Best restaurants for European food in Belfast

This stylish, modern European restaurant is located right in the heart of the city. Serving a range of tapas-style plates and charcoal oven steaks, EDŌ offers a contemporary Spanish dining experience like no other. Inspired by high quality ingredients and cooking techniques from across all Europe, the small plates here offer big flavour. Casual and upbeat, dining at EDŌ is a full experience. Inventive small plates, such as the chorizo served with black pudding and red wine, the roasted cauliflower, ras el hanout and golden raisins, or the calamari served with Bloody Mary ketchup and lime ensure guests enjoy an unforgettable flavour experience.

For a memorable fine dining experience, we recommend booking a table at Coco Restaurant. This stylish bar and restaurant has established itself as one of the premier dining spots in the city for its delicious, modern bistro-style dishes. Located in the city’s up-and-coming Linen Quarter, this trendy spot is open Wednesday to Saturday from 12pm to 3pm for lunch and from 5:30pm to late for dinner. If you’re dining on a Sunday, however, Coco is open throughout the day from 1pm to 7pm. Decorated with quirky artwork, Coco keep this same spirit alive in its creative dishes. Delicious offerings include confit monkfish, served on the bone with baby aubergine, labneh, pomegranate, and curry oil.

Anyone who has ever visited The Muddlers Club will know this unassuming restaurant is a hidden gem of Belfast’s dining scene. With industrial-style interiors, this trendy restaurant is known for its inventive tasting menus, wine pairings, and creative cocktails. This Michelin star restaurant receives rave reviews from both customers and critics time and time again, firmly cementing its place as one of the best places to eat in Belfast. Head chefs Gareth McCaughey prides himself on finding the best quality, home-grown ingredients to create his unique and innovative menu. With a seasonal tasting menu served for both lunch and dinner, you can rest assured you are enjoying the latest creative flavours and the highest quality ingredients. 

Set in the city’s bustling east quarter in the vibrant town of Ballyhackamore, il Pirata is one of the best places to enjoy delicious European cuisine outside of the city centre. Sister restaurant of the popular Coppi in Belfast’s creative Cathedral Quarter, diners will enjoy innovative flavours and modern twists on traditional Italian comfort foods. Industrial-style interiors, low lighting and dark wood benches add to the trendy feel of this eatery, making it the perfect place for a date or a night out with friends. With a casual feel and relaxed atmosphere, customers can sit back, relax and enjoy the delicious food and cocktails served year-round. From pasta to risotto, meat dishes to vegan options and many more, il Pirata caters for all tastes and dietary requirements.

Established in 2000, this relaxed and modern bistro specialises in Anglo-European cuisine that has cemented its place as a firm favourite among locals. With a creative menu and a delightful blend of British and Irish cuisine, traditional dishes with a touch of creative flare make Ginger Bistro an unforgettable place to dine. Set on Great Victoria Street, close to the Grand Opera House, you can even enjoy a delicious pre-theatre menu, which offers great value for money for theatre-goers. It also serves a range of traditional and modern cocktails that perfectly compliment the delightful lunch and dinner menus.

The Lantern is a relaxed and modern bistro in the city centre, just a five-minute walk from Belfast City Hall. The perfect place to catch up with friends or celebrate special occasions, the delicious and varied European-themed menu here makes the most of high quality, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients. The a la carte menu features everything from a 10 oz 21 day dry-aged steak to Cherry Valley duck, from seafood linguine to wild mushroom and vegetable risotto. Those dining from Tuesday to Saturday between 5pm and 6:15pm can also take advantage of the great value, pre-theatre set menu, which features some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes.