Cafe in Belfast

“Just a fabulous bar- great indie music, delicious cocktails such as a French Martini and Rhubarb Gin, fast and friendly service, lovely decor and lighting, and great atmosphere! It will be my regular when we are in Belfast!”

“As regular patrons of Northern Lights we’ve come to deeply appreciate the bar’s consistent excellence in both its beer selection and its atmosphere. It’s a space that strikes a rare balance: relaxed yet vibrant, accessible yet discerning, and welcoming even to families with children. The recent Aurora Beer Festival, held over two days, was a particularly impressive expression of the bar’s ethos—a carefully curated celebration of the local and regional craft beer scene. Among many excellent pours, the standout was a superbly rich imperial stout from White Hag in Sligo—bold, complex, and the perfect centrepiece for a festival of this kind. Special credit is due to Aidan, who not only delivered his usual attentive and well-informed service, but also took on the considerable task of organising the entire festival. The result was an event that felt cohesive and seamless—no doubt benefiting from the structured, analytical mindset he brings to both the bar and, as we’ve gathered, his scientific research. That dual expertise showed in everything from the thoughtful pacing to the clarity of presentation. Northern Lights continues to distinguish itself not by flash or trend, but by intention. It’s a place where hospitality feels genuine, where beer is taken seriously without being pretentious, and where events like Aurora reflect a quiet ambition to raise the bar for what a local can be. We’ll be back soon—as always—and are already looking forward to what comes next.”

“The Rock Bar on the Falls Road is a must-visit after a Troubles tour. With its dark history tied to Belfast’s past, this traditional pub offers a unique atmosphere where history and hospitality meet. Once a hotspot during the conflict, it now serves as a welcoming local bar with a great pint of Guinness and friendly patrons. The walls whisper stories of the past, making it a fascinating stop for those interested in Northern Ireland’s history. A proper Belfast experience—rich in character, culture, and a reminder of the city’s resilience.”

“A really lovely pub in the memory of John Hewitt, and his work. Great selection of craft beers and drinks in general. Food was awesome. The ragu lasagne was great!”

“Stopped by for lunch with my two daughters (3 and 6) after some swimming. It was a Saturday around 2 PM, and the bar was quiet; we were actually the only ones in the restaurant. Initially, we worried we'd made a mistake. Thankfully, we hadn't! The staff were incredibly friendly and brilliant with my girls, and the food (chicken wings & cod and chips) was fantastic. However they prepared their wings, they were delicious—and I do love a good wing! The cod was beautiful, the tartar sauce was fresh, and the chips were perfectly fluffy and crispy. Overall, the experience truly lived up to the glowing reviews we'd read before going. They make their own Gin, beers, and whisky; I only tried the beer, but their inviting bar and outside area looked fantastic, so I'll definitely find an excuse to come back and try the rest. All in all, I'd highly recommend this spot if you're in the area. My only downside is that it's on the other side of Belfast from where I live! I hope to be back again soon.”

“Great breakfast with a proper cup of tea. Service was great fast, polite and with a smile.”

“We had the chowder and the spicy peanut eggs and the food was so delicious. The cafe is cute and cozy.”

“Great selection of fish. I had the hake supper, and my partner had a chicken burger (there is your classic cod/haddock but also sole and pollock - hard to find elsewhere). Both used quality ingredients, and they were succulent and tasty. Would highly recommend.”

“Wonderful pub, excellent food and service at a very good price. Loved the entertain too. A good night out”

“Food was amazing, gourmet burger was delicious. Black forest gateau and the mochas are great too. Lovely staff, very helpful and a nice space to dine in.”

“Very nice restaurant, well worth a visit. I had lunch recently (beef brisket) which was tasty and generous. Nice decor and atmosphere. But the stand out feature was the staff who were welcoming, professional and friendly. Great parking just outside the door too.”

“Went in on a very wet day. We were only going to have a couple of drinks but we decided to have their cheeseboard as a small snack. It was amazing value for money, lots of crackers, cheese and grapes, with a vwry tasty chutney for some sweetness. Staff were very friendly and efficient. The icing on the cake though was the coal fire, roaring away and keeping us toasty warm.”

