County Down Restaurant Guide

2017 Review: On the marina, this sleekly converted former harbourmaster’s building now offers an “unforgettable experience” for diners, taking in “exquisite wine pairings” and a “relaxed” fine dining ambience; staff are “fantastically cool” and “the chef/owner even delivers and explains some of his dishes to the table!”

“An amazing local eatery where you can always guarantee to find awesome local food cooked to perfection, and exceptional front of house staff” – so say fans of Pearson Morris and Saul McConnel’s small modern bistro above the Iona health food store.

2019 Review: “Since moving to a fab larger premises this wee gem has gone from strength to strength”. That’s the early feedback on Paul Cunningham’s recently relocated rural venue (which moved from being above the nearby Anchor Bar last year): “delicious seasonal cooking from an award-winning chef. One to watch”.

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.

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.

This trendy coffee and donut shop in east Belfast attracts queues that would be more at home in east London. A welcome addition to Castlereagh, which is a bit of a dining desert.

A café version of the Cathedral Quarter's Coppi, serving sandwiches, coffee and an unconventional range of cakes (chocolate and olive oil anyone?). Situated in east Belfast's foodie Ballyhackamore, a stone's throw from its sister restaurant Il Pirata.

Northern Ireland's "only real ramen shop", serving handmade noodles and broths made from the best local ingredients. "Slurping is mandatory."

This mini-chain from chef Nico Simeone (also in Glasgow and Edinburgh) serves a signature six-course tasting menu, which changes every six weeks (in style, cuisine and inspiration), served to 66 diners.

This colourful, three-storey spot is Belfast’s only sustainable seafood restaurant; enjoy Irish seafood, local Carlingford oysters or fish 'n' chips.