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GNI – June 2026 – The foodie scene in Belfast has been going from strength to strength, with many restaurants extending their opening hours, and exciting new eateries popping up almost every week. Here are four terrific experiences we’ve particularly enjoyed in the city over the past couple of months, from established favourites and hotel dining, to culinary schools and recent openings.
Academy Restaurant, Belfast.
We had visited Academy Restaurant in the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast, for a number of evening events, including the amazing Culinary Salons, and were always very impressed, but to our shame, this was our first lunchtime experience. Needless to say, it was fantastic from start to finish.
Championing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to create exceptional flavourful dishes, the restaurant is the flagship of the Ulster University’s culinary school, beverage school, and conference and meeting facilities.
Here, Academy showcases the talents of students who are keen to learn about hospitality, whether as chefs, entrepreneurs or future leaders in the industry, which in turn encourages the growth of Northern Ireland as a top food and drink destination.
We chose from the Academy Lunch Menu-there’s also an Express Specials Menu for those in a rush. We started with an earthy Pearl Barley, Asparagus & Pea Risotto with herb oil & a Parmesan crisp, creamy Keenan’s Seafood Linguine with peas, spinach, and broad beans, and a vibrant Goat’s Cheese Salad with roast beetroot and balsamic dressing.
Our Main Courses were Chicken Escalope with rocket, sage, and lemon, in garlic butter with fries, chunky Belfast Lager Battered Monkfish Scampi with pea purée and Parmesan fries, and a hearty Spiced Chickpea Stew with couscous, yoghurt, and pomegranate.
And the desserts are not to be missed; the light Mixed Berry Pavlova with strawberry sorbet and Chantilly cream, the zingy Lemon Posset with poached rhubarb and granola, and the sinfully indulgent Caramelised Banana Bread, with Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream, toffee sauce, and golden honeycomb, were all sensationally good.
There’s also a comprehensive drinks menu and wine list; the organic Finca Fabian Verdejo from Spain was the perfect, tropical, mouth-watering white to sip on a sunny spring lunchtime, relaxing with such wonderful food and service.
Lanting Chinese, Belfast.
Lanting is a fantastic new Chinese restaurant in the heart of Belfast’s Queen’s Quarter. Serving up delicious plates packed with authentic Chinese flavours, the restaurant offers a terrific variety of options, from its extensive menu. From traditional sizzling stir fries to contemporary Asian specialities, there’s a brilliant selection of dishes to choose from.
We were seated in the opulently appointed dining room, with its dramatic red and black colour scheme, clever lighting touches, and trickling water features.
We started with some excellent cocktails to accompany our appetisers of crispy, sesame-topped Prawn Toast, prettily presented Wasabi King Prawns served in shot glasses, golden, sweet Caramel Chicken Wings, and Dim Sum of Fried Prawn Dumplings.
Then came the culinary theatre of the sensational, not-to-be-missed, Signature Beijing Roast Duck. Also known as Peking Duck, this iconic dish is presented and carved at the table; the dark, glossy skin, tender flavourful meat, and delicate pancake wrappings with sweet hoisin sauce, cucumber, and scallions, was utterly delicious.
To follow, we enjoyed a Signature Monkfish Duo in black pepper sauce and wasabi, a whole Thai Steamed Sea Bass, served on the bone with chilli, lime and herbs, and some fragrant, spicy Crispy Mala Tofu.
And we finished our meal with a plate of Fried Ice Cream to share, along with a couple of shots of Chinese Wine!
For stylish surroundings, friendly service, and superb Chinese cuisine, Lanting absolutely hits the spot!
Coppi, Belfast.
Dodging a downpour on a particularly wet Saturday afternoon, we ducked into Coppi, one of our favourite Cathedral Quarter spots, for a bite of lunch before a matinee at The Mac.
We always order some Cicchetti to start our meal; the Anchovy Crostini were umami-packed, with whipped ricotta to cut through the richness, and the dish of Whipped White Beans, with tangy Caponata and warm Pasta Crisps for dipping, was a wonderful mixture of smooth and crunchy textures.
We’re a sucker for cool, creamy Burrata, and Coppi’s is sensational, with hot honey, roasted grapes, and a sprinkle of fresh mint. And the lemony, garlicky Portavogie Prawns on Focaccia were utterly delicious.
Coppi’s freshly made pasta is always fantastic, and we loved the Gnocchi on a Smoked Gubbeen Fonduta, with soft Grilled Leeks, and a rich Truffle & Hazelnut Pesto, accompanied by a side of Hispi Cabbage, with a Burnt Chilli Butter & crunchy Pangratatto.
Contemporary, intimate and relaxed in style, Coppi has been serving up superb Italian-influenced dishes since 2012, using the very best quality local ingredients. And we can’t wait to experience the newly “revamped” Coppi after its recent renovation, and try out some of the brand new dishes on the menu.
The Malone Hotel, Belfast.
Having recently attended a chic soirée to celebrate the definitive transformation of this BT9 icon, The Malone Hotel, located in South Belfast’s bustling yet charming Queen’s Quarter, has been boldly reimagined, and we couldn’t wait to return to check out the dining options.
The hotel is home to the elegantly classy Gallery Restaurant and the popular, buzzing Greyhound bar. The Malone chefs are passionate about locally sourced produce, warm hospitality, and delicious dishes.
Before our meal, we relaxed in the Lobby Bar with a couple of cocktails; a pleasantly sour “House No. 60” with Irish whiskey and lemon juice, and a spicy rum-based “Dark ‘n’ Stormy”. There’s also a leafy covered terrace overlooking Eglantine Avenue for a spot of people watching!
We enjoyed a Sunday evening meal in The Malone Hotel’s modern Irish pub, The Greyhound, which serves bar food with a touch of refinement, alongside great wines, local beers, and a range of spirits.
We started with a light and fruity Sumo Cat Riesling to accompany our Small Plate starters of Penne Pasta with basil pesto, feta, & peppery rocket, and a Smoked Salmon Tart with a mixed leaf salad, crispy capers, & aged balsamic.
The classic signature dishes are exactly that. Chicken Supreme; oven roasted local free-range chicken breast with tenderstem broccoli, a selection of potatoes, and a wild mushroom fricassee, and a Chargrilled Cauliflower Steak with baby potatoes, cauliflower puree, crispy kale & capers. Accompanied by perfectly golden, battered Onion Rings (one of our guilty pleasures), this was a delicious meal.
And to finish, we shared a cut glass tumbler piled high with fruity, creamy Eton Mess, rich with tart brambles, blackcurrants, and crisp meringue, topped with a sprig of mint.
