Where to find the best tapas in Belfast

Maybe you’re in the mood for a taste of Spanish dining or perhaps you want to enjoy the perfect group dining experience to catch up or celebrate with friends and family – or maybe you’re just as indecisive as we are and want to have the opportunity to enjoy a wide selection of small dishes and flavours instead of committing to one main dish. Whatever your reasons, tapas is always a good idea, and luckily for us there are plenty of great places to enjoy this unique and communal dining experience around the Northern Irish capital. Feeling hungry? Read on to discover our ultimate guide to finding the best places for tapas in Belfast!

Perhaps the most famous tapas restaurant in the city, 2Taps Winebar is an absolute must-visit for a delicious array of classic tapas dishes, an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere, and friendly hospitality. The cosy and intimate dining area will transport you to a classic Spanish cantina with small tables, low-lighting, and colourful interiors. Meanwhile, the stunning outdoor seating area, located right in the heart of the bustling Cathedral Quarter is the perfect place to enjoy some sangria while soaking up the sun when it chooses to shine over the city. With almost two decades of experience operating in the city, 2Taps Winebar is certainly a firm local favourite and it’s not hard to see why. With an extensive menu of delicious Mediterranean-inspired tapas dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, there really is something for everyone to enjoy here. Whether you’re vegan, a full-blown meat-lover, or following a gluten-free diet, you’re certain to find something delicious to keep your senses satisfied.

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Located in the heart of Belfast City Centre, EDŌ is another popular spot for delicious tapas in the city. Offering up a contemporary European dining experience that focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients, high-quality flavours, and creative recipes, you can expect nothing short of truly spectacular dining here. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from noon until late, this is the perfect place to enjoy an indulgent lunch or a relaxed evening meal with friends, making it a worthy choice for every occasion. EDŌ was also mentioned in the 2023 Michelin Guide and received a TripAdvisor Best of the Best Award in the same year, so if that doesn’t tell you all you need to know about the quality of this incredible eatery, then we truly don’t know what will. Owned and operated by award-winning chefs Jonny and Charlotte, who bring a huge passion for food from their extensive experience working across Europe to the city, dining here is a truly unforgettable experience and one you won’t want to miss when it comes to eating out in the city.

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From the team behind the hugely successful Howard Street Restaurant, Orā prides itself on bringing new ideas and interesting wines to a ‘cool little spot’ on Belfast’s Great Victoria Street. This unique and innovative tapas restaurant aims to provide a relaxed dining experience where fusion meets classic flavours keeping the focus on fresh, local produce, and, above all, taste. Expect everything from BBQ padron peppers with garlic cream, wild garlic, and ‘nduja crumb to crispy garlic potatoes with togarashi seasoning, glazed pork belly with burnt clementine and honey glaze, dhukka, and cucumber-lime dressing to Orā fish and chips with crispy potato, battered fish, pea puree, and salt and vinegar seasoning. With such an extensive array of flavours, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the delicious offerings available. And what’s more, the incredible wine menu is designed to perfectly complement the flavours of each and every dish, making this an all-round unforgettable dining experience.

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One of the most recent additions to the Belfast dining scene, Fika is a unique concept restaurant located on the Upper Newtownards Road. Known for its conceptual small plates and high-quality wines and cocktails, this spot plays into the Swedish tradition of Fika, from which it takes its name, to promote a ritual of connection and mindful indulgence. While not exactly traditional tapas, Fika plays on a similar style of dining that makes use of the finest locally sourced ingredients through a menu that features a symphony of small plates with each concept designed to be shared and savoured. Encouraging diners to reconnect with the joy of good food and good company, the aim is to create special Fika moments through welcoming hospitality, a relaxed atmosphere, and delicious food. The menu is simple yet varied featuring everything from braised lamb neck to scorched scallop, and from kohlrabi tagliatelle to purple broccoli tempura.

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This venue is currently not accepting online reservations through Dish Cult. 

Yet again, La Taqueria is not your traditional tapas restaurant. However, this place offers a variety of delicious Mexican-inspired small plates that are designed to be shared. Specialising in contemporary Mexican flavours with a twist, you can expect an exquisite menu of tacos, small plates, and sides that are bursting with flavour and filled with fresh, fragrant ingredients. Expect everything from classic and succulent beef birria tacos to a vegan-friendly mushroom birria, complete with grilled oyster mushrooms stuffed inside two doubled up corn tortillas with cheese, coriander and spring onion, all fried until crisp and served with a side of mushroom guajillo broth – yum! Besides tacos, there’s also some epic homemade guacamole, the famous ‘Esquites’ roasted corn in a cup, and fiery frijoles. Perfect for sharing, we recommend ordering a selection of dishes and sharing with the entire table!

