The best places for Mediterranean food in Belfast

A modern tapas restaurant located in Belfast City Centre, EDO is the perfect place to dine for all occasions. Offering an extensive variety of small plates that take influence from the finest ingredients and creative cooking techniques from across Europe, the flavours on offer here are truly unique. Ideal for diners curious to explore a multitude of flavours, the sharing-focused menu here offers something for everyone, from fresh meat and fish dishes to exquisitely prepared vegetarian options. Not to mention, their top-quality wine pairings and delicious menu of creative cocktails that are perfect for washing down your food. With offerings such as potato and truffle croquettes, langoustine scampi and tartare sauce, and traditional Spanish paella, you can’t go wrong with a meal at EDO.

Located in the vibrant and bustling St Anne’s Square in Belfast’s iconic Cathedral Quarter, Coppi is a must-visit for a delicious and creative Mediterranean feed in the city. A family-owned restaurant, making use of the very best locally-sourced ingredients, dining here is a truly memorable experience. With a rustic Italian feel and freshly prepared Mediterranean-inspired dishes, such as pasta, pizzetta, small plates, and more, you’ll truly feel that you’ve been transported to the sunnier climes of Southern Italy when dining here. They offer something for everyone, including extensive low gluten and vegan menus, as well as a great selection of dishes available for takeaway, making this the perfect place to enjoy delicious food for all occasions. They also offer a fantastic drinks menu that perfectly compliments their seasonal offerings. So, you’ll feel truly satisfied after a delicious meal at Coppi.

Located on the Belfast end of the Lisburn Road, Nico’s Pizzeria is an absolute must-visit for a relaxed and casual dining experience and the perfect place to catch up with friends and family. Known for its fantastic selection of Italian-inspired dishes, including meat and fish plates, indulgent stonebaked pizzas, and excellent pasta dishes, you will be transported to the streets of Italy with the fantastic flavours and aromas on offer here. Friendly and welcoming, you can dine outdoors in their covered and heated terrace and watch the world go by in this bustling corner of the city. The restaurant is fully licensed, which offers a great selection of creative cocktails and quality wines that perfectly accompany the Mediterranean flavours on the menu here. Executive Chef Kristian Nicolo originates from the Calabria region of Southern Italy, and much of his heritage shines through in the creative Italian dishes offered here, so you can rest-assured you’ll enjoy an authentic experience dining here. 

Another popular spot on the Lisburn Road, La Bottega brings authentic flavours of the Mediterranean to the city through creative dishes made using the very best produce sourced directly from Italy. Accompanied by an award-winning selection of the finest Italian wines, their Classica and Seasonal menus feature an array of Italian favourites like Lasagna Classica, Tagliatelle Bolognese, and Risotto alla Crema di Spinaci. Open for lunch and coffee from 11 am, with their fantastic dinner service served from 5:30 pm, it’s always a perfect time to visit this authentic Italian eatery. With a laid-back yet elegant feel, this is the place to experience Italian food done the traditional way. Gourmet pizzas are served every Sunday, making for the perfect way to end the weekend in style. Offering a small and refined menu of classics, including a Margherita made with San Marzano tomate sauce, Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP, mozzarella Fior di Latte, and deep fried basil.

Set in the vibrant East Belfast suburb of Ballyhackamore, il Pirata is one of our top picks for incredible Mediterranean food in the city. With industrial interiors and low-lighting, this stunning spot offers a classic and retro vibe that makes for the ultimate casual yet intimate dining experience. Specialising in rustic Italian dishes that are made using the best local produce, this spot offers the perfect blend of local and Mediterranean vibes, making for a truly unique and memorable dining experience. Expect everything from fresh pasta to cichetti to pizzetta, all of which are packed with flavour, showcasing the very finest local ingredients sourced from high-quality farmers and producers from all across the Emerald Isle. First opened in 2011, this fully-licensed restaurant boasts over a decade serving the people of Belfast, so there’s no denying they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to good food, good wine, and good vibes. 

