Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Northern Ireland

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

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

Bank Square Brasserie

4.8

4.8 (423)

£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

Clár

Dined 3 days ago

Food was amazing. Staff were absolutely brilliant, went out of their way to make sure food intolerances catered for.

Saga Kitchen & Cellar

4.8

4.8 (90)

£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

Ian

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Excellent food in a lovely venue - staff were lovely and very good value for money on early evening (pre-theatre) menu.

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Experience

Meat up Thursday £80 for 2

Fontana

4.7

4.7 (506)

£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

Peter

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Fontana has been around a long time and when you visit you realise why. Good varied menu, excellent quality and service in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Will be back

3Cs Social Club

4.7

4.7 (419)

£25 and under

European

Belfast

About the restaurant

Winners of the NI hospitality awards 2 years in a row🏆🏆

**ANY PARTYS OVER 4 CONTACT RESTAURANT DIRECTLY OR THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK**

Belfast city centre newest restaurant @ the 3c's here to serve everyone with food of the highest quality at the lowest price, and offers that makes all other establishments blush. Cheapest pints in Belfast city centre (if not Belfast), best offers anywhere. 3 bottles of WKD, Smirnoff ice, Coors, Bud, Corona, Peroni only £8.00 pints from £3.90. Why not sit outside in our new beer garden that sits 150 people and let us look after you hand and foot. cocktails, beers, great staff you will not be disappointed. Belfast's best kept secret has been let out.

Top review

Deb

Dined 1 day ago

For those Americans who see this on open table…know that the restaurant is ABOVE the night club…and don’t try to take your teens into the bar/club on the second floor because you will really confuse the bouncers. Food was good, and VERY well priced.

FireStone Teppanyaki

4.6

4.6 (288)

£26 to £40

Japanese

Belfast

About the restaurant

Everything about FireStone defies the ordinary, from our displays of roaring fire teppanyaki performance exhibited by our master chefs to mouth watering freshly prepared sushi using the finest local produce and ingredients and so much more. We are open for Lunch and dinner throughout the week with a special lunch menu available.

FireStone offers a delicious menu in a unique atmosphere for guests. Sit back and relax with a cocktail or two and enjoy the service.

Teppanyaki is a shared experience & our tables are made to share with other diners! At the end of the night you may have found some new friends! Our Teppanyaki experience is 90mins per booking & would appreciate customers being on time for their booked slot. All food at the Teppanyaki table is cooked one by one & may not be served at the same time for each member of your party. For all Teppanyaki bookings, please call the restaurant directly to confirm availability as spaces are limited.

Top review

Robyn

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Excellent service, great food, cool energetic vibe.

James St.

4.5

4.5 (369)

£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

Helen

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

Excellent steak and spring greens side dish, a delicious lemon cocktail, and great waiting staff

The Cloth Ear

4.5

4.5 (1071)

£26 to £40

Irish

Belfast

About the restaurant

🏉 SHOWING ALL GUINNESS 6 NATIONS MATCHES LIVE! 🏉
No bookings taken for 6 Nations, walk-ins only

The Cloth Ear provides patrons with a pleasing twist on the quintessential Irish Pub. We are nestled in the oldest quarter of Belfast and we’ve woven a rich seam of our wonderful Victorian heritage into what is ultimately a thoroughly modern experience. At The Cloth Ear the welcome is warm and the atmosphere convivial. We invite you to join us as we celebrate the gentle art of conversation.
Our drinks list combines classic creations and innovative ideas. From punch bowls to hoptails and wine by the keg, we’ve carefully crafted an eclectic array of drinks to quench your thirst, tickle your tastebuds and get the conversation flowing.

We are story tellers and we look forward to hearing your story too.
No shaggy dogs, no braggarts, no windbags. Just tall tales,

All Tables reservations are for dining unfortunately we do not take drinks only bookings.

Top review

Michael

Dined 3 days ago

We really had a nice night. Everyone enjoyed the experience

Maisie’s

4.4

4.4 (62)

£25 and under

Bistro

Portadown

About the restaurant

Discover the charm of Maisie’s Bar and Restaurant, a haven of warmth and comfort that promises a delightful dining experience. Nestled in Mandeville Street, Portadown, our menu shows our commitment to local produce.

We presents an array of choices to excite your taste buds, from savoury tapas to scrumptious homemade desserts, each dish carefully presented to highlight the finest flavours and ingredients for an unforgettable meal.

Maisie’s stands out not only for its food but also for its bar, a sanctuary for drink aficionados with a vast selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The cocktail list shines with creative mixes sure to delight even the most particular patrons, while wine enthusiasts will rejoice in the handpicked wine selection that pairs flawlessly with the menu, enhancing the dining affair.

Ideal for a romantic evening, a celebratory event, or a cosy meal, Maisie’s Bar and Restaurant stands as the quintessential venue for all of the family.

Top review

Margaret

Dined 2 days ago

My experience was good as always, friendly staff, food are amazing, good atmosphere

Henry's

4.3

4.3 (800)

£25 and under

Irish

Belfast

About the restaurant

A licensed premises for over 100 years and steeped in Belfast history, Henry’s is the regeneration of a old favourite. Named after Henry Joy McCracken, Henry’s has been created to keep alive an old spot from the past, amongst the ever expanding and wonderful new. Join us for tipple, tales and some grub from the entries.

For any bookings after 7.30pm, please contact us via email at hello@henrysbelfast.com and our team will be happy to help!

Top review

Tara

Dined 3 days ago

Service, food and venue all very good. All staff very friendly.

The Hillside

4.3

4.3 (854)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Hillsborough

About the restaurant

The Hillside is a charming, rustic pub situated in the historic Georgian village of Hillsborough, County Down, only 15 minutes drive from Belfast city centre. The Hillside first opened its doors to patrons in 1752 and has been enjoying a busy trade ever since thanks to our excellent food and drinks selection and our friendly, welcoming service. We are renowned for our roaring open fires in the winter and our pretty cobble stoned beer garden in the summer.

Top review

jennifer

Dined 2 days ago

Lovely meal at the Hillside. All the food served was delicious. Victoria our waiter was attentive and chatty. Definately recommend.

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