Finding a spot that pleases the children as much as the adults is never easy. Although many venues will advertise that they offer to all ages, you can sometimes be left with disappointing results. We understand the difficulty of finding that spot that offers quality no matter the age and at the right price, which is why we’ve created this guide featuring the top family-friendly Belfast restaurants and providing a pleasurable dining experience for the parents, too.
Belfast's best restaurants for children
Nico’s Pizzeria
- Italian
- 54 Lisburn Road, Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom, BT9 6AF
Set on Lisburn Road, Nico’s Pizzeria is one of the best
child-friendly Italian restaurants in Belfast, offering a delicious
array of authentic stonebaked pizzas, creamy pasta dishes, and
other tasty Italian-inspired dishes, including perfectly-cooked
meat and fish options. All recipes originate from the southern
Italian region of Calabria, from where Executive Chef Kristian
Nicolo hails, so you can expect the very finest authentic flavours
of south Italy.
Catering to all tastes and dietary requirements, there’s
something for everyone here, from flavourful vegan and gluten-free
options to succulent meat-focused dishes and fresh fish plates. The
special kid-friendly menu offers the same epic flavours in smaller
portions suited to little mouths and little tummies. For less than
a tenner, you’re wee one can enjoy a tasty kid’s meal with cordial
and ice cream, choosing from a seven-inch stonebaked margherita
pizza, penne pasta with tomato and basil sauce or bolognese sauce,
or chicken goujons served with skin-on skinny fries and a choice of
a dip.
Ryan's Bar & Restaurant
- Irish
- 116-118 Lisburn Road, Belfast, County Antrim, United Kingdom, BT9 6AH
Located on Lisburn Road, Ryan’s is a brilliant spot to keep
the kids happy with a variety of options to please even the
pickiest eaters. It’s also a perfect spot for parents with its very
affordable prices. Midweek, children have a choice of a main course
for just £4.50 and two courses for £6.50. Parents can avail of a
variety of dishes with menus to cater to all dietary requirements,
at just £14 for two courses. Ryan’s has a warm, friendly and
relaxed atmosphere making it clear across its website and social
channels that it is an eatery to please the whole family no matter
the age.
Coppi
- Bistro
- Unit 1, Saint Anne's Square, Belfast, Co Antrim, United Kingdom, BT1 2LB
Searching for that restaurant to celebrate a special occasion
that also keeps the children happy? Coppi is the answer. One of the
most loved Italian restaurants the city has to offer, Coppi,
located in the iconic St Anne’s Square, is truly unique offering an
array of tempting Venetian and Italian-style dishes. Whether you’re
in the mood for Cicchetti-style tapas, fresh fish dishes or an
Italian-style lamb roast, you can find it at Coppi.
This city centre venue doesn’t skimp when it comes to the
kid’s menu either. Children have a choice of multiple Italian
dishes far from the typical sausages and mash. For just £5 little
ones can enjoy crispy prawn fritters, bacon carbonara or even
pizza, as well as having a choice of desserts. This authentic venue
makes sure to offer a memorable and quality dining experience to
parents, but also allows children to enjoy its unique
cuisine.
City Picnic
- Bistro, Child Friendly
- Unit 5 McAuley House, Castle Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, BT1 1HB
Located right in the heart of Belfast’s shopping centre, City
Picnic is a great place to grab a filling breakfast to gear you up
for a day in the city or to rest weary legs after an afternoon
trawling the high street. With a pleasing menu of classic comfort
foods, such as burgers, chicken wings and pizza, you will find
something to please everyone at City Picnic.
bistro este
- Buffet, International
- BISTRO ESTE, 221 Upper Newtownards Road, BELFAST, Ballyhackamore, United Kingdom, BT43JD
A family-run business serving locally sourced, freshly
prepared food, bistro este is a popular spot on the Upper
Newtownards Road for families looking for a casual bite to eat in
the city. Open for evening dining from Wednesday to Saturday and
from lunchtime on Sundays, bistro este is the perfect place to
enjoy classic, creative, globally-inspired flavours with dishes
made from high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients.
You can expect everything from a 16-hour slow braised
featherblade of beef bourguignon, horseradish mash, anise carrot
and broccoli to Korean fried chicken with napa slaw and lime mayo.
