The best Belfast restaurants for dining al fresco

Want to transport yourself to the streets of Italy with epic pizza, delicious pasta, and great wine? Then we highly recommend you check out the incredible Nico’s Pizzeria on the Lisburn Road. Offering a fantastic covered outdoor dining area, this is the perfect place to enjoy al fresco dining even when the Belfast weather decides to do its thing and rain completely unexpectedly.

Popular among locals and those visiting the city, Nico’s offers a vast array of classic Italian dishes to suit all tastes, from traditional bruschetta topped with tomato, red onion, garlic, and basil for a tasty starter to a vast selection of pizzas, pasta dishes, ciabatta, salads, loaded fries, and much more. And if that wasn’t enough, these guys also serve a delightful array of delicious desserts, including a classic affogato, an indulgent Maltesers brownie, and a fantastic Kinder Bueno sundae, that will bring the perfect end to an epic all-round dining experience.

Located on the Upper Newtownards Road, Oliver’s Restaurant is a fantastic modern European-style eatery with a brilliant covered terrace open from 12 until late from Tuesday to Sunday. Whether you want a delicious Sunday Roast or a casual evening meal with friends, Oliver’s Restaurant is the perfect place to go when the sun is out in the city.

Perfect for people watching, you can sit back and relax in their heated and covered outdoor terrace while enjoying delicious dishes such as Salt and Chilli Chicken or Squid served with Asian slaw and Yuzu dressing, a fresh and fragrant Salmon Ceviche Poke Bowl with sticky rice, radish, mango, avocado, cucumber, and lemon and wasabi vinaigrette, or succulent tempura vegetables with spiced house kimchi and puffed rice. Bringing together creativity and international inspiration, the menu here is certainly one of the best in Belfast, making Oliver’s a spot you won’t want to miss when dining out in the city.

A recent addition to the city’s thriving dining scene, The Whitefort is a lively sports bar and restaurant located on the Andersonstown Road in West Belfast. Featuring dark wood interiors, tile and brick flooring, and an open and airy vibe, this is the perfect place to enjoy good food, good drinks, and great times. With pool tables and darts, this is the perfect place to get social and enjoy a few games with pals. Plus, the intimate booth seating makes for the perfect place to lounge, enjoy a tasty bite to eat, and catch up with friends. When the sun shines over the city, you can head outside and enjoy a tasty lunch or sip on a few cold pints or cocktails on the outdoor terrace, from which you can watch life in the city go by. The menu is simple yet creative and delicious featuring all the classic pub grub favourites, including salt and chilli chicken, various burgers, and a fresh caught fish of the day.

A favourite amongst East Belfast locals, Cyprus Avenue offers a true neighbourhood dining experience defined by friendly hospitality, top-quality locally-sourced food, and a fantastic range of drinks. Open all day, this is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed brunch, lunch, or dinner with family or friends.

When the sun comes out, there’s truly no better place to enjoy it than in the covered outdoor terrace, which offers plenty of room for group dining and the perfect opportunity to people watch those going about their busy day-to-day lives in this quaint leafy suburb of East Belfast. The menu has to be among the best in the city, with dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, with everything from a creamy red lentil dahl to a tomahawk sharing steak, served with braised rib, pickled onion rings, mushrooms, tomato, rosemary fries, and peppered sauce.

An upscale neighbourhood bar and eatery perfectly located on the busy Lisburn Road, The Bowery is an ideal place to enjoy a sunny day in the city. Offering a heated outdoor terrace, fantastic food, creative and classic cocktails, and live sport and entertainment, The Bowery is a true gem of South Belfast. With Art Deco-style interiors, this place feels like it exists in a time gone by, transporting you to another place and another decade, where decadence and beauty were prime.

When it comes to food, you can expect a delicious seasonal menu of locally sourced dishes from Sunday Sharing Roast Boards to Vegan Caesar Salad, classic fish and chips to chicken and cheeseburgers, pan roasted lamb, pasta rosso, and much more. Fancy a tipple? You’re in luck. This spot offers a fantastically unique cocktail menu with concoctions such as the Opal Fruits, which features Malfy lemon, strawberry liqueur, apple juice, lime, raspberry syrup, and whites – the perfect refreshing fruity drink for a warm, sunny day.