Belfast Food
Ask people to list global culinary hotspots and Belfast will rarely find itself at the tip of their tongue. Northern Ireland in general seems to suffer gastronomically, with many unable to get passed "potato" when asked about the Irish cuisine. The city has come far, however, and now boasts an impressive selection of restaurants offering Celtic dishes as well as more diverse, foreign foods.
In part this is thanks to chef Paul Rankin, who along with wife Jeanne is credited with transforming Belfast from a culinary dead end into something far more exciting. Belfast born and bred, Rankin cut his culinary teeth in kitchens across the globe, creating a love of Northern Ireland and its cooking combined with an appreciation of more exotic dishes.
Returning to Belfast, he and Jeanne opened the celebrated Cayenne restaurant, offering high-end food, created using traditional Irish ingredients given a spicy twist. Known for its long opening hours, Cayenne attracts office workers seeking a quick bite after work, post-theatre diners and anyone impressed by its extensive wine list and cocktail menu. For a more affordable alternative, the Rankins have also opened Cafe Rankin. The city centre eatery has a Parisian edge but still remains faithfully Irish, with specialities including soda bread. Dishes are available for under £10.
Also boosting Belfast's culinary reputation is Michael Deane, who opened his eponymously named restaurant in 1997, swiftly bringing a Michelin star to the city. With three AA rosettes to his name, Deane recreates world class cuisine in Belfast city centre, delivering dishes that earned him the title of top chef in the UK, courtesy of the Craft Guild of Chefs. Housed in a mock baronial railway terminal, Restaurant Micheal Deane is created in a two-tier concept, catering for two budgets. The Michelin starred portion of the restaurant is on the first floor, while a cheaper brassery above attracts a younger crowd. Both floors offer modern Irish cooking infused with Asian influences.
Budget cafes and restaurants can be found across town, with Apartment Two being one of the most frequently recommended. Modern and distinctly urban, the restaurant manages to be popular with all ages, attracting diners with its fresh cuisine and extensive views of the city. The Odyssey is also home to a range of chain restaurants.
There are a few signature dishes that diners can expect to try while visiting Belfast. Oysters are popular and of high quality thanks to the city's proximity to the sea. Meat features heavily in Irish kitchens, with many dishes taking lamb, beef or pork as their centrepiece. Ireland is also known for a surprisingly extensive range of baked goods, including traditional soda breads, potato griddle cakes, buttermilk bannock and farls.
The Irish also do their own take on a traditional cooked English breakfast, swapping tomatoes and mushrooms for meat, meat and more meat. Takers should expect a plate laden with a formidable selection of sausages, bacon, black pudding and white pudding, which for the uninitiated is a blend of suet, oatmeal and onion.
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Eating & Drinking
