{"id":1025626,"date":"2026-06-14T07:22:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T07:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1025626\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T07:22:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T07:22:48","slug":"northern-irelands-best-restaurants-of-2026-so-far-seven-places-worth-booking-right-now-the-irish-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1025626\/","title":{"rendered":"Northern Ireland\u2019s best restaurants of 2026 (so far): Seven places worth booking right now \u2013 The Irish News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Northern Ireland\u2019s food scene continues to evolve at an impressive pace.<\/p>\n

Over the first half of 2026, established favourites have welcomed new chefs, independent restaurants have expanded into bigger premises, and a number of venues have continued to raise the bar with ambitious menus and memorable dining experiences.<\/p>\n

From destination dining spots and neighbourhood gems to one of the region\u2019s most talked-about pizza joints, these are some of the restaurants that have impressed us most so far this year.<\/p>\n

Roam<\/b><\/p>\n

6a Callender St, Belfast BT1 5BN<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Northern<\/a>\"‘A<\/a>\"RoamRoam on Callender Street, Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann <\/p>\n

Run by Belfast chef Ryan Jenkins, Roam has remained one of the city\u2019s most consistent dining experiences since evolving from a pop-up concept into a permanent restaurant.<\/p>\n

The intimate 38-seater is as much about creating memorable evenings as it is serving excellent food. Good music, attentive service and a carefully considered atmosphere combine to create an experience that feels immersive without being pretentious.<\/p>\n

The menu changes regularly with the seasons, allowing the kitchen to make the most of quality ingredients. During our visit, a beautifully cooked lamb loin and fillet dish paired with wild garlic and red wine jus showcased exactly what Roam does best. Tender, flavourful and technically assured, it was the sort of plate that lingers in the memory long after the meal has ended.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no escaping the fact that Roam sits firmly at the special occasion end of the market, but for those willing to push the boat out, it remains one of Belfast\u2019s standout dining destinations.<\/p>\n

The Nineteen Hundred Restaurant<\/b><\/p>\n

12 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FB<\/b><\/p>\n

\"TheThe Nineteen Hundred <\/p>\n

One of the most significant openings of recent months, The Nineteen Hundred Restaurant forms part of Belfast\u2019s newly opened Bedford Hotel.<\/p>\n

The restaurant is overseen by acclaimed chef Noel McMeel, whose reputation has been built over decades spent championing local produce and comforting, flavour-led cooking.<\/p>\n

That familiar McMeel touch runs throughout the menu, from seafood chowder and Silver Hill duck leg confit to Carraig Ban goat\u2019s cheese spring rolls and monkfish scampi. Yet there are also moments that hint at something more adventurous.<\/p>\n

A standout lobster, prawn and chicken boudin served atop tagliatelle with red pepper ragu delivered exactly that. Beautifully presented and packed with subtle flavour, it balanced richness and refinement in equal measure.<\/p>\n

Read more: <\/b>Six Northern Ireland restaurants to look out for in 2026<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

The finale proved equally memorable. A superb Bakewell tart served with cr\u00e8me anglaise provided a fitting end to a meal that demonstrates why McMeel remains one of Northern Ireland\u2019s most respected culinary figures.<\/p>\n

Shanty<\/b><\/p>\n

Old Lifeboat Shelter, Portrush BT56 8AY<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Shanty,Shanty, The Old Boathouse, Portrush. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin <\/p>\n

Perched on the coast in a converted lifeboat shelter, Shanty has carved out one of the most distinctive dining experiences in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

Since reopening in 2022, the restaurant has transformed the unusual building into a destination that makes the most of its spectacular surroundings. <\/p>\n

The setting alone would be enough to attract visitors, but Shanty\u2019s appeal runs deeper than that. The menu showcases a range of thoughtfully prepared dishes, from lemon and pepper squid to coriander-marinated monkfish, all delivered to a consistently high standard.<\/p>\n

Combined with attentive, personable staff who are happy to chat diners through the menu, it creates an experience that feels both relaxed and memorable.<\/p>\n

Mourne Seafood<\/b><\/p>\n

34-36 Bank St, Belfast BT1 1HL<\/b><\/p>\n

\"MourneMourne Seafood Bar, Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann. <\/p>\n

For more than two decades, Mourne Seafood has been one of Northern Ireland\u2019s most recognisable seafood restaurants. In 2026, however, it feels like the restaurant is entering an exciting new chapter.<\/p>\n

The appointment of Co Tyrone chef Ryan Stringer as executive chef has brought fresh energy to the business. Having worked in kitchens stretching from Sydney and Sardinia to Copenhagen\u2019s world-renowned Noma, Stringer has introduced new techniques and ideas while remaining respectful of the restaurant\u2019s heritage.<\/p>\n

