Belfast, British, Modern 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.

“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.

2017 Review: “A relaxed dining experience that always provides a tempting menu and an excellent wine list”; Michael Deane’s large, popular bar/brasserie (with outside terrace), in the University Quarter, won consistently high ratings across the board this year, especially for business entertaining.

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”.

On the fringe of east Belfast's foodie hub, Ballyhackamore, a sharing plates venture with an ambitiously modern menu. Look out for seafood specials, inventive cocktails and Sunday lunch.