A family-friendly eatery set in the heart of the city centre on Great Victoria Street, you cannot miss Fratelli when you’re in the mood for some delicious Mediterranean cuisine. From the owners of the prestigious Galgorm Resort, this spot specialises in high-quality hospitality and incredible food and drinks. Boasting rustic Italian charm with a contemporary twist, this spot offers the perfect blend of Irish and Italian to bring a fantastic dining experience for everyone to enjoy. ‘Fratelli’ translates as ‘brothers’, highlighting the restaurant’s dedication to making everyone feel like one big family here, so guests are always made to feel right at home. From truffle butter pizza to whipped ricotta bruschetta, sautéed scampi to spiced fennel sausage ragu, there’s something to suit all tastes here. Plus, their fantastic Little Boars menu ensures the little ones will also get to enjoy some authentic Italian flavours.

With a motto like “live life to the full with good food, good wine, and good times”, you are pretty much guaranteed an incredible dining experience. Ora works on the philosophy that good food and good wine is a way of life – and their passion for their craft shines through in each and every incredible dish here. Offering a relaxed dining experience with creative tapas dishes inspired by chef Marty Murphy’s travels, fusion ideas meet classic flavours with a focus on fresh, seasonal produce to create the ultimate taste experience. With Mediterranean flavours of Spain, Italy, Greece, and elsewhere shining through in their varied menu, you can expect everything from barbecue padron peppers with garlic cream, wild garlic, and ‘nduja crumb to glazed pork belly with burnt clementine and honey glaze, dhuka, and cucumber-lime dressing. 

A relaxed tapas restaurant and winebar located on the edge of Belfast’s bustling Cathedral Quarter, 2Taps is an absolute must-visit for fantastic Spanish flavours and one of the widest selections of tapas you’re likely to find anywhere. You can either dine indoors in their vibrant and bustling restaurant or soak up the sun on their outdoor heated terrace – which is the largest in the city, by the way – enjoying small plates and sangria for a truly Mediterranean feel. With options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, offering an extensive menu of meat, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, no one needs to miss out on the authentic flavours of the Mediterranean here. Dedicated to exceptional dining experiences, locally sourced ingredients, and year-round positivity, you can always expect good vibes dining here. From Sangria-infused chorizo to chicken adobo empanadas, paella to patatas bravas, the flavours are exquisite and varied here, transporting you to the streets of Barcelona on a sunny summer’s day.

The perfect place for brunch with the girls or a romantic date night with your significant other, Chubby Cherub is a classy Italian ristorante with two locations in the city – one in the city centre on the corner of Arthur Street and one at the heart of the Lisburn Road. With stunning renaissance-style decor, diners will be transported to a different era dining here boasting a sense of glamour and laid back charm to perfectly reflect the Italian way of life. Serving up a feast of Italian-inspired delicacies that transport you straight to the heart of Italy, you can expect a great range of wholesome cuisine with each and every dish a testament to authentic Italian recipes. With pastas, pizzas, and an array of succulent meat and fish dishes, alongside some great vegan and vegetarian options, the hardest part will be deciding what to choose from the extensive menu. From lasagne and meatball linguine to ‘nduja, crab, and shrimp pasta, the flavours on offer here are like none other you’ll find elsewhere in the city.

One of the newest additions to Belfast’s dining scene, Nucci specialises in offering a little slice of Italy nestled in the heart of Belfast’s Antrim Road. Inviting diners to experience the authentic flavours of Italy right here in Northern Ireland, the team promises to take you on a culinary journey through the vibrant and rich tastes of Italian cuisine, from traditional pasta dishes bursting with flavour to mouth watering pizzas topped and baked to perfection. If you’re in the mood for pizza, you’ll be spoilt for choice with their extensive menu of classic and creative offerings, including a traditional Margherita, a spicy Diavola, and a creamy Quattro Formaggi. If pasta is more your style, you also won’t be disappointed with everything from tagliatelle bolognese to spaghetti carbonara, sausage and porcini risotto to linguine ai fruitti di mare. For those with a sweet tooth, they also offer a delicious range of Italian-inspired desserts, including tiramisu, panna cotta, Italian gelato, and cannoli Siciliani.