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Hidden away down a side street close to Belfast City Hall, Yugo is one hidden gem you don’t want to miss. Taking inspiration from the Far East and combining it with a modern Belfast aesthetic, Yugo brings a fantastic selection of modern, creative and traditional Asian styles of cooking that cannot be missed. Boasting a delightful small plates menu that’s designed to be shared, Yugo is open for lunch and dinner sittings, making this the perfect place to dine any time of the day. From dumplings and sushi to various grilled veggies, meats and fish, there is something to suit every taste and dietary requirement – and, with such careful thought and love going into each and every dish, you can expect a true explosion of flavours, which is just one of the reasons diners keep coming back time and time again. Besides the food, Yugo is also known for its incredible drinks selection, which features a delightful array of Asian-inspired cocktails, and late night music offering, which just adds to the fun and unique atmosphere on offer.

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Another relatively recent addition to the Belfast dining scene, Hendrix on the Stranmillis Road specialises in delicious modern food to suit all tastes. Whether it’s meeting friends for lunch and celebrating a special occasion, this spot is perfect for all events, with diners always made to feel welcome and a menu that offers plenty of choice. If you’re in the mood for tapas, this delightful small plates menu is sure to hit the spot. With everything from bruschetta with tomato, red onion, and balsamic glaze to salt and chilli chicken with chipotle slaw and sriracha mayo, halloumi fries to mac and cheese, and spiced corn ribs to pulled beef crostini with cheese, chilli jam, rocket and aioli, you are sure to find something that tickles your fancy. The most difficult part will be whittling it down to a small selection of dishes to share with your group because they are all so good!

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A beloved neighbourhood brasserie on the Upper Newtownards Road, Neill’s Hill is a friendly local restaurant that has operated in the area for over 25 years. Open for all-day dining, serving up a delicious menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and evenings, you can always expect something special here. The a la carte and brunch menus feature a delicious array of local and international flavours with hearty dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements. However, if you’re in the mood to share, we highly recommend the incredible tapas menu, which is available every Wednesday between May and August. With tunes from local musical duo ‘Los Dramaticos’ providing the live music and a comprehensive tapas menu, this night always proves popular so we highly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment! With everything from chickpea fritters to scallops with toasted pine nuts, raisins and romesco sauce, from crispy pork belly bites with mojo verde to classic patatas bravas with spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayo, the array of flavours available is truly varied and delicious.

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Dumpling Library is not your conventional tapas restaurant – but that’s part of what makes this place so special. Owned and operated by the team behind the hugely successful Zen Restaurants, the Dumpling Library takes diners on a culinary journey across Asia with flavours inspired by the cuisines of China, Japan, Korea, and more. As you can probably guess from the name, this place specialises in dumplings in all their various forms, from meat-filled varieties to veggie options that can come steamed or pan-fried – the perfect option for sharing. Besides dumplings, there’s also a delightful array of Asian-inspired dishes, from bao buns and rice and noodles, to tempura, curries, and more. The philosophy here centres around a concept that is based around comfort and sharing, with a menu including many dishes you could expect to see in homes across China and other parts of Asia. Encouraging diners to relax with friends, while enjoying delicious Asian flavours and carefully-crafted cocktails, this is a unique Asian tapas experience unlike anything else you’ll find in the city.

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Last but most certainly not least, the wonderfully eclectic AMPM, Cabaret Supper Club, and Treehouse on Belfast’s Upper Arthur Street is a fantastic place to enjoy some delicious tapas in the city. Laid back yet elegant, this is the perfect place to spend some time catching up with friends over some delicious food and drinks while enjoying some fantastic entertainment and a truly relaxed and sumptuous atmosphere. The delicious small plates and sharing menu is available from Monday to Friday from 12pm and on Sundays from 5pm, meaning you have plenty of time to indulge in the delicious flavours on offer. The small plates offering aims to take customers on a culinary journey through a diverse selection of dishes that are perfect for sharing. There’s even a fantastic variety of meal deals that promise excellent value and the opportunity to sample a selection of tasty dishes, such as the option to choose five small plates with a bottle of house wine or Prosecco – or paired with cocktails or Prosecco spritzers.

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