Our favourite Belfast BBQ restaurants

Located at the historic Crumlin Road Gaol, Cuffs Bar and Grill is a fantastic place to eat with all the family. Whether or not you’re paying a visit to the iconic Victorian prison, this spot is perfect for a delicious bite to eat. First opened in summer 2016, Cuffs Bar and Grill prides itself on keeping it local, with all ingredients used being fresh and locally-sourced.

Talented Head Chef Glenn Rochette has worked across some of the country’s most renowned restaurants, gaining skills that he not only puts into his own creations but also passes on to aspiring young chefs working alongside him. When it comes to the menu, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Whether it’s juicy beef or chicken burgers, smokehouse beef brisket, or hot n’ sticky chicken wings, this is the perfect spot to satisfy your craving for some delicious BBQ.

Located in the city centre, Flame is a great spot to dine out when you’re in the mood for some delicious BBQ flavour. A unique restaurant with a theatrical twist, dining here is a truly unforgettable experience and guests can experience some of the most premium food and hospitality the city has to offer. First opened in 2013, Flame Restaurant operates a fully visible kitchen where diners can watch the chefs hard at work cooking delicious dishes in the purpose-built Asador Grill. Working with Irish producers to offer some of the finest meats from all across the island, Flame produces the perfect mix of east meets west cuisine, full of flavour and a truly delight for the senses.

What makes you think of BBQ food more than big juicy burgers? If that’s what you’re in the mood for, we highly recommend checking out The Burger Club on Belfast’s Cliftonville Road. Serving up an exciting menu of gourmet burgers, dirty fries and craft beers, this no-frills joint is a must-visit for great food and good vibes. It has a great selection of delicious beef, chicken, or veggie burgers, topped with everything from cheese and bacon to BBQ sauce, from peppered sauce to jalapenos, and more. If burgers aren’t your vibe, you can still enjoy delicious BBQ flavours with the epic selection of hot dogs, including the classic Frankfurter sausage topped with ketchup, mustard and onions or the creative Currywurst-style dog with pepper sauce and curry sauce. Yum!

If you’re looking for a truly unique dining experience in the heart of the city, then there’s nowhere better to visit than the incredible Stix & Stones. First opened in May 2014, Stix & Stones has wowed diners far and wide to become Ireland’s premier steak and seafood restaurant. They provide diners with a fantastic selection of locally-sourced steak and seafood that you can cook for yourself on hot stones in the surroundings of the chic and contemporary wood and stone finished restaurant. Now, if that isn’t the closest thing to a true BBQ experience, then we truly don’t know what is.

For a classy take on BBQ, we highly recommend checking out Deanes Meat Locker in the heart of the city. Owned and operated by renowned local chef Michael Deane, this spot is an absolute must-visit for perfectly cooked meats served in warm and luxurious surroundings. You can expect superb quality beef, lamb and pork sourced from quality producers from across County Down cooked to perfection on the Asador Grill. From various succulent cuts of steak to the famous Meat Locker shorthorn burger, from a rack of Mourne lamb to fantastic seafood and vegetarian options, there’s something to suit everyone here. Open for lunch and dinner sittings, with an epic selection of wines and desserts that you won’t want to miss, it should come as no surprise that Deane’s is a firm local favourite among foodies from all across Northern Ireland.

For a laid-back vibe, good food, and flowing craft beer taps, you need to visit the brilliant Northern Lights pub on Belfast’s Ormeau Road. Owned and operated by the island-wide Galway Bay Brewery, this spot really does have it all when it comes to a good time – and the epic BBQ-style menu truly does just add to the appeal. Expect everything from a large and varied selection of burgers, including the Smokey Blue Burger and the Buffalo Chicken Burger, hot wings, halloumi fries, and more. If you want to get a taste of what’s on offer, we highly recommend trying the delicious ‘Bar Bites Board’, which comes with fried chicken, chicken wings, and fries. Truly delicious! There’s also a great dessert menu, which includes classics such as a chocolate fondant and an apple crumble. 

Lively and welcoming, Haymarket has been a beloved spot among the young and trendy crowd since it first opened a couple of years ago. Known for its al fresco dining area, which becomes super crowded on sunny days in the city, this spot is always buzzing with life. It offers a great array of drinks, including creative cocktails in glasses or pitchers, as well as beers and spirits served to your liking. There’s often live music and entertainment to keep the vibes alive, too. When it comes to food, you can expect a street food BBQ-style menu, which is simple yet delicious. From chicken wings and mozzarella bites, to Cajun cauliflower bites and a vegan BBQ stack of loaded fries complete with roasted peppers, fried onions, mushrooms, cheese, and BBQ sauce, no one will go hungry here. If you’re in the mood to share, we highly recommend the delicious sharing platters, such as the classic Haymarket Platter which comes with BBQ wings, beer-battered onion rings, breaded mozzarella bites, cocktail sausages, fries, house slaw, and dips.

Another fantastic city centre joint that’s open all day long, City Picnic is the perfect spot to pop in for a hearty lunch or a casual comfort food dinner. The menu is full of options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, from Proper Beef Burgers and Crispy Chicken Burgers to Crispy Wings, which are all cooked to perfection and served with a range of dipping sauces. You don’t need to worry about the quality either, as the team here knows that the quality of the ingredients goes a long way to ensuring great taste and flavour in each and every bite. To ensure that dishes are delicious, fresh and healthy, the team sources all their produce from local suppliers whenever possible. With options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the delicious array of flavours on offer here.

Now, if you’re in the mood for quality meats and epic BBQ flavours, the fantastic Stix & Stones Meat Wagon on Wellington Place is one brilliant spot you cannot miss. Here, the meat is the star of the show and these guys pride themselves on serving up delicious and juicy options that will satisfy even the hungriest diners. All beef is sourced only from Irish farms and aged in-house. It’s then prepared next door in the Stix & Stones Butchery and Deli by Master Butchers, so you can rest assured that you’ll enjoy the very highest-quality meat in every dish. Depending on your hunger levels, you can either opt for the ‘Big Eats’, such as the Picanha Steak Sharing Platter, which comes with sliced and seasoned Stix & Stones Picanha Steak with freshly baked cornbread and house salad or the ‘Bits and Pieces’, including Mac and Cheese bites, hot and spicy chicken wings, BBQ brisket bites, and more.

Last but most certainly not least, one fantastic spot you cannot miss when it comes to delicious BBQ flavours in the heart of Belfast is the brilliant Top Blade Steakhouse in St Anne’s Square. Serving delicious food that caters for everyone, it’s always a good time to visit, whether you’re booking in for a casual lunch, planning a romantic date night, or want to enjoy a catch-up with friends. The main attraction here is the epic steak menu, which offers diners the chance to customise their own meal. Choose from a delicious menu of meats, then add a side, some veg, and a sauce of your choice to make the dish exactly your own. Otherwise, you can opt for the sumptuous burgers or light bites, which are just as full of flavour. Then there’s always room for dessert, especially if it tastes as good as the desserts on offer here. Choose from tasty offerings such as a Super Sundae, a Sticky Toffee Pudding, Cheesecake, or a Salted Caramel Brownie.