Food & Drink

Foodie finds: Street Hawker, Napoleon Coffee, Bunsen burgers and Stock boxes

Tired of opting for the same treats? Have your breakfasts become bland and your dinners dull? Well, we have your guide to the most delicious fine dining spots, the coolest coffee shops and tasty takeaways…

DINE IN

Waterman House, 5-23 Hill Street Belfast (Wed/Thurs 5pm-9:30pm, Fri/Sat 12pm-10:30pm, Sun 1pm-8pm)

Opened in June 2022 by Niall McKenna Waterman House offers a no-frills dining experience in Belfast’s buzzing Cathedral Quarter. The restaurant’s menu changes with seasons and is heavily influenced by flavours from Europe and is paired to a short wine list alongside a monthly changing local gin and beer selection.

@thehungrytwo_ni Waterman Belfast - deffo recommend a visit. The Sunday roast and steak where fantastic !! #waterman #watermanbelfast #GenshinImpact32 #food #foodtiktok #foodie #belfast #belfastfoodie #belfastfoodbloggers #belfastblogger #discoverni #foodtok #wine ♬ Festival - FASSounds

However, despite the European influence the daily ingredient list is local with the restaurant supporting local artisan producers and farmers. It was also awarded a Bib Gourmand from Michelin in 2022 as it also offers am exceptional no choice set menu.

Read more:

  • Waterman Cookery School: Warming winter soups
  • Eating Out: Capital dining in The Fumbally and Bunsen
  • Eating Out: Stock Kitchen & Bar – whatever I'd done it must have been good to deserve this

Street Hawker, 15 Lancasterian St, Carrickfergus (Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-8pm)

Specialising in street food Street Hawker has elevated many of our favourite dishes. Creating tantalising flavours and vibrant aromas this unique dining experience offers almost anything you can think of. From buffalo wings topped with parmesan and chicken licken loaded friend to a battered oreos with a whiskey toffee sauce.

@hollythedestroyer6 Street Hawker Carrickfergus Officially opens tomorrow for breakfast 10/11/23 at 9am #streetfood #streethawker #belfastfood #belfastfoodplaces #belfastfoodies #belfastfoodfinds #belfastfoodspots #northernirelandrestaurant #northernirelandfoodscene #northernirelandfoodanddrink ♬ Easy - 3LAU

The Jameson Alpine Lodge at The Crafty Vinter, 703 Lisburn Rd, Belfast

Time to get into the apres-ski spirit and enjoy these cold winter nights cosied up at the Jameson Alpine Lodge. From November 17 the Crafty Vinter tasting room is transformed into a winter wonderland offering hot drinks, seasonal cocktails, themed events, a festive menu and heated terrace. Bookings are not required, and the venue is open to experience any day of the week.

@alexhuston.eats Trying the Alpine Lodge AT The Crafty Vintner #belfast #belfastfood #festive ♬ original sound - AlexHuston.eats

CAFES

The Lamppost Café, 19 Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast, Fri-Sun 9am-7pm

If you are a C.S Lewis fan or know someone who is, then this is the perfect coffee spot for you. Quiet, quaint and dog friendly it is ideal for catching up with friends, grabbing a quiet lunch or sitting by yourself and getting some work done. There are also C.S Lewis quotations and references peppered around the café to get you in the creative mood. An extra bonus is that all their food, coffee and tray bakes come from local produce and/or suppliers.

@justanotherfooodie The lamppost cafe in East Belfast is a must visit! ☕️ #coffee #coffeebreak #thelamppostcafe #belfastfoodplaces #belfastfoodbloggers ♬ adore u - Fred again.. & Obongjayar

The Lamppost also offers a traditional afternoon tea with all the classics including freshly prepared finger sandwiches, warm scones and array of petit fours and chocolate strawberries. However, this must be booked in advance.

Established Coffee, 54 Hill St, Belfast (Mon-Fri 7am-4:30pm, Sat/Sun 8am-4:30pm)

Whether you’re on a break or on the move Established Coffee could be your new go to. One of the first speciality coffee shops in Belfast the coffee shop has become a staple in many people’s daily routine since it opened in 2018. It’s also a good lunch spot, serving hearty, healthy and seasonal produce created and put together with care.

