Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Northern Ireland

OpenTable

Updated 05 January 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Northern Ireland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Saga Kitchen & Cellar

4.8

4.8 (62)

£26 to £40

Modern European

Belfast

About the restaurant

Welcome to Saga.

Defined as a long story of heroic achievement, Saga embodies the continuation of our culinary journey from the success of Blank restaurant. With the same dedicated team, values, and passion driving us forward, Saga is more than just a dining experience – it's a celebration of good food and wine for good people without pretence.

We are always be open for walk-ins, but if you know you're planning on coming it's always best to book.

Prefer to speak with us directly? Our reservations team will be delighted to assist you. Simply call us at 028 9040 6399 Thursday-Friday from 4-9pm, Saturday from 12-9pm and Sunday 1-8pm.

Indulge in the Saga experience – where every meal is a chapter in your own culinary journey.

Top review

Margaret

Dined 6 days ago

Simply the best in Belfast, in my humble opinion. Beef wellington superb Fish cooked to perfection Great advice and selection of wines. I’ve been recommending to friends for months. Booked again for Sunday with family.

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Experience

Meat up Thursday £80 for 2

Bank Square Brasserie

4.7

4.7 (370)

£25 and under

International

Belfast

About the restaurant

Bank Square Brasserie is a place where you can appreciate high quality food and service in a casual atmosphere. Anchored in the city centre of Belfast we celebrate local produces and resources to provide a unique experience, from our drinks list to the flavours on the plate.

Top review

Renee

Dined 4 days ago

We started with appetizers, including garlic prawns and scallops, but we were a bit underwhelmed- it was lacking in taste. But the sea bass- that was phenomenal! It was our favorite meal we have had in two and a half weeks in the country. The staff was very personable and the ambiance was great. I’m a big fan of ceilings, and they have an amazing ceiling!

James St.

4.6

4.6 (362)

£26 to £40

Steakhouse

Belfast

About the restaurant

James St is a casual and contemporary, brick-walled restaurant specialising in chargrilled and aged steaks. The charcoal grill plays centre stage, cooking not just some of the best steaks and prime cuts Northern Ireland has to offer but also fresh whole fish, pork and vegetables.

With a larger, more established bar area, a large range of wines are available alongside a considered spirit list and an extensive whisky offering. Locally produced beer, cider and gins take pride of place on the drinks menu.

Owned by Niall McKenna since 2003 the revamped James St. will offer locals and tourists a great dining experience in a Belfast city centre.

The restaurant team is headed up by Ryan Stringer as Executive Head Chef & Paul Vaughan as Operations Manager

Bookings may be seated on stools at the bar.

Top review

Phil

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

Overall we really enjoyed our experience at the restaurant. The staff were pleasant and attentive without being overly present. The food was excellent and the service great. It was a little cool in the restaurant and I did notice other customers putting their coats on during their dining.

Tetto

4.6

4.6 (327)

£26 to £40

Italian

Belfast

About the restaurant

Tetto is a bright, modern, design-led rooftop restaurant, bar and garden located on the top floor of Bullitt Hotel. Showcasing fresh local seafood with an Italian accent alongside Neapolitan style pizza and imaginative aperitivo inspired cocktails. Enjoy carefully curated playlists and residents DJs every Friday and Saturday night.

Tetto is located on the fourth floor of Bullitt hotel and can be accessed through the main hotel lobby or via Ann Street.

Top review

Ron

Dined on 22 Dec 2024

First time visit to Tetto Would highly recommend. Staff were above excellent, Girl called Kwan made the whole experience, helpful in every way possible. Absolute privilege to have. Food was excellent also. Will be visiting again. Thankyou.

Taylor & Clay

4.6

4.6 (911)

£26 to £40

Steakhouse

Belfast

About the restaurant

Bullitt hotel's award-winning restaurant Taylor & Clay Grill, boasts an open kitchen built around an incredible bespoke Asador wood-fired grill. Head chef Saul O’Reilly’s talented team cook the best local meat, fresh seafood and vegetables over roaring flames using charcoal and ash wood sourced from sustainable local forests.

Why not enjoy after-dinner drinks in the lobby or move upstairs for cocktails and city views in Babel, the hotel's incredible rooftop bar and garden.