Kids can enjoy a main course for just £6, two courses for £9, or
three for £12 – and the menu is sure to please. Mains include pasta
bolognese and panko-crusted cod fingers or chicken goujons served
with mash or triple cooked chips. Little ones with a sweet tooth
will be pleased with the option of some tasty vanilla or chocolate
ice cream for dessert.
Neill’s Hill
- Bistro
- 229 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, BT4 3JF
Set in the heart of Ballyhackamore, Neill’s Hill Brasserie is
another great spot to enjoy a relaxing family meal just outside the
city. Having served the people of Belfast for over 25 years, this
is a firm favourite among people from all across the city and
further afield. Whether you’re calling in for breakfast, lunch or
dinner, you’re always sure to find something delicious that is made
with love using the very freshest, locally sourced
ingredients.
Little ones won’t go hungry with the wholesome and nourishing
kids’ menu featuring delicious dishes such as battered fish and
frites, Neill’s Hill special homemade cheeseburger, Neill’s Hill
ribs, and penne pasta with fresh tomato sauce. There’s even a great
selection of tasty starters, including garlic bread, a fresh fruit
pot, chicken wings, and breadsticks with hummus. For dessert, the
kids can choose from a chocolate brownie, chocolate churros, a
classic 99 ice cream cone, or a banana, chocolate or strawberry
milkshake.
Home Restaurant
- Bistro
- 22 Wellington Place, Belfast, County Antrim, United Kingdom, BT1 6GE
Set in the heart of the city, Home Restaurant is a beloved
Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant serving up fresh, creative dishes
that are full of flavour and showcase the highest quality, locally
sourced ingredients from all across the Emerald Isle. First opened
in 2011, this spot has enjoyed over a decade of success in the
city, highlighting its position as one of the top dining
experiences in Belfast.
Perfect for families, Home Restaurant prides itself on
offering a varied menu with something to suit all tastes and
dietary requirements, from creative vegan plates to meat-focused
dishes sourced from high-quality producers like Lisdergan Meats.
There’s plenty of choice for the little ones, too. For the really
little ones, there’s a ‘Baby Bowl’, which comes with mash,
vegetables and gravy, and for the slightly bigger little ones,
there’s sausages with mash, veg and gravy, chicken goujons and
fries, parmesan risotto and a hearty bowl of pasta with tomato
sauce.
Cuffs Bar & Grill
- Locally Sourced
- Crumlin Road Gaol, 53 - 55 Crumlin Road, Belfast, United Kingdom, BT14 6ST
Cuffs Bar & Grill is located inside the iconic and historic
Crumlin Road Gaol just north of the city. First opened in 2016,
Cuffs prides itself on “keeping it local” with all ingredients
sourced locally from small independent suppliers such as Ewings,
Belfast’s oldest fishmongers and Dromore meat suppliers, Carnbrooke
Meats. Head Chef Glenn Rochette has worked hard to offer a
traditional yet creative menu with something for everyone, whether
you’re vegan, a meat-lover, or one of the kids.
From juicy burgers and smokehouse beef brisket to freshly
prepared Belfast smoked salmon, you’re sure to find something that
will tempt your taste buds here. The little ones will be impressed
by what’s on offer, too. Whether it’s chicken goujons, pork
sausages, margherita pizza, or a half roast of the day portion,
they’ll be spoilt for choice with the epic selection.
Ben Madigan's Bar & Kitchen
- Bar, Bistro
- 169-175 Cavehill Road, Belfast, Co Antrim, United Kingdom, BT15 5BP
A friendly local bar and restaurant overlooked by the famous
Cave Hill, Ben Madigan’s is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing
family meal. With a friendly atmosphere, welcoming people of all
ages and from all walks of life, everyone is made to feel like part
of the family here. The kids’ menu, which comes on a fun
colouring-in sheet, has plenty of delicious and nutritious dishes
for your wee ones to enjoy.
Whether it’s a kid-sized portion of the famous Ben’s Beef
Burger with cheese, French fries and tomato ketchup, a kid’s mini
roast beef with mashed potatoes, gravy and seasonal veg, a mini
Margherita pizza, or Ben’s southern fried chicken strips with
French fries, your kids will leave feeling more than satisfied with
their feed here. For a tasty sweet treat, they can also enjoy a
kid-sized scoop of ice cream that costs just £2 extra.
