Where to eat, drink, shop and have fun in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter

Named for St Anne's Cathedral, which lies at the heart of the area, Cathedral Quarter is a buzzing up-and-coming Belfast neighbourhood with strong cultural connections.

Here are the best places to eat, drink and enjoy yourself in this cool central hotspot.

Eating and Drinking

Whether you're in the mood for gourmet cuisine or classic fish and chips, the Cathedral Quarter has you covered (Photo: Shutterstock)

Salt Bistro

Serving locally sourced food in a relaxed and trendy environment, Salt Bistro specialise in seafood dishes, although they do have meat and vegetarian options too.

Visit: Saint Annes Square, BT1 2LR - saltbistrobelfast.com

The Muddlers Club

Named after a secret society that met on the premises more than 200 years ago, The Muddlers Club is a hidden gem on the back streets of Cathedral Quarter.

Modern with an industrial edge, the restaurant serves a simple but tempting menu that diners can see being prepared in the open kitchen.

Visit: 1 Warehouse Lane, BT1 2DX - themuddlersclubbelfast.com

Holohans At The Barge

Enjoy pretty waterfront views and tuck into a seasonally inspired menu of traditional Irish cuisine at Holohan’s at the Barge.

Dishes include pork belly, dry aged sirloin, smoked cod and their signature Holohan’s boxty of the day.

Visit: 1 Lanyon Quay, BT1 3LG - holohansatthebarge.co.uk

The Dirty Onion

Housed inside one of the city's oldest buildings, The Dirty Onion calls itself "an authentic Irish pub with a modern twist".

Dog-friendly with one of Belfast’s biggest beer gardens for summer and an indoor peat fire for winter, this is a great place to relax with one of the many craft beers on the menu.

Visit: 3 Hill Street, BT1 2LA - thedirtyonion.com

Duke of York

With vintage Belfast memorabilia displayed on every wall, the Duke of York pub is like a fascinating museum with added alcohol.

All the owners ask is that you “Come in Soberly, Drink Moderately, Depart Quietly and Call Again”.

Visit: 7-11 Commercial Court, BT1 2NB - dukeofyorkbelfast.com

Muriels Cafe Bar

Classic on the outside and quirky within, you'll feel right at home at the cosy Muriels Cafe Bar.

With a great selection of drinks (including cocktails) and a bar menu packed full of comfort food, this is a fun and bustling place to spend a few hours.

Visit: 12-14 Church Lane, BT1 4QN - facebook.com/muriels.cafebar

The Hudson Bar

Self-proclaimed specialists in "whiskeys, ales and disco", The Hudson Bar also offers live music, DJs, cocktails and bar snacks.

If you're looking for the party in the Cathedral Quarter, it's here.

Visit: 10-14 Gresham Street, BT1 1JN - hudsonbelfast.com

The Merchant Hotel

The Merchant Hotel is hiding three bars inside its stunning walls - Berts Jazz Bar, The Cloth Ear, and The Cocktail Bar.

At the first, guests can enjoy live jazz on any night of the week, and order from the extensive drinks list and bistro menu.

The Cloth Ear is styled as more of a cosy and traditional pub, while the ornately decorated Cocktail Bar serves rare spirits, champagne and more cocktails than you can imagine.

Visit: 16 Skipper Street, BT1 2DZ - themerchanthotel.com

The Northern Whig

Traditional and welcoming, The Northern Whig specialises in cocktails (especially gin) and offers food throughout the day.

Visit: 2-10 Bridge Street, BT1 1LU - thenorthernwhig.com

Shopping

Improve your wine knowledge as you shop at Direct Wine Shipments (Photo: Shutterstock)

Utopia

For all kinds of homeware, jewellery and gifts, pop into the independent and family-run Utopia.

Founded in 1979, the shop specialises in fun and beautiful items to mark special occasions.

Visit: Fountain Centre, College Street, BT1 6ET - facebook.com/utopiagiftsbelfast

Fresh Garbage

Established in 1969, clothing and accessories emporium Fresh Garbage is a Belfast institution.

Renowned for being at the cutting edge of alternative fashion, the shop also sells everything from posters and incense to ornaments and hair dye.

Visit: 24 Rosemary Street, BT1 1QD - freshgarbage.co.uk

Atelier

Selling contemporary furniture, lighting, rugs and custom-made pieces, the Atelier showroom is the place to go for interior design inspiration.

If you're looking for some expert advice, they also have an interior design service for both work and home.

Visit: 7 Wellington Place, BT1 6GB - atelier-design.co.uk

Direct Wine Shipments

Established in 1954 and family-owned, this independent seller stocks a comprehensive and award-winning range of high quality wines.

If you want to improve your wine knowledge, the friendly staff are on hand to advise, or you can attend one of the many masterclasses run by the shop.

Visit: 5-7 Corporation Square, BT1 3AJ - directwineshipments.com

Entertainment

A day in the Cathedral Quarter wouldn't be complete without a visit to St Anne's Cathedral (Photo: Shutterstock)

St Anne's Cathedral

It would be strange to spend serious time in the Cathedral Quarter and not stop off at the Cathedral itself.

Entry for one adult costs £5 (including a guide book or audio tour), and once inside you'll be able to marvel at the church's beautiful interior and learn about its 114 year history.

Visit: Donegall Street, BT1 2HB - belfastcathedral.org

Street Art Walking Tour

See another side to the Cathedral Quarter on this comprehensive walking tour of the area's unique street art.

Devised and led by some of the local artists who have driven the scene over the last few years, this is a 90 minute, gently paced tour, running weekly and beginning at noon.

More info: seedheadarts.com

Belfast Exposed

Spend some time in Northern Ireland’s principal gallery of contemporary photography, and enjoy work by artists and photographers from Northern Ireland and further afield.

For anyone hoping to get more hands on, the gallery offers various courses and workshops for aspiring photographers.

Visit: 23 Donegall Street, BT1 2FF - belfastexposed.org

The Black Box

Putting on everything from live music, theatre and comedy to film screenings, visual art exhibitions and cabaret nights, The Black Box is an exciting arts venue that is always buzzing.

With multiple events happening here nearly every night, there's never a dull moment.

Visit: 18-22 Hill Street, BT1 2LA - blackboxbelfast.com

Escape Rooms Belfast

With six rooms that can hold up to 35 people at one time, put your logic to the test at one of Escape Rooms Belfast's puzzle games.

Their immersive themed rooms include a diamond heist and a time machine, where you and your team will have an hour to solve the clues and escape unscathed.

Visit: 33 Church Lane, BT1 4QN - escaperoomsbelfast.com