slightly hipster little gem on the Upper Newtownards Road know what they're talking about when it comes to brunch and coffee. Always busy and always good!
61 locals recommend
General Merchants
361 Ormeau RdThis Australian inspired slightly hipster little gem on the Upper Newtownards Road know what they're talking about when it comes to brunch and coffee. Always busy and always good!
Arts & Culture
Titanic Belfast is a visitor attraction and a monument to Belfast's maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city's Titanic Quarter where the RMS Titanic was built.
145 locals recommend
TEC Belfast
17 Queens RdTitanic Belfast is a visitor attraction and a monument to Belfast's maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city's Titanic Quarter where the RMS Titanic was built.
The Ulster Museum, located in the lovely Botanic Gardens in Belfast, has around 8,000 square metres of public display space, featuring material from the collections of fine art and applied art, archaeology, ethnography, treasures from the Spanish Armada, local history, numismatics, industrial archaeology, botany, zoology and geology. For Game of Thrones fans check out the GOT tapestry depicting a scene from every episode of the series to date!
99 locals recommend
Ulster Museum station
The Ulster Museum, located in the lovely Botanic Gardens in Belfast, has around 8,000 square metres of public display space, featuring material from the collections of fine art and applied art, archaeology, ethnography, treasures from the Spanish Armada, local history, numismatics, industrial archaeology, botany, zoology and geology. For Game of Thrones fans check out the GOT tapestry depicting a scene from every episode of the series to date!
Parks & Nature
Victoria Park, situated in East Belfast, opened in 1906. One of the park’s biggest attractions is its lake, which was originally used for boating. Today, it is home to a range of water birds such as swans, geese, ducks, herons and migrant waders. Due to its rich variety of wildlife, the open water in Victoria Park is part of the Belfast Lough ASSI (Area of Special Scientific Interest) project.
There are many pleasant walks around the park. A poetry trail, which features ten nature-themed poems written by local primary school pupils and etched onto metal plaques, also provides a pleasant route around the park.
29 locals recommend
Victoria Park
4 Kyle StVictoria Park, situated in East Belfast, opened in 1906. One of the park’s biggest attractions is its lake, which was originally used for boating. Today, it is home to a range of water birds such as swans, geese, ducks, herons and migrant waders. Due to its rich variety of wildlife, the open water in Victoria Park is part of the Belfast Lough ASSI (Area of Special Scientific Interest) project.
There are many pleasant walks around the park. A poetry trail, which features ten nature-themed poems written by local primary school pupils and etched onto metal plaques, also provides a pleasant route around the park.
A walk through attractive woodland and parkland with many interesting features including Parliament Buildings. Only a 10 minute drive from my place, Stormont Woodland Walk and Fitness Trail, is a great place to walk, run and relax.
55 locals recommend
Parliament Buildings
Ballymiscaw RoadA walk through attractive woodland and parkland with many interesting features including Parliament Buildings. Only a 10 minute drive from my place, Stormont Woodland Walk and Fitness Trail, is a great place to walk, run and relax.
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant’s Causeway is a must see for first time Northern Ireland visitors.
Just an hour and a half drive from East Belfast I highly recommend a visit to the world-famous basalt columns, climb the Shepherd's Steps and hike along the cliff-top trail to get a bird's eye view of the beautiful causeway coast.
Giants causeway
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant’s Causeway is a must see for first time Northern Ireland visitors.
Just an hour and a half drive from East Belfast I highly recommend a visit to the world-famous basalt columns, climb the Shepherd's Steps and hike along the cliff-top trail to get a bird's eye view of the beautiful causeway coast.
Essentials
Tesco Express
5 Belmont RdMarks and Spencer
Upper Knockbreda RoadWinemark
42 Belmont RdEntertainment & Activities
The Strand Arts Centre located on the Holywood Road is an independent four-screen cinema just a 10 minute walk from my place. It is one of the two remaining independent cinemas in Belfast, alongside the Queen's Film Theatre. It has long been acclaimed for being one of the cheapest cinemas in Belfast!
19 locals recommend
Strand Arts Centre
152-154 Holywood RdThe Strand Arts Centre located on the Holywood Road is an independent four-screen cinema just a 10 minute walk from my place. It is one of the two remaining independent cinemas in Belfast, alongside the Queen's Film Theatre. It has long been acclaimed for being one of the cheapest cinemas in Belfast!
Drinks & Nightlife
Established 1857 and otherwise known as Ned's bar, this iconic Holywood tavern has long been serving up the perfect pint of Guinness. Take a seat sit in the lounge with its formica tables, the staff will take your order and bring your pint to you. The Guinness is poured to creamy perfection and there is an eclectic range of whiskey on sale. The only food on sale is Northern Ireland's famous Tayto crisps - the emphasis being on quality drink and relaxed conversation.
9 locals recommend
The Maypole
55 High StEstablished 1857 and otherwise known as Ned's bar, this iconic Holywood tavern has long been serving up the perfect pint of Guinness. Take a seat sit in the lounge with its formica tables, the staff will take your order and bring your pint to you. The Guinness is poured to creamy perfection and there is an eclectic range of whiskey on sale. The only food on sale is Northern Ireland's famous Tayto crisps - the emphasis being on quality drink and relaxed conversation.
The Stokers Halt, so called with a nod to Belfast’s industrial past and pioneering future, is a recently revamped bar on the Upper Newtownards road. With a particular focus on all things Rugby and local live music, kick back and enjoy a local craft beer whilst planning your Belfast trip.
18 locals recommend
The Stokers Halt
195-199 Upper Newtownards RdThe Stokers Halt, so called with a nod to Belfast’s industrial past and pioneering future, is a recently revamped bar on the Upper Newtownards road. With a particular focus on all things Rugby and local live music, kick back and enjoy a local craft beer whilst planning your Belfast trip.
Nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, the Duke offers a traditional Belfast welcome of craic, music and humour in contrast to the modern fashionable establishments currently blowing into the surrounding streets. Hosting regular traditional sessions there is no better place to sample the real taste of our city – simply step in and drink an Irish whiskey washed down with a pint of creamy stout.
104 locals recommend
Duke of York
7-11 Commercial CtNestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area, the Duke offers a traditional Belfast welcome of craic, music and humour in contrast to the modern fashionable establishments currently blowing into the surrounding streets. Hosting regular traditional sessions there is no better place to sample the real taste of our city – simply step in and drink an Irish whiskey washed down with a pint of creamy stout.
Situated just on the edge of the cathedral quarter down an entry adjacent to Bert’s Jazz Bar and the National, Muriels Café Bar on Church Lane is a quirky setting to enjoy some of the finest cocktails in Belfast.
36 locals recommend
Queen's Cafe Bar
12-14 Church LnSituated just on the edge of the cathedral quarter down an entry adjacent to Bert’s Jazz Bar and the National, Muriels Café Bar on Church Lane is a quirky setting to enjoy some of the finest cocktails in Belfast.