Enjoy a taste of winter in Belfast

A relative newcomer to the Belfast dining scene, Roam can be found on Callendar Street in the city centre, just a two-minute walk from the Christmas market. Therefore making it the perfect spot for a delicious bite to eat before roaming the glittering stalls and festive goods the market has to offer. With a focus on local, seasonal cuisine, diners can expect fresh and delicious dishes at this unique casual dining restaurant. This winter, the creative menu features dishes such as Wicklow venison served with celeriac, beetroot and blackberry or flat iron steak with potato, miso onion and beef sauce. There’s also a fantastic range of beers, wines and spirits, as well as a unique menu of creative cocktails.

The perfect place to warm up surrounded by friends, enjoying good food, and freshly-poured pints, Robert Stewart’s is located just outside of the city centre in the leafy suburb of Drumbeg. With a menu of comfort food classics, featuring all the pub grub favourites like a locally sourced Carnbrooke 10oz Sirloin Steak with burnt orange purée, roast tomatoes and a side of your choice or Bell’s Lychgate Lager Battered Haddock with triple-cooked chips, mushy peas, a lemon wedge, and tartare sauce, you’ll be well fed to warm you up from Belfast’s cold winter weather. A 400-year-old pub, Robert Stewart’s still boasts a cosy and traditional feel that makes you feel right at home, whether you want to sit indoors and warm up by the fire or brave the elements and enjoy your pint of Guinness in the beer garden. A must-visit for winter dining in Belfast, make sure to add this iconic pub to your bucket list this year.

If you’re passionate about fresh, locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, then you need to book a table at Academy Restaurant this winter. Located close to the Cathedral Quarter and overlooking the stunning St Anne’s Cathedral, Academy Restaurant is perfectly situated for those who want to enjoy a night out in the city. Diners are promised a truly memorable experience, as you will be treated to carefully crafted dishes that are packed full of flavour, as well as a comprehensive drinks and wine menu to accompany the food. Offering frequently changing menus that reflect the seasons, you can always expect something new and delicious here.

The perfect restaurant for all occasions, whether you’re headed out for a family meal, are meeting up with friends, or just fancy a cute and cosy date night, Home Restaurant on Wellington Place needs to be on your dining bucket list this winter. A Michelin Bib Gourmand recommended eatery, diners can enjoy Michelin standard food at moderate prices. Thus meaning you can save some money to spend on Christmas presents! With a strong focus on homegrown, sustainable ingredients, Home offers a fresh, local, and seasonal menu of filling and flavourful dishes suited to all tastes and dietary requirements. With plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, no one will go hungry with a meal at Home this winter.

The tallest hotel and bar in Ireland, you are guaranteed fantastic views when you visit the Observatory at The Grand Central. Imagine it now, you’re sat in a comfy armchair enjoying a delicious afternoon tea, cocktail, or glass of bubbly looking out over the beautiful Belfast skyline. Winter is the best time to visit, as you can look out across the snow-capped hills that surround the city and the twinkling Christmas lights that line the city streets. Come the winter, the delightful afternoon tea menu takes on a festive twist with traditional treats that are sure to delight your taste buds.

Located in the leafy East Belfast suburb of Ballyhackamore, Cyprus Avenue is an indoor and outdoor venue that is open for brunch, lunch and evening dining. With a passionate team and a true local feel, diners will be warmly welcomed in from the cold Irish winter with open arms. This restaurant has a strong focus on fresh ingredients and seasonality, which is reflected in the array of creative dishes offered on the ever-changing menu. A few local favourites remain the same all year round, but no matter when you choose to visit, you can expect nothing less than the very finest seasonal, local flavours.

Located in East Belfast, Horatio Todd’s is a popular local bar and restaurant that is the perfect place to warm up on a cold winter day. First opened in 2010, it boasts over a decade of serving the people of Belfast and has become a much-loved spot among visitors from far and wide. Serving up European cuisine with modern, global twists and a great selection of cocktails, beers, wines and spirits, Horatio Todd’s is a great spot for all occasions. Open for lunch and dinner, it offers a vast array of pub-grub favourites, including Louisiana Hot Sauce Tossed Chicken Wings, Chargrilled 6oz Hereford Bacon Cheese Steak Burger, and Panko Crumbed Brie. It also serves a huge selection of veggie and vegan options with everything from a crispy Indian spiced vegetable bhaji with coriander and scallion yoghurt to grilled vegan sausages, lentil, chickpea and potato curry, and freshly prepared vegetable soup.

Another popular eatery on the Newtownards Road, Hoose is owned and operated by Chris and Sarah who have over 30 years experience working in the hospitality industry. With a passion for providing great food at great prices, Hoose is the ultimate spot to enjoy a warm meal and a welcoming atmosphere during a cold day in the city. From the extensive Sunday lunch menu to the creative a la carte offering, which includes plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, and the popular Wednesday steak nights, this is the perfect spot for all occasions.

A relatively recent addition to Belfast’s dining scene, Gnostic is located in the heart of the city centre, just at the edge of the River Lagan in Corporation Square. Offering a cosy and intimate environment to meet and mingle with friends, Gnostic is the perfect place to enjoy a taste and tipple of some delicious food and cocktails during a day of festive shopping in the city. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, Gnostic offers a delicious selection of brunch, lunch items and small plates at noon, and a great variety of late night items and hearty cocktails that are sure to entrance your senses.

First opened in 2013, Howard Street boasts over a decade of experience serving the people of Belfast and is without a doubt a firm local favourite. Using only the highest quality produce, each and every dish is curated with love with locally sourced ingredients ensuring the purity of flavour in every bite. It also offers an expansive and creative cocktail menu and a varied selection of carefully selected wines, making this the perfect spot to catch up with friends over some top-quality food and drinks. The a la carte menu features everything from freshly caught Strangford Lough oysters to crispy goat cheese fritters with pickled carrot spring roll and beetroot salted walnuts, beer battered fish with chunky chips, tartare sauce and mushy peas, to a tasty chicken massaman curry with jasmine rice and roasted peanuts.