The Mourne favourites remain firmly in place, but there is now a greater emphasis on coastal vegetables, foraged seaweed, local lobster and prawns, with breads and sauces made entirely in-house.<\/p>\n

Read more: <\/b>Review: New restaurant lights up east Belfast with latest venture from family-run team<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

The approach feels contemporary without alienating loyal customers. Familiar dishes are elevated through technique and attention to detail, creating a menu that feels both approachable and ambitious.<\/p>\n

Under Stringer\u2019s guidance, Mourne Seafood looks well on its way to reclaiming its position as Belfast\u2019s premier seafood destination.<\/p>\n

Walled City Brewery<\/b><\/p>\n

Ebrington Square & Parade Ground, 70 Ebrington St, Londonderry BT47 6FA<\/b><\/p>\n

\"TheThe Walled City Brewery was the first business to open in Derry’s Ebrington Square Picture by Margaret McLaughlin <\/p>\n

Housed within one of Ebrington Square\u2019s striking former military buildings, Walled City Brewery offers something few restaurants can match – beer and gin produced on site.<\/p>\n

Founded in 2015 by James and Louise Huey, the venue has become a destination not only for its brewing credentials but also for a food offering that continues to impress.<\/p>\n

A gin flight provides the perfect introduction before moving on to dishes such as celeriac soup or slow-cooked beef cheek served with potato terrine, savoy cabbage and celeriac pur\u00e9e. Rich, comforting and packed with flavour, it exemplifies the kitchen\u2019s ability to deliver refined comfort food without unnecessary fuss.<\/p>\n

Atmospheric lighting, soaring ceilings and a welcoming team add to the experience, creating a restaurant that feels both distinctive and deeply rooted in its surroundings.<\/p>\n

LASA<\/b><\/p>\n

405 Upper Newtownards Rd, Belfast BT4 3LH<\/b><\/p>\n

\"LASALASA on the Upper Newtonards Road. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN <\/p>\n

Few businesses have evolved as impressively as LASA.<\/p>\n

Many food lovers will remember the Filipino-Irish concept from its days operating in Common Market, or its food truck appearances or its time in Comber. Now settled into a permanent home on Belfast\u2019s Upper Newtownards Road, the restaurant feels like it has truly found its feet.<\/p>\n

Founded by husband-and-wife team Conor and Elizabeth Brennan, LASA is built around Elizabeth\u2019s passion for introducing Northern Irish diners to the flavours of her native Philippines.<\/p>\n

The move into a larger, more refined setting has allowed the concept to develop further, with a tasting menu that showcases Filipino cuisine through a distinctly local lens.<\/p>\n

Read more: <\/b>Inside Stormont\u2019s Members\u2019 Dining Room, where the public can eat like politicians<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Dishes such as the pork and leek siomai dumplings and dynamite chilli and cheese spring rolls demonstrate the kitchen\u2019s playful confidence.<\/p>\n

Flout!<\/b><\/p>\n

68 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2GT<\/b><\/p>\n

\"IrishIrish News journalist Sophie Clarke reviews the new Flout! restaurant on Donegall Street. PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN <\/p>\n

Five years on from its east Belfast beginnings, Flout! has become one of the most talked-about food businesses in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

The opening of its new slice shop in Belfast\u2019s Cathedral Quarter has only strengthened that reputation. Located opposite St Anne\u2019s Cathedral as part of the wider regeneration of Cathedral Buildings, the new premises regularly attracts queues of eager customers.<\/p>\n

What sets Flout! apart is its commitment to quality. Nothing is pre-baked. Slices are made throughout service and once they\u2019re gone, they\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n

The menu changes regularly, spanning everything from Detroit-style deep dish squares to classic New York-inspired slices. During our visit, a potato-topped deep dish finished with tarragon b\u00e9chamel and garlic oil proved particularly memorable, while a traditional pepperoni slice demonstrated just how effective simple ingredients can be when executed well.<\/p>\n

For all the creativity on display, Flout! never loses sight of the fundamentals. Add in prices that remain remarkably reasonable given the quality and portion size, and it\u2019s easy to see why the business has developed such a devoted following.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Northern Ireland\u2019s food scene continues to evolve at an impressive pace. Over the first half of 2026, established…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1025627,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5011],"tags":[2378,16767,1203,786,1144,29102,280,16,15],"class_list":["post-1025626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-northern-ireland","tag-belfast","tag-derry","tag-food","tag-food-and-drink","tag-northern-ireland","tag-portrush","tag-restaurants","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116747264592643619","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1025626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1025626\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1025627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1025626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1025626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1025626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}