Top review

Brian

Dined 6 days ago

We had the fillet steaks cooked to perfection and served by an extremely friendly server named Eimear Top marks all round

Fontana

4.6

4.6 (475)

£26 to £40

Contemporary European

Holywood

About the restaurant

Simple Food, Cooked Well, Enjoyed By All.
Fontana is a favorite in the neighborhood. Always serving the best of fresh local ingredients in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, Fontana is that perfect place for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch.

Top review

Claire

Dined on 20 Dec 2024

Absolutely delicious meal, excellent service and so accommodating when we were in a hurry to get to a concert as well. 10/10!

The Restaurant at The Fitzwilliam Hotel

4.5

4.5 (314)

£26 to £40

Steak

Belfast

About the restaurant

At The Fitzwilliam Restaurant , we exclusively source our beef from our local Northern Irish supplier Lisdergan Meats . Their grass-fed cattle roam freely, ensuring flavourful, high-quality meat. Our partnership with Lisdergan reflects our commitment to quality and sustainability.
Awarded an AA Rosette for culinary excellence at fantastic value, with pre-theatre menus, a la carte menus, and private dining all on offer.
Experience the best of Northern Irish cuisine in a 5 star luxurious setting.
We are proud to be members of Taste of Ulster & Restaurants Association of Ireland.

“There is a difference between dining and eating. Dining is an art.
When you eat to get most out of your meal, to please the palate, just as well
as to satiate the appetite, that,my friend, is dining.”
-Yuan Mei

Top review

Jude

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful experience, amazing customer services. Amazing view.

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Experience

Starter, Steak & Sweet

Experience

Pre-Theatre menu

The Ivy Brasserie, Belfast

4.4

4.4 (148)

£26 to £40

Irish

Belfast

About the restaurant

The Ivy Belfast Brasserie spans across two floors at the historic Cleaver House on Donegall Square North, in the heart of the City Centre. The Ivy Belfast brings a touch of Ivy magic to Northern Ireland, offering effortless glamour and a varied mix of classic and locally inspired dishes.

Top review

James

Dined 1 day ago

I went for lunch with my daughter. There was a two course set menu which was reasonably priced, however we chose to go a la carte. All in, lunch came to £100, which was for two starters , two mains, an additional starter which we shared, 2 pints of Guiness and a coke. There was a 10% service charge. Service was attentive yet uninvasive. Menu options were great. Food was delicious and portion size was just right. I look forward to returning again soon.

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Experience

The Ivy Belfast Afternoon Tea

Experience

£19.95 Two-Course Menu

Wolff Grill at Titanic Hotel Belfast

4.2

4.2 (562)

£26 to £40

Irish

Belfast

About the restaurant

Winner of 'Hotel Restaurant of the Year' for Ulster and All Ireland at the Irish Hotel Awards 2024.

The Wolff Grill, every visit promises a refined yet casual dining experience in an intimate and relaxed bistro setting. Indulge in luxury dining with our carefully crafted menu, perfect for romantic dinners, family-friendly lunches, or business gatherings.

Savour the finest cuts of meat during our steak night or explore our diverse offerings, including gluten-free options and vegan delights. Whether you're joining us for a pre-theatre bite or a leisurely weeknight dinner, you can elevate every dining experience with us.

Immerse yourself in romance at one of Belfast's most enchanting dining destinations, where waterfront views and our Titanic connection create an ambience like no other. Our locally sourced ingredients pay homage to Northern Ireland's flavours.

Top review

Col

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent attentive service, food and ambiance were beautiful. This place could be very tourist trappy but avoids it very well with decent prices and good quality!

Novelli at City Quays

4.1

4.1 (248)

£25 and under

European

Belfast

About the restaurant

Novelli at City Quays is a stylish Mediterranean and French influenced brasserie. Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Situated right along the River Lagan, with a stunning outdoor terrace, Novelli's is the perfect setting to sit back, relax and allow the world to pass you by.

Only a 15 minute walk from the SSE arena, with nearby car parking, its the perfect base to stop off at before your concert or event.

Bon appetite!

Top review

Martine

Dined on 27 Dec 2024

The service was fantastic and the quality of the food was excellent. The surprise dessert for my son’s birthday was an unexpected surprise. A little pricey but a very enjoyable night.

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Popular dish

10oz Ribeye

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