In 2022, we made it our mission to try out some of Belfast’s newest eateries, so here are five fresh foodie finds – terrific recent additions to the local food scene which really impressed us this year.
Gnostic – Link
Situated in a Belfast City Quays location, facing the Harbour Commissioner’s Office, Gnostic Bar and Restaurant offers its customers a cozy and intimate environment; a place to meet & mingle with friends and colleagues or to taste and tipple with excellent food and drinks options.
We called in to try the Small Plates selection, and were very impressed with the dishes on offer. The Asian Crispy Duck Salad was a definite winner, as were the Spiced Panisse Tacos, and we were delighted to find a great favourite of ours, Fried Green Olives, on the menu: absolutely perfect bar snacks! And the Charred Broccolini with miso mayo and a soft poached egg, and the Mac & Beer Cheese with whipped feta were terrific vegetarian options.
With a variety of small tasting plates to share, main courses or platters of your favourite Cheese and Charcuterie Boards, Gnostic has something for everyone. It also holds a large selection of Premium Wines and offers an extensive Cocktail List.
Tzatziki
Bafflingly, it’s been many a year since Belfast has had a Greek Restaurant (Greek Symposium, anyone?) and it has been a mystery to us that this hugely popular cuisine, adored by tourists when visiting those gloriously idyllic islands on their holidays, isn’t in huge demand on their return. But finally, those whitewashed windmills and the azure of the Aegean can be revisited, food-wise, with the opening of Tzatziki, a local, family-run restaurant offering a variety of dishes in Greek, Mediterranean, and BBQ styles.
This relaxed and welcoming restaurant is located a short walk from Queen’s University on Botanic Avenue, and the authentic menu features a range of starters, mains, and desserts which will soon get your mouth watering.
Tzatziki is unlicensed at present, but has a BYOB policy. And make sure you’re hungry! We ordered the vegetarian Meze for two, featuring the ubiquitous Tzatziki, Houmous, a phenomenally good Melizana Salata, minty Dolmades, with olives, feta and pita. The Spanakopitakia were delicious filo parcels stuffed with spinach and cheese, and who can resist a fresh and herby Greek Salad, fragrant with oregano and peppery olive oil? But the star of the show was the whole Seabass, charcoal grilled, and presented beautifully on a circular wooden platter with rice and salad.
For a great value feast of simple, authentic, healthy Greek favourites, drop into Tzatziki.
Lottie – Link
Lottie is a very welcome “new kid on the block” in Ballyhackamore. Created by the team behind Yugo East, the restyled interior and selection of food & drinks menus ensure there’s something to suit all tastes, whether you’re popping in for a coffee & pastry, a lunch with cocktails, or an evening meal, Lottie does it all with aplomb.
We called in one Saturday night, and the venue was buzzing. To start, we shared a generous Irish Cheeseboard, crispy Bread & Tapenade, and luxurious little Cauli Cheese Croquettes. We followed this with Lottie’s stunning Langoustine Arnold Bennett, a dish of perfectly cooked Scallops, and a rich, tomatoey Prawn Linguine.
Drinks are also top notch; the Revolution is a fantastic spirit-led creation perfect for whiskey lovers, and the Seasonal Spritz is a refreshing glass of rhubarb and vermouth based fizz. And the Cora de Loxarel Penedès is an aromatic & fruity vegan white. Lottie’s relaxed, informal wine bar vibe, with delicious plates and great quality drinks absolutely hits the spot.
Cú – Link
Located on the Lisburn Road, Cú is one of Belfast’s most exciting recent openings. Describing themselves as “Always Punchin’”, the focus is on the best local produce with Mexican influences.
The atmosphere is lively, the service is efficient and friendly, and the food is terrific. Every dish was excellent, in particular the plate of Grilled Padron Peppers with lime whipped feta which was an unusual twist on an old favourite, and both the Cod Cheek, and Oyster Mushroom Tacos, were delicious-especially when topped with the smoky Burnt Morita Salsa. The desserts are also fantastic, so leave some room for either the silky Chocolate Mousse, or the New York Style Burnt White Chocolate Cheesecake. Or have both. La vida es demasiado corta!!
Madame Pho – Link
The brainchild of William Chan, who has made it his mission to highlight the reputation of Vietnamese cuisine, Madame Pho offers great quality, authentic Vietnamese food in a casual dining setting on Belfast’s Botanic Avenue.
The Small Plates are perfect for either a light lunch, or a sharing feast, and we found it impossible to choose a favourite; the Veggie Spring Rolls wrapped in lettuce and dipped in Nuoc Cham Sauce are a deep-fried delight, and the Summer Rolls are stuffed with deliciously fresh shredded vegetables served with a peanut sauce.
We can never resist a bean curd dish, and the Salted Chilli Wok Fried Tofu is a super-spicy vegan option, as are the Crispy Cauliflower Wings with vegan Sriracha Mayo, and the Stir-Fried Broccoli in Garlic. And for seafood lovers, the Banh Mi with Panko King Prawns is a sandwich with serious attitude! No Vietnamese meal would be complete without a traditional Vietnamese coffee. Hot or iced, the Madame Ca Phe District 1 Coffee has notes of cocoa, almond, and caramel, and is served in a traditional Phin filter.
From hand-rolled summer rolls to spicy curries and healthy noodle salads, Madame Pho has something to suit all tastes.
