Belfast Restaurant Guide

Solidly good marks last year for Niall and Joanne McKenna’s “understated and classy” venue, which last year incorporated its neighbouring ‘bar and grill’ and fine dining operations into a single more brasserie-style set-up, complete with cocktail bar: many of the dishes, including steaks, come from the charcoal grill.

2017 Review: This spacious, trendy Japanese has been satisfying the crowds for over a decade, and continues to elicit glowing (if limited) feedback.

“Amazing food” and “prestige wines” are “delivered with a bit of ‘craic’” at former Ox chef Gareth McCaughey’s increasingly well-known open-kitchen venue in the Cathedral Quarter, named after a revolutionary secret society in the 1790s, which is celebrating its fifth year of operation last year. “The surprise tasting menu always feels like a real treat” and delivers “outstanding” results.

A “bustling” operation from Johnny Elliott, who learnt the ropes with Gordon Ramsay and Gary Rhodes, before setting up on his own in the city-centre two years back; choose between “brilliant tapas” or meaty dishes cooked on the rare Bertha oven, which uses apple and pear wood for a smoky flavour.

“Good fish in down-to-earth surroundings” has won renown for this simple haunt (which has an offshoot in Dundrum) serving its own shellfish direct from the owners’ beds.

Marty Murphy’s well-liked, industrially styled brasserie (est 2013, and recently revamped, adding to its appeal) may not gain any particular raves, but is a decidedly “decent” spot by all accounts – and, even on a “very busy Saturday night, it still produces good solid cooking”.

2018 Review: Celebrity chef JC Novelli brings his name to the restaurant at Belfast City Quay’s new £25 million Marriott Hotel, planned for April 2018. The site will feature double-height windows with views across the Lagan and a French-style brasserie menu.