A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I went on a short city break to Belfast. I’ve never been to either Northern Ireland so I was really excited to explore a new place, with plenty of good food, cosy pubs and beautiful scenery on the itinerary.
Tourism is a fairly new industry to Belfast, having been so heavily bombed during The Irish Troubles up until 1998, but the locals are very eager to show off their city- as they should be. Not only does Belfast have a fascinating history and stunning surrounding countryside to explore. There’s also a growing foodie scene in the city, (I can’t recommend Bib Gourmand restaurant, Home, enough), and of course plenty of pubs, each with their own story behind them. So, if you’re planning a trip to the city, I thought I’d share my top picks here.
The Crown Liquor Salon
This was the first pub we went to in Belfast and I have to say, it was by far one of the best pubs I’ve been to. Seating takes the form of a ‘snug’ and these little booths date from the 1880s and were designed to allow ladies and high society to have a drink without being overlooked. The traditional pub food was pretty delicious here too.
Kellys Cellars Belfast
This pub was everything I wanted it to be and more! It’s located in the heart of the city yet it feels like you’ve stepped back in time once you get inside and it’s packed full of locals and tourists alike. We grabbed a Guinness and sat down in one of the many cosy corners as traditional Irish music played in the background. There’s not much in the way of food here, but of course, you can get your hands on a bowl of Irish Stew if you get there early enough.
White Tavern
A lovely traditional pub with dark candlelight tables and a roaring fire. It’s the perfect place to relax on a gloomy Belfast Winter’s day. Food is available here.
The Dirty Onion and Yardbird
The Dirty Onion and its restaurant upstairs, The Yardbird, are an institution in Belfast. We actually only passed through this pub as we were on the hunt for dinner and I can vouch for the fact that The Yardbird’s burgers are some of the best I’ve ever had.
Duke of York
I absolutely loved this pub and it was by far one of the liveliest places that we went to. Tucked down a gorgeous colourful lane in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, and dangerously easy to pass the time in.
And just in case you were thinking that all we did was drink…
I thought I’d share a few snaps of some of my other favourite parts of the trip. Home Restaurant and The Giant’s Causeway were, of course, massive highlights of our Northern Ireland trip!
We decided to do a day tour with City Tour Belfast which took us all around the countryside, past castles and to iconic natural landmarks like The Dark Hedges and Giants Causeway. I can’t recommend this trip enough- especially if you’re short of time. It was also great value at just £30 per person for the whole day.
Passport Please 