@belfastfoodiegirl I feel like making this a series? #besticedcoffeebelfast #icedlatte #establishedcoffee #coffeebelfast #belfast #belfasttiktok #discoverbelfast #famousfoodplacesni #belfastfoodiegirl #NatWestWhatYouWaitingFor #discoverni #belfastblogger #nitiktok #ni #foodcontent #fyp ♬ SNAP - High and Fast - Rosa Linn

Napoleon Coffee, 18 Ormeau Ave, Belfast (Mon-Fri 8am-3:30pm, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun closed)

If you love a strong coffee and a tasty traybake then you need to try Napoleon Coffee. They have also developed a reputation for making some of the best overnight oats in Belfast if you’re looking for a healthier option.

@nifoodreviews New series Finding the best coffee spots in NI… first up, Napoleon Coffee in Belfast! #nifoodreviews #nifood #nifoodie #nifoodblog #nifoodblogger #nifoodbloggers #northernireland #nifoodfinds #nicoffeespots #belfastfood #belfastfoodie #belfast #belfastcity #irishfoodie #irishfoodblog #irishfoodblogger ♬ Eyes Closed - Ed Sheeran

HJEM Belfast, Unit 2 BA, York St, Belfast (Mon-Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm)

Hidden with the Ulster University complex is HJEM. The aesthetic will draw you in but it will be the creamy coffee and sweet treats that make you stay.

@bethany.chisholm Okay HJEM.BELFAST I see you giving me European coffee shop vibes #belfast #belfastcoffee #belfastcafe #belfastcoffeespots #northernireland #ireland #irelandcoffee #coffeeireland #cafeireland #copenhagen #faceup #albumcover #brighton #mascara #croissant #bakery #belfastfood #belfastrestaurants #strangerthingsedit ♬ corny vids are being made w this sound - primalmen

MAMO, St George’s Market Oxford St, Belfast – Opening December 3

Gemma Austin, the mind behind themed restaurant A Peculiar Tea, is opening a brand-new patisserie this weekend. The new shop will produce quality patisserie on par with those found in France.

TAKEAWAY

Bunsen, 6-8 Hill St, Belfast (Sun-Wed 12pm-9:30pm, Thurs-Sat 12pm-10:30pm)

Offering dine in, takeaway or delivery options it couldn’t be easier to order a burger from Busen. This compact eatery has an equally compact menu of burgers and fries. Great for indecisive eaters, burger connoisseurs and those who are still feeling the effects of the night before.

@jgendron10 Does @Bunsen Burgers have the best burgers in belfast?? what other burger spots need to go on our list? #bunsenburgerbelfast #belfastfood #belfastrestaurants #bestfoodinbelfast #belfasttiktok #belfastcity #belfastfoodies ♬ Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris

Foodies, 353 Lisburn Rd, Belfast (Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat/Sun 10am-11pm)

Can’t decide on what takeaway to order? Foodies offers four options all under the one roof. Committed to serving quality fast food the brands included are Fireaway Pizza, Loranzo Coffee; Peperi.co and Wok&Go.

@explore_ni_with_ellie Come with me to try foodies belfast on lisburn road It was unreal couldnt get over how nice the different cuisines were and id definitely be back ! #belfast #belfasttiktok #belfastfoodplaces #belfastfoodbloggers #belfastfoodie #foodiesbelfast ♬ Calm background music with acoustic guitar and saxophone(1288148) - ame

Stock at Home Christmas Box, St George’s Market Oxford St, Belfast (Thurs 5pm-9pm, Fri/Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm)

If you love fine dining but hate the faff (and expense) of going out Stocks cook at home box is worth looking into. Especially if the thought of making Christmas dinner fills you with dread. With a prawn cocktail to start, Turkey and ham with all the trimmings for main and a plum and Christmas pudding for desert give in to temptation and let someone else do the heavy lifting this year. Available to order now and pick on Christmas Eve. 

@sophie_something27   ♬ original sound - Sophie Clarke