“Visited here with a friend I was staying with in Bangor. We found the pub had a lovely atmosphere and the waiter serving us was lovely. I ordered the lasagne, which was deliciously prepared however maybe a little overdone but still tasty. My friend had the steak ciabatta, the temp was perfect and both our plates were scraped. Would certainly return for another visit to this local pub.”

“Went in on a Sunday. Place was busy but they were still able to get us a table. Food was amazing all around. Staff and service was great as well. I will definitely be back again. Would recommend to anyone to pop in for some food...its well worth it”

“Very clean,lovely decor..nice calm atmosphere even when busy.Food was lovely and great value.Staff were friendly and helpful as this was my first time going here with my partner. -Good vaule -Clean -Fast -Organished After our food we got some treats which were delicious!”

“We have been going here 10 years now and we love it,friendly staff..quick..always clean and presentable! The food is outstanding for the price..honestly I don't think you will find better value!”

“Great spot and service was excellent despite it being busy on a sunny day. Only minor critique is the menu colours are difficult to read like gold writing on light blue background perhaps just me or light. Chocolate cake was excellent and the coffee lovely as well”

“Fantastic menu. Amazing selection of hot and cold drinks and such a cosy and sophisticated setting. The staff are always so friendly and helpful. Great addition to the ATown road.”

“Beautiful food, amazing friendly staff. Great prices. Highly recommended. I can’t wait to go again.”

“Located at the Divis mountain. Its an amazing spot for some food & coffee, I was recommended to do one of the trails which doesnt take too long. Staff were incredible to chat with! :)”

“Amazing pub in the East. Great atmosphere. Lots of craft beers. The outdoor pizza oven is incredible. Semi-coed bathrooms. A variety of ages here. I would say 30-40 predominantly but there's also parents with kids and older folk too. Really good vibe.”

“Great bar. The bar lady was nice. And this is coming from a devout Catholic, I was treated like anyone else! The men in there are a bit rough, but I'm rough too, I just look pretty. But service is excellent.”

“Great pub right in the heart of the Shankill Road. Friendly staff and customers. Love all the history on the walls. Best pint of Guinness you will ever have.”

“Tyler and Clay Grill was the perfect spot for a lively birthday celebration with my lab mates. Despite the bustling and somewhat noisy atmosphere, we thoroughly enjoyed the delicious grilled food and the accompanying music, making for a fun and memorable experience overall. It's a great place to go for tasty grilled dishes and a good time, even if it's a bit loud.”

“We got the large fry and the breakfast bap and I my got it's was great 10 out of 10 not a bit of grease on fry and it was amazing definitely get again”

“Dog friendly. Went for a evening meal and drinks with my partner and our dog. Great service from the start. Had some small plates between us and shared the special which was all brilliant. Curtis even went the extra mile and got my fiancée some olives when she chanced her arm after seeing they weren't on the menu. All in all a great night, cocktails were fantastic and would definitely go back!”

“I love this little cafe but recently we we were charged £1.50 for each additional item coming to a total of £9 on top of our bill. We had asked for bacon (were given 2 each) and tomato added as extras with our poached eggs. I feel that charging £1.50 per individual item eg per rasher of bacon and for a small piece of tomato, is a bit too much. Other than that this is a lovely little cafe with great food and people. I was just taken aback by the bill on that particular day.”

“It's a karaoke pub and honestly the atmosphere was great. Young or old everyone participates and everyone appreciates.”

“I stopped by here for lunch a couple of months back and couldn't believe how good the food was. So much so that I talked my family into getting the family platter and has now become a regular thing. Have tried pretty much everything off the menu and haven't been disappointed. If I have any negatives it would be, on one occasion I think they ran out of chicken and I had a 40 min wait on more being cooked(I assume it's oven cooked then grilled) but it was resolved well and I would have waited anyway. Staff are great, friendly and willing to help. The selection of sauces set out for people to try is a great idea for people who've never been before. Hands down the best place for a cheat day!”

“Great bar.. A friend and I called in on Saturday to watch Man Utd match... Various tvs showing different matches and the place pretty busy... Although the upstairs bar wasn't open, the owner kindly put a TV on for my friend and I to watch upstairs.... Great atmosphere and great Guinness. .”